The Ice Treatment by Nate Eppler

Left behind on the garbage heap of history and misremembered by everyone (herself included), the world’s most infamous Olympic figure skater struggles to reinvent herself as a screenwriter by pitching the blockbuster screenplay of her own amazing life story. Armed with an old VHS video camera, two actors she hired off Craigslist, plastic fashion dolls, and homemade model ice rinks, she remakes her past by...
Left behind on the garbage heap of history and misremembered by everyone (herself included), the world’s most infamous Olympic figure skater struggles to reinvent herself as a screenwriter by pitching the blockbuster screenplay of her own amazing life story. Armed with an old VHS video camera, two actors she hired off Craigslist, plastic fashion dolls, and homemade model ice rinks, she remakes her past by transforming it into the best sports movie you’ve never seen. She’s reclaiming her life story and she isn't going to let facts get in the way of what she knows to be true: She’s the hero.
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The Ice Treatment

Recommended by

  • Jeremy Gable:
    22 Oct. 2020
    “ I saw a reading of this play a few years ago, and I still find myself thinking about it and recommending it to anyone who will listen. This is a hilarious, dynamic, highly theatrical play that surprises you with its emotional depth while you're still recovering from your laughter. And it's a truly dynamite central role. I want this play to get produced everywhere. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    10 Aug. 2020
    “ In the name of victory, your fans want you to win with any means necessary for the championship! Or at least that's Blondie's story. A hilarious pitch with barbie dolls and Craigslist actors, we go into the dark quest for victory! Well done! ”
  • River Timms:
    11 Feb. 2020
    “ Man, I devoured this play. Eppler has a way of crafting dialogue and characters that is just so compelling, and his work in 'The Ice Treatment' is no different. This is a story about rewriting one's own narrative, and Blondie does this so well that it's easy to see her as a genuine hero, despite what we already know about the story. I also really REALLY enjoyed the dead astronaut setup and payoff. I want to see this play done everywhere! Take an afternoon and treat yourself to this play. ”
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Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Great Plains Theatre Conference
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    To-By-Four Productions, Paradise Factory NYC
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Ingram New Works Festival
    ,
    2015
  • Residency
    ,
    Ingram New Works Project / Nashville Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Actors Bridge Ensemble
    ,
    2016

Awards

Finalist
,
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award
,
American Theatre Critics Association
,
2017
Winner
,
M. Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award
,
American Theatre Critics Association
,
2017