Synopsis

As soon as courses at Harvard began, Ana, a White female, finds herself stalked by Aaron, a Black male classmate who is set up on a bet by a White Trumpian bully classmate. Word quickly gets out to the rest of the cohort – but not wanting to get anyone kicked out, Ana refuses to name names. She’s not a snitch. With the program director insisting there is nothing she can do to intervene if no one will name the perpetrator, the class becomes engulfed in a campaign to protect Ana that splits the class into two camps. Some of the men join the women to fight the harassers, some of women join the harassers. In short order the conflict becomes a fight for power that divides along race, sex, LGBTQ, and class lines – that mirrors the heartbreaking history of the labor movement and serves as a precursor to our current political landscape.

Character Breakdown

Scabmugger: mid height young white women in period mill clothing, head scarf.

Simone Arroyo is an early 40’s Afro/Latina. She is labor side negotiator for a large Municipal Labor Union in Seattle. She has a BA in Political Science from U of W; trained/worked as a paralegal in a poverty law office before organizing it into a union and then went to work forUnions. She is married and has two children. Ideologically, Left.

Liz Marie is a mid-forties leader of the New South Wales Teachers Federation. She the head of the largest teacher’s federation in Australia. She is openly gay. She has a partner. Progressive.

Ana is an early 40’s Italian American. She is a secretary for a teacher’s union. She has an adult daughter. She lives close by Cambridge and goes home on the week-ends. Her dad was a “made” man in the mob. Ana didn’t want that life and got a job with the teacher’s union. Shehas no rank and file experience.

Jack is burly white man, in his early 50’s, head of the Australian Railway Union Federation. He heads a large union with largely white male membership. He is thoroughly anti-communist. He is a Trumpian bigot. He’s used to running things.

Aaron is mid 40’s black man, represents the American Firefighters Union. He is a Clarence Thomas figure who doesn’t believe in Affirmative Action. He is tall, buff and very self-assured. Thinks all women want to date him.

Kirk is a tall white mid westerner of Scandinavian descent who is a representative for a large meat packing union. He’s an operator. Has no ideology. Will join any side where he can gain an advantage.

Eddie is a white Pennsylvanian, handle bar mustache, handsome, muscular, Steelworker. He’s a Democrat.

Denny is a Black South African, legal representative for Mineworkers, a rank and file leader. Mid height, slim build, glasses. Anti-Apartheid activist. Distinct accent. Nerd.

Ichiro is a Japanese Communications worker, mid 30’s slim built. Glasses. Always carries a translation device.

Mindy is a blond, tall California Teacher’s representative. Likes red cashmere sweaters. No ideology.

Elise Henri is mid 50’s white woman, average height, curly hair, Labor Educator, former rank and file leader, Harvard Faculty, Director of the program.

Harvard Professors (three: History Professor, Law Professor, Howard Zinn), white, late fifties, male. All ideologically Left.

Docent/Newspaper vendor/Elise/Mindy/Scabmugger, white women, medium height.

* =Double cast with named character

*The Morning Glories 

*Pipettes, Harvard Choral Group.

Audition Sign Up:

Email tanika.baptiste@thefreight.org  Subject: SCABMUGGERS AUDITIONS

Audition Date and Time

February 16th & 17th

6pm-10pm

Audition Location

The Freight

2020 Addison Street

Berkeley, CA

94704

Audition Materials:

We are asking actors to prepare a 2-min max monologue and song up to 32 bars. Can sing a cappella or self-accompaniment with own instrument.

Pay

2 Equity Contracts 

Category 2 and Tier A. 

$430/week

Non-Union

$2000

Production Dates

July 7, 14, & 21