Public Property

by Laura Neill

Public Property: that's what a park technically is. But everyone who spends time at the park has their own individual story of that place, a belief that this land belongs to them. Ghosts of soldiers, rushed dog parents, new friends, mourning family, even the trees themselves, all of these beings collide. When part of the park is closed down, what happens to all the overlapping stories that have been interrupted?

Public Property: that's what a park technically is. But everyone who spends time at the park has their own individual story of that place, a belief that this land belongs to them. Ghosts of soldiers, rushed dog parents, new friends, mourning family, even the trees themselves, all of these beings collide. When part of the park is closed down, what happens to all the overlapping stories that have been interrupted?

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Public Property

Character Information

Public Property was written to be acted by an ensemble of 6-21 actors: the ensemble should include Black, Latine, Native, Asian American, and white members.

If you work with a cast of six, each actor takes on at least three roles throughout the piece, and the narrator role of LIVE OAK is divided between the actors, each taking a different monologue. In this case, in the final scene, actors swap roles quickly, without costume changes.

You may also cast each of the 21 roles separately. Or, you may double- or triple-cast an ensemble of 6-21 actors as you see fit, as long as your ensemble includes Black, Latine, Native, Asian American, and white members. Pronouns for all characters can be modified to fit the actor who is playing the character.

Sample Casting Plot for 6 Actors:
MOURNER, Latina
Also plays: Dog Mom, Young Mom, Worker 2
TOUISSANT, Black
Also plays: Dog Dad, Worker
ANDRE, Black
Also plays: Mom Friend, Scientist Kid
ACTIVIST, Native
Also plays: Dog, Tree Lover
UT STUDENT, white
Also plays: Dog 2, Someone
DAUGHTER, Asian American
Also plays: Watcher, Emo Chick, Kid
Note that LIVE OAK is played by each actor in turn.
  • Tree Lover
  • Live Oak
    Played by each actor in turn
  • Kid
  • Emo Chick
  • Watcher
  • Daughter
    Asian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Someone
  • Scientist Kid
  • Mom Friend
  • Dog 2
  • UT Student
    White
  • Mourner
    Latino
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
  • Dog
  • Activist
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
  • Andre
    African American/Black
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
  • Dog Dad
  • Touissant
    African American/Black
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
  • Worker 2
  • Worker
  • Young Mom
  • Dog Mom

Development History

  • Reading, ScriptWorks, 2021

Production History

  • Workshop, Salvage Vanguard Theatre / Park Conservancy, Austin, TX, 2021