Guarding

by Genevieve Simon

It’s the hottest day of the summer and nine teenage lifeguards in small-town Ohio are stuck at work. Their swimming pool is getting shut down at the end of the season, and everyone’s freaked out about what comes next. As the lifeguards rotate, relationships get tested. Nostalgia butts up against bodily fluids. Everyone tries to figure out Who Stole The Money...and also, the clock is acting, like, really weird...

It’s the hottest day of the summer and nine teenage lifeguards in small-town Ohio are stuck at work. Their swimming pool is getting shut down at the end of the season, and everyone’s freaked out about what comes next. As the lifeguards rotate, relationships get tested. Nostalgia butts up against bodily fluids. Everyone tries to figure out Who Stole The Money...and also, the clock is acting, like, really weird. Does anybody else see that?

With irreverent charm and great heart, Guarding honors the thankless task of keeping each other alive, and the people you come of age with—whether you want to or not.

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Guarding

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: Guarding by Genevieve Simon
    “

    A thoroughly compelling slice of life filled with distinctly drawn and engaging characters. The minutia of their daily routine is punctuated by their interpersonal dynamics, some humorous, some petty, some highly charged. The final scene, when what they are really there for is vividly illuminated, is especially gripping.

    A thoroughly compelling slice of life filled with distinctly drawn and engaging characters. The minutia of their daily routine is punctuated by their interpersonal dynamics, some humorous, some petty, some highly charged. The final scene, when what they are really there for is vividly illuminated, is especially gripping.

    ”
  • Chandler Hubbard: Guarding by Genevieve Simon
    “

    A lived-in, fully realized world, despite being such a small corner of it. Perilous visual tropes that overlay the realistic dialogue lend a mysterious credence to the show. The overlapping dialogue that sometimes falls into synchronicity is particularly engaging.

    A lived-in, fully realized world, despite being such a small corner of it. Perilous visual tropes that overlay the realistic dialogue lend a mysterious credence to the show. The overlapping dialogue that sometimes falls into synchronicity is particularly engaging.

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Guarding by Genevieve Simon
    “

    This is such a cool play...we never think about the fact that we employ TEENAGERS to be in charge of saving people's lives. I loved the ominous tone throughout, the mystery, and the glimpses we get of these kids' lives as they go through the motions of trying to keep people from accidentally killing themselves. Reminded me a bit of THE FLICK.

    This is such a cool play...we never think about the fact that we employ TEENAGERS to be in charge of saving people's lives. I loved the ominous tone throughout, the mystery, and the glimpses we get of these kids' lives as they go through the motions of trying to keep people from accidentally killing themselves. Reminded me a bit of THE FLICK.

    ”

Character Information

No double casting is possible in this show -- it is an ensemble show where most characters are visible for most of the play.
  • Kat
    Her third summer. Needs to get out of this town. Likes the authority of being a guard, but getting pretty burnt out. Doesn’t start games but plays them. Loves the people she loves very deeply.
    19
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Homa
    Her fourth summer. Always breaking out in song. Has a life outside work. Tries to remain above gossip. Comfortable with who she is. Brings people together. Would be close with Emma, but there’s some history.
    22
    Black
    Cis female or genderqueer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Nick
    Nobody really knows how old he is. He’s been here forever. One of those guys who looks either 24 or 43 years old. Collector of arcane trivia. Highly intelligent, lovable, and stuck. Should have made some big life changes three years ago…and now he’s starting to panic.
    24?
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Lindsey
    She’s not new at the pool, but it feels like she is. Genuinely trying to connect. Trying to do a good job. She just tries really hard. Laughs a lot. Not really aware of the food chain at the pool. Is having a very strange day.
    18
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Valerie
    The youngest and newest lifeguard - it’s her first summer. Is she a cool girl, or is she doing an impression of a cool girl? Does not want to be the lowest on the food chain. Has righteous tendencies. Gets grossed out easily. Had a new experience at the staff pool party and is figuring out how she feels.
    16
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jordan
    The whitest boy you know. His third summer. Loves how chill this job is. Former swim team kid…maybe he absorbed too much chlorine. Does not see how he affects people. Here for a good time, not a long time.
    18
    White
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Emma
    Assistant manager at the pool. Reports to Josh (who we never see). This is her 8th summer—she’s moved up the ranks over time. She holds her cards close to her chest. At a different place in her life than the lifeguards. Devoted to this place, and to the pool rats especially. Prides herself on her work ethic, but has some blind spots. Really feeling the weight of the pool closing.
    23
    White
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • The Clock
    A voice. A presence. A force of change. Should be a different timbre than any other sound we hear in the play.
    Ageless
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Beth
    This is her second summer as a lifeguard. Forward-thinking. Has plans. Hard for her to understand people who don’t. Things come easily to her. Takes this job seriously. Used to be best friends with Jenny.
    18
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Jenny
    Her third summer. A young woman with easy access to anger. Isn’t afraid to be bold. Inserts herself in conversations without second thought. Has some secrets. Doesn’t know what comes next. Used to be best friends with Beth.
    18
    Any
    Cis female or genderqueer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop, Actors Theatre of Louisville , 2019
  • Workshop, The People's Improv Theatre, 2018

Production History

  • High School, Holton-Arms High School, 2022