Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard

Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard is a powerful one-man theatrical performance written and performed by Ken Harris. In approximately 65 minutes, Harris brings twelve distinct characters to life in a compelling story about workplace discrimination, economic insecurity, aging, health challenges, and the pressures faced by low-wage workers.

The play follows Steve Smelly, a longtime retail employee and widower who is unexpectedly reassigned to loss prevention without proper training or support. As Steve attempts to navigate an increasingly demanding workplace, he encounters a series of characters who expose the frustrations, conflicts, and sometimes absurd realities of working in corporate retail.

Blending drama, comedy, and social commentary, Harris transforms the stage into an entire retail environment, portraying every character himself. The result is an energetic and thought-provoking theatrical experience that explores what can happen when an ordinary worker is pushed beyond his limits.

Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard has been performed throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York and was an Official Selection of the 2025 United Solo Theatre Festival at Theatre Row in New York City. Harris is also an award-winning filmmaker and was mentored by actor and playwright Chazz Palminteri in 2024.

This solo play offers audiences an entertaining yet meaningful look at the people behind the uniforms, name tags, and corporate policies—and asks how much one person can endure simply trying to make a living.