Anne Bertram

Anne Bertram's work as a playwright has been seen in venues from off-Off Broadway to middle-school classrooms in Fargo. She was a founding Artistic Associate of Theatre Unbound, a Minneapolis/St. Paul company devoted to work by and about women, where she served as Executive Director for nine years. Her plays Murderess (2011) and The Good Fight (2012) remain among Theatre Unbound's bestselling shows. Awards and commissions include Northwestern University’s Agnes Nixon Playwriting Award (for “lovehateforgive”), The Playwrights’ Center’s Jones Commission (for The Donner Gold), Studio Z’s Playwright in Electronic Residence Commission (for St. Luke’s), the Tennessee Williams One-Act Prize (for Liability), and the Babes With Blades Fighting Words New Play Development Program (for The Good Fight...

Anne Bertram's work as a playwright has been seen in venues from off-Off Broadway to middle-school classrooms in Fargo. She was a founding Artistic Associate of Theatre Unbound, a Minneapolis/St. Paul company devoted to work by and about women, where she served as Executive Director for nine years. Her plays Murderess (2011) and The Good Fight (2012) remain among Theatre Unbound's bestselling shows. Awards and commissions include Northwestern University’s Agnes Nixon Playwriting Award (for “lovehateforgive”), The Playwrights’ Center’s Jones Commission (for The Donner Gold), Studio Z’s Playwright in Electronic Residence Commission (for St. Luke’s), the Tennessee Williams One-Act Prize (for Liability), and the Babes With Blades Fighting Words New Play Development Program (for The Good Fight).

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Scripts

Cold War Dinner Party

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
6
Genre
comedy,
drama,
period

In Los Alamos in 1980, a nuclear scientist and his wife convene a dinner party to influence the fate of the free world. In the present day, with all its unprecedented crises, an economist discovers the limitations of rummaging through the past for helpful hints. A tale of surviving a dangerous time, to encourage survival of this one.

In Los Alamos in 1980, a nuclear scientist and his wife convene a dinner party to influence the fate of the free world. In the present day, with all its unprecedented crises, an economist discovers the limitations of rummaging through the past for helpful hints. A tale of surviving a dangerous time, to encourage survival of this one.

The Good Fight

by Anne Bertram

1
Cast Size
11—22
Genre
biography,
docudrama/historic,
drama,
period,
political

In 1913, women's suffrage activists in England are being arrested and tortured. Their leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, is wanted by the police. Determined to shield her, some of her followers make a surprising choice: they learn jujitsu. Based on historical events. Includes fighting roles for women.

In 1913, women's suffrage activists in England are being arrested and tortured. Their leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, is wanted by the police. Determined to shield her, some of her followers make a surprising choice: they learn jujitsu. Based on historical events. Includes fighting roles for women.

Murderess

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
3—7
Genre
dark comedy,
docudrama/historic

Seven famous murderesses from American history - including Laura Fair, Belle Gunness, and Lizzie Borden - reveal their secrets in a suite of hair-raising monologues.

Seven famous murderesses from American history - including Laura Fair, Belle Gunness, and Lizzie Borden - reveal their secrets in a suite of hair-raising monologues.

That Pankhurst Woman

by Anne Bertram

1
Cast Size
13—21
Genre
drama,
period,
political

England, 1913. Leaders of the militant suffragettes are being arrested and tortured. Young activist Grace Roe must decide whether to maintain the movement's commitment to nonviolence, or whether to fight back against the police. A one-act adaptation of "The Good Fight."

England, 1913. Leaders of the militant suffragettes are being arrested and tortured. Young activist Grace Roe must decide whether to maintain the movement's commitment to nonviolence, or whether to fight back against the police. A one-act adaptation of "The Good Fight."

The Donner Gold

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
2
Genre
drama

Two men head for the Great Salt Desert of Utah in search of the lost gold of the Donner Party, the 1840s California pioneers who famously ate their dead. A fable about the American search for the Promised Land, then and now.

Two men head for the Great Salt Desert of Utah in search of the lost gold of the Donner Party, the 1840s California pioneers who famously ate their dead. A fable about the American search for the Promised Land, then and now.

It's All Good

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
1
Genre
drama

Between flights at O'Hare, downsizing analyst Greg Tollefson confronts the consequences of the worst mistake of his life and wishes he had thought to grab an air-sickness bag.

Between flights at O'Hare, downsizing analyst Greg Tollefson confronts the consequences of the worst mistake of his life and wishes he had thought to grab an air-sickness bag.

Empire Builder

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
8—14
Genre
docudrama/historic,
drama,
fantasy,
musical

(with composer George Maurer) Three travelers, each on the cusp of a painful decision, meet on the Empire Builder train westbound from Chicago. The train becomes a time machine, taking them to major junctions in the past and transforming what they believe, what they remember, and what they are willing to forgive.

(with composer George Maurer) Three travelers, each on the cusp of a painful decision, meet on the Empire Builder train westbound from Chicago. The train becomes a time machine, taking them to major junctions in the past and transforming what they believe, what they remember, and what they are willing to forgive.

Spring Break with Rainey

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
1
Genre
drama,
young audiences

High school sophomore Stefi is determined to get her rich friend to invite her to spring break in Florida, no matter what it takes. But that freak Mia McCullum - who actually speaks up in Biology class, OMG - threatens to ruin the whole thing.

High school sophomore Stefi is determined to get her rich friend to invite her to spring break in Florida, no matter what it takes. But that freak Mia McCullum - who actually speaks up in Biology class, OMG - threatens to ruin the whole thing.

Frankenstein Incarnate: The Passions of Mary Shelley

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
8
Genre
docudrama/historic,
drama,
horror,
period

Where do monsters come from? The life of novelist Mary Shelley overlaps and intertwines with the story that made her famous, illuminating the creator and creature within us all.

Where do monsters come from? The life of novelist Mary Shelley overlaps and intertwines with the story that made her famous, illuminating the creator and creature within us all.

St. Luke's

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
11—26
Genre
drama,
period

A story of a Chicago nursing school in the 1930s, and the extraordinary women who trained and taught there.

A story of a Chicago nursing school in the 1930s, and the extraordinary women who trained and taught there.

Sherry's Basement

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
4
Genre
dark comedy,
fantasy,
mystery/thriller

“"You’'ve been in Afghanistan, I perceive,”" are the first words spoken to war veteran Jo by Sherry, a brilliant coffee barista with a turn for observation and deduction. The unlikely pair team up against an adversary with a thousand faces – but can they overcome the unspeakable forces that emerge from within? A surreal, darkly comic tribute to the Sherlock Holmes stories.

“"You’'ve been in Afghanistan, I perceive,”" are the first words spoken to war veteran Jo by Sherry, a brilliant coffee barista with a turn for observation and deduction. The unlikely pair team up against an adversary with a thousand faces – but can they overcome the unspeakable forces that emerge from within? A surreal, darkly comic tribute to the Sherlock Holmes stories.

Let's Be Real

by Anne Bertram

Cast Size
7
Genre
comedy,
romantic comedy

Why would a woman feign a love interest? For that matter, why would a clam put a fake fish on its rear end? Within the corporate wilderness of MegaCo, IT technician Chelly Waller sets a lure for copy room manager – and volunteer environmentalist – Pete Moss. A sharp romantic comedy about the ways we fool each other and ourselves.

Why would a woman feign a love interest? For that matter, why would a clam put a fake fish on its rear end? Within the corporate wilderness of MegaCo, IT technician Chelly Waller sets a lure for copy room manager – and volunteer environmentalist – Pete Moss. A sharp romantic comedy about the ways we fool each other and ourselves.