Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy by John Bavoso

FULL-LENGTH: In the early aughts, deep in the unspecified woods, there is a summer camp where gender non-traditional, overly theatrical, and borderline agoraphobic teenage boys are taught to become real men... or so their parents think. Under the tutelage of two flamboyant counselors, a band of sissies finds sanctuary from societal expectations and judgment at Camp Mannuppia—that is, until two new campers...
FULL-LENGTH: In the early aughts, deep in the unspecified woods, there is a summer camp where gender non-traditional, overly theatrical, and borderline agoraphobic teenage boys are taught to become real men... or so their parents think. Under the tutelage of two flamboyant counselors, a band of sissies finds sanctuary from societal expectations and judgment at Camp Mannuppia—that is, until two new campers arrive and turn everything on its head, setting off a chain of disastrous events. Are the campers doomed, or can they come to terms with each other and their own identities in time to make it out of the forest in one piece?
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Camp Mannuppia: An Alt-Masc Comedy

Recommended by

  • Jarred Corona:
    31 Mar. 2024
    “ Quickly earned its way on to my favorite plays list lol. Fantastic jokes, wonderfully earnest at times, meta, queer, campy. I want to see it, direct it, act in it. It's just so fun. Of course I couldn't help but think of "But I'm a Cheerleader." Imagine a stage adaptation of that movie playing in rep with Bavoso's wonderful comedy, with McCloskey playing RuPaul's character in the other... Anywho, what a lovely time. I smiled a bunch while reading it, and I'm sure you will too. ”
  • Mitch Leso:
    10 May. 2023
    “ Right from Mikey’s opening monologue, I knew I was in for a thrilling ride, oh boy was I correct. Camp Mannuppia is a contemporary, hysterical, meta play-within-a-play that will leave you entertained as you follow the journey of these campers defining their masculinity, or rather lack of. Bavoso approaches contemporary queer issues and conversations around toxic masculinity in such an engaging and heartfelt way, while making a campy outdoor theatre experience that will leave you nostalgic and craving s'mores by the bonfire! ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    3 Nov. 2022
    “ Right from the description of the staging of this play I fell in love! Its a wonderful piece to read so as a performance I can imagine it as a thing of joy. Outdoor theatre is a rare treat outside of the world of Shakespeare so I love that John has taken this great story of young people and their experiences and turned it into a wonderful piece of theatre. For me, it also made me feel nostalgic for my own days of Summer camp and the experiences I had there, which I daresay will be the same for others! ”
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Character Information

  • Mikey Armstrong
    Teenager,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A white teenage* boy. Flamboyant, dramatic. Subtlety isn’t really his style. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)

    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Darnell Hunt
    Teenager,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    An African American teenage* boy. Moody, nerdy. Indoor recess enthusiast. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Tewksbury (Tewks) Rosenburg
    Teenager,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A white teenage* boy. Earnest, determined. Just wants to be one of the bois. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying him can be any age.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Jo Walker
    Teenager,
    Any
    ,
    Non-binary
    A teenage* tomboy** of any race. Strong, empathetic. Not sure where they belong. (*While this character is a teenager, the actors portraying them can be any age.) (**JO should be played by an AFAB non-binary and/or trans actor.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary
  • Camp Director McCloskey/Lacrosse Bro 1
    40+,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A man of any race in his 40s or older. Fabulous, unapologetic. Can rock a pair of heels.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Counselor Peavey/Lacrosse Bro 2
    30s or 40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A man of any race in his 30s or 40s. Artistic, introverted. The wind beneath your wings.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    National Queer Theater
    ,
    2023
  • Reading
    ,
    Baltimore Playwrights Festival
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    The Play Reading Network
    ,
    2020

Awards