Catherine Zudak

Catherine Zudak

Catherine Zudak is a playwright, producer and storyteller living in Southeast Michigan. Her full-length play, "Nuns at the End of the World," was read by Theatre Nova as part of the Michigan Playwrights Festival in 2022, and her one-act, "Mortal Fools," was featured as the Zoom Play of the Month in 2021. Her work has appeared regionally in festivals at the Detroit Fringe, Theatre Nova, Ann...
Catherine Zudak is a playwright, producer and storyteller living in Southeast Michigan. Her full-length play, "Nuns at the End of the World," was read by Theatre Nova as part of the Michigan Playwrights Festival in 2022, and her one-act, "Mortal Fools," was featured as the Zoom Play of the Month in 2021. Her work has appeared regionally in festivals at the Detroit Fringe, Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre and Oakland University, and her "Know Gun Show" at Swords into Plowshares Gallery in Detroit and ARTomatic in Washington, D.C. in 2017.

Plays

  • Nuns at the End of the World by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: drama, holiday + 1 more
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    Keyword: environmental crisis, Nuns + 3 more
    Genre: drama, holiday, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: environmental crisis, Nuns, Easter, Faith versus Reason, intergenerational
    In the near future, Sister Clare is trying to keep her spirits up on the island of Nun’s End. A weather catastrophe in the early days of Lent has cut her and her Sisters off from the mainland of Ireland. As they await the return of their priest, they run short on food and hope. When Sister Mary finds a baby boy floating in the water, they wonder if he is the Second Coming or the Anti-Christ. Only God knows for sure.
  • Putin's Pocket Watch by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    1
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    Genre: dark comedy, political + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, political, satire
    A retired spy recalls her glory days, when she stole Vladimir Putin's pocket watch and defied the CIA.
  • Sheriff's Warrant by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    8
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    Genre: adventure, fable/folktale + 3 more
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    Keyword: justice, romance + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, fable/folktale, farce, movement/physical, period
    Keyword: justice, romance, sword play
    Christopher, the Sheriff of Nottingham, has it rough with a demanding new boss, an unfaithful wife, and a pesky outlaw. When Sir Guy offers him lands, titles and wealth, in exchange for hanging an innocent man, Christopher jumps at the chance. He finally captures the outlaw, but he can't go through with it. If he stands up to Guy now, will he lose his job or his head?
  • Mortal Fools by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    6–7
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    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller + 1 more
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    Keyword: Afghanistan war, investigative journalism + 2 more
    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller, political
    Keyword: Afghanistan war, investigative journalism, romance, spies
    A lonely intelligence officer in Afghanistan reaches out to his ex-wife for help when an Army Major is accused of treason. She reminds him everyone is a fool for love sometimes, but was it love that drove the Major or revenge?
  • Lion's Share by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: adventure, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: crisis of conscience, gladiators + 2 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, movement/physical, period
    Keyword: crisis of conscience, gladiators, absent father, romance
    In Ancient Rome, a gladiator, Leonis Africanis, faces a difficult choice. He can please the crowd or obey the dictates of his conscience. Either choice has big consequences both for Leonis and the people he loves. The Lion’s Share was inspired by Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem.
  • Crazy Dead Spies by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, mystery/thriller + 1 more
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    Keyword: psychological, spies + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, mystery/thriller, political
    Keyword: psychological, spies, romance
    Melissa Wilde doesn’t have a lot to be thankful for. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael, an overeager spy in training, shows up late for Thanksgiving dinner. He's convinced she’s a double agent out for revenge against the nation’s most deeply covered spy master. After Michael surreptitiously gives her dose of slow acting poison, Missy embarks on a crazy quest to prove her innocence before time runs out.
  • All Right by Catherine Zudak
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller
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    Keyword: empowerment, date rape
    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: empowerment, date rape
    Elle makes a desperate call to her roommates, Val and Jen, after her drunk boyfriend attacks her in the alley behind a club. Val and Jen offer comfort, but they clash by offering Ellie conflicting advice about calling the police. When the boyfriend shows up at their apartment, the women have to decide whether to handle it themselves or call for help.
  • Heaven Sent by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, mystery/thriller + 2 more
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    Keyword: absurd realism, Nazi wanna be + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, mystery/thriller, political, satire
    Keyword: absurd realism, Nazi wanna be, girl power
    In a cabin in the woods, a late night card game is interrupted by the arrival of an elderly Holocaust survivor and a possible angel. Dwayne, a present day Nazi wanna be, has to chose between conflicting loyalties. Is he more of a Christian, a Nazi or a drunk?
  • What's in a Name by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: parody/spoof, political + 1 more
    Genre: parody/spoof, political, satire
    In the court of public opinion, Judge Twit and Bailiff FB, argue over the best way to rename Columbus Day. The Bailiff invites three visitors, Native American heroes from different periods in history, to bear witness to their legacy and vote for their favorite name. But Twit and FB are too busy contradicting each other to hear them. The visitors return to the land of the dead, leaving the whites to fight amongst themselves.
  • Virtues by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama
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    Keyword: bookstore, family legacy + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: bookstore, family legacy, veterans, fathers and sons
    Tom Virtue wants to save his father's beloved book chain by selling out to a corporate buyer. All the long standing employees as well as his father oppose him. When a new HR manager, Lisa, joins the team to help with the transition, sparks fly. But, will she join the employee's rebellion or stand with corporate? It takes a death in the family, for the two sides to find common ground.
  • Cops Ain't Never Wrong by Catherine Zudak
    Cast: 
    1
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    Genre: dark comedy, political
    Genre: dark comedy, political
    Genesis, a survivor of "walking while black," shares his hard-earned wisdom.