Rushing

by Danielle Mohlman

Russell and Mia meet minutes before the first football game of the season. He's the star running back, she plays the sousaphone in the university marching band. No one ever pictured them together. But they are. And in a weird way they're good for each other. Until they're not. Rushing explores the culture of violence, the fanaticism surrounding Division I sports, and rape on college campuses nationwide.

This...

Russell and Mia meet minutes before the first football game of the season. He's the star running back, she plays the sousaphone in the university marching band. No one ever pictured them together. But they are. And in a weird way they're good for each other. Until they're not. Rushing explores the culture of violence, the fanaticism surrounding Division I sports, and rape on college campuses nationwide.

This play takes place in your town. The team is wearing your colors. And yes, there's a live marching band scoring this entire world.

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Rushing

Recommended by

  • Steven Strafford: Rushing

    Looking at rape culture in a way that is harrowing, yes, but also entertaining, Mohlman addresses so many issues that shape our world today, but the play never feels pedantic. It is an exciting read with so much heightened theatricality that I wish I could see this play in person! a wonderful play.

    Looking at rape culture in a way that is harrowing, yes, but also entertaining, Mohlman addresses so many issues that shape our world today, but the play never feels pedantic. It is an exciting read with so much heightened theatricality that I wish I could see this play in person! a wonderful play.

  • Nick Malakhow: Rushing

    This is a harrowing examination of rape culture on college campuses and in the world at large as well as the toxic celebrity of athletics. Mohlman makes clear and blistering connections between masculinity, competition, the fear of failure, and the perpetuation of sexual violence. The theatricality of marching band and football is used as a brilliant framing device--it makes me yearn to see this play fully realized on its feet. The large ensemble cast is well rounded and expandable too, making this ideal for college programs. Read, produce, and discuss this piece!

    This is a harrowing examination of rape culture on college campuses and in the world at large as well as the toxic celebrity of athletics. Mohlman makes clear and blistering connections between masculinity, competition, the fear of failure, and the perpetuation of sexual violence. The theatricality of marching band and football is used as a brilliant framing device--it makes me yearn to see this play fully realized on its feet. The large ensemble cast is well rounded and expandable too, making this ideal for college programs. Read, produce, and discuss this piece!

  • Anamaria Guerzon: Rushing

    I saw this play at The Scratch's workshopped production, and it was one of the most effective deconstructions of rape culture on college campuses that I've ever seen.

    I was particularly moved by the way that Russell was constructed as your run of the mill love interest in the first half, before his image was torn down piece by piece by his actions, privilege, and the wall of financial interest protecting him in the second.

    This play is important, and I see a bright future ahead as it is further developed.

    Read it.

    I saw this play at The Scratch's workshopped production, and it was one of the most effective deconstructions of rape culture on college campuses that I've ever seen.

    I was particularly moved by the way that Russell was constructed as your run of the mill love interest in the first half, before his image was torn down piece by piece by his actions, privilege, and the wall of financial interest protecting him in the second.

    This play is important, and I see a bright future ahead as it is further developed.

    Read it.

View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

This play cannot be produced if the cast is more than 50% white.
  • Jonathan Davis
    safety, #7
    Character Age
    19
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Announcer
    Booming and brash. He separates the somebodies from the nobodies.
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Tess
    a nursing student
    Character Age
    22
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jenny
    drum major
    Character Age
    21
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Leila
    trumpet, section leader
    Character Age
    21
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Alex
    clarinet
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Mia
    tuba
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jordan Moses
    defensive back, #8
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • C.J. Holiday
    cornerback, #29
    Character Age
    20
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Russell Stovver
    running back, #1
    Character Age
    20
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Andrew Young
    offensive lineman, #56
    Character Age
    20
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Dallas Johnson
    tight end, #44
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Nathan Henry
    linebacker, #53
    Character Age
    19
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Brandon Cook
    defensive lineman, #50
    Character Age
    21
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Tyler Shaw
    wide receiver, #81
    Character Age
    20
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Michael Valerio
    place kicker, #17
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latinx
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • "Tag" Ogden
    quarterback, #21
    Character Age
    22
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Scratch & Really Really Theatre Group, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization Umbrella Project, Year 2018