Karissa Murrell Myers
she, her, hers
Chicago, IL
Karissa Murrell Myers is a Filipino American theatre artist based out of Chicago.

Plays

Who’s there for the family, who isn’t, and what happens when you aren’t? After a car crash changes her life forever, pregnant Marina flees to her older sister Lillian’s house in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve with the biggest favor she’s ever asked. But sometimes, the place you run to for safety turns out to be the most dangerous place of all.

Cast:
MARINA - Asian American. Early 20’s, then late 30’s. LILLIAN - Asian American. Late 20’s, then mid-40’s. RICHARD - European American. Early 30’s, then late 40’s. DEANNA - Hapa American. 17-years old. DOMINIC - Hapa American. 17-years old. GRANDMA ORTALEZA - Asian American. Mid-60’s.

Jules saw something terrible in the Idaho hospital the night her mom died, but  she’ll never say what it was. Not to her ex, Olivia, and especially not to her brother, Jake, who keeps trying to  convince her to go with him to the Greenbelt to spread their mom’s ashes with their father, Alan. But try as she  might, Jules can’t shake the memories of the past that haunt her like a gin soaked hangover, and as the day  unravels the past events surrounding her mother’s death come to light. A serio-comic play that jumps between  past and present, On the Greenbelt is an exploration of Family, Love, Memory and the Question of “How do we  process grief?”

Cast:
JULES - early 30’s, she/her. Sarcastic, wounded, would rather self-medicate or run from pain rather than face it. Becoming distressingly aware that she's turning into her parents as she gets older. Pansexual but hasn’t fully “come out” yet. Works at Flying M Coffee as a barista. JAKE - early 30’s, he/him. Asian-American. Jules’ adopted brother. Big heart, dutiful, older than Jules by a few months but acts like "the little brother". Still doesn't know how to load a dishwasher. Married to Mallory. LYDIA - late 50’s, she/her. Jules and Jake’s mother. Married to Alan. Protestant. Charismatic, forthright, secure in her own power and opinions. Matriarch of the family. Proud of being a homemaker and artist for her adult life. Loves to travel. ALAN - late 50’s, he/him. Jules and Jake’s father. Married to Lydia. Easy going, a softie at heart. Has been comfortably working in middle management at the same company for 30 years. Happy to let his wife do the talking. Laughs at his own jokes. OLIVIA - early 30’s, she/her or they/them. Latinx. Jules’ girlfriend of three years. Unafraid to speak her mind. More patient and long-suffering than is probably good for her. Values honesty. Came out as queer in high school. MALLORY - late 20’s, she/her. White. Works at St. Luke’s as a nurse. Buoyantly cheerful, pragmatic, a proper lady. Passive aggressive. An ex rodeo queen. Desperately wants to fit into the family. Married to Jake.