THE GANTRY GIRLS

by Stephen Spotswood

The Gantry sisters somehow managed to survive a youth pockmarked with poverty and emotional abuse at the hands of a deeply ill mother. Returning home to be together at their mother’s deathbed, it's the first time all six women have been in the same house in years. The experience unearths old grudges, reveals new secrets, and confronts them with the question: Is shared trauma a strong enough bond to hold their...

The Gantry sisters somehow managed to survive a youth pockmarked with poverty and emotional abuse at the hands of a deeply ill mother. Returning home to be together at their mother’s deathbed, it's the first time all six women have been in the same house in years. The experience unearths old grudges, reveals new secrets, and confronts them with the question: Is shared trauma a strong enough bond to hold their family together?

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THE GANTRY GIRLS

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: THE GANTRY GIRLS by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    A spectacular, authentic portrait of a family that goes to the heart of the trauma and the bonds that unite these women. Well done.

    A spectacular, authentic portrait of a family that goes to the heart of the trauma and the bonds that unite these women. Well done.

    ”
  • Molly Wagner: THE GANTRY GIRLS by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    Great roles for actresses, each returning to their childhood home and mother with their own baggage. These sisters don't demand any pity from the audience, which is refreshing given the heavy subject matter that reunited them. As they discuss the past and the present we understand why they stayed apart, and why they came back together.

    Great roles for actresses, each returning to their childhood home and mother with their own baggage. These sisters don't demand any pity from the audience, which is refreshing given the heavy subject matter that reunited them. As they discuss the past and the present we understand why they stayed apart, and why they came back together.

    ”
  • Heather Helinsky: THE GANTRY GIRLS by Stephen Spotswood
    “

    This play delivers a good emotional suckerpunch...or at the very least, a metaphorical bloody nose! Yes, there are family dramas aplenty set when a parental figure is dying, but this character-driven story about six half-sisters gathered together in their rural home one last time is fun, gritty, and tense. Would hate to see a story with six prime roles for actresses sit on the sidelines for too long---give it a chance, these characters are ready to get in the ring and duke it out about about family secrets and sisterhood.

    This play delivers a good emotional suckerpunch...or at the very least, a metaphorical bloody nose! Yes, there are family dramas aplenty set when a parental figure is dying, but this character-driven story about six half-sisters gathered together in their rural home one last time is fun, gritty, and tense. Would hate to see a story with six prime roles for actresses sit on the sidelines for too long---give it a chance, these characters are ready to get in the ring and duke it out about about family secrets and sisterhood.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

The ages of the characters can be adjusted a few years younger or older, as long as the age difference between individual characters remains relatively consistent.

As these women are half-sisters, please feel free to cast diversely in terms of race and physical appearance.
  • Auggie
    the oldest; real name August; caretaker of their mother; accountant; likes to be in charge
    early 40s
    Female or Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Ember
    the second-oldest; real name September; housewife married to a used car dealership owner; willing to sacrifice
    late 30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • April
    the third-oldest; also called Ape; bouncer; MMA fighter; able to take a beating
    mid 30s
    Female or Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Jan
    fourth-oldest; real name January; elementary school teacher; willing to pick a fight
    early 30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • May
    second-youngest; also called Mayfly; tattoos, piercings, bold hair choices; burlesque performer and model; refuses to be the shy one anymore
    early 30s
    Female or Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Junebug
    the youngest; real name June; drifter, singer; spends most of her time alone; a little too much like her mother
    late-20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History