Karen Ruetz

Over twenty years ago, Karen auditioned for her first theatrical production, and she has been addicted to theatre ever since. Primarily a full-length playwright, her comedies have been described as "a little bit of naughty and a whole lotta funny", while her dramas focus on issues of relationships and self-discovery. Most of her plays have significant roles for women.

Her first production, For A Good Time, Mary, took place in 2019. During 2020, Karen had numerous short plays produced either on stage or on the Zoom platform. Her comedy, Mary, will be produced for the second time in 2023, her Appalachian drama, Trillium, was workshopped in 2022 and will be produced in NC in 2023, and her TYA Drama, Discovering June, was a finalist at The Growing Stage in NJ. Karen is a member of the...

Over twenty years ago, Karen auditioned for her first theatrical production, and she has been addicted to theatre ever since. Primarily a full-length playwright, her comedies have been described as "a little bit of naughty and a whole lotta funny", while her dramas focus on issues of relationships and self-discovery. Most of her plays have significant roles for women.

Her first production, For A Good Time, Mary, took place in 2019. During 2020, Karen had numerous short plays produced either on stage or on the Zoom platform. Her comedy, Mary, will be produced for the second time in 2023, her Appalachian drama, Trillium, was workshopped in 2022 and will be produced in NC in 2023, and her TYA Drama, Discovering June, was a finalist at The Growing Stage in NJ. Karen is a member of the Dramatists Guild, and participates in the several writing groups in the Atlanta area including Merely Writers.

Scripts

Saving Christmas

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

The town of Christmas is dying, and it seems the only way to save it is if Christmas is chosen as the site for a new electric car plant. In order to woo the electric car plant owners, the Governor wants the town residents to hold a big Christmas festival like they used to have. The problem? They haven't held a festival like that since the Sampson Sock plant closed many years before. Can the mayor and a...

The town of Christmas is dying, and it seems the only way to save it is if Christmas is chosen as the site for a new electric car plant. In order to woo the electric car plant owners, the Governor wants the town residents to hold a big Christmas festival like they used to have. The problem? They haven't held a festival like that since the Sampson Sock plant closed many years before. Can the mayor and a committee of squabbling town rivals come together to save Christmas and put on a festival to impress their guests and save their town?

For A Good Time, Mary

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Described as a little bit naughty and a whole lot of funny, audiences will have a good time with Mary! When Ed gets laid off after 23 years, his wife Mary has no idea how they are going to make ends meet until he finds a new job. Mary has never worked outside the home, and she has Ed’s 84 year old mother to take care of. When her friend, Jenny, asks Mary to take over her side business while she’s on a cruise...

Described as a little bit naughty and a whole lot of funny, audiences will have a good time with Mary! When Ed gets laid off after 23 years, his wife Mary has no idea how they are going to make ends meet until he finds a new job. Mary has never worked outside the home, and she has Ed’s 84 year old mother to take care of. When her friend, Jenny, asks Mary to take over her side business while she’s on a cruise, Mary sees it as her opportunity to help meet the family’s expenses, but will she be able to keep it secret that she is now working as a Phone Sex Operator?

Trillium

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Granny always warned Maeve not to interfere with love, but when Sarah, an old friend, comes to her for a love potion, Maeve reluctantly agrees to help her. Hoping to heal past wounds of a broken friendship, Maeve unknowingly opens Pandora’s box, releasing unfortunate events that will change her life. Set in the mountains of Appalachia, Trillium is a tale of magic, love, jealousy and revenge. A lyrical and...

Granny always warned Maeve not to interfere with love, but when Sarah, an old friend, comes to her for a love potion, Maeve reluctantly agrees to help her. Hoping to heal past wounds of a broken friendship, Maeve unknowingly opens Pandora’s box, releasing unfortunate events that will change her life. Set in the mountains of Appalachia, Trillium is a tale of magic, love, jealousy and revenge. A lyrical and rapturous tale of growing up too fast, Trillium is a "ballad of passions and families, traditions and progress, honesty and hypocrisy."

