Colette Marie Murphy

Colette Marie Murphy is a writer who approaches each work with a passion for character development and a keen ear for dialogue. Colette is also an actress, improv performer, and theatre education advocate. She teaches composition, communication, and culture (among other topics) at the post-secondary level. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs in southern California.

NOTE: These works are available for perusal as part of your NPX subscription fee. No part of these plays may be performed, produced, copied, or distributed in any form without permission from the author. Please contact her via the NPX messaging system, at [email protected], or via the contact form on her website for rights and permissions.

Colette Marie Murphy is a writer who approaches each work with a passion for character development and a keen ear for dialogue. Colette is also an actress, improv performer, and theatre education advocate. She teaches composition, communication, and culture (among other topics) at the post-secondary level. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs in southern California.

NOTE: These works are available for perusal as part of your NPX subscription fee. No part of these plays may be performed, produced, copied, or distributed in any form without permission from the author. Please contact her via the NPX messaging system, at [email protected], or via the contact form on her website for rights and permissions.

Scripts

37 Origami Bees

by Colette Marie Murphy

10
Cast Size
4
Genre
dark comedy,
drama,
horror

A quick horror/suspense play set in an upscale medi-spa.

A quick horror/suspense play set in an upscale medi-spa.

A Fistful of Bees

by Colette Marie Murphy

1
Cast Size
5
Genre
dark comedy,
drama,
romantic comedy

This play takes place at two moments in time, simultaneously. On one part of the stage, we see Allie and Ray on their very first date; on the other, Alice (Allie, older) and Raymond (Ray, older) are in their shared apartment on their fifth anniversary.

(Could be performed by high school-aged actors, depending on maturity. Check language.)

This play takes place at two moments in time, simultaneously. On one part of the stage, we see Allie and Ray on their very first date; on the other, Alice (Allie, older) and Raymond (Ray, older) are in their shared apartment on their fifth anniversary.

(Could be performed by high school-aged actors, depending on maturity. Check language.)

Anxiety Fever Dream

by Colette Marie Murphy

Cast Size
3
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
fantasy

It's one of those days in the office when *ping* an email from Chloe's boss asks for an end-of-date meeting. Luckily(?), the Angel and Demon that sit on her shoulders arrive just in time to walk her through the situation.

NOTE: Language may be inappropriate for younger audiences.

It's one of those days in the office when *ping* an email from Chloe's boss asks for an end-of-date meeting. Luckily(?), the Angel and Demon that sit on her shoulders arrive just in time to walk her through the situation.

NOTE: Language may be inappropriate for younger audiences.

At the Diner, After

by Colette Marie Murphy

1
Cast Size
7
Genre
drama

A slice of life look at a small-town diner reopening after the COVID-19 lockdowns have ended.

A slice of life look at a small-town diner reopening after the COVID-19 lockdowns have ended.

Black Coffee

by Colette Marie Murphy

Cast Size
6
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
fantasy,
holiday,
horror

Everyone knows the local coffee joint. It's comfortable, it's reliable, it's predictable...364 days of the year. But on October 31, when a mysterious guest wanders in, the regular patrons of Carol's Coffee are in for a surprise. At least, one of them is.

Everyone knows the local coffee joint. It's comfortable, it's reliable, it's predictable...364 days of the year. But on October 31, when a mysterious guest wanders in, the regular patrons of Carol's Coffee are in for a surprise. At least, one of them is.

The Cash Cow's Christmas

by Colette Marie Murphy

4
Cast Size
11
Genre
comedy,
holiday

Former holiday "cash cows" find themselves gathered in a case at an antique/thrift store, wondering if they'll ever have a Merry Christmas again...

Former holiday "cash cows" find themselves gathered in a case at an antique/thrift store, wondering if they'll ever have a Merry Christmas again...

The Door on the Left

by Colette Marie Murphy

Cast Size
3
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
fantasy,
satire

Jane unexpectedly arrives in a strange waiting room. While waiting for Peter to review her file (a file she didn't know she had and didn't submit), she befriends Marianne who is insistent that going through the door on the right is the best choice for them both.

Jane unexpectedly arrives in a strange waiting room. While waiting for Peter to review her file (a file she didn't know she had and didn't submit), she befriends Marianne who is insistent that going through the door on the right is the best choice for them both.

