GIRL IN THE RED CORNER

Unemployed, fresh off a dead-end marriage, and searching for a way to take control of her life, Halo walks into a gym and signs up for mixed martial arts lessons. Her trainer thinks she’s a light-weight. Her mother and sister think it’s just plain weird. Very quickly the lessons she learns in the ring bleed into the rest of her life and Halo finds herself battling against everyone around her. As she prepares...
Unemployed, fresh off a dead-end marriage, and searching for a way to take control of her life, Halo walks into a gym and signs up for mixed martial arts lessons. Her trainer thinks she’s a light-weight. Her mother and sister think it’s just plain weird. Very quickly the lessons she learns in the ring bleed into the rest of her life and Halo finds herself battling against everyone around her. As she prepares for her first match, Halo realizes that life inside the cage and outside the cage are disturbingly similar. And that the only way to survive either is to fight.
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GIRL IN THE RED CORNER

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    30 Jan. 2021
    A powerful story about the fight for freedom, empowerment and self discovery that speaks to women everywhere. Well done!
  • Molly Wagner:
    28 May. 2020
    Incredible characters and story about the people we need to hold on to and the things we need to let go. Great roles for women!
  • Christopher Walsh:
    19 Feb. 2019
    What a fantastic script. The Broken Nose Theatre production in Chicago was an inspiring piece of theatre, with incredible roles for some gifted actors. It is impossible not to identify with Halo and her journey. At the end, when her sister asks her to explain why she needs this (MMA training) in her life, you could feel the truth of Halo's answer reverberate through the audience. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Character Information

  • Halo
    30ish,
    Female
    a bit of a punk in her youth; a year or so finished with a dead-end marriage, she's spent a decade working crap jobs for crap paychecks; she grew up (and still lives) in a world dominated by strip malls, cash-for-gold joints, and roadhouse bars
  • Brinn
    30s,
    Female
    Halo's big sister; the planner, the fixer; confident in her choices; old enough to have a 12-yr old daughter
  • Gina
    30ish,
    Female or Non-binary
    Halo's trainer; recovering addict turned trainer and MMA fighter; not a bit of wasted energy; they have feelings--they're just not going to show them to you

    NOTE: I have created a version of the script where Gina is nonbinary. Please email me at spotswood@gmail.com for that version
  • Terry
    50-60,
    Female
    Halo and Brinn's mother; a former rough-and-tumble roadhouse girl; lost a lot of the fire but kept the drinking problem; too many years working the checkout line have worn away some edges and sharpened others. (also plays NANCY FROM HUMAN RESOURCES, GINA'S OPPONENT)
  • Warren
    30s,
    Male
    Brinn's husband; married young to his knocked-up girlfriend; honestly trying to do the best for his family and to tread water in a busted economy (also plays KYLE, ANNOUNCER)

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Broken Nose Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Know Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    defunkt theatre
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    The Welders Playwrights' Collective
    ,
    2016

Awards

Winner
,
Charles MacArthur Award For Best Outstanding New Play
,
Helen Hayes Awards
,
2017
Helen Hayes Recommended
,
2016