Jonathan Cook

Jonathan Cook Profile Photo

Playwright / Voice Actor / Host

Jonathan Cook is heavily involved in the fine arts as an actor, writer, and filmmaker based in South Carolina. Many of his short plays have been produced in theatres around the World and and he is a six-time recipient of the Porter Fleming Literary Award in the playwriting category. Aside from playwriting, he has also written and directed several short films that have been presented in regional film festivals as well as distributed internationally on ShortsTV. He is also the host and producer of the radio theater podcast GATHER BY THE GHOST LIGHT. Launched in 2020, GATHER BY THE GHOST LIGHT is a collection of stage plays adapted to an audio only format performed by voice actors and edited with appropriate sound effects and music.

Dec. 21, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - FULL SHOW! (Pts. 1-6)

The full STAGE FRIGHTS series (Parts 1-6). No breaks. No recaps. Just straight through horror and comedy as originally intended.

Episode page
Dec. 20, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART SIX: SACRIFICE

The series finale of STAGE FRIGHTS featuring SACRIFICE by Jacquelyn Priskorn.

Episode page
Dec. 13, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART FIVE: CLIP CLOP

Part five of the STAGE FRIGHTS series featuring CLIP CLOP by Greg Mandryk.

Episode page
Dec. 6, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART FOUR: LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD

Part four of the STAGE FRIGHTS series featuring LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD by Mike Brannon.

Episode page
Nov. 29, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART THREE: UNBURIED

Part three of the STAGE FRIGHTS series featuring UNBURIED by John Bavoso.

Episode page
Nov. 22, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART TWO: FIRST SHIFT

Part two of the STAGE FRIGHTS series featuring FIRST SHIFT by Leah Philbin

Episode page
Nov. 15, 2024

STAGE FRIGHTS - PART ONE: THE QUAKE

Part one of the STAGE FRIGHTS audio fiction series featuring THE QUAKE by Travis Williams.

Episode page
Aug. 5, 2024

"SLASHER'S DELIGHT" by Chris Soucy

"SLASHER'S DELIGHT" written by Chris Soucy. A comedy horror audio play that gives the behind the scenes look at how "final girls" in slasher scenarios actually get selected to become final girls.

Episode page
July 22, 2024

"THE EVENT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY" by Michael R. Ray & Dani Ray

"THE EVENT: A MUSICAL JOURNEY" by Michael R. Ray & Dani Ray. An ecological sci-fi song cycle and our first musical episode!

Episode page
April 15, 2024

"THAT NIGHT "BUTCHER" PETE GOT KNOCKED OUT BY JESSIE "THE CANNON" TES…

THAT NIGHT "BUTCHER" PETE GOT KNOCKED OUT BY "THE CANNON" TESORI written by Jonathan Cook. Performed by Ian Russell, Bonnie Marie Williams, Robb Smith, Valentin Angel Fernandez, & Jonathan Cook.

Episode page
March 27, 2024

"UNKNOWN NUMBER" by Greg Mandryk

"UNKNOWN NUMBER" written by Greg Mandryk. Directed by Chris Plumridge. Starring Jacquie Floyd, Barbara Guinan, Morey Norkin, Scott Sickles, Dana Hall, & Chris Plumridge.

Episode page
March 5, 2024

"FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY" by Daniel Prillaman

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY (aka THE BREAD PLAY) written by Daniel Prillaman. Directed by Jonathan Cook. Starring Roshelle Simpson, John D. Nelson, Valentin Angel Fernandez, Jacquie Floyd, & Jonathan Cook.

Episode page
Jan. 16, 2024

"IMMERSION THERAPY" by David MacGregor

IMMERSION THERAPY: The best husband in the world gives his wife the ultimate birthday present. Performed by Devon McSherry, Jonathan Cook, and Tommy Cooper.

Episode page
Nov. 13, 2023

"KINGDUMB: Act 2" by Jonathan Cook (LIVE Event Recording)

This episode is ACT 2 of the full-length play KINGDUMB. KINGDUMB is a fun story full of absurdist humor and illogical behavior. There’s a new King in the land that has initiated a mysterious new tax on the citizens. Outraged, …

Episode page
Nov. 13, 2023

"KINGDUMB: Act 1" by Jonathan Cook (LIVE Event Recording)

This episode is ACT 1 of the full-length play KINGDUMB. KINGDUMB is a fun story full of absurdist humor and illogical behavior. There’s a new King in the land that has initiated a mysterious new tax on the citizens. Outraged, …

