HELEN THORPE: 40s. The REPORTER: Irish American-Quaker, very smart, confident, unfussy, woman with a penchant for interesting eye glasses. Highly educated, career woman married to the Mayor of Denver. Mother of one small child. Much more comfortable as a thoughtful observer than as the center of attention. Prefers being a reporter than First Lady of Denver. Has strong conviction of principles, is self-aware about her role, and is consistently fair-minded.
MARISELA: 18-22. Fully bilingual and bicultural Mexican. Colorful! Does not have legal status to be in the country. Emotional, sassy, intelligent, energetic, ambitious, yet sometimes insecure, a bundle of contradictions, attracted to bad boys yet great student. She craves excitement, wears a lot of make up, tight jeans, and loves loud music (Ranchera especially)and is an excellent student. Also Plays (RAUL GOMEZ GARCIA)
YADIRA: 18-22 . Fully bilingual- bicultural Mexican. Does not have legal papers to be in the country. Still waters run deep. Beautiful, lean, reserved, smart young woman who craves stability and security. Marisela’s best friend, yet polar opposite in manner and look. Wears skinny jeans and bare rift shirts and yet, isn’t a party girl at all.
CLARA: 18-22. Bilingual- bi-cultural Mexican. In the US legally. Innocent, religious, earnest girl. Good student. Hard worker. Discreet clothes, no make-up, wears a cross every day. The peacemaker and dreamer.
ELISSA: 18-22. Bilingual and bi-cultural . In the US legally. The go-getter, team captain of the group. Good student. Hard worker. Also plays ZULEMA, Yadira’s younger sister.
FABIÁN: 30- 40s. Marisela’s hard working, sometimes grouchy father. Spanish and non-English speaking father. A janitor at a supermarket who loves his family and worries about Marisela’s wild ways. In the US without legal status. Also plays TOM TANCREDO, a 2nd generation Italian-American Congressman born in a working class neighborhood in Denver who now represents a very affluent neighborhood in Colorado. The leading voice in Congress against illegal immigration. Charismatic, smart, loud, affable, and very single-minded in his fervor against illegal immigration., Also plays: RECRUITER (Tom Johnson), CEZAR MESQUITA, CARLOS (ALMA’s husband), FEDERICO PEÑA, COP , ensemble
JOSEFA: Late 30s, early 40s. Marisela’s Mexican mother. Spanish-, non –English- speaking. A devoted mother and hard working cleaning lady who looks after her four kids in the US. PLAYS MRS SMITH, CAROL VIZZI –maybe LISA MARTINEZ
YOLANDA: early 30’s Brassy Bilingual hairdresser. ALSO PLAYS ANA, CYNTHIA POUNDSTONE, LUCY, BUSINESS WOMAN, maybe Lisa Martinez
JULIO: 20s Latino. Plays RAMIRO, MIKE McGARRY, ensemble.