War of the Words

We announce the winner of the second season of the War of the Words Bracket Battle! We also have our final bonus play! Portals by Qasim Makkani Directed by Lauren Hainley Voice Actors: Reed Halvorson, Bailey Hampton and Jason Rivas Thanks for listening to the bracket this season! A Cone Man Running Production 

The Finals! We started with 28 and are down to two!  Ruben Ybarra v Reed Halvorson.  The playwrights drafted their actors.  They had to incorporate any ten sound cues into their play and were allowed up to 20 minutes.  They were allowed to write about anything they wanted.  Here are their results: The Negotiator by Ruben Ybarra Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Brian Kondrach, Jon Moonen and Ben Plopper v. Just Like New by Reed Halvorson Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Helen Rios and Kevin Sebastian Go vote at www.conemanrunning.com until 11:59PM at Monday, November 15.

We announce the second winner of the Final Four! And we have a bonus play for your listening pleasure. Blue Little Blue Late by Colleen O'Doherty Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Chelsea Curto and Bailey Hampton

The second bracket of the Final Four!  The theme was to use advice that they had been given in kindergarten that applies as an adult and the sound cue was a camera shutter click. The Before Times by Reed Halvorson Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Ruth McCleskey, Melissa Rodriguez, Kevin Sebastian v.  Behold the Wonder by Nicholas Garelick Directed by Jason Jonathan Rivas Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Chad Benjamin Potter, Kevin Sebastian   Go to www.conemanrunning.com to vote for your favorite!

The first bracket of the Final Four!  The theme was to use advice that they had been given in kindergarten that applies as an adult and the sound cue was a camera shutter click. One of the Good Ones by David L. Williams Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Chelsea Curto, Caryn Fulda, Brian Kondrach, Jon Moonen v.  So This One Time I Ordered a Creme Brulee by Ruben Ybarra Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Qasim Makkani, Dan Potter, Ben Plopper and Helen Rios   Go to www.conemanrunning.com to vote for your favorite!

We announce the winner of Round 4 of the Elite 8! And if anyone wants to write an audio play, email us at info@conemanrunning.com!

We announce the winner of Round 3 of the Elite 8! And if anyone wants to write an audio play, email us at info@conemanrunning.com!

We announce the winner of the second Elite Eight match up. And we present the last round of the Elite 8!  The theme is two wrongs don't make a right and the sound cue is a hotel bell ding!   They Will Kill Us by Nicholas Garelick Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Chelsea Curto, Rick Evans, John Raley, Melissa Rodriguez and Skyler Wuolle   v.   Leave it to the Experts by Conor Farrell Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Justin Bernard, Rachel Brownhill, Kealoha Peterson, Ben Plopper and Kevin Sebastian   Voting is open until Wednesday, September 1 at www.conemanrunning.com. 

We announce the winner of the first Elite Eight match up. And we present the third round of the Elite 8!  The theme is two wrongs don't make a right and the sound cue is a hotel bell ding!   All's Fair in Primanti Brothers and War by Ruben Ybarra Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Ty Fisher, Reed Halvorson and Jason Jonathan Rivas   v.    Amarillo '48 by Michael Weems Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Brian Kondrach, Ruth McCleskey, Chad Benjamin Potter, Dan Potter and Michael Raabe   Go to www.conemanrunning.com to vote!

It's the second round of the Elite 8!  The theme is two wrongs don't make a right and the sound cue is a hotel bell ding!   Offended by Reed Halvorson Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Nicholas Garelick, Bailey Hampton, Qasim Makkani, Bryan Mayard, Renata Smith   v.   All Things Must Pass by Jason Jonathan Rivas Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Jonathan Moonen, Renata Smith, Michael Weems and Sarah Willlett   Go to www.conemanrunning.com to vote!

