That Brat in the Wheelchair

by Fiona Rose Murphey

Morgan Cantwell, a tenth grade robotics student, is in trouble: Faced with a broken lift, she jumped some stairs in her wheelchair instead of calling for help—and got caught. She tries to escape her principal's reprimand with the help of her best motocross buddy and mutual crush, Tommy—but Dr. Schaeffer has already called her mom, Virginia, and they will be pursuing Morgan's ultimate dread: A paraprofessional...

Morgan Cantwell, a tenth grade robotics student, is in trouble: Faced with a broken lift, she jumped some stairs in her wheelchair instead of calling for help—and got caught. She tries to escape her principal's reprimand with the help of her best motocross buddy and mutual crush, Tommy—but Dr. Schaeffer has already called her mom, Virginia, and they will be pursuing Morgan's ultimate dread: A paraprofessional. In this short, reflective tale, we peek in on Morgan's life, her closest loves, and how they all deal with disability.

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That Brat in the Wheelchair

Character Information

Please cast a Disabled person as Morgan and a non-White, queer person as Dr. Schaeffer.
  • Morgan Cantwell
    Please cast a Disabled person in this role if at all possible.

    Uses her wheelchair to its full, stunt-capable potential. Firecracker, tinkerer, deeply funny, dry and sarcastic. Wears her “Carpenter Robotics” t-shirt ninety percent of the time. An only child, she was close with her dad, who passed away when she was in middle school. Untrusting, seeking acceptance.
    15
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Dr. Lee Schaeffer
    Please cast a non-White, queer person in this role if at all possible.

    An unflagging professional in a position of power for the first time in their career. Genuinely cares, but is tired and overwhelmed. Been principal at Morgan and Tommy’s high school for two years, starting at the same time they did.
    35
    BIPOC
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Tommy Heinberg
    Morgan’s best friend and mutual crush since they met at the motocross track in the seventh grade. Cynical, crafty, a former foster kid. Deeply loving, more sensitive than he’s given credit for; needs love and for something in his life to turn out fair.
    16
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Virginia Cantwell
    Morgan’s mom. A businesswoman, highly educated, but insecure in her relationship with her daughter after her husband’s death. Feels guilty, but is trying.
    40
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary