The Crocus Eaters by Azure D Osborne-Lee

[full-length]
Young storyteller Loam lives with her Auntee on a farm South of the US-Canadian border. As the resources of the nearby townspeople grow scarce, Loam and Auntee must decide whether or not tradition is worth dying for.
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The Crocus Eaters

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Character Information

  • LOAM
    12-16,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female or non-binary
    An old tween or a young teen. Black. Scrappy and independent. An orphan who lives with her paternal aunt, helping her work their small patch of land and learning the family trade.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • AUNTEE
    45-99,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Loam's paternal aunt and guardian. Black. Blind/visually-impaired. A woman of a certain age. The type of woman who lives just outside of town and receives visitors at odd hours of the night.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • COUNTEE
    16-20,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Male
    The Milkman's son. Black. In his mid-late teens. Has an intellectual disability, but is able to hold a job.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • THE WAGON MAN
    40-99,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Male
    A smuggler passing through. Probably Black but possibly not.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • IRMA
    18-99,
    Any
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female or non-binary
    A local scarecrow
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • MARIE
    12-17,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - not plot relevant) - flexible
    A child with a bad attitude. Goes to school regularly.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • CLARENCE
    12-17,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - not plot relevant) - flexible
    A child with a bad attitude. Goes to school regularly.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • PETITIONER 1
    20-99,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - not plot relevant) - flexible
    A citizen of the town
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • PETITIONER 2
    18-99,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    Any
    A citizen of the town
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • APOGEE
    20-45,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Loam's mother
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • TOWNSPERSON 1
    20-99,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male or Nonbinary
    A citizen of the town
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • TOWNSPERSON 2
    20-99,
    Black
    ,
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male or Nonbinary
    A citizen of the town and former petitioner
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    Lucille Lortel Theatre
    ,
    2023
  • Reading
    ,
    Dramatists Guild
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Trans Lab
    ,
    2018

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Terrence McNally New Works Incubator
,
2024
Finalist
,
Terrence McNally New Works Incubator
,
2023