Big Bad

by Katherine Gwynn

Ruby is a 13 year-old girl who met something Bad on the way to Memaw’s house. Now her Memaw is a ghost, her Daddy is trying to be a good man, her Mama is dead, and Ruby brings baskets of goodies to something that tried to swallow her whole, hoping for answers. With questions haunting her about blood, shadows, and family, Ruby has to learn what being a monster means--and what exactly she can, and won't, forgive.

Ruby is a 13 year-old girl who met something Bad on the way to Memaw’s house. Now her Memaw is a ghost, her Daddy is trying to be a good man, her Mama is dead, and Ruby brings baskets of goodies to something that tried to swallow her whole, hoping for answers. With questions haunting her about blood, shadows, and family, Ruby has to learn what being a monster means--and what exactly she can, and won't, forgive.

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Big Bad

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Big Bad by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    A powerful look at the haunting affects of trauma and the questions one has. Well done.

    A powerful look at the haunting affects of trauma and the questions one has. Well done.

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: Big Bad by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
  • Christopher Bryant: Big Bad by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    Big Bad is an intelligent dissection of the effects of fairytale and story simplification. Katherine tackles trauma, empowerment, and rage, speaking so effectively to the world today and what we aren't doing to ensure we're safer. Her use of shadow puppetry to build the world of the play is inspired and enviable, and turns the play itself into a silent and omnipresent fifth character, constantly hinting at subtext and things that lay beneath the surface. She writes with such magic and lightness that you never feel at odds with her play; she walks you through its themes so effectively.

    Big Bad is an intelligent dissection of the effects of fairytale and story simplification. Katherine tackles trauma, empowerment, and rage, speaking so effectively to the world today and what we aren't doing to ensure we're safer. Her use of shadow puppetry to build the world of the play is inspired and enviable, and turns the play itself into a silent and omnipresent fifth character, constantly hinting at subtext and things that lay beneath the surface. She writes with such magic and lightness that you never feel at odds with her play; she walks you through its themes so effectively.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

RUBY—a practical 13-year-old girl (for most of the play). To be played by a young adult girl/woman, who looks reasonably like she’s around the age of 13.

BAD—an unapologetic wolf. To be played by a woman, aged 30s-50s.

MEMAW—a stubborn ghost. To be played by a woman, 60s-70s.

DADDY—a postman who wants to be seen. To be played by a man, aged 30s-40s.

OFFICER—to be played by the same actor that plays DADDY.
  • MEMAW
    A stubborn ghost.
    60s-70s
    Any
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • DADDY
    a postman who wants to be seen.
    30s-40s
    Any
    Cis Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • OFFICER
    to be played by the actor that plays DADDY.
    30s-40s
    Any
    Cis Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • RUBY
    a practical 13-year-old girl (for most of the play). To be played by a young adult girl/woman, who looks reasonably like she’s around the age of 13.
    13
    Any
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • BAD
    An unapologetic wolf.
    30s-50s
    Any
    Cis Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Great Plains Theatre Conference , 2018

Awards

  • Kitchen Dog Theater New Works Festival
    Kitchen Dog Theatre
    Finalist
    2019
  • Invited Submission, Humana Festival of New American Plays
    Actors Theatre of Louisville
    2019
  • Great Plains Theatre Conference PlayLab Selection
    Selection
    2018
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2017