Karen Ruetz

Karen Ruetz

Over twenty years ago, Karen auditioned for her first theatrical production, and she has been addicted to theatre ever since. Primarily a full-length playwright, her comedies have been described as "a little bit of naughty and a whole lotta funny", while her dramas focus on issues of relationships and self-discovery. Most of her plays have significant roles for women.

Her first...
Over twenty years ago, Karen auditioned for her first theatrical production, and she has been addicted to theatre ever since. Primarily a full-length playwright, her comedies have been described as "a little bit of naughty and a whole lotta funny", while her dramas focus on issues of relationships and self-discovery. Most of her plays have significant roles for women.

Her first production, For A Good Time, Mary, took place in 2019. During 2020, the horrible year of COVID, Karen had numerous short plays produced either on stage or on the Zoom platform. Her comedy, Mary, will be produced for the second time in 2022. Karen is a member of the Dramatists Guild, and participates in the several writing groups in the Atlanta area including Merely Writers.

Plays

  • For A Good Time, Mary by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: Family Secrets, unemployment + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Family Secrets, unemployment, family dynamics, phone sex, aging parents, 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?
  • The Art of Deception by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: mother and daughter relationship, deception + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: mother and daughter relationship, deception, family lies, jealousy, strong female characters, art
    Lila, a former art teacher, is discovering her artistic voice as her mind declines from Alzheimer's disease. When she decides to give her daughter her first completed painting, Jennifer makes the decision to give the painting to her best friend. This decision starts an avalanche of lies and deceit that could ultimately destroy her fragile relationship with her mother as well as with her friend.
  • Trillium by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: magic, love + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: magic, love, revenge, Appalachian Mountains, romantic jealousy, changing the past
    Granny always warned Maeve not to interfere with love, but when Sarah, an old friend, comes to her for a love potion, Maeve reluctantly agrees to help her. Hoping to heal past wounds of a broken friendship, Maeve unknowingly opens Pandora’s box, releasing unfortunate events that will change her life. Set in the mountains of Appalachia, Trillium is a tale of magic, love, jealousy and revenge.
  • Ring My Bell, Ramona by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: guilt and redemption, blackmail + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: guilt and redemption, blackmail, scandal, dealing with religion, reputation, dark secret
    Pastor Brownfield has what seems to be the perfect life – a good wife, devoted congregation and the respect of his community, however the Pastor has a secret hobby that, if exposed, could ruin his cherished reputation. When he gets an email blackmailing him for his scandalous hobby, what lengths will he take to protect himself from exposure? And were all the risks worth it in the end?
  • Discovering June by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    12–20
    ·
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: Georgia, self-discovery + 2 more
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    Keyword: Georgia, self-discovery, animal characters, nature
    Jenna’s secret desire is to be an artist like her deceased mother, however she is full of self-doubt. Her father, who recently remarried, brings Jenna to stay with her Grandmother, a woman she hasn’t seen in twelve years, while he and his new wife go on their honeymoon. Jenna begins a journey of self-discovery as she copes with life on a remote island off the coast of Georgia and meets some of its unusual inhabitants.
  • A Good Move by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    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.
  • Common Ground by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    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?
  • Bobnu Zerok, A Short Halloween play by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, science fiction + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: aliens, halloween + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: aliens, 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?
  • The Scariest Animal Society, a play featuring child actors by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, holiday + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: children's theatre, halloween
    Genre: comedy, holiday, young audiences
    Keyword: children's theatre, halloween
    The world's scariest animals have gathered for their annual meeting to choose the Scariest Animal to represent them for Halloween.
  • Zoom Dump by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: a young couple, breakup + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: a young couple, breakup, awkward encounters
    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?
  • It's Just Coffee by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: divorce, reconciliation + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: divorce, reconciliation, family, awkward 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?

  • Heart Attack by Karen Ruetz
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: infidelity, friendship + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: infidelity, friendship, women's relationships, marriage, dating, all female cast
    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
    ·
    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
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    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.
  • Left on the Shelf by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, zoom
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, a short Zoom play + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, zoom
    Keyword: christmas, a short Zoom play, superhero
    It's Christmas Eve and three dolls are left on the shelf in the store. Their hope is running out that someone will come buy them in time. Will the Superhero doll come through in time to save the day?
  • No More Santa (Zoom) by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, zoom
    ·
    Keyword: a short Zoom play, christmas + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, zoom
    Keyword: a short Zoom play, christmas, adult comedy
    Mrs. Claus has a Zoom call with Santa's urologist. Apparently Santa has been taking male enhancement drugs and Mrs. Claus has had enough! Can Mrs. Claus overcome her mild demeanor and convince the doctor to listen to her complaints?
  • Zoommates, A Ten Minute Zoom Comedy by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: counseling, Therapy + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: 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?
  • Miracle Coconut Delight Cake, A monologue by Karen Ruetz
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: family
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: family
    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.