It's the first round of the Elite 8!  The theme is two wrongs don't make a right and the sound cue is a hotel bell ding!   Take the Shot by Dan Potter Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Caryn Fulda and Helen Rios   We Both Get What We Want by David L. Williams Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Steve Brown and Brit Garcia   Go to www.conemanrunning.com to vote for your favorite!

Bonus play! The Ivory and the Entity by Qasim Makkani Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Brian Chambers, Ruth McCleskey, Jason Rivas and Melissa Rodriguez

Bonus play! The Night Before the End by Madison Sedlor Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Patrick Barton, Brit Garcia and Michael Weems

A bonus play! HPL Radio Hour, Episode 3 — The Gray Specter versus Doctor Thotep by Ben Plopper Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Justin Bernard, Jonathan Moonen, Kevin Sebastian and Ben Plopper

We announce the 8th and final winner of the Sweet 16 Match up! Bonus plays! It Was Better When We were Together by Michael Ganley Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Justin Bernard and Rick Evans   Steak Out by Marj O'Neill Butler Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Schrenia Bockholt, Helen Rios and Skyler Wuolle

We announce the winner of the seventh bracket of the Sweet 16.   Renata and Christine talk about the first time they tried to record an audioplay.  So the first bonus play is the very first play Cone Man Running ever did in order to test whether or not we could actually use zoom to create an audioplay that sounded good. Sway by Michael Weems Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Helen Rios and Renata Smith

We announce the winner of Round 6 between Claire Marie Anderson and Michael Weems.  We also present the last Sweet 16 Match Up.   The Meaning of Life by Cassie Randall Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Rick Evans and Skyler Wuolle v. Forklift Safety Training by Conor Farrell Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Caryn Fulda, Bailey Hampton, Brian Kondrach and Ben Plopper Voting open until Wednesday, July 14 at 11:59PM at www.conemanrunning.com.

We announce the winner to fifth bracket to the Sweet 16.  We also present the seventh match up who had the theme of "A day late and a dollar short" and had to include the sound cue of fabric ripping. Dahmer, Party of Five by Kris Thompson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Beau Fisher, Adina Owen, Kealoha Petersen  V. Pure White Snow by Nicholas Garelick Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Justin Bernard, Dan Potter, Helen Rios, Michael Weems Vote for your favorite at www.conemanrunning.com.

We announce the winner of the Round 4 Match up between Jon Harvey and Jason Jonathan Rivas.  We also present the Round 6 Match-Up which had a theme of "Better Together" and the crunching sound cue.  Never Too Old for a Mystery by Claire Marie Anderson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rachel Brownhill, Beau Fisher, Qasim Makkani and Melissa Rodriguez v. Winner Takes All by Michael Weems Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Patrick Barton, Justin Bernard and Steve Brown Voting open until Thursday, July 7 at 11:59PM

We announce the winner of the third Wotw2 Sweet 16 bracket. We also present the fifth match up in the War of the Words Sweet 16 Bracket! The theme was "Better together" and the sound cue was crunching. Better Together: A Modern Relationship Guide by Ruben Ybarra  Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Nicholas Garelick, Chad Benjamin Potter and Cassie Randall   v.   Let's Get Together by Ruth McCleskey Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Chelsea Curto, Bailey Hampton and Brian Kondrach Go vote for this bracket at www.conemanrunning.com!

We announce the third Sweet 16 winner. We also present the fourth match up in the War of the Words Sweet 16 Bracket! The theme was "A day late and a dollar short" and the sound cue was fabric ripping. Sunday with Brit by Jon Harvey Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Brian Chambers, Brit Garcia and Kevin Sebastian v. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Depression by Jason Jonathan Rivas Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Patrick Barton, Michael Weems and Sarah Willett Go vote for this bracket at www.conemanrunning.com!

We announce the second Sweet 16 winner. We also present the third match up in the War of the Words Sweet 16 Bracket! The theme was "A day late and a dollar short" and the sound cue was fabric ripping. Imperfectly Perfect by Reed Halvorson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Ben Plopper, Dan Potter, Helen Rios and Kevin Sebastian v. Hanoi Rocks by Nora Vetter Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Bryan Maynard and Kealoha Petersen Go vote for this bracket at www.conemanrunning.com!

