Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy

by John Bavoso

FULL-LENGTH: In the early aughts, deep in the unspecified woods, there is a summer camp where gender non-traditional, overly theatrical, and borderline agoraphobic teenage boys are taught to become real men... or so their parents think. Under the tutelage of two flamboyant counselors, a band of sissies finds sanctuary from societal expectations and judgment at Camp Mannuppia—that is, until two new campers arrive...

FULL-LENGTH: In the early aughts, deep in the unspecified woods, there is a summer camp where gender non-traditional, overly theatrical, and borderline agoraphobic teenage boys are taught to become real men... or so their parents think. Under the tutelage of two flamboyant counselors, a band of sissies finds sanctuary from societal expectations and judgment at Camp Mannuppia—that is, until two new campers arrive and turn everything on its head, setting off a chain of disastrous events. Are the campers doomed, or can they come to terms with each other and their own identities in time to make it out of the forest in one piece?

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Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy

Recommended by

  • Jarred Corona: Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy by John Bavoso
    “

    Quickly earned its way on to my favorite plays list lol. Fantastic jokes, wonderfully earnest at times, meta, queer, campy. I want to see it, direct it, act in it. It's just so fun. Of course I couldn't help but think of "But I'm a Cheerleader." Imagine a stage adaptation of that movie playing in rep with Bavoso's wonderful comedy, with McCloskey playing RuPaul's character in the other... Anywho, what a lovely time. I smiled a bunch while reading it, and I'm sure you will too.

    Quickly earned its way on to my favorite plays list lol. Fantastic jokes, wonderfully earnest at times, meta, queer, campy. I want to see it, direct it, act in it. It's just so fun. Of course I couldn't help but think of "But I'm a Cheerleader." Imagine a stage adaptation of that movie playing in rep with Bavoso's wonderful comedy, with McCloskey playing RuPaul's character in the other... Anywho, what a lovely time. I smiled a bunch while reading it, and I'm sure you will too.

    ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy by John Bavoso
    “

    Right from the description of the staging of this play I fell in love! Its a wonderful piece to read so as a performance I can imagine it as a thing of joy. Outdoor theatre is a rare treat outside of the world of Shakespeare so I love that John has taken this great story of young people and their experiences and turned it into a wonderful piece of theatre. For me, it also made me feel nostalgic for my own days of Summer camp and the experiences I had there, which I daresay will be the same for others!

    Right from the description of the staging of this play I fell in love! Its a wonderful piece to read so as a performance I can imagine it as a thing of joy. Outdoor theatre is a rare treat outside of the world of Shakespeare so I love that John has taken this great story of young people and their experiences and turned it into a wonderful piece of theatre. For me, it also made me feel nostalgic for my own days of Summer camp and the experiences I had there, which I daresay will be the same for others!

    ”
  • Lainie Vansant: Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy by John Bavoso
    “

    This play is just so fun! If you're bogged down by the goings-on in the world today and need something fun, read this play! If you're having a great summer and you want to keep the vibes going, read this play! In general just read and produce this play, it's such a blast!

    This play is just so fun! If you're bogged down by the goings-on in the world today and need something fun, read this play! If you're having a great summer and you want to keep the vibes going, read this play! In general just read and produce this play, it's such a blast!

    ”
View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

  • Mikey Armstrong
    A white teenage* boy. Flamboyant, dramatic. Subtlety isn’t really his style. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)

    Teenager
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Darnell Hunt
    An African American teenage* boy. Moody, nerdy. Indoor recess enthusiast. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)
    Teenager
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Tewksbury (Tewks) Rosenburg
    A white teenage* boy. Earnest, determined. Just wants to be one of the bois. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)
    Teenager
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Jo Walker
    A teenage* tomboy** of any race. Strong, empathetic. Not sure where they belong. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying them can be any age.) (**JO should be played by an AFAB non-binary and/or trans actor.)
    Teenager
    Any
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Camp Director McCloskey/Lacrosse Bro 1
    A man of any race in his 40s or older. Fabulous, unapologetic. Can rock a pair of heels.
    40+
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Counselor Peavey/Lacrosse Bro 2
    A man of any race in his 30s or 40s. Artistic, introverted. The wind beneath your wings.
    30s or 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Workshop, National Queer Theater, 2023
  • Reading, TOSOS, 2023
  • Reading, Baltimore Playwrights Festival, 2021
  • Reading, The Play Reading Network, 2020

Awards