ABOUT THE PLAY
Rose comes from a long line of wilderness guides. She and her brother, Clover, have led hundreds of fortune seekers as they make their way up North into the frozen tundra to strike it rich in the precious coltan mines. But now, the coltan mines are slowly starting to dry up, along with the all the natural wildlife and for that matter, that means food. But Rose is a survivor. She will do whatever it takes to live. So, when two travelers come with a peculiar mission to explore the lands beyond the mines, Rose is ready to sacrifice it all to live another day.
CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS: THE DOCTORS
DR. A & DR. Z, DR. J & DR. R, DR. G & DR. Y are all somewhere between their 30's or 40's. The doctors are all characters from the past (our present and near future.) They work for Intelligent Experience, later called Intel- Experience, and even later called IX&Robotics. Each of them have high hopes for the advancement of technology. They all believe they are doing the right thing and this AI technology (Crawler) will be for the betterment and safety of the human race.
CASTING
Depending on the production size and budget, this play can either be performed with 14 individual actors or doubling can be used. No matter the choice, whoever plays OL'BARK, is always the voice of CRAWLER/CB2. It's important that the characters of ROSE, CLOVER, OL'BARK (CRAWLER/CB2) are not doubled. Doubling options can be the following for a total of 7 actors:
- ROSE: She/her, teens – early 20's. A rugged, rough, and blunt survivor. Her pack (family) means everything to her. She desperately wants to carry on and cement her family's legacy.
- CLOVER: He/him, teens – early 20's. Rose's older brother. Unlike his sister, Clover is surprising gentle for this harsh world. He hates the sight of blood and finds the killing part of hunting sickening. He is an excellent trapper, brilliant tailor, and a hell of a cook. Clover is quiet, nurturing, and has a strong connection to family.
- WILLOW: She/her, 30's. Willow is a "lower" – a person that after the "Great Contamination" remained in the more industrial mainland (think how folks from Alaska refer to the rest of the United States as "the lower 48's"). She is logical, even-tempered – a calming force of nature.
- REDWOOD: He/him, late 40's. Redwood is also a "lower." He makes a living as a guide – taking people from the south to the north and advising them on which northern guides they can trust to take them to the coltan mines. He is a living redwood – big, sturdy, and dependable.
- CRAWLER/CB2: AI technology come to life. Often a disembodied voice – that is, until it finds a body. Curious and protective. It loves humans so much that it kills.
- OL' BARK: She/her, late 40's/50's. Rough and tough. This harsh world made her.
- BIRCH: She/her, 30's or 40's. The town gossip. Always scamming, looking out for herself at all times.
- ELM: He/him, 30's or 40's. Kind, simple, and just tired. This world is wearing him down.
- DOGWOOD: He/him, 30's or 40's. Survival is what he eats for breakfast.
CHARACTERS: THE DOCTORS
DR. A & DR. Z, DR. J & DR. R, DR. G & DR. Y are all somewhere between their 30's or 40's. The doctors are all characters from the past (our present and near future.) They work for Intelligent Experience, later called Intel- Experience, and even later called IX&Robotics. Each of them have high hopes for the advancement of technology. They all believe they are doing the right thing and this AI technology (Crawler) will be for the betterment and safety of the human race.
CASTING
Depending on the production size and budget, this play can either be performed with 14 individual actors or doubling can be used. No matter the choice, whoever plays OL'BARK, is always the voice of CRAWLER/CB2. It's important that the characters of ROSE, CLOVER, OL'BARK (CRAWLER/CB2) are not doubled. Doubling options can be the following for a total of 7 actors:
- The actor that plays REDWOOD can also play DR. G and DR. J.
- The actor that plays WILLOW can also play DR.Z
- The actor that plays DOGWOOD can also play ELM and DR. R.
- The actor that plays BIRCH can also play DR. Y and DR. A.
PRODUCTION HISTORY/AWARDS
- Dramatists Guild, End of Play reading: virtual (May, 2023)