Bootstraps by Kathryn Funkhouser

FULL-LENGTH. The reality show Bootstraps was cancelled weeks ago, and nobody told the cast. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be gained - and after all, chaos is easier to edit. “Everyone is equal. No one is safe.” How many lies are in that tagline? A wickedly fun dark comedy about perception, power, and the stories we tell about ourselves.
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Bootstraps

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Character Information

  • Wilson
    20s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    WILSON, a mostly-genial startup bro who thinks he would be very good in a Game of Thrones situation (he would not). Not sure why people don't listen to him when he's clearly the leader. Did not think nature would be so dirty. This is the hardest thing he's ever done.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Wendy
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    WENDY, 30s, associate producer. Ambitious but maybe not as ruthless as she thought. Steve took her under his wing but likes to be thanked for it. Sees the way the tide is turning, getting disillusioned.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Steve
    40s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    STEVE, 40s-60s, exec producer of Bootstraps. White. Talks a big game, not so hot at execution (that's what Wendy's for). Believes himself to be exceptional and anything that contradicts him to be injustice. Does a lot of what he'd call "playing 3D chess" and other people would call "lying." One of those guys who prominently displays their copy of The Art of War.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Mary Ann
    50s-60s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    MARY ANN, 50s-60s, a resourceful but dissatisfied empty-nester who has reinvented herself as a doomsday prepper with a large internet following. A fierce protector by nature, but nobody's fool.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Ben
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    BEN, 20s, on the show to write a book about being on the show - he doesn't have a job to go back to. Suspects he's smarter than everybody else, but risk-averse, wants to be liked, worried about how he'll come across. Gay but doesn't want it to be part of his storyline on the show.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    Chain Theatre
    ,
    2019