Growing Up With Big Hair

by Diana Suarez Mucci

Based on a true story, Growing Up with Big Hair is a coming-of-age dramedy about a young Chicago Latina girl in the 70's, who's immigrant father dreams of moving West - where the grass is greener and the people, Whiter. When the family moves to an all-White Chicago neighborhood, Anna finds herself wrestling with her identity, as much as she wrestles with her hair. With a little laughter and a lot of Dippity-Do...

Based on a true story, Growing Up with Big Hair is a coming-of-age dramedy about a young Chicago Latina girl in the 70's, who's immigrant father dreams of moving West - where the grass is greener and the people, Whiter. When the family moves to an all-White Chicago neighborhood, Anna finds herself wrestling with her identity, as much as she wrestles with her hair. With a little laughter and a lot of Dippity-Do, she struggles to find her place in-between. When she discovers her family's secret on her 18th birthday, she is finally confronted with the truth of who she really is.

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Growing Up With Big Hair

Recommended by

  • Emilio Williams: Growing Up With Big Hair by Diana Suarez Mucci
    “

    This is one of the magical plays that will make you laugh until you cry, and will make you cry until you laugh. The story of this girl growing up in 1970-80's Chicago may sound at first too specific, but through great humor you will realize that this is the universal story of how we are all trying to find our place in the world. Great potential for a musical, YA, or university production. Juicy roles for all actors involved.

    This is one of the magical plays that will make you laugh until you cry, and will make you cry until you laugh. The story of this girl growing up in 1970-80's Chicago may sound at first too specific, but through great humor you will realize that this is the universal story of how we are all trying to find our place in the world. Great potential for a musical, YA, or university production. Juicy roles for all actors involved.

    ”
CAST: 7 CHARACTERS: 5 FEMALE; 2 MALE

MAIN CHARACTERS:

ANNA - Female. Latina, medium, olive complexion with curly hair. English speaking. American accent. Older.

MAMI - Female. Anna's Mother. Latina, light complexion. Spanish and English speaking. Puerto Rican accent. Older. Always wears full make-up and is impeccably dressed.

DAD - Male. Anna's Dad. Medium, olive complexion. English speaking. French accent. Older. Always wears his Pepsi work cap and uniform.

LIZETTE - Female. Anna's older sister. Latina, light complexion with straight hair. English speaking. American accent. Younger.

POUPÉE - Female. Medium, olive complexion. French speaking. French, Spanish, American accent. Older.

MARIBEL - Female. Anna's cousin. Latina. English speaking. Chicago accent. Younger.

DANNY - Male. White, Blonde. English speaking. Younger.

DOUBLING ROLES:

Actor playing MARIBEL can double as MISS LOPEZ, LATIN SISTER, JUANITA

Actor playing LIZETTE can double as SISTER JUDITH, AUNT BETTY, RECEPTIONIST

Actor playing POUPÉE can double as CLERK

Actor playing MAMI can double as FEMALE SPANISH STUDENT.


Development History

Awards

  • South Texas College New Play Festival
    South Texas College
    Semi-Finalist
    2025
  • Austin Film Festival Playwriting Competition
    Austin Film Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2023