This is the second match up in the War of the Words Sweet 16 Bracket! The theme was "Better together" and the sound cue was a crunch. Room for Two by Evan Baughfman Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Schrenia Bockholt, Michael Raabe and Jason Rivas v. Off the Beaten Path by David L. Williams Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Caryn Fulda, Reed Halvorson and John Raley Go vote for this bracket at www.conemanrunning.com!

This is the first match up in the War of the Words Sweet 16 Bracket!  The theme was "Better Together" and the sound cue was a crunch. The Send Off by Nicole Nesson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Steve Brown, Brit Garcia and Skyler Wuolle   v.   Broken Together by Dan Potter Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Jonathan Moonen, Adina Owen and Sarah Willett

We announce the results of Play-in Group 4. The Sweet 16 of the War of the Words starts on Monday, June 14.

We announce the 4 advancing playwrights from Round 3. Here are the final 7 short plays written by playwrights fighting their way into the bracket!  Their theme was "it's the thought that counts" and their sound cue was a coin in a vending machine. 1) Please Deposit Ten Cents by Claire Anderson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Brian Chambers and Cassie Randall ​ 2) Coke and a Smile by Eric C. Jones Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Melissa Rodriguez, Michael Weems and Sarah Willett ​ 3) Emergency Response Training by Conor Farrell Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Patrick Barton, Chelsea Curto and Ruth McCleskey ​ 4) The Nome Kennel Club by Rachael Carnes Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Reed Halvorson and Bailey Hampton ​ 5) Not Inside by Evan Baughfman Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Beau Fisher and Nicholas Garelick ​ 6) A Sea Shanty by Jason Jonathan Rivas Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Ty Fisher, Jonathan Moonen and Dan Potter ​ 7) Friends to the Vend by Colleen O'Doherty Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Adina Owen, Renata Smith and Skyler Woulle

We announce the 4 advancing playwrights from Round 2. Here are the next 6 short plays written by playwrights fighting their way into the bracket!  Their theme was kid in a candy store and their sound cue was a toaster pop. 1) Time Lapse by David L. Williams Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Helen Baker, Justin Bernard and Caryn Fulda   2) Past Time by Reed Halvorson Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Nicholas Garelick and Jonathan Moonen   3) A Muse Zing by Ben Plopper Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Qasim Makkani. Adina Owen and Kealoha Petersen   4) Fine Print by Nora Vetter Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Brian Kondrach, Chad Benjamin Potter and John Raley   5) Marauder’s Breakfast by Nicole Nesson Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rachel Brownhill and Cassie Randall   6) A Matched Set by Marj O’Neill-Butler Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors; Bryan Maynard, Helen Rios and Sarah Willett

We announce the 4 advancing playwrights from Round 1. Here are the next 7 short plays written by playwrights fighting their way into the bracket!  Their theme was rags to riches and their sound cue was pouring coffee. 1) Between the Chords: The Baby Shark Story By Nicholas Garelick Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Chelsea Curto, Michael Raabe and Christine Weems   2) Three, Two and One… Damn You, Dr. Samuelson! by Qasim Makkani Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Schrenia Bockholt, Ben Plopper, Kevin Sebastian and Skyler Wuolle   3) The McTavish Group by Ruben Ybarra Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Steve Brown, Brian Chamber, Rick Evans and Beau Fisher          4) Happiness Is a Warm Monkey by Michael Ganley Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Brian Kondrach and Dan Potter   5) Puttin’ on the Mints: Doge Stop Believin’ by Adina Owen Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Patrick Barton and Renata Smith   6) Would You Like Some Coffee by Cassie Randall Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Brit Garcia, Jason Rivas and Melissa Rodriguez   7) Filly and the Fellas by Jon Harvey Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Ty Fisher, Ruth McCleskey and Michael Weems  

