Becoming a Series

Our most popular shows have sequels and more sequels. It’s like watching a new episode of your favorite TV show!

Jeff Querin, Stephen Wayne, Becca Anderson and Sarah Black in ADDICTED TO LOVE, 2016

We wrote a show six years ago that was our version of an 80’s teen comedy about the adults. A homage to John Hughes movies, if you will, but where the parents and teachers take center stage.

The setting was the faculty lounge of Arden High. The science teacher has a secret crush, the A/V teacher’s in love with the substitute. Then one day, they’re all forced to attend prom and chaos ensues.

Actor/writer Jeff Querin with an eyepatch. Because every 80’s movie has a guy with an eyepatch.

ADDICTED TO LOVE sold out the entire 4-month run. The response was unprecedented.

We then developed HOLIDAY ROAD around these same characters and their annual Christmas party. This time our protagonist (the school secretary) decides to introduce her “gentleman-friend” to her mother which quickly turns into a dumpster fire.

The audience didn’t need to see the first episode (a year prior) to enjoy the story they were watching that evening.

The characters were so strong, with a thorough backstory, the audience was immediately drawn in to their lives and problems.

Actor/Writers Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne in the follow-up HOLIDAY ROAD, 2017.

So you can guess what happened next? We wrote a third episode!

Two years later, we wrote a summer show based off these beloved characters which concluded with an epic wedding ceremony. (No spoilers since we’re bringing the show back in 2024!)

And once again, the audience didn’t need to know what happened in the previous two episodes to enjoy the show they were watching.

Actor/writer Jeff Querin as the lovable-neurotic A/V teacher in SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, 2019.

We’ve learned two valuable lessons with the “Arden High” shows:

1) All of our plays are like a TV series. You just want to see the next episode!

2) You don’t need to see the first one to enjoy them all!

Each episode follows the Hero’s Journey, which means the stories are complete and stand alone. The characters are fully fleshed-out personalities with a rich backstory.

Actor/Writers Stephen Wayne and Becca Anderson in another popular series, CAN’T BUY ME LOVE, 2019.

And the secret ingredient to the success of all this is the ingenuity of how we tell the stories.

Big budgets be damned!

We don’t need fancy pyrotechnics or hydraulic lifts to transport you to another world.

A martini glass and a spot light creates a New York night club circa 1987.

A picture frame and Gumby doll can create the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade circa 1965.

Actor/writer Stephen Wayne watches the holiday parade in IT’S CHRISTMAS, BABE!, 2020.

The possibilities are endless as long as ingenuity and imagination helm the ship.

This spring, we invite you to see the show that started it all. ADDICTED TO LOVE plays through May 28 and is an absolute delight.

You and your friends will love the humor and music. The pre-show festivities are a delight too. Grab a snack, maybe a bottle of wine, and settle in for a night of entertainment unlike any other!

This couple even got engaged on stage following the performance!

Multitask to the Max

The owners are also the writers, directors, actors, bartenders and host. Are they insane??

Owner Jeff Querin serving our popular LEMON SPARKLE champagne cocktail.

And that’s just the night of the show.

We won’t even mention the countless administrative tasks during the week!

How do they not lose their mind? More importantly, how can they possibly give a memorable performance?

Writers + actors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

Practice.

“Earlier on, our bartender couldn’t make it one night,” says Querin. “So Steve and I jumped behind the bar and started slinging wine and snacks before the show.”

“It instantly felt like a cocktail party,” states Jeff.

Actors Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

Most actors wait in the wings. Some have a routine of meditation and quiet. Not these guys.

Jeff and Steve get to know you, solve any problems, make sure everyone in the room is seated and ready for the show.

Writers + actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

And then they jump on stage and, remarkably, become different people.

"The key to multi-tasking is being fully committed,” say Wayne. “Literally <hahaha>.”

Actor Becca Anderson in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

Surrounding themselves with talented people helps as well.

Actor Becca Anderson has performed numerous shows since 2015 and now heads Casting and Social Media, alongside her full-time day job!

It’s contagious!

Actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

Compartmentalizing. That’s the key.

If you’re skiing down the slope, you don’t focus on the trees. You follow the snow.

Follow the path and your skills will carry you through…. usually.*

For tickets…

*Unless a transformer blows and the entire block loses electricity. But even then, we ended up doing the show by the light of the audiences’ phones (This actually happened!).

Owner Jeff Querin in SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY, 2018

Sold Out Since 2017

How is that even possible??

Actor/Writers Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin with Becca Anderson, Tabitha Ottiwell, Nakeisha Daniel and Nick Fancher.

An average of 4 shows a week. We opened in 2014. Started selling out in 2015. By the end of 2016, we were always full.

But there’s only three actors, you say. There’s barely a set, says they. No one has ever heard of these shows!

And that’s exactly why it works.

Actor writers Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin with John Black, 2017.

The short answer: Audiences want to see whatever is next.

They know it’ll be entertaining, compelling and completely hand-crafted from scratch just weeks before.

It helps that the owners are also the actors and the ones who seat you. They might even serve you a drink beforehand.

Where’s Stephen Wayne?

But there may also be a few key ingredients to selling out every show…

1) We treat each night like it’s our last.

2) Our actors care about the audience (i.e no divas aloud!).

3) The shows aren’t cynical. Life’s about redemption and second chances.

4) Story is key. The set may fall down but if the story is there, we can do anything.

5) We’re in downtown freakin’ Charleston. I mean, come on, y’all!

Maybe our streak will continue. Maybe not. That’s never been the priority.

All we care about is presenting an incredible show just for you. Hope to see you soon!

For tickets…

Actors/writers/Owners Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne with Becca Anderson, Tabitha Ottiwell, Rebecca René Kelley, Dylan Menges on confetti duty

From Stage to Screen

First it was a play. Then it was a short film. Now we’re creating a 10 episode series.

Owners-writers-actors Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne with Ian Maddox and Kris Kuhlman

Owners Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne flew out to West Hollywood this last week to visit with a few members of 34 West Film’s creative Team.

Ian Maddox and Kris Kuhlman are a delightful duo AND our eyes and ears on the ground in L.A. (More about them in the months to come!)

Pre-gaming with writers Jeff Querin and Stephen Wayne

What are we creating, you ask?

Here’s the pitch… A zombie outbreak in a 1950’s diner. Think Wandavision meets Shaun of the Dead.

(from left) Jeff Querin, Nakeisha Daniel, Becca Anderson, Stephen Wayne

It’s called LOVE POTION and you can view our short film (made during Covid with our “quarantine bubble” AND with the help of Steve’s Dad’s camera!) on our Films tab.

Sure, turning a play into a short film is one thing but how do you create an entire series out of a 15 minute short?

The super-short answer: It was there the whole time.

Actors Nakeisha Daniel, Becca Anderson, Jeff Querin

When we write any of our plays in Charleston, the only way the characters and storyline are captivating is if an entire world of conflict has also been created.

The audience may never know all the details, but they don’t need to know. It’s the difference between watching an ordinary theater play or watching a compelling story with a triumphant conclusion.

Actors Becca Anderson and Stephen Wayne

LOVE POTION is the first of about 15 sellout, tried-and-tested stories from 34 West being adapted.

Which show are you most interested in seeing transferred to screen??

Upcoming performances in Charleston…

View the 15-minute short film…

15 Minutes could save your life…