COURT 4

by Wendy C. Goldberg

VO- Mary Carillo,
COLLABORATOR: Mary Carillo will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August 2026. She serves as correspondent for NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games and analyst for NBC’s tennis coverage. Carillo served as the overall NBC Desk correspondent for her 17th Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina in February 2026. Her assignments for ESPN, CBS and NBC have earned Carillo a “career Grand Slam” for working the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Carillo played on the professional tennis tour from 1977-80. Teaming with childhood friend John McEnroe, Carillo won the 1977 French Open mixed doubles title.

THE PLAY: Set in the height of American tennis dominance, COURT 4 is a coming of age story of 15 year old tennis player, Erin, during the summer of 1991 while she works in the pro shop of her local tennis club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters, dreaming of playing at Nick Bollettierri's Academy and working on her forehand, Erin is on scholarship at her own academy, and has to work...

THE PLAY: Set in the height of American tennis dominance, COURT 4 is a coming of age story of 15 year old tennis player, Erin, during the summer of 1991 while she works in the pro shop of her local tennis club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters, dreaming of playing at Nick Bollettierri's Academy and working on her forehand, Erin is on scholarship at her own academy, and has to work hours in the pro shop and teach both pee wee and adult tennis in order to pay for her training. The play takes place one August afternoon, at the pro shop, in conversation with club manager and resident racket stringer, 52 year old Di . It's the first week of the US OPEN in NYC while Erin contemplates her future and an intergenerational friendship emerges. Erin is in love with an older tennis pro, Lisa, and Di helps her come to terms with her emerging identity.
The play also features Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Mary Carillo, as herself in V/O form.

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COURT 4

Recommended by

  • Actor's Express: COURT 4 by Wendy C. Goldberg
    “

    For anyone who has ever felt destined for bigger things but stuck in place, this thoughtfully observed play will resonate. The character of Erin is brash, ambitious, hopeful -- and infinitely relatable. So too is Di, the older and wiser mentor who has redefined for herself the meanings of success and fulfillment. It's a funny, moving story of intergenerational friendship and the longing to break free from the constrictions holding you back from your ambitions. --Freddie Ashley, Artistic Director

    For anyone who has ever felt destined for bigger things but stuck in place, this thoughtfully observed play will resonate. The character of Erin is brash, ambitious, hopeful -- and infinitely relatable. So too is Di, the older and wiser mentor who has redefined for herself the meanings of success and fulfillment. It's a funny, moving story of intergenerational friendship and the longing to break free from the constrictions holding you back from your ambitions. --Freddie Ashley, Artistic Director

    ”

Character Information

Mary Carillo takes the cast size to 3, but she plays herself in VO's that are already recorded and can be re recorded if necessary
  • Erin
    Erin: 15 – Good tennis player, but not great. Has the competitive attitude and drive to be successful, but lacks some of the raw talent to get her ranking higher. Is only passionate about tennis– barely cares about anything else– on scholarship at the tennis academy/camp and works some hours at the pro shop on that scholarship. Firmly middle class, fairly conservative upbringing, no chance she’ll play professional tennis, or go to a higher level academy (She dreams of going to Nick Bollettieri’s) but plays out each match in her head as if she was at a grand slam
    15
    open race/ethnic casting
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Di
    Di/Diane: 50 something, former professional tennis player turned teaching pro, retired from teaching and now manages the pro shop– strings rackets, orders merch, keeps the books
    50-55
    open race/ethnic casting
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 2025