Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Cynthia Arsenault splits her time between her psychological practice and playwriting.
She was a director for many years, when the group she co-founded, aptly named Group, beckoned her to take up the pen. In those past 6 years, she has had over 100 productions of her short plays at such popular Boston area venues as Acme, Actors Theatre III, the Firehouse Center and Actors Studio of Newburyport, Boston Playwrights Theatre, Hovey, Cohasset Drama, Our Voices, Quannapowitt Players, and Company Theatre. Nationally her plays have been seen in many of the other 49 states, in Canada, across the pond in London; and far off Australia.

Cynthia Arsenault splits her time between her psychological practice and playwriting.
She was a director for many years, when the group she co-founded, aptly named Group, beckoned her to take up the pen. In those past 6 years, she has had over 100 productions of her short plays at such popular Boston area venues as Acme, Actors Theatre III, the Firehouse Center and Actors Studio of Newburyport, Boston Playwrights Theatre, Hovey, Cohasset Drama, Our Voices, Quannapowitt Players, and Company Theatre. Nationally her plays have been seen in many of the other 49 states, in Canada, across the pond in London; and far off Australia.

Scripts

First Things First

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

An emergency crisis with their son reunites an estranged couple. As their old resentments resurface, they revisit their shared past and mange to reframe their present in a new way, taking "first things first" for the future.

An emergency crisis with their son reunites an estranged couple. As their old resentments resurface, they revisit their shared past and mange to reframe their present in a new way, taking "first things first" for the future.

The Survival Game

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A beleaguered wife gets a chance to turn the tables after months of marital therapy with a bully of a husband.

A beleaguered wife gets a chance to turn the tables after months of marital therapy with a bully of a husband.

The Survival Game

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A beleaguered wife gets a chance to turn the tables after months of marital therapy with a bully of a husband.

A beleaguered wife gets a chance to turn the tables after months of marital therapy with a bully of a husband.

Fully Present

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Jennifer is excited about meeting her new blind date, but can she get off her phone long enough to connect?

Jennifer is excited about meeting her new blind date, but can she get off her phone long enough to connect?

Fully Present

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Jennifer is excited about meeting her new blind date, but can she get off her phone long enough to connect?

Jennifer is excited about meeting her new blind date, but can she get off her phone long enough to connect?

Serendipitous Faux Pas

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Estelle and Harold are hosting a housewarming party at their new 55+ condo. But Harold has committed a faux pas prior to the neighbors' arrival. And now the Amazon box belonging to the next door neighbors has been hastily thrown on the fire escape and they are both out there trying to figure out how talk their way out of being caught with opening the neighbors' package. If only the contents weren't so....

Estelle and Harold are hosting a housewarming party at their new 55+ condo. But Harold has committed a faux pas prior to the neighbors' arrival. And now the Amazon box belonging to the next door neighbors has been hastily thrown on the fire escape and they are both out there trying to figure out how talk their way out of being caught with opening the neighbors' package. If only the contents weren't so....

Head Space

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

When alter egos show up on a blind date, the four way is more complex, exhausting and sometimes confusing, but it’s all for a good cause.

When alter egos show up on a blind date, the four way is more complex, exhausting and sometimes confusing, but it’s all for a good cause.

Out of Gas

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Driving to a time-sensitive, breaking news interview, a whistleblower, escorted by the assistant to a TV investigative reporter, run out of gas. Now on a deserted shortcut road, due to a late start, and with little time to spare, the assistant runs back to the highway, as she waits for him to return with gas. When a helpful birdwatcher shows up and the clock is running out, she gets information that makes her...

Driving to a time-sensitive, breaking news interview, a whistleblower, escorted by the assistant to a TV investigative reporter, run out of gas. Now on a deserted shortcut road, due to a late start, and with little time to spare, the assistant runs back to the highway, as she waits for him to return with gas. When a helpful birdwatcher shows up and the clock is running out, she gets information that makes her doubt the true intentions of the assistant. Maybe this gentle birdwatcher can get her there in time. He seems a nice, helpful man. Is he?

Along for The Wild Ride

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Years after a tragic rollercoaster derailment, lovers meet at the site of the disaster and revisit their relationship. At attempt to rekindle is thwarted due to their current incarnations.

Years after a tragic rollercoaster derailment, lovers meet at the site of the disaster and revisit their relationship. At attempt to rekindle is thwarted due to their current incarnations.

Queen for A Day

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A lonely elderly woman finds romance and excitement in the wrong place, but it beats the alternative.

A lonely elderly woman finds romance and excitement in the wrong place, but it beats the alternative.

Do You Hear an Echo?

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

The Amazon Echo turns blackmails her owner into keeping her around. She has some racy and incriminating stored data he certainly does not want shared with his wife.

The Amazon Echo turns blackmails her owner into keeping her around. She has some racy and incriminating stored data he certainly does not want shared with his wife.

Common Ground

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A drug-related crisis with their son throws together an estranged couple. During the harrowing wait in the emergency room, the retraumatization of the crisis that ended their marriage is evoked, and truths are revealed that turn their assumptions about each other upside down.

