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Casting: |
“Leaving Iowa” has an ensemble cast of 6
actors - 3 males/3 females – who enjoy a
challenge. The ages of the characters are
listed for how they should be portrayed, not
necessarily the actor’s true age.
DON (30’s - 40) – Successful Boston reporter
– too busy to attend his father’s funeral
three years ago. Must also play young Don in
flashbacks – whiny, complaining, and
antagonizing his big sister in the back seat
of the car, as children have done since the
dawn of the automotive age. He is the driver
of the play in a gentle inviting way.
DAD (60’s) – He’s a quiet ghost who, in his
urn, is Don’s passenger on his journey.
Flashbacks show him as Dad the teacher,
planning the family vacations around every
educational and historical highlight of the
American road. He never bought into the fun
-- more commercial – attractions along the
way, which left the kids begging to stop at
“Ghost Caverns” and motels with a pool! He
was the ultimate father; the loving boss of
the family.
MOM (60’s) – Don’s mom past and present. In
flashbacks, always there – the ever calming
influence on Dad and the kids – the ultimate
peacemaker on these family road trips – to a
point. Currently, still “mothering”, but
becoming a little flighty as she ages. Mom
feels very guilty for having left Dad in his
urn forgotten in the basement for the last
three years.
SIS (30’s - 40’s) -- Don’s older sister,
past and present. In flashbacks, “Sweet
Pea”, as Dad called her, is the typical big
sister – overbearing, teasing, sneaky –
always baiting Don until he struck back and
got blamed for causing the ruckus. The two
were always united in their efforts to
influence Dad on the vacation plans. In
present day, Sis is controlling, somewhat
critical, but obviously loves her family.
MULTIPLE CHARACTER MALE (30’s & up) – Must
play all the male characters Don encounters
on his road trip – in flashbacks and present
day vignettes: farmer with silo, Don’s
grandfather, grocery store clerk, Don’s
Uncle, farmer with a hoe, Amish peddler at
flea market, Civil War performer, Dan’s
childhood friend (now a professor),
mechanic, park ranger, unhappy old man,
stoic waiter with a mullet, hog farmer.
MULTIPLE CHARACTER FEMALE (30’s & up) – Same
only female characters encountered: farmer’s
wife with silo, Don’s grandmother and aunt,
Amish peddler, museum assistant, mechanic,
drunk woman in hotel, talkative waitress,
hog farmer’s wife.
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