An existentially depressed mother learns to feel again when her daughter starts dating a neo-Nazi in this drama about faith, masculinity, and searching for meaning. 

“Godless” was written as part of “the New Playwrights’ Festival” taught by Professor Brian Thorstenson, spring 2019. Staged reading on June 2, 2019 in the Santa Clara University Black Box theater. Self-directed.

Synopsis

Life has left Maybel Murphy utterly destroyed. Abandoned by her husband who destroyed her sense of worth, she lives off of a trust fund and spends her days sitting on her couch smoking weed, regretting her life choices, and refusing to feel her feelings. Her daughter, Charley, is her only reason for staying alive, and yet Maybel verbally and emotionally abuses Charley relentlessly. But when Charley starts dating a neo-Nazi, Maybel must, with the help of an old friend, find a way out of her existential despair. If she is to save her daughter, Maybel will have to learn to feel her emotions again and to find faith in a godless world. 

Full Play available here.