The RENT Play

by Jan Rosenberg

The year is 2007. The war in Iraq is booming. Steve Jobs is about to release the first ever iPhone. More importantly, RENT is one year away from closing its doors on Broadway. And life for a group of RENTheads is about to change forever.

This play is a love letter, an apology, a memory, a diary entry.

The year is 2007. The war in Iraq is booming. Steve Jobs is about to release the first ever iPhone. More importantly, RENT is one year away from closing its doors on Broadway. And life for a group of RENTheads is about to change forever.

This play is a love letter, an apology, a memory, a diary entry.

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The RENT Play

Recommended by

  • jose sebastian alberdi: The RENT Play by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    This play made me laugh and fed my often-emotional nostalgia monster. A love letter to every theatre lover who started loving theatre because of musicals / online & IRL communities that touched and knew our deepest secrets and desires. This play exists as a deeply entertaining archive and snapshot of a bygone (very special but did we realize?) time in Broadway history and I'd love to see it on its feet. Thanks for this, Jan.

    This play made me laugh and fed my often-emotional nostalgia monster. A love letter to every theatre lover who started loving theatre because of musicals / online & IRL communities that touched and knew our deepest secrets and desires. This play exists as a deeply entertaining archive and snapshot of a bygone (very special but did we realize?) time in Broadway history and I'd love to see it on its feet. Thanks for this, Jan.

    ”
  • Claudia Isabel: The RENT Play by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    This play shines light on the shared experience of passion for something that makes you feel seen and the community you create along the way. This was beautifully written and I couldn't stop reading once I started!

    This play shines light on the shared experience of passion for something that makes you feel seen and the community you create along the way. This was beautifully written and I couldn't stop reading once I started!

    ”
  • Hayley St. James: The RENT Play by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    I haven’t felt this seen by a play I’ve read in quite a bit! A snapshot of the incomparable microcosm of joy and chaos we call the musical theatre fandom, told with authenticity and an abiding love for the community. This would also make a fabulous double bill with Ana Nogueira’s “Which Way To The Stage?”

    I haven’t felt this seen by a play I’ve read in quite a bit! A snapshot of the incomparable microcosm of joy and chaos we call the musical theatre fandom, told with authenticity and an abiding love for the community. This would also make a fabulous double bill with Ana Nogueira’s “Which Way To The Stage?”

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Note on casting
Body and gender inclusivity is important.

‘Any ethnicity’ does not mean ‘default to white’.

Any role can be played by a Trans and/or Non-Binary performer.

Historically, the roles of Maureen and Roger in RENT were played exclusively white performers on Broadway. This does not need to be the case in this play. Therefore, ROGER and HOLLY do not need to be white.
  • Marcus
    Aspiring Collins. Gay.
    18
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Holly
    Aspiring Maureen. Bisexual.
    21
    Jewish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Zoe
    16
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Nell
    12
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Derek
    Plays Roger Davis in RENT on Broadway
    27
    any ethnicity
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Tanya
    Plays Mimi Marquez in RENT on Broadway.
    34
    latinx or black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Daphne Rubin-Vega
    Daphne Rubin-Vega, the original Mimi in RENT.
    40s-50s
    Latinx/Hispanic
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Katrina
    An aspiring Mimi.
    16
    Latinx,
    Hispanic,
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Jared
    Gay.
    16
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Awards

  • Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
    Southeast Missouri State University
    Finalist
    2023