Mutability

by Straton Rushing

The small rural town of Craven, Texas is beginning the process of changing, and local gas station owner Frank Hooper is not okay with it. Hoping to scare away the influx of remote-working millennials that see the town as a cute gettaway, Frank has begun posing as a "creepy hillbilly" a-la 'Texas Chainsaw' to freak people out. Once his daughter Mary visits for spring break and discovers his hair-brained scheme...

The small rural town of Craven, Texas is beginning the process of changing, and local gas station owner Frank Hooper is not okay with it. Hoping to scare away the influx of remote-working millennials that see the town as a cute gettaway, Frank has begun posing as a "creepy hillbilly" a-la 'Texas Chainsaw' to freak people out. Once his daughter Mary visits for spring break and discovers his hair-brained scheme, the pair find themselves digging up old grudges and arguing. Matters are further complicated by ghosts, and a killer on the loose whose motivations are unclear until it’s too late.

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Mutability

Recommended by

  • Karen Jean Martinson: Mutability by Straton Rushing
    “

    This play, a fun murder mystery (yes, I said it - murder made fun) is really about home, and the fear of losing home. It offers a humanizing look at rural life in the United States, reminding us that people everywhere are complex, loving, surprising, and deserving of dignity. We do best when we set aside our stereotypes.

    Straton also has written a piece chock full of easter eggs, so bring your horror movie knowledge to see if you can catch them!

    This play, a fun murder mystery (yes, I said it - murder made fun) is really about home, and the fear of losing home. It offers a humanizing look at rural life in the United States, reminding us that people everywhere are complex, loving, surprising, and deserving of dignity. We do best when we set aside our stereotypes.

    Straton also has written a piece chock full of easter eggs, so bring your horror movie knowledge to see if you can catch them!

    ”
  • Tyler Joseph Rossi: Mutability by Straton Rushing
    “

    Anyone who has grown up in a small town or been around small town mentalities needs to read this play. Lovers of crime dramas need to read this play. Lovers of ghost stories need to read this play.
    The way Rushing juggles humor and horror in MUTABILITY has catapulted it to the top of my list of things I need to see onstage. It's a fantastic blend of Tennessee Williams and Sam Shepard's sensibilities with the punch and zip of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

    Anyone who has grown up in a small town or been around small town mentalities needs to read this play. Lovers of crime dramas need to read this play. Lovers of ghost stories need to read this play.
    The way Rushing juggles humor and horror in MUTABILITY has catapulted it to the top of my list of things I need to see onstage. It's a fantastic blend of Tennessee Williams and Sam Shepard's sensibilities with the punch and zip of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: Mutability by Straton Rushing
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Pegasus Theatre, 2023
  • Reading, Arizona State University, 2022

Awards

  • Judith Royer Excelence in Playwriting Award
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education
    Finalist
    2023