Episode page
Oct. 30, 2023

"SECONDHAND SOUL" by Ava Love Hanna

SECONDHAND SOUL: Em and Vi are a couple in love who just moved into a new house. When Em attempts to use Vi's Ouija board to come out to her dead mother, she finds herself bargaining to save her soul …

Episode page
Sept. 14, 2023

”AIN’T THE BIGGEST CITY” by Straton Rushing

AIN'T THE BIGGEST CITY: When an inmate dies at the county jail under suspicious circumstances, the EMT who oversaw the affair is brought in for questioning. She might have a secret or two, but as connections arise more and more …

Episode page
Sept. 1, 2023

”THE DEMON LADY” by John Patrick Bray

THE DEMON LADY: A couple of friends decide to escape for a weekend and go camping but a sudden storm in the middle of the night destroys their tent and now they are on the run looking for shelter. But …

Episode page
July 31, 2023

”TOOTH OR DARE” by Emily McClain

TOOTH OR DARE: Don't piss off the tooth fairy. Just don't do it. Written by Emily McClain Directed by Jonathan Cook Performed by:Andrew Jones as "Andrew", Jamie Johnson Turner as "Lydia", and Kayla Gardner as "The Tooth Fairy" Intro/Outro music: …

Episode page
July 13, 2023

”WHEEL OF FORTUNE REVERSED” by Scott C. Sickles

WHEEL OF FORTUNE REVERSED: Death has come for Michael but Michael has a bucket list that only the Grim Reaper can fulfill. Written by Scott C. Sickles Directed by Jonathan Cook Performed by:Robert J. Leblanc as "Michael" & Dana Hall …

Episode page
June 30, 2023

”A TRAGEDY OF OWLS” by John Mabey (MABEY MONTH!)

A TRAGEDY OF OWLS: After a successful anti-Nazi attack, two Dutch co-conspirators, Lau Mazirel and Willem Arondeus, meet in prison - one free and one facing death. Both have an urgent but opposing plea for the other. Written by John …

Episode page
June 26, 2023

”PLAYING WITH DOLLS” by John Mabey (MABEY MONTH!)

PLAYING WITH DOLLS: Two men exchange dolls in an alleyway, a simple trade that turns out to not be so simple. Written by John Mabey Directed by Jonathan Cook Performed by:Ryan Abel as "Carl" and Sean Moton as "Gregory" Intro/Outro …

Episode page
March 30, 2023

”LENORA” by Jonathan Cook

LENORA: A man visits a therapist regarding his daughter’s strange dreams that have started to manifest into reality. Written & Directed by Jonathan Cook Featuring special guest co-host Robb Smith from the Chewing the Fat with Big Robb podcast Perform...

Episode page
Dec. 24, 2022

”THE SHELF ON THE ELF: A BRICK FISTULA MYSTERY” by John Busser

THE SHELF ON THE ELF: A BRICK FISTULA MYSTERY - It's a murder at the North Pole. Did Santa slay? Brick Fistula, hard-drinking, fast-talking, private eye is gonna find out who’s naughty... and who’s guilty! Written by John Busser Directed …

Episode page
Dec. 15, 2022

”THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS QUESTION” by Rachel Feeny-Williams

THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS QUESTION: Maggie & Jeff are facing the volatile world of a bind date with the added perils of trying to choose a Christmas film for their date. What makes a movie a Christmas movie? Written by Rachel …

Episode page
July 27, 2022

”A WICKED SLICE” by John Busser

A WICKED SLICE: A trio of golfers are searching for a lost golf ball, but what they find as they venture off the fairway makes them realize that maybe they should've just taken the penalty stroke instead. Written by John …

Episode page
July 4, 2022

”NEW KID NEXT DOOR” by Arthur M. Jolly

NEW KID NEXT DOOR: Two siblings are stuck with the weird, creepy - and ultimately maybe not even human - kid from next door, on July Fourth, when there are firecrackers to be stolen and played with. Let freedom ring! …

Episode page
June 13, 2022

”AN AWKWARD CONVERSATION IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNT MORIAH” by John Bavoso

AN AWKWARD CONVERSATION IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNT MORIAH: After luring Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah under false pretenses, binding him, and nearly sacrificing him, Abraham is faced with an even more arduous task... attempting to make small …

Episode page
May 31, 2022

”CROSSOVER FICTION” by Greg Lam

CROSSOVER FICTION: When sci-fi heroine, Josie Moon, tracks down the escaped interdimensional villain Maximus Wolfe to get revenge for the murder of her lover, she finds herself breaching the boundary between fiction and reality. Written by Greg Lam Directed by …

Episode page
May 4, 2022

”CLOSING DOORS” by John Minigan

When fourth-grade teacher Sandra is criticized by old friend and Assistant Principal Valerie for breaking protocol in an active shooter drill, they must decide how they can save both their friendship and their students.

