The Mermaids' Parade

by Gina Femia

Biron has been deployed to Iraq and Islande is stuck in Coney Island. A fable of a mermaid connects them both as they are forced to confront their personal horrors in order to try to find one another and themselves during a time of war.

Biron has been deployed to Iraq and Islande is stuck in Coney Island. A fable of a mermaid connects them both as they are forced to confront their personal horrors in order to try to find one another and themselves during a time of war.

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The Mermaids' Parade

Recommended by

  • Asher Wyndham: The Mermaids' Parade by Gina Femia
    “

    A beautiful play making drama out of distance, finding communication while continents apart in an imaginative and magical space, expansive and evocative, rich in texture and language.

    A beautiful play making drama out of distance, finding communication while continents apart in an imaginative and magical space, expansive and evocative, rich in texture and language.

    ”
  • Emmet L.F. Cameron: The Mermaids' Parade by Gina Femia
    “

    This play makes magic feel as real as violence. It asks the audience to sit with a world that can contain so many forms of both these things. & neither makes the other less true. Excellent reading & interview on the Parsnip Ship podcast.

    This play makes magic feel as real as violence. It asks the audience to sit with a world that can contain so many forms of both these things. & neither makes the other less true. Excellent reading & interview on the Parsnip Ship podcast.

    ”
  • Samantha Marchant: The Mermaids' Parade by Gina Femia
    “

    I admire the ease of flowing through two different locations showing how they are different and overlap. Magic to see on stage.

    I admire the ease of flowing through two different locations showing how they are different and overlap. Magic to see on stage.

    ”
View all 21 recommendations

Character Information

  • Islande
    Dreams fall out her head. Loud, charismatic, keeps things real.
    early 20s
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Biron
    Dreams locked deep inside. Stoic, quiet, somewhat mysterious.
    early 20s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Tennessee
    18
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Guy
    A man’s man soldier, 3rd tour in Iraq. Has a bravado, knows how to play the game.
    Late 30s
    BIPOC
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Buzz
    Islande’s boss at the Rite Aid. Charming, funny, awkward, a real magician.
    early 30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Amy
    Fiesty, lost, magical, also a mermaid. Spends a lot of time not being able to talk words.
    Any
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, American Blue Ink, 2020
  • Reading, Parsnip Ship, 2018
  • Reading, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 2018
  • Reading, Pipeline Theatre, 2016
  • Residency, Pipeline Theatre Company, 2015

Awards

  • American Blue Ink Playwriting Award
    Finalist
    2020
  • The Relentless Award
    Semi-Finalist
    2017
  • Panndora's Box
    Panndora Productions
    Honorable Mention
    2017
  • Princess Grace Award
    Finalist
    2017