How To Destroy An American Girl Doll

by Jan Rosenberg

Gen and Vee are best friends. Gen teaches Vee how to throw up. Vee sells Gen weed. Gen teaches Vee how to pretend like you don't hate sex. Vee tries to pretend like she doesn't love Gen a little too much. Through parties, treatment centers, and college, they keep each other's secrets. Because that's what friends are for--right? A dark comedy about toxic friendships, asexuality, and addiction.

Gen and Vee are best friends. Gen teaches Vee how to throw up. Vee sells Gen weed. Gen teaches Vee how to pretend like you don't hate sex. Vee tries to pretend like she doesn't love Gen a little too much. Through parties, treatment centers, and college, they keep each other's secrets. Because that's what friends are for--right? A dark comedy about toxic friendships, asexuality, and addiction.

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How To Destroy An American Girl Doll

Recommended by

  • David Hansen: How To Destroy An American Girl Doll by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    Rosenberg has that notable ability to communicate so much of who their characters are purely through dialogue, Gen and Vee hiding so much as adolescents while at the same time emotionally naked to the audience. "How To Destroy" is painful, but at last hopeful, suggesting a way through which is neither easily won nor at all expected, which is something we all need right now.

    Rosenberg has that notable ability to communicate so much of who their characters are purely through dialogue, Gen and Vee hiding so much as adolescents while at the same time emotionally naked to the audience. "How To Destroy" is painful, but at last hopeful, suggesting a way through which is neither easily won nor at all expected, which is something we all need right now.

    ”
  • Madeline Geier: How To Destroy An American Girl Doll by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    Unflinching representation of girlhood grappling with eating disorders and sexual identity

    Unflinching representation of girlhood grappling with eating disorders and sexual identity

    ”
  • Emmy Kuperschmid: How To Destroy An American Girl Doll by Jan Rosenberg
    “

    This play punched me in the gut and made me feel incredibly seen. A powerful exploration of female friendship with an empathetic and honest depiction of eating disorders--and the first time I've seen asexuality represented on stage. Produce this play!

    This play punched me in the gut and made me feel incredibly seen. A powerful exploration of female friendship with an empathetic and honest depiction of eating disorders--and the first time I've seen asexuality represented on stage. Produce this play!

    ”
View all 17 recommendations

Character Information

BODY DIVERSITY IS A REQUIREMENT. If you cast GEN and VEE as frail looking women, you are deeply missing the point.
  • VEE
    Dark, wry, always seeking.
    12-21
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • GEN
    More than just the deeply insecure mean girl. She is enticing, exciting. You can’t tell if you resent her or love her.
    12-21
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • JUAN
    An empathetic stoner.
    16-21
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • LOTUS
    Super chill. She might look a bit like GEN.
    21
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • 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, Pacifica Spindrift Players, 2021
  • Reading, The Actors Studio, 2019
  • Workshop, Crashbox Theater Company, 2019
  • Reading, Stella Adler, 2018
  • Reading, The Last Frontier Theatre Conference, 2017

Production History

  • University, Columbia College Chicago, 2019

Awards