Episode page
April 20, 2022

”CHOICES” by James McLindon

A debtor burdened by crushing student loans is offered a way out … but is the deal too good to be true?

Episode page
Feb. 7, 2022

”MARIGOLD” by Jonathan Cook

MARIGOLD: A man enjoying a day at the park unwillingly becomes a part of a murder for hire plot when he encounters two strangers who both mistake his identity. A deal is made, money is transferred, and the marigolds are …

Episode page
Dec. 24, 2021

”IT’S A WONDERFUL SATAN” by John Mabey

IT'S A WONDERFUL SATAN: An abridged, twisty retelling of 'It's A Wonderful Life.' Satan is at their lowest point when met by a demon named Clarence. It's up to Clarence to help Satan regain their confidence while also earning his …

Episode page
Oct. 15, 2021

”IGNATIUS FLIVVER & THE EYE OF CTHULHU” by Don Goodrum

IGNATIUS FLIVVER & THE EYE OF CTHULHU: Doctor Phineas Philpott is missing and presumed dead! But he has sent the mystical gem, The Eye of Cthulhu to his old friend Professor Kit Maroney, who is also the boon companion of …

Episode page
Oct. 1, 2021

”THE SHED” by Joanne Greene

THE SHED: Jimmy has a secret that he's burning to tell to his best friend, Charlie - that his mama keeps a witch chained up in their shed! Charlie wants Jimmy to prove it by showing, but that may not …

Episode page
Sept. 17, 2021

”REMEMBERED” by John Mabey

REMEMBERED: Walls are diaries and rooms have desires. In the buying and selling of a house, two people discover what's truly at stake and the power of finding love through loss. Written by John Mabey Directed by Jonathan Cook Performed …

Episode page
May 10, 2021

”MOTETZ DAM” by Devon McSherry

MOTETZ DAM: A couple are having their first romantic home cooked meal. When an allergic reaction breaks the atmosphere, the question isn’t just will their relationship withstand this disastrous evening, but will either of them survive the night. Wr...

Episode page
Feb. 14, 2021

”DON’T CALL ME CUPID” by Jonathan Cook

DON'T CALL ME CUPID: Katie is completely smitten with a new man in her life and is eager to show him off to her roommate. Love takes a tragic backseat, however, when the god of love, Eros (aka Cupid), appears …

Episode page
Dec. 8, 2020

”DIGITAL CHRISTMAS” by Jonathan Cook

THE INAUGURAL FIRST TIME EVER FESTIVE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SPECIAL EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS RELATED THINGS! DIGITAL CHRISTMAS: Santa Claus is ready to retire and has launched a new online store to help aid in the process, but when ...

Episode page
Oct. 1, 2020

”THE TEAR IN THE ROOF” by Jonathan Cook

Episode 5: THE TEAR IN THE ROOF: On this night, a married couple is celebrating their wedding anniversary in their home as a heavy storm brews outside. What they aren't expecting is the unimaginable horror that comes crashing through their …

Episode page
Sept. 2, 2020

”A PLAY BY THEODORE JANUS” by Jonathan Cook

Episode 4: A PLAY BY THEODORE JANUS: Playwright, Theodore Janus, visits an actress that is performing one of his plays the day before they close the show. He tries to convince her to change the ending for the final performance …

Episode page
Aug. 5, 2020

”TRANSFERRING KYLE” by Jonathan Cook

TRANSFERRING KYLE: A glimpse “behind the scenes” of the life of Kyle Henley. He is not on the right path in life, so it is decided by management that he must be replaced by another version of himself. Written and …

Episode page
July 2, 2020

”MEMENTO MORI” by Jonathan Cook

MEMENTO MORI: It’s the mid 1800’s and a post mortem photographer who has a mystical ability to reanimate the recently deceased is conflicted with a dark secret revealed to him by the corpse of a teenage girl. Drama. Written and …

Episode page
March 25, 2020

”SETTLE AND REACH” by Jonathan Cook

SETTLE AND REACH: A colonization mission to a new planet conducts a mate-matching assessment for it's passengers. One passenger finds that the secrets his matched companion carries rather unsettling.

Episode page