BUMP : 3 Short Plays

BUMP is a triptych of three short, thematically-connected plays, written by Portland artist Riley Michael Parker.

The plays are THE PARTY, THE SESSION, and THE WAITING ROOM, and collectively they are about identity, deception, grief, and the miracle of life.

“Three words . . . Compelling. Bleak. Villainous.”
- Kyle Chipman

In THE PARTY, a man and a woman meet as strangers at the buffet table of an exclusive swinger’s event, and over snacks they begin to reveal deep secrets. Funny, sexy, and diabolical, this opening play sets the tone for things to come.

In THE SESSION, a man struggling with grief, rage, and guilt visits a kind, empathetic therapist willing to do anything he can to help. A complex, emotional journey of a play, moving from heart-wrenching to despicable in the blink of an eye.

In THE WAITING ROOM, we meet Gabby, a woman trying to decide once and for all if she wants to have kids. Equal parts hopeful and devastating, this whirlwind of a monologue looks directly into the void, and then cracks up laughing.

Three separate stories, linked together through a series of cosmic events so unlikely, so nearing-impossible, that they can only be described as “miraculous”.

BUMP’s World Premier

BUMP was staged in June 2026 by the newly-formed theatre company MILLIONS & MILLIONS (founded by writer / director Riley Parker and actors Preston Black, Richard Cohn-Lee, Megan Gotz, Kelly Love, and Cris Villa), with musical accompaniment by Daniel McIntire. The company did a SOLD OUT run of five shows, from June 11th to June 26th in the Heiken Gallery above Word Virus Books in downtown Portland Oregon.

  • The Atlas Project

  • The Echo Project

  • The Brightline Project

  • The Northgrid Project

Kelly and Cris starred in THE PARTY as Mitch and Monica, Preston and Rich starred in THE SESSION as Therapist and Patient, and Megan starred as Gabby in the play THE WAITING ROOM.

Riley directed the shows, and produced with the help of Michael Sean, Clae Spratt, and Riley Berger. Set design and build-out was led by Zach Werbalowsky. Haley Mae provided costuming help. On-set photography was executed by Xander Nox Draven. Lights were donated by Jessica Geffen Yaeger. Casting help was provided by Matt Green and Alex Orlet. Show space was donated by Carly and Chadwick of Word Virus books.