Conor McShane

Conor McShane

Conor McShane is a Chicago-based playwright, actor, and musician. His full-length plays include Euphonia (Intrinsic Theatre Co. May Play Podcast 2020), Miss Expanding Universe (Williams Street Rep LAB Reading Series 2018), The Letter G (Coffee & Whiskey Productions Script Pub 2017), The Painted Staircase (Ann Arbor Art Center 2014), With One Little Stone (Renegade Theatre Festival 2014), and Takeoff (Fancy...
Conor McShane is a Chicago-based playwright, actor, and musician. His full-length plays include Euphonia (Intrinsic Theatre Co. May Play Podcast 2020), Miss Expanding Universe (Williams Street Rep LAB Reading Series 2018), The Letter G (Coffee & Whiskey Productions Script Pub 2017), The Painted Staircase (Ann Arbor Art Center 2014), With One Little Stone (Renegade Theatre Festival 2014), and Takeoff (Fancy Pants Theater 2013). His short plays include Umbrella Story (winner: best one-act, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III; Public House Theatre's Twelve Ways to Play One-Act Festival 2015), Safe Keeping (Nothing Without a Company's New World Play Festival 2019), The Best Food on Earth (The Hot Dog Stand, Dandelion Theatre, 2016), ...And I Don't Feel Any Different (The Coat Check, Dandelion Theatre, 2015), The Matrimony Experiment (Thorpedo Productions' Love in 90 Minutes, 2016; Tipping Point Theatre's Sandbox Short Play Festival 2014), and Orange (The Sixth Festival - Chicago and New York, 2021-22). He has written monologues for project BOUND dance, Prop Thtr, and The Lightbulb Factory. He is the co-founder of the monthly writing workshop the Wayword Writers Collective, and creator and host of First Time for Everyone, a podcast presenting writers' earliest works. He has also reviewed Chicago theatre productions for PerformInk and Chicago Stage Standard, and writes about horror movies for morbidlybeautiful.com. He lives in Chicago with his partner Leslie and their temperamental cat Cheena.

Plays

  • Isolated in the Light by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic + 1 more
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    Keyword: music, rock + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic, drama
    Keyword: music, rock, 90s, grief, legacy, fame, art, band, women in music
    In 1997, Chicago's Lady Mondegreen were about to be come the next great rock band. That is, until they're lead singer Nick was found dead of an overdose. Reeling from the loss of their band and their friend, bassist Cass and drummer Greg had no choice but to pick up the pieces and move on. 20 years later, in anniversary of their major label debut, Cass and Greg reunite for a hometown show, joined...
    In 1997, Chicago's Lady Mondegreen were about to be come the next great rock band. That is, until they're lead singer Nick was found dead of an overdose. Reeling from the loss of their band and their friend, bassist Cass and drummer Greg had no choice but to pick up the pieces and move on. 20 years later, in anniversary of their major label debut, Cass and Greg reunite for a hometown show, joined by Nick's now-grown daughter Priscilla, stepping into her dad's place. As they wait backstage, aided by a PA named Carla, reminiscence turns to unresolved grief and buried resentments, threatening to derail the show before it begins. Moving back and forth through time, Isolated in the Light deconstructs the rock star myth, while celebrating the power that music can have.
  • Euphonia by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 3 more
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    Keyword: History, invention + 8 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, science fiction
    Keyword: History, invention, death, family, Depression, creation, 19th century, 1950s, American Dream, magical realism
    The 1850s. German-born inventor Joseph Faber is unveiling the most recent version of his life's work: an incredibly sophisticated "talking machine." Capable of speaking any word in several languages, it's the most advanced machine of its kind. The only problem is, audiences are mostly indifferent or, at worst, actively hostile. So when Faber is approached by up-and-coming showman P.T....
    The 1850s. German-born inventor Joseph Faber is unveiling the most recent version of his life's work: an incredibly sophisticated "talking machine." Capable of speaking any word in several languages, it's the most advanced machine of its kind. The only problem is, audiences are mostly indifferent or, at worst, actively hostile. So when Faber is approached by up-and-coming showman P.T. Barnum with the chance to take his invention to London, he can't help but take the opportunity.
    The 1950s. A young woman named Allison struggles to settle into the life of a happy homemaker, a life she's not sure she even wants. Her husband doesn't understand her, doctors don't know what to do for her, and the specter of depression is ever-present.
    Euphonia charts these dual courses, weaving a narrative of unmatched expectations, familial love, and the struggle to be understood.
  • Miss Expanding Universe by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 4
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, drama
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    Keyword: teenagers, family + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: teenagers, family, Art and Artists, sexuality, expectations, Recovery, maturity
    Seventeen year-old Amber thinks that running away from her stifling suburban life to the big, bad city of Chicago is going to solve all her problems. For her Uncle David, at whose apartment she arrives unexpectedly one night, the problems are just beginning. Over the course of several days, Amber and David engage in a battle of wills, as David tries to get Amber to open up about her real reasons for running away.
