Wannabe

by James J. Johnson

WANNABE is a hilarious, semiautobiographical exploration of the resilience of youth, friendship, and dreams across a rugged landscape -- the 80s and 90s.

WANNABE is a hilarious, semiautobiographical exploration of the resilience of youth, friendship, and dreams across a rugged landscape -- the 80s and 90s.

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Wannabe

Character Information

  • Melody (Mel)
    Middle class. Genuine. An optimist. Comes from a liberal family.
    6-18
    White,
    Jewish
    a girl,
    a woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Grandmother
    Cassie's grandmother. Strict. Played by same actor who plays SASHA.
    40-70
    African-American
    a woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Sasha
    Speaks and acts her heart. Down-to-earth. Confident.
    6-18
    African American / Black. Could be bi-racial.
    a girl,
    a woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dad
    Jay’s father. Loving and supportive. Played by same actor who plays OOBIE.
    20-40
    African-American
    a man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Barbara Mandrell
    Legendary country singer. Figment of Jay’s imagination. Played by same actor who plays MELODY (MEL).
    20-30
    White
    a woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jay
    Marches to the beat of his own drum. Wide-eyed, naïve and sensitive.
    6-18
    African-American
    a boy,
    a man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Quinton
    Cool. Jay's earliest friend from childhood. Protective. Considers himself a lady’s man.
    7-19
    African-American
    a boy,
    a man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Oobie
    Materialistic and worldly. Mispronounces words.
    6-18
    African-American
    a boy,
    a man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Aaron
    The Wannabe. Tries too hard. Unaware of how he takes up space.
    6-18
    White
    a boy,
    a man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Cassie
    Brown-to-dark skin. Resilient. No-nonsense and yet vulnerable.
    6-18
    African-American
    a girl,
    a woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Independent, 2020
  • Workshop, Independent, 2018
  • Reading, Anacostia Arts Center, 2018

Production History

  • Fringe, Reginald Richard, 2024

Awards

  • Best of the Fest - Fringe Audience Award
    Capital Fringe Festival
    Audience Choice
    2024