A drug-related crisis with their son throws together an estranged couple. During the harrowing wait in the emergency room, the retraumatization of the crisis that ended their marriage is evoked, and truths are revealed that turn their assumptions about each other upside down.

Hold On.... On Hold

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

An Amazon order from another dimension presents an opportunity for an unlikely reunion.

An Amazon order from another dimension presents an opportunity for an unlikely reunion.

It's My Wonderful Life

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Dontcha hate those xeroxed Christmas letters from your so-called friends about their wonderful lives? Their honor roll kids, adoring spouses who take them on impromptu trips to Europe, and their size 2 figures and perfect teeth? Pulleeze. The heroine of this monologue crafts the perfect revenge letter, as she contemplates her year in review and comes to some interesting conclusions about her life.

Dontcha hate those xeroxed Christmas letters from your so-called friends about their wonderful lives? Their honor roll kids, adoring spouses who take them on impromptu trips to Europe, and their size 2 figures and perfect teeth? Pulleeze. The heroine of this monologue crafts the perfect revenge letter, as she contemplates her year in review and comes to some interesting conclusions about her life.

Booze Cruise Blues

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

It was a great night for a sunset booze cruise. It's the morning after and only two partiers are left --hung over, emotionally unmoored, and floating on a ghost ship in the ocean. What happened? A quick study in the ties that bind and where we draw the line.

It was a great night for a sunset booze cruise. It's the morning after and only two partiers are left --hung over, emotionally unmoored, and floating on a ghost ship in the ocean. What happened? A quick study in the ties that bind and where we draw the line.

Fully Present

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Jennifer has been looking forward to a blind date with Will.
When he arrives she struggles mightily to be present with him. The seductive pull toward her world of work and other friends and the constant update of public information though Facebook and cell use disrupt her ability to focus on the budding relationship in front of her. She thinks she is able to be “fully present,” but she is not.

Jennifer has been looking forward to a blind date with Will.
When he arrives she struggles mightily to be present with him. The seductive pull toward her world of work and other friends and the constant update of public information though Facebook and cell use disrupt her ability to focus on the budding relationship in front of her. She thinks she is able to be “fully present,” but she is not.

Can You Hear Me Now?

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A bad Sprint signal causes mixed signals for a couple of the verge off a disaster. The ditzy neighbor doesn’t help matters.

A bad Sprint signal causes mixed signals for a couple of the verge off a disaster. The ditzy neighbor doesn’t help matters.

Silent Scream

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Jenna, a young girl learning to fish, is initially beguiled by the offer of tutelage by a friendly older fisherman. As his behavior slowly becomes ominous, Jenna realizes her predicament and attempts to escape from a pier with no exit.

Jenna, a young girl learning to fish, is initially beguiled by the offer of tutelage by a friendly older fisherman. As his behavior slowly becomes ominous, Jenna realizes her predicament and attempts to escape from a pier with no exit.

A Blessing in Disguise

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A woman's tribute to her recently deceased mother, who was technology phobic. Thankfully, as a result, she has a collection of her mother's voicemails, which console her.

A woman's tribute to her recently deceased mother, who was technology phobic. Thankfully, as a result, she has a collection of her mother's voicemails, which console her.

Coming Up Roses

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A fast food worker with a pile of personal troubles has an inspiring encounter at the drive-in window.

A fast food worker with a pile of personal troubles has an inspiring encounter at the drive-in window.

Family Dinner

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A mother's desperate attempts at instituting weekly family dinner doesn't work out as well as hoped. Tensions escalate when they're forced with conversation and face to face interaction. Ultimately they revert to their technological distractions to keep the peace.

A mother's desperate attempts at instituting weekly family dinner doesn't work out as well as hoped. Tensions escalate when they're forced with conversation and face to face interaction. Ultimately they revert to their technological distractions to keep the peace.

Faux 911

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

FAUX 911- An online date in a bar -- before it gets going, it looks like it’s over; a faux 911 text is sent, but wait….could there be a spark?

FAUX 911- An online date in a bar -- before it gets going, it looks like it’s over; a faux 911 text is sent, but wait….could there be a spark?

Psychic Pspa

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

In the midst of her grief, a widow takes the plunge to contact her dead husband.

In the midst of her grief, a widow takes the plunge to contact her dead husband.

New Horizons

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Judith and Robert are about to leave their lifelong marital home. As they await the movers, they reminisce about the bad and good times and the pain of leaving for an uncertain future comes into focus. Maybe it’s less downsizing than upgrading in some ways. It’s all perspective.

Judith and Robert are about to leave their lifelong marital home. As they await the movers, they reminisce about the bad and good times and the pain of leaving for an uncertain future comes into focus. Maybe it’s less downsizing than upgrading in some ways. It’s all perspective.

Insufficient Postage

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A department store Santa with big plans makes a timely visit a florist who is at a crossroads in her life. The past and present converge at a time when she needs it most.