  • The Letter G by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: sexuality, family + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, satire
    Keyword: sexuality, family, revelations, media, identity, puppets
    "Uncle" Lou Taminski is the host of the long-running children's program Uncle Lou's Workshop, which has educated kids on how to build things for decades. But flagging ratings have forced Lou and his crew--including his daughter/producer Elizabeth--to try out all kinds of new ideas to breathe life into the show. But Lou's newest plan is the most daring of them all: come out as gay on...
    "Uncle" Lou Taminski is the host of the long-running children's program Uncle Lou's Workshop, which has educated kids on how to build things for decades. But flagging ratings have forced Lou and his crew--including his daughter/producer Elizabeth--to try out all kinds of new ideas to breathe life into the show. But Lou's newest plan is the most daring of them all: come out as gay on his show. This revelation comes as a surprise to pretty much everyone, Elizabeth included. As protests begin to pop up and pressures from the studio begin to mount, Lou and his crew must decide whether to back off or double down.
  • The Painted Staircase by Conor McShane
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, drama
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    Keyword: family, Art and Artists + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: family, Art and Artists, career, outcasts, dreams
    Everyone probably has an aunt like Janelle. Eccentric, well-meaning but critical, a failed painter; overall, she's an outsider in the family. But Caroline always viewed herself as a bit of an outsider too. Spending time with aunt Janelle is never easy, but after moving to New York City to pursue a career in architecture, it becomes a lot harder to avoid. Over an evening of wine and forced pedicures,...
    Everyone probably has an aunt like Janelle. Eccentric, well-meaning but critical, a failed painter; overall, she's an outsider in the family. But Caroline always viewed herself as a bit of an outsider too. Spending time with aunt Janelle is never easy, but after moving to New York City to pursue a career in architecture, it becomes a lot harder to avoid. Over an evening of wine and forced pedicures, Caroline learns more about her aunt than she ever knew before, as the two women discuss life, art, dreams, and failed relationships. The Painted Staircase is an empathetic portrait of two women at different crossroads in their lives: one who's given up, and one who's just getting started.
  • With One Little Stone by Conor McShane
    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: family, sexuality + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, romantic comedy, satire
    Keyword: family, sexuality, fathers and sons, ideology, Politics
    Keith figured coming out to his parents would be no big deal. After all, a college professor and an artisan soap maker should be pretty liberal, right? As it turns out, while his mom, Fran, is supportive, his dad Terry is surprisingly ambivalent. Terry's reticence to accept his son's sexuality is surprising to Keith, Fran, and most of all, Terry himself. As he struggles to come to grips with his...
    Keith figured coming out to his parents would be no big deal. After all, a college professor and an artisan soap maker should be pretty liberal, right? As it turns out, while his mom, Fran, is supportive, his dad Terry is surprisingly ambivalent. Terry's reticence to accept his son's sexuality is surprising to Keith, Fran, and most of all, Terry himself. As he struggles to come to grips with his feelings, his hesitation threatens to drive a wedge between him and his son, as Keith starts dating Alan, a much older man. Can Terry and Keith come to a resolution before their relationship is ruined forever?
  • Takeoff by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: fathers, daughters + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, science fiction
    Keyword: fathers, daughters, fiance, jet pack, reconciliation, loss, moving on
    Alice has a challenging relationship with her dad, Roger. Ever since her mom passed away, Roger's spent most of his time in his work shed, building inventions that inevitably end up falling apart. When she brings her new fiancé, Norm, back home to introduce him, Roger can't help but show off the newest thing he's been working on: a Personal Transportation Device (don't call it a jet pack...
    Alice has a challenging relationship with her dad, Roger. Ever since her mom passed away, Roger's spent most of his time in his work shed, building inventions that inevitably end up falling apart. When she brings her new fiancé, Norm, back home to introduce him, Roger can't help but show off the newest thing he's been working on: a Personal Transportation Device (don't call it a jet pack!). Will it fly, or will it end up on the reject pile like all the others? Will Alice and Roger be able to heal their relationship? Will Norm end up being killed accidentally in the process? Takeoff is a heartfelt dramedy about family, grief, and flying machines.
  • Safe Keeping by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
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    Keyword: friendship, regret + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, fable/folktale, fantasy, tragedy
    Keyword: friendship, regret, time, Fantasy, urban fantasy, dreams, loss
    A site-specific work written for Nothing Without a Company's 2nd Annual New World Play Festival, 2019. In the shade of two strange old trees, best friends Charlotte and Leo leave messages for their future selves. Little do they know these trees are presided over by The Steward, a mysterious caretaker who collects what's left in the trees' many hiding spots. Years later, Charlotte and Leo...