The Art of Deception

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Lila, a former art teacher, is discovering her artistic voice as her mind declines from Alzheimer's disease. When she decides to give her daughter her first completed painting, Jennifer makes the decision to give the painting to her best friend. This decision starts an avalanche of lies and deceit that could ultimately destroy her fragile relationship with her mother as well as with her friend.

Lila, a former art teacher, is discovering her artistic voice as her mind declines from Alzheimer's disease. When she decides to give her daughter her first completed painting, Jennifer makes the decision to give the painting to her best friend. This decision starts an avalanche of lies and deceit that could ultimately destroy her fragile relationship with her mother as well as with her friend.

Ring My Bell, Ramona

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Pastor Brownfield has what appears to be a perfect life, a devoted wife and the respect of his community. However, the Pastor has a dark secret. When he gets an email that threatens to expose him for bitcoin, he wrestles with what to do. Does he take desperate measures to avoid exposure and go against his values or does he reveal his secret and destroy his perfect life?

Pastor Brownfield has what appears to be a perfect life, a devoted wife and the respect of his community. However, the Pastor has a dark secret. When he gets an email that threatens to expose him for bitcoin, he wrestles with what to do. Does he take desperate measures to avoid exposure and go against his values or does he reveal his secret and destroy his perfect life?

A Good Move

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

It’s time to move Grammy out of her home and into the home of her son and daughter-in-law, and no one is very happy about the idea, especially Grammy. But when her landlord, Arnold, tries to put his “good moves” on both Mary and her daughter Sam, it might just be enough to bring the whole family together to have their revenge.

It’s time to move Grammy out of her home and into the home of her son and daughter-in-law, and no one is very happy about the idea, especially Grammy. But when her landlord, Arnold, tries to put his “good moves” on both Mary and her daughter Sam, it might just be enough to bring the whole family together to have their revenge.

Discovering June

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Jenna’s mother, June, died when Jenna was very young, and Jenna secretly desires to be an artist like her mother was. Her father, who recently remarried, brings Jenna to stay on a remote island with her Grandmother, a woman she hasn’t seen in twelve years, so he and his new wife can go on their honeymoon. While on the island, Jenna begins to discover more about her mother as she copes with life in this remote...

Jenna’s mother, June, died when Jenna was very young, and Jenna secretly desires to be an artist like her mother was. Her father, who recently remarried, brings Jenna to stay on a remote island with her Grandmother, a woman she hasn’t seen in twelve years, so he and his new wife can go on their honeymoon. While on the island, Jenna begins to discover more about her mother as she copes with life in this remote and wild place, and finds out things about herself as well. There is a second version with fewer characters available also. Contact Karen for more information.

Bobnu Zerok, A Short Halloween play

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Bobnu Zerok has landed on Earth and is looking to make contact with Earthlings. What happens when he encounters a brother and sister out Trick or Treating. Will they believe he's a real alien?

Bobnu Zerok has landed on Earth and is looking to make contact with Earthlings. What happens when he encounters a brother and sister out Trick or Treating. Will they believe he's a real alien?

No More, Santa

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Mrs. Claus is not happy when she discovers Santa has been taking male sexual enhancement drugs. She goes to his urologists's office to confront his doctor, but will Mrs. Claus be able to maintain her composure or will she hit the roof?

Mrs. Claus is not happy when she discovers Santa has been taking male sexual enhancement drugs. She goes to his urologists's office to confront his doctor, but will Mrs. Claus be able to maintain her composure or will she hit the roof?

Aliens in the Tate Patch

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Earl and Bessie Clink live a simple life growing potatoes, until one day Earl digs up something unusual....an alien in the potato patch.

Earl and Bessie Clink live a simple life growing potatoes, until one day Earl digs up something unusual....an alien in the potato patch.

The Scariest Animal Society, a play featuring child actors

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

The world's scariest animals have gathered for their annual meeting to choose the Scariest Animal to represent them for Halloween.

The world's scariest animals have gathered for their annual meeting to choose the Scariest Animal to represent them for Halloween.

