Invincible Ones

by Samantha Cooper

Reeling from their best friend's death, a group of women face what their lives look like in the aftermath. In the wake of loss, they each attempt to answer seemingly unanswerable questions: Who will give the eulogy? Will they ever be able to live alone? Why did that girl’s brother show up? Drawing on roller derby culture, Invincible Ones explores the way we handle grief, guilt, and a constant drip from the...

Reeling from their best friend's death, a group of women face what their lives look like in the aftermath. In the wake of loss, they each attempt to answer seemingly unanswerable questions: Who will give the eulogy? Will they ever be able to live alone? Why did that girl’s brother show up? Drawing on roller derby culture, Invincible Ones explores the way we handle grief, guilt, and a constant drip from the heavens (apartment) above.

In partnership with New Light Theatre Project, Invincible Ones was recorded as a radio play in October 2020 and released in January of 2021. You can list to that version here: https://www.newlighttheaterproject.com/invincibleones.

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Invincible Ones

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Invincible Ones by Samantha Cooper
    “

    A powerful look into grief, the unbearable way it takes over when it comes and the friendship that gets us through. Beautifully done.

    A powerful look into grief, the unbearable way it takes over when it comes and the friendship that gets us through. Beautifully done.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Invincible Ones by Samantha Cooper
    “

    This was definitely an "openly crying on public transit" kind of script! In "Invincible Ones," Samantha Cooper explores grief, friendship, and alienation by zeroing in on a dynamic and eclectic group of individuals. Zoe is a compelling protagonist who you understand all along the way, even as you might be frustrated by the ways she is pushing folks away in her grieving. Every character is rendered in just as nuanced and three-dimensional a fashion as Zoe. Heartbreaking without sentimentality. The choral odes and the powerful visual metaphor of the leaking tub enhance the boldly theatrical...

    This was definitely an "openly crying on public transit" kind of script! In "Invincible Ones," Samantha Cooper explores grief, friendship, and alienation by zeroing in on a dynamic and eclectic group of individuals. Zoe is a compelling protagonist who you understand all along the way, even as you might be frustrated by the ways she is pushing folks away in her grieving. Every character is rendered in just as nuanced and three-dimensional a fashion as Zoe. Heartbreaking without sentimentality. The choral odes and the powerful visual metaphor of the leaking tub enhance the boldly theatrical aesthetic. Produce this play!

    read more
    ”
  • Emily Dendinger: Invincible Ones by Samantha Cooper
    “

    This is a beautiful and hilarious play about friendship, life, real estate, annoying little brothers, and death. The story is deeply moving without ever falling into cliche or sentimentality with a cast of enjoyable characters that are well-crafted and complex. It's highly theatrical and a ton of fun with an ending that packs a whooper of an emotional punch.

    This is a beautiful and hilarious play about friendship, life, real estate, annoying little brothers, and death. The story is deeply moving without ever falling into cliche or sentimentality with a cast of enjoyable characters that are well-crafted and complex. It's highly theatrical and a ton of fun with an ending that packs a whooper of an emotional punch.

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

Casting Note
Madison's Mom also double as the newscaster voiceover.

Families can be multi-racial, members of friend groups do not look like copies of each other, and
the default appearance of characters should not be able-bodied, slim, Caucasians. In short, this
should not be a homogeneous looking cast. In fact, if you can only cast this play with white
people, you should not be doing it.
  • Zoe
    20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Natasha
    20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Whit
    30
    She/her or they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Preston
    21
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Paige
    20s
    She/her or they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Madison's Mom
    40s+
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, The University of Montevallo, 2021
  • Reading, Crashbox Theater Company Read. Play. Write. VI, 2017
  • Workshop, Columbia University Thesis, 2016

Production History

  • University, Western Washington University, 2018

Awards