A White Girl's Understudy

by Isabel Beatriz Tongson

Lyn Talaga has achieved her childhood dream. She is an off-stage understudy in the new
Broadway play Speakeasy Love and covers the lead female role. During a performance, the man
she is in love with and also the male lead of Speakeasy Love-- Ben Muller-- begins to question
whether he is truly in love with his co-star-- Sienna Russo-- whom Lyn covers for. Lyn imagines
herself in scenarios onstage playing...

Lyn Talaga has achieved her childhood dream. She is an off-stage understudy in the new
Broadway play Speakeasy Love and covers the lead female role. During a performance, the man
she is in love with and also the male lead of Speakeasy Love-- Ben Muller-- begins to question
whether he is truly in love with his co-star-- Sienna Russo-- whom Lyn covers for. Lyn imagines
herself in scenarios onstage playing opposite of Ben, but the drama of Speakeasy Love bleeds
into her reality as she is forced to confront the truth of her job. Lyn recalls memories with fellow
understudy-- Andrew Hererra, crew member-- Taylor Kumar, and stage manager-- Bo Jian,
all of whom are artists that have been forced out of the spotlight. When a connection with Ben at
intermission leads to him and Sienna's relationship spiraling mid-performance, Lyn recalls a
memory key to why she wanted to be an actor in the first place. With a new opportunity for Lyn
to be a principal actor opposite Ben, Lyn must ask herself if her greatest desires are truly what
she wants and if they are authentic to the artist she is.

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A White Girl's Understudy

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Ensemble Theatre Company, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization NOMADS Columbia University, Year 2023

Awards

  • WordPlay Festival
    NOMADS Columbia University
    Selection
    2023