Broken Hearts

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Hillary is waiting in a hospital waiting room for news of her husband who is having bypass surgery, when a frazzled young woman joins her. As they become acquainted, they find they have more in common than they thought.

Hillary is waiting in a hospital waiting room for news of her husband who is having bypass surgery, when a frazzled young woman joins her. As they become acquainted, they find they have more in common than they thought.

Common Ground

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Beth and Michael are facing a dilemma trying to find a place for their father to stay while he is undergoing cancer treatment. He is not an easy person to get along with, and Beth’s son, a transgender teen, dreads having his grandfather living in his home for the summer. Could something as simple as a book, help a teenager and his grandfather find common ground?

Beth and Michael are facing a dilemma trying to find a place for their father to stay while he is undergoing cancer treatment. He is not an easy person to get along with, and Beth’s son, a transgender teen, dreads having his grandfather living in his home for the summer. Could something as simple as a book, help a teenager and his grandfather find common ground?

Ice, Ice, Santa

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

It’s getting close to Christmas, and Santa has his hands full. When an employee of Homeland Security (ICE) comes to verify documentation of Santa's elves, Santa and Mrs. Claus have to think fast or the elves will be deported.

It’s getting close to Christmas, and Santa has his hands full. When an employee of Homeland Security (ICE) comes to verify documentation of Santa's elves, Santa and Mrs. Claus have to think fast or the elves will be deported.

Zoom Dump

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

A play written for Zoom. Cheryl and Jake have been seriously dating and are talking via Zoom. Jake has bad news for Cheryl. Is he going to dump her on a zoom call?

A play written for Zoom. Cheryl and Jake have been seriously dating and are talking via Zoom. Jake has bad news for Cheryl. Is he going to dump her on a zoom call?

Heart Attack

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Two women meet for the first time in a cardiac surgical waiting room. What will happen when they discover they are both waiting for the same man?

Two women meet for the first time in a cardiac surgical waiting room. What will happen when they discover they are both waiting for the same man?

It's Just Coffee

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Ally and Carl have been divorced for two years when they have a chance encounter in a coffee shop. Will Carl's confession rekindle their relationship?

Ally and Carl have been divorced for two years when they have a chance encounter in a coffee shop. Will Carl's confession rekindle their relationship?

Miracle Coconut Delight Cake, A monologue

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Courtney is horrified that her sister wants her to bake the famous family cake for her Great Uncle Elbert. In a hilarious monologue she eventually talks herself into buying one.

Courtney is horrified that her sister wants her to bake the famous family cake for her Great Uncle Elbert. In a hilarious monologue she eventually talks herself into buying one.

The Séance

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Two siblings hire a sketchy medium, Madame Zelda, to conduct a séance for their Uncle Elbert.

Two siblings hire a sketchy medium, Madame Zelda, to conduct a séance for their Uncle Elbert.

No More Santa (Zoom)

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Mrs. Claus has a Zoom call with Santa's urologist. Apparently Santa has been taking male enhancement drugs and Mrs. Claus has had enough! Can Mrs. Claus overcome her mild demeanor and convince the doctor to listen to her complaints?

Mrs. Claus has a Zoom call with Santa's urologist. Apparently Santa has been taking male enhancement drugs and Mrs. Claus has had enough! Can Mrs. Claus overcome her mild demeanor and convince the doctor to listen to her complaints?

Zoommates, A Ten Minute Zoom Comedy

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

Carl is not happy with Frank, his roommate, and sets up a counseling session with Susan, a counselor with Roommates. Can Susan help Frank and Carl's relationship?

Carl is not happy with Frank, his roommate, and sets up a counseling session with Susan, a counselor with Roommates. Can Susan help Frank and Carl's relationship?

Left on the Shelf

by Karen Ruetz

Synopsis

It's Christmas Eve and three dolls are left on the shelf in the store. Their hope is running out that someone will come buy them in time. Will the Superhero doll come through in time to save the day?

It's Christmas Eve and three dolls are left on the shelf in the store. Their hope is running out that someone will come buy them in time. Will the Superhero doll come through in time to save the day?