Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

[Full-Length]
It all starts innocently enough when on the afternoon of November 19th, 2021, four coworkers are thrown together in a hunting cabin in the Wisconsin Northwoods on this, the very day that Kyle Rittenhouse has been found not guilty of fatally shooting two people during the Kenosha unrest of 2020. One of the four is an interloper, a fish out of water who has no business being there. As they discover...

[Full-Length]
It all starts innocently enough when on the afternoon of November 19th, 2021, four coworkers are thrown together in a hunting cabin in the Wisconsin Northwoods on this, the very day that Kyle Rittenhouse has been found not guilty of fatally shooting two people during the Kenosha unrest of 2020. One of the four is an interloper, a fish out of water who has no business being there. As they discover unnerving truths about each other, including how they are each uniquely connected to the events in Kenosha, hostilities are sparked, alliances form and break, and everyone is put in jeopardy. How destructive can polarizing values become on a personal level? These four coworkers are about to find out.

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Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

Recommended by

  • Mike Byham: Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

    Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin is a taut, relevant drama exposing hypocrisies and lack of empathy (sometimes intentional, sometimes not) of hardened, extreme viewpoints. Ruyle doesn't shy away from hard questions, and this intriguing story exposes the vulnerability of those trying to answer them. Intense, sometimes funny, sometimes sad - it is always intelligent and thoughtful work. This needs to be staged.

    Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin is a taut, relevant drama exposing hypocrisies and lack of empathy (sometimes intentional, sometimes not) of hardened, extreme viewpoints. Ruyle doesn't shy away from hard questions, and this intriguing story exposes the vulnerability of those trying to answer them. Intense, sometimes funny, sometimes sad - it is always intelligent and thoughtful work. This needs to be staged.

  • George Sapio: Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

    This one will keep the discussions going long after the curtain falls. Like however you see the United States these days, the complexity of the characters gives you no clear black or white to comfort yourself with. Four solid roles, each one ripe for an actor willing to stretch themselves into challenging territory. A timely and important work.

    This one will keep the discussions going long after the curtain falls. Like however you see the United States these days, the complexity of the characters gives you no clear black or white to comfort yourself with. Four solid roles, each one ripe for an actor willing to stretch themselves into challenging territory. A timely and important work.

  • Karen Saari: Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

    This play shows the humanity in these characters we don’t often get to see onstage. The play provides great opportunities for actors to play complex, interesting—and often funny—characters. Intriguing story that challenges us without talking down to us. Kudos to Kim Ruyle!

    This play shows the humanity in these characters we don’t often get to see onstage. The play provides great opportunities for actors to play complex, interesting—and often funny—characters. Intriguing story that challenges us without talking down to us. Kudos to Kim Ruyle!

View all 6 recommendations
DANA Female. White. 40s.
MARLENE Female. White. 40s.
EUGENE Male. Black. 40s.
ADAM Male. White. Mid-30s – 40s.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists (excerpt of early draft, Flannel Sheets and a John Deere), Year 2023

Awards

  • 3rd Place - Veterans Repertory Theater Full-Length Playwriting Competition
    Veterans Repertory Theater
    Finalist
    2024
  • 2024 Wisconsin Wrights
    Forward Theatre (Awarded for early draft, Flannel Sheets and a John Deere)
    Finalist
    2024
  • 2024 Scriptwriters & Co International Festival, Full-Length Play Script Category
    Scriptwriters & Co
    Runner Up
    2024