This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic

by Daria Miyeko Marinelli

This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic is a historical triptych following the development of our nation from courageous nomads to cash-strapped IKEA millennials.

Part dance-theatre, part card game, and part good old kitchen drama, This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic challenges the Usonian* mythologies of what it means to be a republic(an), how that's changed over time, and...

This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic is a historical triptych following the development of our nation from courageous nomads to cash-strapped IKEA millennials.

Part dance-theatre, part card game, and part good old kitchen drama, This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic challenges the Usonian* mythologies of what it means to be a republic(an), how that's changed over time, and what to do when you discover your supposedly future life partner has just voted Republican. And you are not “a Republican.”

*Usonian: Of, and or related to The United States. Because American refers to the whole continent, like, literally.

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This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: This is Not What I Expected When I Imagined a Republic by Daria Miyeko Marinelli
    “

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED... as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED... as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

    ”

Character Information

This is a piece to be performed by an ensemble. Please cast parts in a way that does not, in any way, reinforce any possible negative cultural, gender, or general human stereotype. Please cast parts in ways that challenge and tickle our human brains.

This is an ensemble piece - doubling is encourage! Who's in what Act is mentioned below.
  • DEMTOWN JACKSON
    (Act 2)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • REPPY PUB HAMLIN
    (Act 2)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • NES
    Black | Millienial Affluent | FemmePresenting/GenderQueer
    (Act 3)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • ILÉ
    White | Millienial AffluentPassing | FemmePresenting/GenderQueer
    (Act 3)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • LONG HORIZON DREAMER
    Must be played by a Native American.
    (Acts 1, 2, 3)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
  • VERY PRAGMATIC BEST FRIEND
    (Act 1)
  • MILITANT REVOLUTIONARY
    (Act 1)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • FANCY WHITE LADY
    (Act 2)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • THE ANNOUNCER
    (Act 2)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

Production History

  • University, Ohio University (via Zoom), 2020

Awards