An Honest Lesson in Self-Defense

Missy needs to learn self-defense. Fast. By tomorrow night. Before her husband's big, fancy charity ball. Can her brash ex-high-school-sweetheart Carter help her learn how to fight for herself...while she's wearing a lavish ball gown and high heels?

Missy needs to learn self-defense. Fast. By tomorrow night. Before her husband's big, fancy charity ball. Can her brash ex-high-school-sweetheart Carter help her learn how to fight for herself...while she's wearing a lavish ball gown and high heels?

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An Honest Lesson in Self-Defense

Recommended by

  • Kevin Cirone: An Honest Lesson in Self-Defense

    I had the pleasure to perform this script at a reading at Lesley a while back, and I was struck by the richness of the relationship and the snappy, authentic dialogue. A fun two-hander that has a lot of punch in all the right ways.

    I had the pleasure to perform this script at a reading at Lesley a while back, and I was struck by the richness of the relationship and the snappy, authentic dialogue. A fun two-hander that has a lot of punch in all the right ways.

  • John David Westby: An Honest Lesson in Self-Defense

    This is one sharp, funny, and quietly empowering play. In a basement a self-defense lesson turns into a story about voice, agency, and reclaiming yourself. Something larger and unexpected. The dialogue crackles with Lynn's humor while the emotional punches land just as cleanly.

    This is one sharp, funny, and quietly empowering play. In a basement a self-defense lesson turns into a story about voice, agency, and reclaiming yourself. Something larger and unexpected. The dialogue crackles with Lynn's humor while the emotional punches land just as cleanly.

  • Isabel Bolyn: An Honest Lesson in Self-Defense

    This is pure fun. I love the characters, the set-up, and the vicarious sense of support for any woman who can relate to Missy’s anger. So satisfying.

    This is pure fun. I love the characters, the set-up, and the vicarious sense of support for any woman who can relate to Missy’s anger. So satisfying.

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

Missy and Carter should appear to be the same age since they went to high school together. Actors can use a Southern dialect if they feel comfortable doing so. CARTER's should always be present; MISSY has mostly lost hers except when she is in the height of emotion. However, since some of the rhythm, cadence, and vernacular of the region is already sprinkled into the dialogue, it's also completely fine to not to use a dialect and simply follow the few prompts in the existing language.
  • Missy
    Guarded, smart, and slightly adrift
    Character Age
    Late 20s and up
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Carter
    Charming, brash, and slightly self-deluded
    Character Age
    Late 20s and up
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male or male-presenting

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Year 2025
  • Type Reading, Organization Lesley University , Year 2023
  • Type Reading, Organization Phillips' Mill Community Association, Year 2023

Production History

  • Type University, Organization SUNY Plattsburgh , Year 2025
  • Type Professional, Organization The Secret Theatre, Year 2024

Awards

  • Emerging Playwright Competition
    Phillips' Mill Community Association
    Winner
    2023