The Birthing Pit by William J. Meyer

John and Castella flee a mysterious pestilence at the end of the American Revolutionary War, sailing home to Rhode Island from the Caribbean. But when the farmer Atabei kills their ship’s captain during what might be a supernatural storm, tragedy stalks all three.
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The Birthing Pit

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Character Information

There are four speaking parts: two women, one man, and a singer-- but there are numerous other characters only seen and heard by the main characters. If a production wants to embody these otherwise unseen/unheard characters as they deem appropriate, I do not object-- and look forward to your creative expression-- however, please be aware, this will affect the main characters' isolation.

  • Atabei
    20-30,
    Taino
    ,
    woman
    A farmer from Puerto Rico.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Castella
    20-30,
    Caucasian
    ,
    woman
    A novelist from Rhode Island.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • John
    20-30,
    Caucasian
    ,
    Man
    A doctor from Rhode Island.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Singer
    Any, Older preferred,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A chorus-like figure, only seen and heard by the audience. The Singer sings shanties from the era.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Celestina
    Young,
    Caucasian
    ,
    Girl
    Castella and John’s young daughter. As written, only seen and heard by the main characters. May be embodied if you so choose.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Captain
    Any, Older preferred,
    Any
    ,
    Man
    A cantankerous seaman. As written, only seen and heard by the main characters. May be embodied if you so choose.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Porter
    Young,
    Any
    ,
    boy
    A young boy serving the Captain. As written, only seen and heard by the main characters. May be embodied if you so choose.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sailors
    Any, Older preferred,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Various seamen. As written, only seen and heard by the main characters. May be embodied if you so choose.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ninety-Nine Women
    Adults,
    Any
    ,
    woman
    The women living with Atabei in the pit. As written, only seen and heard by the main characters. May be embodied if you so choose.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    None (Full Version, Early Draft)
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    Hollywood Fringe Festival (Truncated Version, Early Draft)
    ,
    2017