We're back with the second iteration of the War of the Words: an Audioplay Bracket Battle! Here are the 6 playwrights that are in the first group trying to fight their was into the Bracket Battle.  After you listen to these six short plays, please go to www.conemanrunning.com and vote on your four favorite!  The four highest vote getters will move into the bracket in June!   The Ballad of Earl and Ellie Mae by Michael Weems Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rachel Brownhill, Bryan Maynard and Kevin Sebastian ​ A Comedy of Regals by Fernando Dovalina Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Helen Baker and Justin Bernard ​ The Adventures of Sir Leandro the Valiant by Lauren Tunnell Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Schrenia Bockholt, Kealoha Petersen, Chad Benjamin Potter and Michael Raabe ​ Two Men and a Hole by Kris Thompson Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Steve Brown, Caryn Fulda and Brit Garcia ​ The High Cost of Low, Low Prices by Dan Potter Directed by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rick Evans and Renata Smith ​ Get the Ball Rolling by Ruth McCleskey Directed by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Ben Plopper, John Raley and Helen Rios   A Cone Man Running Production

Cone Man Running Productions is proud to present an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Stave Five - The End of It Narrated by Helen Rios Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Reed Halvorson, Brian Kondrach, Kevin Sebasian, Renata Smith and Bryan Maynard as Ebenezer Scrooge Produced on the War of the Words Podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Cone Man Running Productions is proud to present an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Stave Four - The Last of the Spirits Narrated by John Paul Stevenson Voice Actors: Rachel Brownhill, Rick Evans, Nicholas Garelick, Lauren Hainley, Reed Halvorson, Brian Kondrach, Ruth McCleskey, Lulu Mire, Michael Raabe, Sandra Ramsey, Jason Rivas, Lily Smith, Preston Smith, Michael Weems and Bryan Maynard as Ebenezer Scrooge Produced on the War of the Words Podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Cone Man Running Productions is proud to present an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Stave Three - The Second of the Three Spirits Narrated by Caryn Fulda Voice Actors: Rachel Brownhill, Lauren Hainley, Reed Halvorson, Ruth McCleskey, Michael Raabe, Sandra Ramsey, Kevin Sebastian, Lily Smith, Preston Smith, Sammy Weems and Bryan Maynard as Ebenezer Scrooge Produced on the War of the Words Podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Cone Man Running Productions is proud to present an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Stave Two - The First of the Three Spirits Narrated by Renata Smith Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Brian Kondrach, Lulu Mire, Sandra Ramsey, Michael Weems, Whitney Zangarine and Bryan Maynard as Ebenezer Scrooge Produced on the War of the Words Podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Cone Man Running Productions is proud to present an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Released in five parts, this classic holiday story is voiced by many of our War of the Words actors. Stave One - Marley's Ghost Narrated by Christine Weems Voice Actors: Rick Evans, Ty Fisher, Reed Halvorson, Kevin Sebastian and Bryan Maynard as Ebenezer Scrooge Produced on the War of the Words Podcast A Cone Man Running Production

What kind of person is obsessed with late night radio shows?  Demonic Dave is about to meet Into the Darkness' biggest fan... You Are on the Air by Conor Farrell Voiced by Rick Evans, Philip Goughary, Helen Rios, Jason Rivas, Brian Kondrach, Michael Weems and Stephanie Kelso Directed by Christine Weems Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Curiosity kills... In the Round: Episode 26 - Petit Guignol by Ben Plopper Voiced by Kevin Sebastian, Michael Raabe, Helen Baker, Justin Bernard, Rick Evans, Rachel Brownhill, Helen Rios, Ruth McCleskey and Jennifer Doctorovich Directed by Christine Weems Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

