An American Animal

by Katherine Gwynn

Chloe is a black girl who wants to be a wolf biologist when she grows up. Willa is a trans girl who’s trying to learn guitar to pass the time in Wyoming. Paz is a forest ranger, a woman who’s been watching the wolves for decades. The Hunter is a white man who wants to kill a wolf. And Jack is a jackalope who tries not to get shot. All five of them spend a summer in and around Yellowstone, watching the wolves...

Chloe is a black girl who wants to be a wolf biologist when she grows up. Willa is a trans girl who’s trying to learn guitar to pass the time in Wyoming. Paz is a forest ranger, a woman who’s been watching the wolves for decades. The Hunter is a white man who wants to kill a wolf. And Jack is a jackalope who tries not to get shot. All five of them spend a summer in and around Yellowstone, watching the wolves, waiting with bated breath until summer ends—and the wolf hunting season begins.

A play about loneliness, survival, fear, and connection in America.

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An American Animal

Recommended by

  • Michael Jones: An American Animal by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    A truly great American play. A reminder that we are stronger together, and that you deserve to be here. Warm, like the fire you'd gather round to hear Katherine tell the story.

    Weird kids rise up!

    A truly great American play. A reminder that we are stronger together, and that you deserve to be here. Warm, like the fire you'd gather round to hear Katherine tell the story.

    Weird kids rise up!

    ”
  • Kayla Menz: An American Animal by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    A lovely grounded play for all of us who were weird animal girls. A little bit of magic, a little bit of terror, and a lot of heart in between.

    A lovely grounded play for all of us who were weird animal girls. A little bit of magic, a little bit of terror, and a lot of heart in between.

    ”
  • Fig Lefevre: An American Animal by Katherine Gwynn
    “

    Honestly hope I get to produce this someday, because it feels so relevant, so personal, so magical. A little other-worldly while being deeply grounded in material realities.

    Honestly hope I get to produce this someday, because it feels so relevant, so personal, so magical. A little other-worldly while being deeply grounded in material realities.

    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

  • CHLOE
    She/Hers/Hers. a 16 year black girl. Gushing, in a cup spilling over way.
    16
    African American/Black
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • WILLA
    She/Her/Hers. a 16 year old white trans girl. Thrumming, in a preparing to burst way.
    16
    White
    Trans woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • PAZ
    a Mexican-American Yellowstone ranger. Butch lesbian. 40s-50s. Quiet. Knows the wolves better than her own flesh.
    40s-50s
    Latino -- Chicano,
    Latino -- Mexican
    Femme or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • The HUNTER
    a hunter. A white man. 20s-30s. Is obsessed with Walt Whitman and Teddy Roosevelt.
    20s-30s
    White
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • JACK
    a jackalope. A strong musician. Wears a cowboy hat when it suits them. Any age/ageless. Probably not a white man.
    Any Age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Awards

  • EMOS Ecodrama Playwrights Festival
    Ecodrama Playwrights Festival
    Runner Up
    2022
  • The Story Theatre Resident Playwright
    Story Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2020