Vanessa the Miracle Girl

by Maddie Dennis-Yates

When Vanessa, 14, Italian, sees the David on a field trip, she has an immediate sexual/artistic awakening -- just as an earthquake hits, killing all of her classmates and her teacher. She becomes an instant tragedy celebrity, worshipped by the Italian press, mentored by the pope. But what's next for the miracle girl? A spectacle-laden, campy, art historical, gender-bendy coming-of-age story, it's also about...

When Vanessa, 14, Italian, sees the David on a field trip, she has an immediate sexual/artistic awakening -- just as an earthquake hits, killing all of her classmates and her teacher. She becomes an instant tragedy celebrity, worshipped by the Italian press, mentored by the pope. But what's next for the miracle girl? A spectacle-laden, campy, art historical, gender-bendy coming-of-age story, it's also about bodies and the people who own them, and what happens when you realize you'll never be/create/possess a perfect piece. (References/influences include Funny Face, Giulietta Masina films, Caravaggio boys, and Party Girl.)

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Vanessa the Miracle Girl

Recommended by

  • Abraham Johnson: Vanessa the Miracle Girl by Maddie Dennis-Yates
    “

    Deliciously theatrical, whip-smart, and SO SO FUNNY (!!!), I'm obsessed with this script's ability to blend the surprising, gorgeously-big-swing plot moments that are both spectacular and totally grounded in the world Maddie has created??? Vanessa is an instant icon! A joy of a read, I was grinning from the first to last page. Thrilled, too, at the theatrical forms here-- the voice overs, the stage magic, the projections and "Lizzie Maguire Movie" style vespas through Italy? Total bliss!

    Deliciously theatrical, whip-smart, and SO SO FUNNY (!!!), I'm obsessed with this script's ability to blend the surprising, gorgeously-big-swing plot moments that are both spectacular and totally grounded in the world Maddie has created??? Vanessa is an instant icon! A joy of a read, I was grinning from the first to last page. Thrilled, too, at the theatrical forms here-- the voice overs, the stage magic, the projections and "Lizzie Maguire Movie" style vespas through Italy? Total bliss!

    ”

Character Information

Resist verisimilitude in casting to some degree. Schoolgirls do not need to and should ideally not just be girls. Everyone does not need to and the cast should never entirely "look Italian." Age, gender, and race/ethnicity are all flexible except where noted. Think femme/masc/neither characters vs. specific actor gender requirements. If too much traditional realism in these areas is allowed in, the world will become confused.

Schoolgirls should be doubled with Reporters, as well as with Thumbelina, Guy, and Logan.
Teacher, Art Teacher, and Professor can be doubled.
Flavio Ricci works as a double with the Pope if needed.
Double at will -- if the person cast for the Pope makes a good Schoolgirl, let them also be a schoolgirl, etc.
  • Vanessa
    14-year-old Italian teenager who really needs time and space to masturbate.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Schoolgirls 1, 2, & 3
    Vanessa’s classmates, killed (?) in a terrible Earthquake. (They’ll double for various students and love interests below throughout, and they double with Reporters.)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Reporters 1, 2, & 3
    Members of the Italian press. Emotional, fervent, besotted.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Teacher
    Vanessa’s teacher, a middle-aged Italian woman. Unimpressed, then dead. Doubles with Art Teacher.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Art Teacher
    Similarly unimpressed (or so it seems).
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • The Pope
    A very drag version of the pope.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • The Pope's Assistant
    A very Young Pope vibe assistant to the pope.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Flavio Ricci
    Italy’s news anchor.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Thumbelina
    Vanessa’s classmate.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • Bellboy
    Hotel bellboy. Innocent, religious, starstruck.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
  • Professor
    An art history professor, never in doubt.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Guy
    Someone Vanessa might have sex with.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • Logan
    A love interest.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s

Development History

  • Reading, First Kiss Theater, 2023