POTUS

The Women, in order of their emotional proximity to POTUS (closest to farthest):

HARRIET – His chief of staff.
JEAN – His press secretary.
STEPHANIE – His secretary.
DUSTY – His dalliance.
BERNADETTE – His sister.
CHRIS – A journalist.
MARGARET – His wife. The First Lady.

Author’s Note on Casting:
American power structures are rooted in, and shaped by, white supremacy. Racism permeates our institutions, compounding gender and class inequity everywhere, but especially in electoral politics. This play is a critique of complicity in white patriarchy; thus, the following requirements speak to those dynamics and must be followed. International productions should analyze and reflect in their casting a similar understanding of marginalized communities’ struggle for voice within their governing bodies.

In America: Bernadette is white. Margaret is Black. Chris is Black. Jean, Harriet, Dusty and Stephanie can be played by actors of any ethnicity; but be aware that lines and relationships will land differently depending on the racial breakdown of the cast. Some of the insults will be more cringe, some less, depending on the privilege each character possesses. These are interesting dynamics to explore, but they should be interrogated consciously, with care for each community.

At least three of the characters must be women of color. Actors can be cis or trans. Age is flexible. Beauty is subjective. So long as they’re fast, fierce, and fucking hilarious.

Author’s Note on Casting:

American power structures are rooted in, and shaped by, white supremacy. Racism permeates our institutions, compounding gender and class inequity everywhere, but especially in electoral politics. This play is a critique of complicity in white patriarchy; thus, the following requirements speak to those dynamics and must be followed. International productions should analyze and reflect in their casting a similar understanding of marginalized communities’ struggle for voice within their governing bodies.

In America: Bernadette is white. Margaret is Black. Chris is Black. Jean, Harriet, Dusty and Stephanie can be played by actors of any ethnicity; but be aware that lines and relationships will land differently depending on the racial breakdown of the cast. Some of the insults will be more cringe, some less, depending on the privilege each character possesses. These are interesting dynamics to explore, but they should be interrogated consciously, with care for each community.

At least three of the characters must be women of color. Actors can be cis or trans. Age is flexible. Beauty is subjective. So long as they’re fast, fierce, and fucking hilarious.