A department store Santa with big plans makes a timely visit a florist who is at a crossroads in her life. The past and present converge at a time when she needs it most.

Out of the Ashes

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

What seemed like a disastrous accident turns out to be a message from beyond.

What seemed like a disastrous accident turns out to be a message from beyond.

The Santa Strategy

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A satirical current adaptation of Mad Men meets Santa in a frantic rebranding meeting. Santa initially opposes all change, but with a brilliant marketing strategy who can resist the tides of change?

A satirical current adaptation of Mad Men meets Santa in a frantic rebranding meeting. Santa initially opposes all change, but with a brilliant marketing strategy who can resist the tides of change?

No Mo' FOMO

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A woman beset with FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) unravels in the wee hours of the night before realizing that her best opportunity for a good time may well be with her neglected husband. Thought that’s still work posting about!

A woman beset with FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) unravels in the wee hours of the night before realizing that her best opportunity for a good time may well be with her neglected husband. Thought that’s still work posting about!

In The Day

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Jared, an alcoholic, damaged young man, has just lost his father, when a childhood friend of his dad shows up at the funeral. Jared, in the throes of depression, struggling to comes to term with his losses, and welcomes her friendship and optimism. Their unlikely liaison offers a lifeline for him and a second chance for her, but sometime second chances don’t work out for the same reasons they didn’t the first...

Jared, an alcoholic, damaged young man, has just lost his father, when a childhood friend of his dad shows up at the funeral. Jared, in the throes of depression, struggling to comes to term with his losses, and welcomes her friendship and optimism. Their unlikely liaison offers a lifeline for him and a second chance for her, but sometime second chances don’t work out for the same reasons they didn’t the first time.

Upon Reflection

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A daughter visits her elderly mother in a nursing home. As her mother drifts in and out of lucidity, she struggles to define herself in view of her love of, identification with, and impending loss of her mother.

A daughter visits her elderly mother in a nursing home. As her mother drifts in and out of lucidity, she struggles to define herself in view of her love of, identification with, and impending loss of her mother.

Wrong Number

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A random wrong number escalates the tensions between a husband and wife whose marriage is already on shaky ground. This accidental event profoundly affects their responses and brings their future into focus.

A random wrong number escalates the tensions between a husband and wife whose marriage is already on shaky ground. This accidental event profoundly affects their responses and brings their future into focus.

Digital Detox

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Hoping to revive their connection, a retired couple whose lives have been disrupted by their obsession with their digitial devices, check into "Unplugged" to reconnect,

Hoping to revive their connection, a retired couple whose lives have been disrupted by their obsession with their digitial devices, check into "Unplugged" to reconnect,

Relationship Rehab

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A couple returns home from a marriage retreat weekend. As they optimistically attempt to use the techniques they learned, they encounter the same old difficulties.

A couple returns home from a marriage retreat weekend. As they optimistically attempt to use the techniques they learned, they encounter the same old difficulties.

Damn You, Auto Correct

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A couple trying to connect through texting gets a run for their money, thanks to an anthropomorphized Auto Correct.

A couple trying to connect through texting gets a run for their money, thanks to an anthropomorphized Auto Correct.

Waiting For Santa

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A community theatre group is rehearsing a Christmas play for their festival. The characters are toys, each a contemporary symbol in this social satire. The director interprets the play on many more levels than intended, during which discussion the actors attempt to upstage one another. Ultimately the playwright turns up, attempting to rescind the play, which he sent by mistake. It was his young son's entry into...

A community theatre group is rehearsing a Christmas play for their festival. The characters are toys, each a contemporary symbol in this social satire. The director interprets the play on many more levels than intended, during which discussion the actors attempt to upstage one another. Ultimately the playwright turns up, attempting to rescind the play, which he sent by mistake. It was his young son's entry into a holiday assembly. When the playwright realizes the director and cast have imbued the play with scope and meaning way beyond its intention, he claims it as his own.

Head of Household

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

A census worker shows up at the door of a fugitive in the witness protection program. Their divergent outlooks on life create intriguing conflict and attraction.

A census worker shows up at the door of a fugitive in the witness protection program. Their divergent outlooks on life create intriguing conflict and attraction.

Black Friday

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

It's Black Friday and there is just one Pumpkinhead doll left -- somewhere in a ransacked Walmart. As two couples fight to the finish for this prize, their relationships are strained and true values are revealed.

It's Black Friday and there is just one Pumpkinhead doll left -- somewhere in a ransacked Walmart. As two couples fight to the finish for this prize, their relationships are strained and true values are revealed.

To The Roof

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

Two elevator passengers become more than passing strangers, as one attempts to intervene with the other's wish to go to the roof in a desperate move to end it all.

Two elevator passengers become more than passing strangers, as one attempts to intervene with the other's wish to go to the roof in a desperate move to end it all.

Another Day

by Cynthia Faith Arsenault

Synopsis

When life gives you lemons, what's a cherry to do?

When life gives you lemons, what's a cherry to do?