JOSIE & THE ROCKAWAY TUFFS
JOSIE & THE ROCKAWAY TUFFS was commissioned by the Rockaway Artists Alliance to be presented in workshop form at the historic Fort Tilden at the end of the Rockaway, NY Peninsula. Written with child characters, played by child actors, JOSIE is the story of a young girl and her siblings learning how to live in harmony with the other diverse cultures on the peninsula. Gentle lessons about bullying, pride in one’s heritage, and healing old wounds are set right in the heart of Ft. Tilden with all its history, magic and mystery.
A second workshop was held at MAD Performing Arts in North Miami, Florida, in 2019.
CAST BREAKDOWN:
The Jordans:
JOSIE (12)*
TABITHA, her sister (9)
SAM, her brother (8)
Animals:
**Wild Bird (non-speaking role: can be played by a dancer or by another cast member when no on stage in their primary character)
The Neighbors:
ADARA STEIN, Josie’s friend (11)
ELI STEIN, her sister (8)
The Tuffs:
SEAN O’SULLIVAN, Leader of the Tuffs (12)
MCDOUGAL (11)
O’DWYER (10)
MACKENNA(9)
The Strangers:
NICOLETTE, a mysterious girl from 1911 (10)
THE GREAT KALIMBO, a short carnival performer (any age, bad juggler)
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLE:
(Tuffs, Neighborhood kids to join the Jordans and Steins, Birds [dancers])
THE TIME:
Author note: The majority of the roles can be gender neutral as casting needs dictate. Song Keys can be adjusted to suit vocal ranges.
*Character ages are approximate and can be adjusted as necessary.
Casting: Minimum of 11 actors. All of the actors double as other characters. Optional additional ensemble can be added.
*The character of Wild Bird can be brought to life many different ways; by a dancer, or a bird shape on a stick held by another actor, or a projection or silhouette, etc.
The NY cast of JOSIE AND THE ROCKAWAY TUFFS. Book, music and lyrics by Arianna Rose
Josie & The Rockaway Tuffs , full company, Spring 2014
New Play Exchange members can read the libretto here and access all the demos:
For more information about Josie & The Rockaway Tuffs, or to request a perusal script, please fill out and submit the form below: