Fiona Rose Murphey…

…(they/she) is a MULTI-HYPHENATE THEATRE ARTIST. Based in the DMV-Metro area, their work has included directing (for live theatre and film), dramaturgy, writing (plays, screenplays, prose/poetry and research), intimacy choreography, education, performance, disability and gender/queerness consulting, arts administration and project management.

Fiona has been molded by many things: Their versatile education—from intimacy coordination training with Theatrical Intimacy Education, their Master’s degree in Literature, Culture and Technology from American University, their undergrad experience in university theatre and computer science at AU, to their K-12 education in Nashville, TN; their childhood loves—of mythology, science fiction, dystopia and fantasy; and their lived experience—as a queer, wheelchair-using Disabled person. Through all of these, Fiona brings a robust skillset and fierce gentleness to all of their work. Centering deliberate, tenacious compassion and a focus on collaboration, Fiona aims to represent oppressed people deeply and faithfully across projects.

Currently, Fiona is most excited by directing, playwriting, dramaturgy and intimacy choreography opportunities. They are always open to conversation—please feel free to reach out below!

Fiona (center) sits in their wheelchair on the roof of the Arcady Public Library—the set of “Through the Sunken Lands,” the Kennedy Center world premiere musical they recently assistant directed in spring 2024—with friends Meredith Aleigha Wells (left), who starred as “Artemis Sims,” and Molly Nilsen (right), our “Artemis” understudy.

PROJECTS & WORK

  • "THROUGH THE SUNKEN LANDS"

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. Kennedy Center Theatre for Young Audiences, World Premiere Musical, comprehensively and collaboratively assistant directed + helped create an accessible process + moderated wraparound engagement for K-12 audiences, Book and Lyrics by Tim J. Lord, Music and Lyrics by Avi Amon, Music Dir. Angie Benson, Movement Dir. Ronya-Lee Anderson, Lights by Sherrice Mojgani, Sound by Justin Schmitz, Set by Andrew Cohen, Costumes by Jeannette Christensen, Puppets by Matthew Pauli, SM Marne Anderson, KC TYA Education Dir. David Kilpatrick, Dir. Cara Phipps (Sept. 2023-Mar. 2024).

    Photo credit Teresa Wood.

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  • "THE ART OF CARE"

    SCRIPT SUPERVISOR. Mosaic Theater Company, supported director/actors/team in tracking the evolving, devised script for this world premiere play + helped organize interview transcription/documentation & file sharing + present in rehearsals & integrated in-person dramaturgical & directorial observations to help produce the best show in this care-forward process, Dir. Derek Goldman (Jul-Nov. 2024).

    Photo credit Mosaic Theater Company.

    GALLERY & MORE

  • "THAT BRAT IN THE WHEELCHAIR"

    PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR. 10-minute original play, directing a staged reading with the Open Doors Festival in October 2024, first workshopped in seminar at American University lead by Prof. Carl Menninger (Spring 2022), available via New Play Exchange.

    Photo credit Fiona Rose Murphey, Open Circle Theatre, Francie Murphey.

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  • "ALICE BY HEART"

    INTIMACY CHOREOGRAPHER/ASST. DIRECTOR. Wildwood Summer Theatre, devised, taught & documented intimacy choreography + closely collaborated with dance choreographers, director & cast + supported actors, designers, creative team + assisted with staging, tablework, rehearsals & admin + worked to ensure a safe & accessible process, Movement Dir. Katie Quinn, Asst. Movement Kiefer Cure, Dir. Margo/Myst McCready (May-Aug. 2024).

    Photo credit Fiona Rose Murphey.

    GALLERY & MORE

  • "QUEERING NEVERLAND: A DRAMATURGY OF CARE"

    WRITER/RESEARCHER. Cover article in the Journal of Consent Based Performance (May 2024). Presented as a debut scholar in the Disability, Theatre and Performance focus group at the American Theatre in Higher Education conference as “Queering Neverland: Assistant Directing Lost Girl at American University,” (August 2023).

    Photo credit Kelsey Walker, JCBP.

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  • "MERBOY"

    PLAYWRIGHT. 10-minute original play inspired by a queer-crip reading of “The Little Mermaid,” developed Fall 2024, available via New Play Exchange.

    Photo credit Fiona Rose Murphey.

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  • "SQUISHY BUT FIRM: SEXCAPADES OF A CRIP GIRL"

    PERFORMER. The Kennedy Center Local Theatre Fest, Played “Crip Girl 1: A Dry-Wit Intellectual,” Book by Regan Linton, Dir. Regan Linton (Jul-Aug. 2024).

    Photo credit the Kennedy Center.

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  • VSA PLAYWRIGHT DISCOVERY PROGRAM

    PROGRAM DRAMATURG. Kennedy Center, “High school students with disabilities are invited to explore the art of writing for performance,” Program Dirs. Diane Nutting and Talleri McRae (Spring/Summer 2024).

    Photo credit Kennedy Center.

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  • "NEBRASKA AVENUE"

    PLAYWRIGHT. Original two-act musical, idea conceived in seminar with Prof. Karl Kippola at American University (Spring 2020), developed until April 2024, Book and Lyrics available via New Play Exchange.

    Photo credit Fiona Rose Murphey.

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  • "OPIE AND THE OPEN TENT"

    PERFORMER. The National Theatre, Played “Golde” & “Risa.” Book by Regan Linton for the “Saturday Morning Live!” Theatre for Young Audiences series, Dir. Regan Linton (May-Jun. 2024).

    Photo credit Francie Murphey.

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  • KENNEDY CENTER DIRECTING INTENSIVE

    DIRECTING COHORT. Kennedy Center, “Brings together a cohort of like-minded early-career directors to create a supportive community and shared learning experience,” in order to “engage participants in rigorous conversations, practical activities, and master classes,” Dirs. Nicole A. Watson and Raymond O. Caldwell (July 2023).

    Photo credit Kennedy Center.

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  • "DAUGHTERS OF LEDA"

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG. American University, Book by Madeline Sayet, assisted all rehearsals/meetings + composed dramaturgy research packet/playbill note + documented intimacy choreography + supported IC rehearsals, IC Sierra Young, Dirs. Angelisa Gillyard and Shanara Gabrielle (Fall 2023).

    Photo credit Dylan Singleton.

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  • "LOST GIRL"

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. American University, Book by Kimberly Belflower, directed scenes + assisted rehearsals and meetings + kept detailed notes + shadowed IC during intimacy choreography process, IC/AD/Prod. Carrie Edick, Dir. Aaron Posner (Spring 2023).

    Photo credit Dylan Singleton.

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  • "INTO THE WOODS"

    ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR. American University, kept detailed music notes + helped teach vocals to actors + supported orchestration + assisted at rehearsals and meetings, Musical Dir. Nathan Blustein, Dir. Carl Menninger (Spring 2022).

    Photo credit American University.

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  • "VIORE: AN ADAPTATION STORY"

    PERFORMER. The National Theatre, Played “Little O,” Book by Regan Linton for the “Saturday Morning Live!” Theatre for Young Audiences series, Dir. Regan Linton (May-Jun. 2023).

    Photo credit Regan Linton.

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  • "THE PLIANT GIRLS"

    PERFORMER. American University, Played “Father,” Book by Meghan Brown, rehearsed and filmed via Zoom, Dir. Ameenah Kaplan (Dec. 2020-Feb. 2021).

    Photo credit Bekah Zornosa.

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  • "THE BOY DETECTIVE FAILS"

    ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER. Workshopped and Produced at American University, Book by Joe Meno, Music and Lyrics by Adam Gwon, Musical Dir. Nathan Blustein, Dir. Aaron Posner (Spring 2020).

    Photo credit Jeff Watts.

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  • GREENBERG THEATRE PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

    OPERATIONS ASSISTANT. American University, organized front of house staffing + co-managed patron customer service + provided admin support, Production Manager Greg Anderson (May-Dec. 2023).

    Photo credit American University.

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  • PEDAGOGY & MENTORSHIP

    IMAGINATION STAGE. Working with lead teachers and program coordinators to integrate disabled students across multiple after school theatre arts classes. Collaboratively designing a curriculum as a lead teacher for future classes, starting in Nov. 2024 (Sept. 2024-Present).

    TUTOR.COM. Tutoring in writing, English & literature for students grades 9-12 through college; in social studies for grades K-8; in science for grades 3-6; and in computer fundamentals for all grade levels (May 2024-Present).

    SECRETARY. Art Technically, STEAM education charity, assist with fundraising + public outreach + admin support (Jan. 2020-Present).

    TEACHING ASSISTANT. American University, “The Urban Experience” (Literature + Social Science) lesson planning + writing tutoring with Profs. David Pike and Daniel Esser (Fall 2018), “Directing Techniques” (Theatre) co-teaching + director mentoring with Dir. Colleen Sullivan (Fall 2022).

    Photo credit Imagination Stage.

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  • "HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING"

    PERFORMER. American University, Played in “Ensemble,” First wheelchair user to perform on the Greenberg Theatre stage in 20+ years, Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, Music by Frank Loesser, Based on the novel by Shepherd Mead, Musical Dir. Nathan Blustein, Dir. Karl Kippola (Fall 2019).

    Photo credit Jeff Watts.

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