Karen Ruetz

Karen Ruetz

Karen, a native North Carolinian, now lives in Marietta, Georgia. Over twenty years ago, she auditioned for her first theatrical production, and she has been addicted to theatre ever since. Her comedies have been described as "a little bit of naughty and a whole lotta funny", while her dramas focus on issues of aging and relationships. She is a member of Working Title Playwrights and Merely Writes in Atlanta.

Plays

  • For A Good Time, Mary by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    6
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: Family Secrets, unemployment + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Family Secrets, unemployment, family relationships, phone sex, aging parent, mature actors
    Described as a little bit naughty, but a whole lot of funny! 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...
    Described as a little bit naughty, but a whole lot of funny! 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?
  • A Good Move by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: family, misogyny + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: family, misogyny, female 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.
  • Ring My Bell, Ramona by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: blackmail, religion + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: blackmail, religion, character conflict, guilt and redemption, dark secret
    Pastor Brownfield has the perfect life – a devoted wife, and the respect of his community . But, the Pastor has a secret hobby that, if exposed, could ruin his life. When he gets an email blackmailing him, what lengths will he take to save his life from exposure?
  • The Art of Deception by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: drama
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    Keyword: art, Painting + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: art, Painting, Alzheimer's, mother and daughter, deceit
    Lila, an Alzheimer’s patient, is discovering her artistic voice as her mind declines. When she gives her daughter her first completed painting, Jennifer makes a decision that starts an avalanche of lies and deceit that could ultimately end friendships and her fragile relationship with her mother. The play underwent significant revisions in March, 2020 as a result of the Dramatist Guild #EndofPlay.
  • Common Ground by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama
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    Keyword: transgender teen, reconciliation + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: transgender teen, reconciliation, cancer, gender bias, family conflict
    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?
  • Heart Attack by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
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    Keyword: infidelity, friendship + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: infidelity, friendship, women's relationships, marriage, dating, all women play
    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?
  • No More, Santa by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: christmas, adult situations + 5 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: christmas, adult situations, female empowerment, funny, Viagra, Santa, Mrs. Claus
    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?
  • Ice, Ice, Santa by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: christmas, Santa + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: christmas, Santa, elves, Homeland Security, federal government, ice
    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 Just Coffee by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
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    Keyword: divorce, reconciliation + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: divorce, reconciliation, family, awkward humorous encounters
    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
    Cast: 
    1
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: Family. Female comedic monologue
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Family. Female comedic monologue
    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 Scariest Animal Society, a play featuring child actors by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy, holiday + 1 more
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    Keyword: children's play, halloween
    Genre: comedy, holiday, young audiences
    Keyword: children's play, halloween
    The world's scariest animals have gathered for their annual meeting to choose the Scariest Animal to represent them for Halloween.
  • Zoommates, A Ten Minute Zoom Comedy by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: 10 minute Zoom play, counseling + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: 10 minute Zoom play, counseling, Therapy, roommates
    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?
  • Zoom Dump by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: 10 minute Zoom play, a young couple + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: 10 minute Zoom play, a young couple, break-up, awkward situation
    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?
  • Bobnu Zerok, A Short Halloween play by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy, science fiction + 1 more
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    Keyword: alien, halloween + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: alien, halloween, kids, trick or treat
    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?