Our Play
by Jessica Moss

Mrs. Gibbs. 16. Character actor who wishes she was an ingénue, in life and on stage. Insecure. Her dark side scares her, even though most people would not realize she has one. Very ambitious, dreams of being a serious theatrical actor. Extremely sensitive. Allison’s best friend? In love for the first time.

Rebecca Gibbs. 16. Nonbinary, uses they/them pronouns. An artist. Some kind of “dark” aesthetic – this could be goth, this could be punk, this could just be that they like horror movies or Edward Gorey’s art. Introspective, startlingly wise, confident enough to be still, confident enough to be different, confident enough to be themself. Was in a traumatic school incident in 8th grade.

Dr. Gibbs. 17. Athlete with performance ability. A positive thinker. Charmed and charming. A little bit of a golden boy, or at least a golden aura. Elastic and loose-limbed, like a slinky.

Howie Newsome. 16. Close to an online community. Tried out because DJ did. A gamer. Analytical. A follower at this point in his life, but starting to think he could be a leader.

Constable Warren. 17. Recently got in trouble for stealing equipment from the school gym. He might be doing the play as a punishment, or at the suggestion/mandate of a guidance counselor. Huge, huge baggage. Impulsive, intimidating, prone to explosion, but softer than he lets on.

Emily. 16. A class clown who occupies the position of a cool girl: a unicorn. People tend to think she has no problems, and she wants to keep it that way. As ambitious as – and constantly in competition with – Mary, who is her best friend.

Stage Manager. 17. This role can be cast male, female or nonbinary; pronouns can change as appropriate. Cannot take a compliment, though they deeply crave them. Terrified of failure. Struggles with dissociation. Scared, but yearns to reveal a deep silliness, giddiness – anything vulnerable.

Simon Stimson. 16. Wants to fit in. Deeply loving. Intense difficulty with school (recently diagnosed ADHD) but doesn’t tell anyone about it. Disorganized, but extremely capable; hyper-focused when she cares about something.

Mr. Webb. 17. This role can be cast male, female or nonbinary; pronouns can change as appropriate. Stoner philosopher. Doesn’t have to study to make excellent grades. A lover of beauty; desires experience. Lonelier than they let on.

Mrs. Webb. 17. Emily’s best friend since grade four. Very insecure about cystic acne. Swim team; has non-stop wet hair, and her acne is aggravated by the chlorine. She regularly hits her cheeks, or licks the backs of her hands and puts them on her cheeks, to try and stop the burning feeling.

George Gibbs. 16. Loud. Appears confident. A vicious and cultivated sense of fashion. Pop culture expert, but has great throwback knowledge for movies, fashion, dances, music of the past (particularly club kid culture). Physically not dominant, but dominates every room he’s in.

Mrs. Soames. 17. Claire’s best friend since grade four. Wants to be a doctor. Extremely studious and grades-focused. Has a 10-year plan, and it requires getting into a top college. Doing the play to boost extracurriculars. From a wealthier family than most of the others.

Joe Crowell. 17. First play ever. Hockey player. Quiet until he’s not. His dad recently passed away from cancer. Has the aura of someone who has lived through a tragedy – but is that just what everyone is putting on him?

The show’s real stage manager. 16. Organized. Shy. Much happier behind the scenes than onstage. Feels tremendous pressure to succeed.