Wannabe by James J. Johnson

WANNABE follows a young black dreamer from the age of six to eighteen, as he zealously navigates the distractions of growing up in a small, working-class town nestled in the mountains of Virginia. Jay wants to be a lot of things in life, but his aspirations can feel too big for such a small town. WANNABE is a hilarious exploration of how identities are carved from the people and the environment by which we are...
WANNABE follows a young black dreamer from the age of six to eighteen, as he zealously navigates the distractions of growing up in a small, working-class town nestled in the mountains of Virginia. Jay wants to be a lot of things in life, but his aspirations can feel too big for such a small town. WANNABE is a hilarious exploration of how identities are carved from the people and the environment by which we are surrounded, and how life can not only manifest whom we want to be but also whom we need to be.
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Wannabe

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Character Information

  • Jay
    6-18,
    African-American
    ,
    a boy, a man
    Marches to the beat of his own drum. Wide-eyed, naïve and sensitive.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Cassie
    6-18,
    African-American
    ,
    a girl, a woman
    Brown-to-dark skin. Resilient. No-nonsense and yet vulnerable.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Quinton
    7-19,
    African-American
    ,
    a boy, a man
    Cool. Jay's earliest friend from childhood. Protective. Considers himself a lady’s man.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Oobie
    6-18,
    African-American
    ,
    a boy, a man
    Materialistic and worldly. Mispronounces words.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Aaron
    6-18,
    White
    ,
    a boy, a man
    The Wannabe. Tries too hard. Unaware of how he takes up space.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sasha
    6-18,
    African American / Black. Could be bi-racial.
    ,
    a girl, a woman
    Speaks and acts her heart. Down-to-earth. Confident.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Melody (Mel)
    6-18,
    White, Jewish
    ,
    a girl, a woman
    Middle class. Genuine. An optimist. Comes from a liberal family.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Grandmother
    40-70,
    African-American
    ,
    a woman
    Cassie's grandmother. Strict. Played by same actor who plays SASHA.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Dad
    20-40,
    African-American
    ,
    a man
    Jay’s father. Loving and supportive. Played by same actor who plays OOBIE.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Barbara Mandrell
    20-30,
    White
    ,
    a woman
    Legendary country singer. Figment of Jay’s imagination. Played by same actor who plays MELODY (MEL).
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Independent
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Anacostia Arts Center
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Independent
    ,
    2018