Non-Player Character by Walt McGough

Aspiring video game designer Katja and her longtime friend Trent are an unstoppable team against animated monsters in the virtual underworlds of SpearLight, an online role-playing game. But after a humiliating falling-out, Trent marshals an army of internet trolls to wage real-life war against her. Comic and poignant, Non-Player Character is a timely, boldly theatrical exploration of the games we play and who’s winning.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Non-Player Character

Recommended by

  • Kevin Cirone:
    10 Aug. 2018
    “ A really fantastic, expertly crafted piece to read and envision, NPC sheds light on a gender bias in the technology and digital entertainment industries that not enough people are talking about. Gamergate didn't go away and it might even be worse than ever. Every internet troll needs to see and understand this piece. Will they? Probably not. But one can hope. ”
  • Aaron Sawyer:
    9 Aug. 2018
    “ Inventive female driven comedy that's smart, playful, and hopeful. There are punches. There is wit. There is beauty. ”
  • Jennifer Kokai:
    23 Apr. 2018
    “ I love this play. It's a smart, hilarious, and insightful look into gender, video games, and relationships. It offers amazing opportunities for actors, designers, and directors. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Katja and Trent can double as their in-game counterparts, or those counterparts can be played by other actors. No matter what, Katja and Trent should probably still be on stage during those scenes. An Ensemble of 4 or more plays any characters who aren't them.

  • Katja
    22,
    Any
    ,
    Female, Non-binary
    An aspiring game designer.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Trent
    22,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Just a guy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Naomi
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female, Female presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Grant
    20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Deeply non-threatening
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Officer
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Female, Female presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Morwyn
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female, female-presenting
    A video game sorceress
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Feldrick
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male, Male presenting
    A video-game barbarian.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    La MaMa
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Huntington Theatre Company, Boston MA
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Red Theatre Chicago
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    San Francisco Playhouse
    ,
    2018
  • University
    ,
    Yale Drama Cabaret
    ,
    2018

Awards

Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2016