Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man

Regina (Reggie) runs a femme-centric feminist bookstore in Tucson, AZ. Artemis Books is a safe space for queer people, free expression, and womxn of all kinds. When her boss unexpectedly jumps ship, Reggie is stuck with a new-hire: straight, white, cisgender JJ. Workplace romances, existential anxieties, and some questionable spell casting abound as Reggie tries to reclaim her safe space. Does identity have to...

Regina (Reggie) runs a femme-centric feminist bookstore in Tucson, AZ. Artemis Books is a safe space for queer people, free expression, and womxn of all kinds. When her boss unexpectedly jumps ship, Reggie is stuck with a new-hire: straight, white, cisgender JJ. Workplace romances, existential anxieties, and some questionable spell casting abound as Reggie tries to reclaim her safe space. Does identity have to influence ideology? Does colonialism ever stop? And what in the actual hell is a “good guy”?

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Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man

Recommended by

  • Samantha Marchant: Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man

    Each character is so we'll formed. I enjoyed getting to know them and Artemis Books. The dialogue flowed and the ending shocked. Well done!

    Each character is so we'll formed. I enjoyed getting to know them and Artemis Books. The dialogue flowed and the ending shocked. Well done!

  • Shaun Leisher: Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man

    A true ensemble piece that goes places you really don’t see coming. I’m a big fan of workplace narratives and the relationships made between co-workers. Really enjoyed spending time in this bookstore with these complicated characters and really hope this play gets many productions.

    A true ensemble piece that goes places you really don’t see coming. I’m a big fan of workplace narratives and the relationships made between co-workers. Really enjoyed spending time in this bookstore with these complicated characters and really hope this play gets many productions.

  • Nick Malakhow: Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man

    I had a blast getting to know all of the characters in this funny, smart, and offbeat play. Reggie, Emerson, and Asha's relationships to one another, the bookstore, their identities, and activism were portrayed with complexity and nuance. The disarming presence of JJ began as absolutely hilarious before taking more tense and distressing turns. The use of Greek myth evoked tragedy and fate for me, which mirrored the conversations about the social inevitability of oppressive patriarchal structures, even if tempered, growing malignant. I love how this piece proposes a way out that's vicious...

    I had a blast getting to know all of the characters in this funny, smart, and offbeat play. Reggie, Emerson, and Asha's relationships to one another, the bookstore, their identities, and activism were portrayed with complexity and nuance. The disarming presence of JJ began as absolutely hilarious before taking more tense and distressing turns. The use of Greek myth evoked tragedy and fate for me, which mirrored the conversations about the social inevitability of oppressive patriarchal structures, even if tempered, growing malignant. I love how this piece proposes a way out that's vicious because it needs to be.

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Character Information

This play is about many things, but one of the things it is about is identity. The following casting requirements are essential:
Regina must be Latinx and preferably identifies as queer.
Emerson must be white and preferably identifies as queer.
Asha must be Black.
JJ must be a cis, white man.
  • Regina
    Only wears a jean jacket, because she'd never admit she was cold. It probably has pins on it.
    Character Age
    late 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Emerson
    She hates the cold, but loves the excuse to wear a scarf. Knows your sign before you do.
    Character Age
    mid-20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Femme
  • Asha
    The cold doesn't bother her. She loves talking to you, but she'd rather be painting.
    Character Age
    early 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American/Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Femme
  • JJ
    JJ is like a ham & swiss croissant: a little cheesy and incredibly layered.
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Masc

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Story Theatre, Year 2019
  • Type Commission, Organization The Story Theatre, Year 2018

Awards

  • Favorite Staged Readings of 2019
    The Michael & Mona Heath Fund
    Selection
    2019