The Drowning Pool by Kimberly Ridgeway

The Drowning Pool is a fictional tale inspired by Drekkingarhylur, “The Drowning Pool” in Þingvellir anglicized as Thingvellir, in Iceland. Set in the infamous “Golden Circle”, The Drowning Pool is a body of water that was used to execute women from 1602 – 1750 who were accused of fornicating, committing adultery, having illegitimate children and/or abandoning their children. These drownings were legal...
The Drowning Pool is a fictional tale inspired by Drekkingarhylur, “The Drowning Pool” in Þingvellir anglicized as Thingvellir, in Iceland. Set in the infamous “Golden Circle”, The Drowning Pool is a body of water that was used to execute women from 1602 – 1750 who were accused of fornicating, committing adultery, having illegitimate children and/or abandoning their children. These drownings were legal punishment for their moral crimes
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The Drowning Pool

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Character Information

6 BIPOC women, 1 white woman. 7 actors playing 9 characters.
This MUST be an ethnically diverse cast.
Gender and ethnic assignments MUST be adhered to. NO EXCEPTIONS!
The characters REPRESENT specific countries, but are not necessarily FROM those countries.

  • SURI
    18-25,
    Latinx
    ,
    Female
    Innocent and naïve about both love and law. But strong in her convictions for truth and justice.
    Crime: Adultery. Represents South America.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • KENYA
    30's - 40's ,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    Female
    The strongest mentally and physically. Wise and usually the voice of reason. She is the den mother. The Constables usually leave her alone because she shows the other prisoners the ropes.
    Crime: Child Abandonment. Represents Africa.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • VICTORIA
    30's - 50's,
    BIPOC
    ,
    Female
    The feistiest of all of the women, with the longest “tenure”. She’s become less caring and more jaded, because of her circumstances.
    Crime: Adultery/forced homosexuality. Represents Australia.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • JORDAN
    20s - 30s,
    East Asian, South Asian
    ,
    Female
    The quietest and most accepting of her fate. She only speaks when absolutely necessary. The “weakest” personality from the perspective of the other characters. Crime: Adultery. Represents Asia.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ADÉLIE
    20-35,
    BIPOC
    ,
    Female
    The one woman most afraid of her doom. Still hopeful that she may be released; the most compliant to the guards’ demands. Crime: Adultery. Represents Antarctica.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ESTONIA
    20s - 30s,
    BIPOC
    ,
    Female
    She’s the first to die. We don’t know much about her except she is terrified of her fate and that she was sentenced to death, carried out in 30 days (Doubles as Brady). Crime: Adultery. Represents Europe.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ELIZABETH
    30s - 40s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Disciplined to be submissive. Buys into “the role of the woman”. Her status as a wife, her husband’s status in the community, and their privileged lifestyle are very important to her. (Doubles as Bobby).
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Constable Brady
    Constable Brady is one of two “corrections officers” who oversee the dungeon. BRADY is more sadistic, compared to Bobby in his treatment of the prisoners. The guards’ faces and hands must not be able to be seen for two reasons: 1. Double cast with Estonia and 2. Making them faceless takes away some of the human aspects of the individuals.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Constable Bobby
    Bobby is one of two “corrections officers” who oversee the dungeon. Believes he is the caring one of all of the guard. The guards’ faces and hands must not be able to be seen for two reasons: 1. Double cast with Elizabeth and 2. Making them faceless takes away some of the human aspects of the individuals.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    African American Shakespeare Company / Bagwell Consulting
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Ubuntu Theater Project
    ,
    2019