Doublewide

by Stephen Spotswood

Jim Starkey's version of the American Dream is a modest one: to build a home on his one-acre plot of land, replacing his doublewide trailer with something his daughter, Lorelai, can eventually inherit. When a highway expansion project threatens that plan, Jim finds himself reluctantly thrust into the public eye. Meanwhile, Lorelai is trying to discover what she wants her own future to look like. Will it look...

Jim Starkey's version of the American Dream is a modest one: to build a home on his one-acre plot of land, replacing his doublewide trailer with something his daughter, Lorelai, can eventually inherit. When a highway expansion project threatens that plan, Jim finds himself reluctantly thrust into the public eye. Meanwhile, Lorelai is trying to discover what she wants her own future to look like. Will it look like her parents' or something very different? And will the world let her have a choice in the matter? When a tragic accident throws a dark shadow over the family’s future. Jim is left wondering what happened to his now-broken dream, while Lorelai is left to build her own future out of the pieces.

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Doublewide

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Doublewide by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    A powerful, moving play about the American dream and the struggle to spend this one life well. Excellent work.

    A powerful, moving play about the American dream and the struggle to spend this one life well. Excellent work.

    ”
  • Bridget Grace Sheaff: Doublewide by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    Everything that has been said here in the recommendations is spot on. I recognized a life I don't often get to see depicted onstage in this piece. As a born and raised Midwesterner, I was so relieved to read something that didn't pander, didn't judge, but with compassion and gentleness asks it's audience and it's characters to take a breath together and assume the best of their neighbors.
    Add this to your next season.

    Everything that has been said here in the recommendations is spot on. I recognized a life I don't often get to see depicted onstage in this piece. As a born and raised Midwesterner, I was so relieved to read something that didn't pander, didn't judge, but with compassion and gentleness asks it's audience and it's characters to take a breath together and assume the best of their neighbors.
    Add this to your next season.

    ”
  • Tony Caselli: Doublewide by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    This play SO cleanly gets to the heart of what it's like to live in so much of rural America. We're part of the Rolling World Premiere here at Williamston Theatre because this gorgeous play depicts the lives of so many people in our state. A play about wanting more, and wanting to GIVE more, that says "Life is hard. We make it harder more than we should, but there's always room for love, and hope." Sweet, funny, honest - people need to see this play.

    This play SO cleanly gets to the heart of what it's like to live in so much of rural America. We're part of the Rolling World Premiere here at Williamston Theatre because this gorgeous play depicts the lives of so many people in our state. A play about wanting more, and wanting to GIVE more, that says "Life is hard. We make it harder more than we should, but there's always room for love, and hope." Sweet, funny, honest - people need to see this play.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Big Jim
    Works in a soda manufacturing plant and has since he was 18. He’s managed to buy an acre of land and a doublewide that he and his family have lived in for most of his marriage. He wants to build a house there someday.
    late 30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Sharon
    On her feet all day working at Walmart. Went from night staff to stocking shelves to cashier, and has spent years waiting in vain to move up to management. She’s looking for something better.
    late 30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Lorelai
    the daughter; a high school junior with a love for music. A little punk, but not emo. Rougher than that--leather and denim and worn-through band T-shirts, but not afraid to take some advice from Teen Vogue. Still searching for her own future.
    17
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Coral
    a widowed retiree living off Social Security and her husband’s pension. She spends a lot of her day at the casino paying slots. She’s got a system.
    60s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Chuck
    Lorelai’s tutor; a high school senior; a medium-sized academic fish in a tiny pond. He’s sincere and smart, but a couple important steps behind Lorelai when it comes to emotional maturity.
    17
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Workshop, Florida Rep Theatre, 2016
  • Workshop, Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival, 2014

Production History

  • Professional, Vermont Stage, 2018
  • Professional, Williamston Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Florida Repertory Theatre, 2017
  • Professional, Florida Studio Theatre, 2017