Green Bean Casserole for Breakfast

by Colette Marie Murphy

1
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy,
holiday,
romantic comedy

The holidays put everyone on edge. Holly decides to take that edge off a bit by going home with a (not quite) stranger from a local dive bar.

The holidays put everyone on edge. Holly decides to take that edge off a bit by going home with a (not quite) stranger from a local dive bar.

I Guess This Is Growing Up

by Colette Marie Murphy

1
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy

In this not-quite-time-travel escapade meets not-quite-psychological experiment, a woman ("Forty") visits herself in her old teenage bedroom ("Fourteen") to talk about life.

In this not-quite-time-travel escapade meets not-quite-psychological experiment, a woman ("Forty") visits herself in her old teenage bedroom ("Fourteen") to talk about life.

It's a Fabulous Play

by Colette Marie Murphy

3
Cast Size
5
Genre
comedy,
satire

In a (probably somewhat familiar seeming) small community theatre, the Board of Directors tries to select their next play to produce.

In a (probably somewhat familiar seeming) small community theatre, the Board of Directors tries to select their next play to produce.

On the Roof at Midnight

by Colette Marie Murphy

3
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy,
romantic comedy

New Year's Eve is the most romantic night of the year...right?

New Year's Eve is the most romantic night of the year...right?

The Reunion

by Colette Marie Murphy

2
Cast Size
2—20
Genre
adventure,
comedy,
dark comedy,
drama,
experimental,
fantasy,
science fiction

Cal and Wiz are stuck living in a bunker in an apocalyptic wasteland. Or are they? As Cal tries desperately to cling to the past, the boundaries between reality and illusion blur.

Cal and Wiz are stuck living in a bunker in an apocalyptic wasteland. Or are they? As Cal tries desperately to cling to the past, the boundaries between reality and illusion blur.

Sudden, Unfortunate, and Unexpected Tendencies

by Colette Marie Murphy

3
Cast Size
3—4
Genre
comedy,
drama,
immersive

Tina performs as "Madame T," a fortune teller with a traveling carnival. But when a new client wanders into her tent looking for honesty, of all things, she has to reexamine the character she plays and why she's really in that tent to begin with.

Tina performs as "Madame T," a fortune teller with a traveling carnival. But when a new client wanders into her tent looking for honesty, of all things, she has to reexamine the character she plays and why she's really in that tent to begin with.

Two Bean Burritos & Awkward Silences

by Colette Marie Murphy

1
Cast Size
2—3
Genre
comedy,
romantic comedy

Kimberly and Jason are typical millennials. They share a strange combination of optimism, ennui, and unspoken secrets that start to come out over an array of food in a Taco Bell dining room. Who knew a Dr. Pepper and a Baja Blast could be filled with so much subtext?

Kimberly and Jason are typical millennials. They share a strange combination of optimism, ennui, and unspoken secrets that start to come out over an array of food in a Taco Bell dining room. Who knew a Dr. Pepper and a Baja Blast could be filled with so much subtext?

Virtual / Reality: A Love Story

by Colette Marie Murphy

Cast Size
4—9
Genre
experimental,
romantic comedy,
science fiction

Joanie and Pete are both members of The Onyx Guild, an online gaming group, and have only interacted as their avatars, Florence and Quark. One night, when the rest of the guild isn't available, Pete decides to take a chance on "Life" beyond screennames.

NOTE: Language may be inappropriate for young performers/audiences.

Joanie and Pete are both members of The Onyx Guild, an online gaming group, and have only interacted as their avatars, Florence and Quark. One night, when the rest of the guild isn't available, Pete decides to take a chance on "Life" beyond screennames.

NOTE: Language may be inappropriate for young performers/audiences.

Waiting in the Rain

by Colette Marie Murphy

3
Cast Size
2—15
Genre
romantic comedy

Two strangers meet at a bus stop during inclimate weather.

Two strangers meet at a bus stop during inclimate weather.

When We Talked

by Colette Marie Murphy

4
Cast Size
4
Genre
comedy,
drama

A slice-of-life look at the relationship between humans and pets, the (not-so) one-sided conversations that happen, and the importance of community when facing uncertainty and stress.

A slice-of-life look at the relationship between humans and pets, the (not-so) one-sided conversations that happen, and the importance of community when facing uncertainty and stress.