Not Cake

by Jennie Webb

Set in 1924 and 2024, NOT CAKE is the story of a singular woman in a multi-cultural Los Angeles neighborhood who’s determined to use her gifts to help other women. But after 100+ years of fighting for change, doesn’t she deserve a break? NOT CAKE is a new play about privilege and class, appropriation and agency.

Set in 1924 and 2024, NOT CAKE is the story of a singular woman in a multi-cultural Los Angeles neighborhood who’s determined to use her gifts to help other women. But after 100+ years of fighting for change, doesn’t she deserve a break? NOT CAKE is a new play about privilege and class, appropriation and agency.

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Not Cake

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Not Cake by Jennie Webb
    “

    A powerful look at the fight to help change the world as it changes and becomes more dangerous. Well done.

    A powerful look at the fight to help change the world as it changes and becomes more dangerous. Well done.

    ”
  • Victor Lesniewski: Not Cake by Jennie Webb
    “

    Wonderfully imagined design elements are worked in and throughout this piece to create a stunning thematic feast. Angels. Purgatory. Los Angeles on fire. And thoughtful explorations of pressing social topics to boot.

    Wonderfully imagined design elements are worked in and throughout this piece to create a stunning thematic feast. Angels. Purgatory. Los Angeles on fire. And thoughtful explorations of pressing social topics to boot.

    ”

Character Information


  • THE WHITE WOMAN WITH A TAIL
    contemplative, dramatic
    50+
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ALICIA/ADELITA
    passionate, animated - the same actor plays Alicia in 2024 and Adelita (who speaks only Spanish) in 1924.
    30s/40s
    Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • DES/DAVIS
    strong presence, self-protected - the same actor plays Des (female) in 2024 and Davis (male) in 1924
    40s/50s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • EL/ESTHER
    certain, somewhat naive - the same actor plays El in 2024 and Esther (female, who speaks with a Yiddish accent) in 1924

    The character of El in 2024 could be female or non-binary, played by a female or non-binary actor
    late teens/20s
    White
    Female,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • JESS/JUAN
    eager, curious - the same actor plays Jess (who speaks with a Chicano accent) in 2024 and Juan (male) in 1924

    The character of Jess in 2024 could be female or non-binary, played by a female or non-binary actor.
    late teens/20s
    Latino
    Female,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • IVY/INA
    pragmatic, maybe sardonic - the same actor plays Ivy in 2024 and Ina (who speaks with a Japanese accent) in 1924
    30s/40s
    Japanese
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Workshop, Rogue Artists Ensemble, 2022
  • Workshop, Rogue Artists Ensemble, 2019