Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning ManbyPaul Michael Thomson
Regina (Reggie) runs a femme-centric feminist bookstore in Tucson, AZ. Artemis Books is a safe space for queer people, free expression, and womxn of all kinds. When her boss unexpectedly jumps ship, Reggie is stuck with a new-hire: straight, white, cisgender JJ. Workplace romances, existential anxieties, and some questionable spell casting abound as Reggie tries to reclaim her safe space. Does identity have to...
Regina (Reggie) runs a femme-centric feminist bookstore in Tucson, AZ. Artemis Books is a safe space for queer people, free expression, and womxn of all kinds. When her boss unexpectedly jumps ship, Reggie is stuck with a new-hire: straight, white, cisgender JJ. Workplace romances, existential anxieties, and some questionable spell casting abound as Reggie tries to reclaim her safe space. Does identity have to influence ideology? Does colonialism ever stop? And what in the actual hell is a “good guy”?
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Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man
Recommended by
Samantha Marchant:
30 Jun. 2021
“
Each character is so we'll formed. I enjoyed getting to know them and Artemis Books. The dialogue flowed and the ending shocked. Well done! ”
Shaun Leisher:
30 Apr. 2020
“
A true ensemble piece that goes places you really don’t see coming. I’m a big fan of workplace narratives and the relationships made between co-workers. Really enjoyed spending time in this bookstore with these complicated characters and really hope this play gets many productions. ”
Nick Malakhow:
19 Apr. 2020
“
I had a blast getting to know all of the characters in this funny, smart, and offbeat play. Reggie, Emerson, and Asha's relationships to one another, the bookstore, their identities, and activism were portrayed with complexity and nuance. The disarming presence of JJ began as absolutely hilarious before taking more tense and distressing turns. The use of Greek myth evoked tragedy and fate for me, which mirrored the conversations about the social inevitability of oppressive patriarchal structures, even if tempered, growing malignant. I love how this piece proposes a way out that's vicious because it needs to be. ”
This play is about many things, but one of the things it is about is identity. The following casting requirements are essential:
Regina must be Latinx and preferably identifies as queer.
Emerson must be white and preferably identifies as queer.
Asha must be Black.
JJ must be a cis, white man.
Regina
late 20s,
Latinx
,
Woman OR Femme/NB
Only wears a jean jacket, because she'd never admit she was cold. It probably has pins on it.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
Gender:
Female
Emerson
mid-20s,
White
,
Femme
She hates the cold, but loves the excuse to wear a scarf. Knows your sign before you do.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Female
Asha
early 20s,
African American / Black
,
Femme
The cold doesn't bother her. She loves talking to you, but she'd rather be painting.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s
Race/Ethnicity:
Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
Gender:
Female
JJ
30s,
White
,
Masc
JJ is like a ham & swiss croissant: a little cheesy and incredibly layered.