Bite Me

by Eliana Pipes

Nathan is ditching class when he stumbles on Melody crying in a storage closet - he’s a white boy with family money and dangerous habits, she’s the lone black girl on campus, overachieving academically and battling the isolation. They form an unexpected bond and it’s not long before the heat between them boils over. Bite Me explores the drama (and trauma) of trying to fit in at high school, and the unfinished...

Nathan is ditching class when he stumbles on Melody crying in a storage closet - he’s a white boy with family money and dangerous habits, she’s the lone black girl on campus, overachieving academically and battling the isolation. They form an unexpected bond and it’s not long before the heat between them boils over. Bite Me explores the drama (and trauma) of trying to fit in at high school, and the unfinished business waiting for them at their reunion a decade later.

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Bite Me

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Bite Me

    I just saw the Colt Coeur/WP Theater production of "Bite Me" and thoroughly enjoyed this tightly-written two-hander. I especially appreciated how all of the intricacies of Melody and Nathan's identities were subtly woven into the text...it was clear to me just exactly how who they were contributed to their life experiences without an abundance of/relying on "telling us" about their identities--subtext was key. Beyond that, I also appreciated the exploration of odd couple friendships, "safe havens" in hostile places, and the volatile, impactful, and potentially harmful relationships that can...

    I just saw the Colt Coeur/WP Theater production of "Bite Me" and thoroughly enjoyed this tightly-written two-hander. I especially appreciated how all of the intricacies of Melody and Nathan's identities were subtly woven into the text...it was clear to me just exactly how who they were contributed to their life experiences without an abundance of/relying on "telling us" about their identities--subtext was key. Beyond that, I also appreciated the exploration of odd couple friendships, "safe havens" in hostile places, and the volatile, impactful, and potentially harmful relationships that can come from the combination of those things.

  • Jan Rosenberg: Bite Me

    A darkly funny two-hander with a subtle but powerful twist. Incredible how much life Pipes packs into a tiny storage closet.

    A darkly funny two-hander with a subtle but powerful twist. Incredible how much life Pipes packs into a tiny storage closet.

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Bite Me

    This play kept me on my toes with its realness, its depth, its 3-dimensional characters, its dialogue that is a treat for actors to play. I am completely impressed by how far Pipes goes to push the characters toward an incredibly satisfying conclusion. Wow!

    This play kept me on my toes with its realness, its depth, its 3-dimensional characters, its dialogue that is a treat for actors to play. I am completely impressed by how far Pipes goes to push the characters toward an incredibly satisfying conclusion. Wow!

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • MELODY
    Smart and outspoken (but never at the cost of being polite), a ‘good kid.’ Straight A’s, a member of every student organization. She has a very organized backpack. Deeply isolated. This high school is not in her district, she lives in a city closer to downtown than to the suburbs and makes a long commute by bus each morning and night. She sells her homework under-the-table to other kids. Lately she’s been crying through lunch.
    Character Age
    16 in Act I, 27 in Act II
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • NATHAN
    Charmingly arrogant and daring, a ‘bad kid.’ He can be perceptive, sensitive and kind, but he makes a point of doing it sparingly and only for people who’ve ‘earned’ it. Burgeoning alcoholism born from opportunity and angst — likes the ‘tortured artist’ aesthetic but doesn’t make any art. He comes from money but pickpockets for sport and buys homework from Melody.
    Character Age
    16 in Act I, 27 in Act II
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Man

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization UCF Pegasus Play Lab, Year 2023
  • Type Reading, Organization South Coast Repertory's Pacific Play Festival, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization NNPN National Showcase of New Plays , Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization Orlando Shakes , Year 2022

Awards