Crossing Lines by Joe Swenson

(FULL LENGTH PLAY - 2 HOURS)

What does hope mean? Can one find it if they are searching for it? Motivated by the prompt adventure, join us on a journey that will be instantly unforgettable in so many ways as we take the audience and these characters deep into the dangerous world of train-hopping.

#FPGMonthlyPrompt
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Crossing Lines

Recommended by

  • Jarred Corona:
    25 May. 2022
    “ I think I can easily say if this were a film, it would be one of those coming-of-age movies that only really gets talked about when you ask people what their favorite film is. They've kept close in a back pocket, waiting to only be shared with those who've proven they can share in that experience. And in that moment of sharing, it's as if a meta-moment of the story. Home is those you can trust with your stories. Sharing this would be like inviting someone in.

    Anywho, a highly enjoyable piece of theatre that I'd really like to see. ”
  • Cole Hunter Dzubak:
    8 Feb. 2022
    “ What is adventure? How does one even begin to define it? I don't know if I have an answer, but Joe Swenson masterfully crafts such a fantastic story of adventure and thrill. The characters in this piece are so well defined and each have their own purpose and are beautifully written, especially Zacharia and Rachel, whose arcs in this piece are so just... I don't even have the words. Words can't describe how much I loved reading this piece. Swenson does it again with this one, this is a true example of what theatre is. ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    2 Feb. 2022
    “ Just a superbly wonderful tale! Joe draws you into the adventure right from the moment when Zach and Rachel meet, the moment of which will have you laughing out loud at their wonderful characteristics & dialogue, which is laced with comedy and some beautiful poetic imagery. As an audience you are drawn into a world that is known for being closed knit to outsiders as the characters bond through the bravest and most terrifying adventures a person can make. Its such a wonderfully well written piece that, if you close your eyes you can see it, perform it, please! ”

Character Information

Wayne/Michael/Officer #2 can be played by the same performer
Lips/Meghan can be played by the same performer
Henry/Officer #1 can be played by the same performer
Jason/Dirt Patch/Dispatch can be played by the same performer

  • Rachel
    Free spirit, fast paced, confident, adventure minded homeless teenager. Rachel has been homeless and a "Transient Extraordinaire" for just over two years. She's well-traveled and very experienced, but she also is harboring a secret. One that she can't escape no matter how hard she tries.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Zacharia
    Teenage runaway, escaping a situation involving his stepfather, this shy, naive teenager finds himself in an empty box car in Erie Pennsylvania. Except it's not actually empty. He is cautious, but trusts Rachel, who teaches him all about Train-Hopping, the culture and the dangers.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Wayne
    Member of the Slow Drunk Krew. Wayne is a busking musician who doesn't believe he's busking because he loves to make music. He's mysterious, charming, but also willing to take the adventure to a dangerous level.

    Can be doubled with Michael and Officer #2
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Michael
    Railyard worker/security that has low ethics.

    Can be doubled with Wayne and Officer #2
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Officer 2
    Fits the description of a police officer.

    Can be doubled with Wayne and Michael.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Henry
    Experienced train-hopper who has incredible stories to tell. A member of the Freight Train Riders of America gang, he is a Navy veteran that is probably constantly or nearly constantly drunk.

    Can be doubled with Officer #1
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Officer 1
    Fits the description of an officer looking for a criminal.

    Can be doubled with Henry.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Lips
    Member of the Slow Drunk Krew with Wayne and Dirt Patch. She's along for the ride and while she never really experiences rejection, she's the more level-headed member of the crew.

    Can be doubled with Meghan
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Meghan
    Meghan is on the run from putting her boyfriend in the hospital for stealing her money. She is in a bad spot, but knows the train-hopping culture enough to speak some of the language.

    Can be doubled with Lips
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Dispatch
    Dispatch officer as a voice over/walkie talkie only

    Can be doubled with Dirt Patch.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Dirt Patch
    The third member of the Slow Drunk Krew. Dirt Patch is drunk or high or both and has a hard time keeping up with Rachel's quick wit.

    Can be doubled with Dispatch.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Jason
    30s/40s
    Jason is Zacharia's step-dad and is angry, has a shiner from Zacharia hitting him, and is on a mission. His role is either to get rid of Zacharia or control Zacharia, but they simply can't exist together. In his opening scene monologue, it is designed to create a paranoia within Zacharia for the rest of the show.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Broken Arts Entertainment
    ,
    2022

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
2022 New Play Festival
,
Centre Stage Theater, Greenville South Carolina
,
2022