Callaway

by Emily Pope

Dulcinea Baker Callaway, a 27-year-old woman, lives with her mother and brothers in a small town just outside of Selma, Alabama during the American Civil War. When her brother, Eli, comes home on furlough, he brings a copy of the Northern abolitionist newspaper The Liberator. The paper introduces Dulcinea to a new worldview that allows her to explore her individual beliefs and forces her to reckon with the world...

Dulcinea Baker Callaway, a 27-year-old woman, lives with her mother and brothers in a small town just outside of Selma, Alabama during the American Civil War. When her brother, Eli, comes home on furlough, he brings a copy of the Northern abolitionist newspaper The Liberator. The paper introduces Dulcinea to a new worldview that allows her to explore her individual beliefs and forces her to reckon with the world, and the people, around her. Loosely based on a real book of letters from the American Civil War.

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Callaway

Recommended by

  • Harrison Young: Callaway by Emily Pope
    “

    I saw CALLOWAY's premiere in 2022 and still admire how historical letters from the actual past were used between scenes. To describe the Civil War is one thing...but to witness it through just letters being read and a porch in Alabama is another. Emily crafted a fascinating perspective for this divisive piece of southern history. It's one that uses both the direct and personal nature of the letters while also having the creative flourishes it takes for researched relationships to not feel overly research'y on-stage. Between this and her play POTENTIAL, Emily's well-grounded dialogue...

    I saw CALLOWAY's premiere in 2022 and still admire how historical letters from the actual past were used between scenes. To describe the Civil War is one thing...but to witness it through just letters being read and a porch in Alabama is another. Emily crafted a fascinating perspective for this divisive piece of southern history. It's one that uses both the direct and personal nature of the letters while also having the creative flourishes it takes for researched relationships to not feel overly research'y on-stage. Between this and her play POTENTIAL, Emily's well-grounded dialogue centers realism nicely.

    read more
    ”
  • Madison M. Mansouri: Callaway by Emily Pope
    “

    Emily Pope brings a dynamic story of our past to our present. This family drama doesn't preach, but invites us to listen with its fully realized characters, dialogue that sparks off the page in pacing and linguistic choices, and depth found in the everyday life. Pope brings the looming question of "What do you do in the face of inequality?" and demands us to face it with Dulcinea.

    Emily Pope brings a dynamic story of our past to our present. This family drama doesn't preach, but invites us to listen with its fully realized characters, dialogue that sparks off the page in pacing and linguistic choices, and depth found in the everyday life. Pope brings the looming question of "What do you do in the face of inequality?" and demands us to face it with Dulcinea.

    ”

Character Information

Case requires three female-presenting actors and three male-presenting actors. Doubling is not possible, and the central female character will be onstage for almost the entirety of the performance.
  • Dulcinea Callaway
    27-year-old woman stuck in the Civil War era South. A daughter, mother, and wife who spends her time holding her home together by a frayed thread.
    Mid-20s
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Mother
    Aka Mrs. Baker. A smart but deeply stubborn woman in her late 50s to early 60s. Mother to Dulcinea, Eli, and Wes.
    50-60s
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Eli Baker
    Brother to Dulcinea and Wes. Curious about Northern ideals but smart enough to know when to show it.
    20s
    (assigned male at birth - not plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Wes Baker
    Son of Mother and brother to Dulcinea and Eli. Infatuated with Ann and the idea of soldier’s glory.
    16
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Joshua Callaway
    Teacher and soldier swept up into the American Civil War. Adoring husband to Dulcinea.
    Mid-20s
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Miss Ann
    15-year-old brainwashed southern belle wannabe. Neighbor to the Baker/Callaway house and infatuated with Wes.
    15
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, University of Tennessee Knoxville All Campus Theatre, 2021

Production History

  • University, University of Tennessee Knoxville All Campus Theatre, 2022