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by Whitney Rowland

In the backroom of a semi-professional, femme-forward, aspirational chain fashion store (think Ann Taylor LOFT), a varied and vibrant female-led staff weathers the turbulent tides of life in retail. But when new corporate leadership brings sudden drastic changes to the store, the staff discover just how much pressure they are willing to take. SORTED is a scathing social commentary with hints of magic and a...

In the backroom of a semi-professional, femme-forward, aspirational chain fashion store (think Ann Taylor LOFT), a varied and vibrant female-led staff weathers the turbulent tides of life in retail. But when new corporate leadership brings sudden drastic changes to the store, the staff discover just how much pressure they are willing to take. SORTED is a scathing social commentary with hints of magic and a dollop of dance party.

Developed during the McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting (25-26).
Developed and presented as a public reading for the Ruth Easton Public Series at Playwrights' Center (April 2026).

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Recommended by

  • Ryan Stevens: by style / by color / by cut / by size (or) SORTED by Whitney Rowland
    “

    A wonderfully well-constructed, laugh-out-loud funny and deeply relatable look at the life of retail workers. It's fast, frenetic, and full of characters you'll swear you've known and worked with before, and the dignity under pressure depicted in these workers is remarkable.

    A wonderfully well-constructed, laugh-out-loud funny and deeply relatable look at the life of retail workers. It's fast, frenetic, and full of characters you'll swear you've known and worked with before, and the dignity under pressure depicted in these workers is remarkable.

    ”

Character Information

  • KEELY
    New hire. Smart (maybe not as much as she thinks), edge of cynicism. A practical, tomboyish air. Relaxed in a casually detached way.
    Mid-20s
    Female
  • JEN
    Store Manager. Cheerful, but approaching burnout. Femme. Make-up is restrained but always perfect. Midwesterner born and raised.
    Upper-20s
    Female
  • AUTUMN
    Assistant Manager in training. A "Mean girl" energy that comes from deeply rooted insecurity. Desperate for respect. Clings to Jen.
    Mid-20s
    Female
  • DARBY
    Full-timer. Quick witted, charming. Leaning masc. Seems relaxed, but possibly OCD. A little uptight. They find peace in tidiness, efficiency.
    Low-20s
    Non-binary
  • CATELYN-FAYE
    Full-timer. Sweet, kind. Always the helper. Femme with an "atypical" body - very tall or petite, curvy, etc. Possibly spiritually sensitive.
    Late teens or low-20s
    Female
  • LUETTE
    Full-timer. Not mean, but takes no shit. A realist. Has been at Haven as long as Jen. Has been working on a nursing certificate.
    Upper-20s
    Female
  • MONA
    Part-timer. Professor of art history. Carries a natural elegance. A touch of "Cool mom" vibes. It seems very little bothers her, but she has limits.
    50s-60s
    Female

Development History