The Nesting Instinct

by Tom Bruett

Olivia and her brother Matthew have conflicting views about what to do with their inherited childhood home that’s built in a flood zone in Florida. A pair of blue-footed boobies wrestle with the power of the instinctual urge to have a chick on an island that is shrinking by the day. Three stories intertwine in surprising ways to explore parenthood, identity and the steadfast power of home in a world that is...

Olivia and her brother Matthew have conflicting views about what to do with their inherited childhood home that’s built in a flood zone in Florida. A pair of blue-footed boobies wrestle with the power of the instinctual urge to have a chick on an island that is shrinking by the day. Three stories intertwine in surprising ways to explore parenthood, identity and the steadfast power of home in a world that is changing drastically by the minute.

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The Nesting Instinct

Recommended by

  • Erin Considine: The Nesting Instinct by Tom Bruett
    “

    A touching and hilarious exploration of climate change and relationship. The Nesting Instinct is an up-close look at family, loss, and the struggle to establish roots. The play is witty, charming, and poignant; I never knew I could enjoy "birdwatching" so much.

    A touching and hilarious exploration of climate change and relationship. The Nesting Instinct is an up-close look at family, loss, and the struggle to establish roots. The play is witty, charming, and poignant; I never knew I could enjoy "birdwatching" so much.

    ”

Character Information

3M and 3F, no doubling
  • OLIVIA
    30s, female, heterosexual. She's married to Jason and she's Matthew’s older sister. Strong, smart and a fan of control.
    30s
    Any Race/Enthnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • JASON
    30s, male, heterosexual. He's married to Olivia. More of a free spirit than his wife, a little bro, with epic dad jokes.
    30s
    Any race/ethicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • MATTHEW
    30s, male, gay. He's married to Liam and Olivia is his older sister. Has a big heart and he really wants a child.
    30s
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • LIAM
    30s, male, gay. He's married to Matthew. He works as a researcher and lives on a boat in the Galapagos. Very career oriented and loves animals.
    30s-40s
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DAPHNE
    female, a blue-footed booby of chick bearing age.
    Chick bearing age
    Any race / ethnicity
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • DUNCAN
    male, a blue-footed booby of chick bearing age.
    of chick bearing age
    Any race / ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Relative Theatrics, 2022