    A site-specific work written for Nothing Without a Company's 2nd Annual New World Play Festival, 2019. In the shade of two strange old trees, best friends Charlotte and Leo leave messages for their future selves. Little do they know these trees are presided over by The Steward, a mysterious caretaker who collects what's left in the trees' many hiding spots. Years later, Charlotte and Leo reunite to see whether or not their lives measure up to their younger dreams.
  • Umbrella Story by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4–5
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    Genre: romantic comedy
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    Keyword: love, fate + 1 more
    Genre: romantic comedy
    Keyword: love, fate, expectation vs. reality
    Damien has grown up infatuated with the story of how his parents met: on a rainy day, they shared an umbrella, and it was love at first sight. Or was it? Damien's quest to have his own "Umbrella Moment" causes him to reject plenty of women along the way to true love, until a chance meeting with Margaret at a fruit stand may give Damien the fateful meeting he's been waiting for. But...
    Damien has grown up infatuated with the story of how his parents met: on a rainy day, they shared an umbrella, and it was love at first sight. Or was it? Damien's quest to have his own "Umbrella Moment" causes him to reject plenty of women along the way to true love, until a chance meeting with Margaret at a fruit stand may give Damien the fateful meeting he's been waiting for. But expectations are never quite like reality.
  • The Matrimony Experiment by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 7
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy + 1 more
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    Keyword: marriage, love + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy, satire
    Keyword: marriage, love, Relationships, connection
    Paul and Vera are at the courthouse, waiting to get hitched. Only one problem: they've never met before. They've both signed on for a social experiment where strangers get married for a cash payout, and they're both just desperate enough to do it. But as they wait their turn, they get to know each other, and it gets harder to go through with their sham marriage.
  • Orange by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: drama, political
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    Keyword: climate change, climate anxiety + 5 more
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: climate change, climate anxiety, California Wildfires, prison labor, Incarceration, Inmates, firefighters
    It's a few years in the future, and California's inmate firefighters are more necessary than ever as wildfires rage across the state. Three inmates, Paul, Anthony, and Ignacio, unwind after returning from putting out a fire, only to be sent out again to put out another one. But after a close call the day before, Paul's not so sure he wants to get that close to the heat again.
  • Fireflies by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 6
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 1 more
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    Keyword: afterlife, magical realism + 5 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, fantasy
    Keyword: afterlife, magical realism, memory, forgetting, Ghost light, letting go, connection
    In an empty theater, two figures take refuge in the warm glow of the ghost light. Out there is dark, cold, vast, where memories of who they were slowly disappear, but in the aura of the light, they can remember a little bit of their lives before. But something out there is looking for them, and they have to choose whether to stay by the light or face the unknown.
  • Five, Six, Seven, Eight by Conor McShane
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: burlesque, marriage + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, movement/physical, zoom
    Keyword: burlesque, marriage, connection, disconnection, zoom, ten minute
    ZOOM PLAY - Burlesque performer Roxy LaRue has seen everything. They'd rather be onstage performing to their adoring fans, but there's this whole pandemic thing going on, so they're stuck teaching lessons on Zoom.
    Maryanne and Clyde have tried everything. Their 27-year marriage has hit a long rough patch, and Maryanne is hopeful that a boa dancing class with Roxy will be just the thing...
    ZOOM PLAY - Burlesque performer Roxy LaRue has seen everything. They'd rather be onstage performing to their adoring fans, but there's this whole pandemic thing going on, so they're stuck teaching lessons on Zoom.
    Maryanne and Clyde have tried everything. Their 27-year marriage has hit a long rough patch, and Maryanne is hopeful that a boa dancing class with Roxy will be just the thing to inject some spice into their relationship. But Clyde's not the most willing participant, and even the power of burlesque may not be enough to save their marriage.
    Written and produced for Chicago Dramatists' Playwrights Aloud/Naked Angels Chicago virtual 48 Hour New Play Fest, March 2021
  • A Case of Déjà vu by Conor McShane
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller + 1 more
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    Keyword: noir, Fathers and Daughters + 2 more
    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller, radio drama
    Keyword: noir, Fathers and Daughters, memory, loss
    SHORT RADIO PLAY - As a private detective, Max has been finding missing people for a long time; how long, he can't quite remember. But nowadays, it's a lot harder to disappear, and the work's dried up. So when a young woman named Eva comes into his office, hoping to hire him to find her lost father, it just might be the break he's been looking for. But there's something strangely...
    SHORT RADIO PLAY - As a private detective, Max has been finding missing people for a long time; how long, he can't quite remember. But nowadays, it's a lot harder to disappear, and the work's dried up. So when a young woman named Eva comes into his office, hoping to hire him to find her lost father, it just might be the break he's been looking for. But there's something strangely familiar about Eva, a feeling Max can't shake, and he may know more about this case than he realizes.