It can be difficult being a good host when you don't know very much about your guests... Just One More Bite by Claire Marie Anderson Voiced by Rick Evans, Sandra Ramsey, Kevin Sebastian and Whitney Zangarine Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Some campfire horror stories blur the lines between imagination and reality... Campfire Stories by Dan Potter Voiced by Reed Halvorson, Emily Beth Lange, Adina Owen and Chad Benjamin Potter Directed by Christine Weems Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

When miserly Squint desecrates his widow Augusta's corpse, her vengeful spirit exacts a hellish revenge. Tap, tap, tap. Augusta's Diamond Ring by Donna Latham Voiced by Helen Baker, Jennifer Doctorovich, Chad Benjamin Potter and John Raley Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Legacy of Blood by Bryan Maynard Voiced by Rick Evans, Kevin Sebastian and Renata Smith Directed by Christine Weems Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Who says you can't go home? The Other Side of the Earth by Fernando Dovalina Voiced by Lauren Hainley, Brian Kondrach, Ruth McCleskey and Michael Weems  Directed by Renata Smith   Vengeance is a dish best served...on time. Remember the Dead by Nicholas Garelick Voiced by Caryn Fulda, John Raley and Helen Rios Directed by Renata Smith   Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Won't you be my neighbor? Oh, These Are the Creeple in Your Neighborhood by Caryn Fulda Voiced by Justin Bernard, Stephanie Kelso, Brian Kondrach, Chad Benjamin Potter and Sandra Ramsey Directed by Christine Weems Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

If you go hunting for ghosts, what happens when you find what you're looking for...?   The Ghostwalkers by Thomas J. Misuraca Voiced by Kacie Adams, Brian Kondrach, Renata Smith, Christine Weems and Michael Weems Directed by Christine Weems   Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

A car on the highway - flipped upside down and still running, music blaring.  No highway exits for miles.  Do you open the car door or not? Upside Down Sky by Michael Weems Voiced by Kacie Adams, Brian Kondrach and Helen Rios Directed by Renata Smith   Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

When a monster is chasing you down, what do you need to do to even the score? Even by David L. Williams Voiced by Kacie Adams, Jason Rivas and Kevin Sebastian Directed by Renata Smith   When there's a serial killer on the loose, maybe you need to be suspect about your latest date... Play Dead by Conor Farrell Voiced by Rick Evans, Lulu Mire and Michael Raabe Directed by Renata Smith   Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Lucy hasn't been feeling like herself lately... The Bell Witch by Rachael Carnes Voiced by Jonathan Moonen and Sandra Ramsey Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Nothing is more frightening then an Uber driver who shows up in a hearse and knows too much...   Roadkill by Evan Baughfman Voiced by Lauren Hainley, Reed Halvorson, Emily Beth Lange and Michael Weems Directed by Christine Weems   Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Another work where the playwright puts it all in the title.  Just add Mr. Clawsington - a talking cat with attitude. The Concept of Santa Is Actually Really F@#$ing Creepy: Or a Cautionary Tale of Mixing Booze, Benzos, Edibles and Hormonal Birth Control by Colleen O'Doherty Voice Actors: Ruth McCleskey, Michael Raabe and Jason Rivas Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldrons on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Howard has the opposite of writer's block...and it may be the only thing saving his soul... Howard Phillips Loves His Craft by Bryan Maynard Voiced by Rachel Brownhill, Ruth McCleskey, Jonathan Moonen and John Raley Directed by Christine Weems Produced as a part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

It's hard to find your way home when you've crash landed in a whole different world and things are lost in translation. Crash and Learn by Madison Sedlor Voiced by Helen Baker, Reed Halvorson, Emily Beth Lange and Chad Benjamin Potter Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldrons on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production

Sometimes testing urban legends isn't the best idea.  It could end up worse then you were told... Episode 15 - HPL Radio Hour: Episode 2 - The House on Providence Street by Ben Plopper Voice Actors: Justin Bernard, Brian Chambers, Rick Evans and Melissa Rodriguez Directed by Renata Smith Produced as part of Cone Man's Cauldron on the War of the Words podcast A Cone Man Running Production