SPRING BREAK
On the first night of Spring Break, new friendships are made and old ones are tested as the nineteen teenagers we first met in Winter Break continue to find joy, heartache, and wonder in the world they’re trying to find their place in. Commissioned for the Educational Theatre Association’s 2022 International Thespian Festival, Spring Break is a candid look into another crucial moment in these teenagers’ lives.
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"The verdict is in for the world premiere of Joe Calarco’s newest teen dramedy, and the kids are more than alright—they’re phenomenal. Calarco successfully pulls off a delicate balance in terms of addressing complex universal themes without the characters losing their authenticity as teenagers. Sports, video games and chocolate Frosties are interwoven with explorations of topics like loneliness, perception and projection, and yet the juxtaposition never seems forced. In particular, the casual speaking style of the teens somehow seems to make these often complicated issues more accessible, even for us adults. The show is deep without being heavy-handed, preachy or depressing, and deeply funny." -- The OC Bulletin
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(there is complete flexibility with casting in terms of gender)
​AJ: Sophomore. A great singer with a TikTok following. Self-aware. Coming into [her/his/their] place in the world. Trustworthy. Caring.
BRETT: Sophomore. Very smart. Probably a science nerd. Socially awkward. Naturally an introvert and a loner who is actively working at being less of each, as difficult as that is.
CHARLIE: Freshman. An introverted extrovert. Deeply empathetic. Easy to talk to. A cinephile.
TY: Junior. A great friend to others and a great friend of others. Realizing that the time is coming for friends to go their separate ways.
JULES: Junior. Jewish. Overcoming a recent loss. Has a complicated relationship with food.
QUINN: Junior. The kind of friend everyone should have—always there but will call you out when needed.
FINN: Junior. Realizing that high school is just high school and working on embracing the idea that everything afterwards will really be when life begins. Recently became part of a blended family and not happy about it.
ANDY: Junior. Top of the class. An athlete, a leader. Blossoming out of being in the shadow of a long-term relationship. Recently became part of a blended family and not happy about it.
PI: Senior. Bold. Hates the status quo. Numerous piercings and henna patterns that will switch to tattoos once away from the parents, which is a move that can’t happen soon enough. Takes pride and strength in being a loner.
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SAM: Junior. A perpetual student of life: loves exploring new ideas and interests. Has known Dylan since they were all children and is used to being the leader.
​DYLAN: Junior. Really wrestling with and exploring what comes next. Has known Sam since they were all children and has “played second fiddle” for too long.
​CODY: Senior. Uncomplicated: food, sleep, sports, and friends equal happiness. A very loyal friend.
​COREY: Senior. A jock. Very popular. College looming and a recent breakup has caused some disruption to what has been, until recently, a perfect high school life.
​KAI: Freshman. A gamer. A Star Wars fan. Newly self-reflective. On the search for a new best friend.
​CAM: Freshman. A hard-core retrogamer. A cinephile. A philosopher without knowing it. Struggling through a lot of feelings and desires.
​RICKY: Freshman. Popular. From the outside appears to have a perfect life but things are much different behind closed doors. Always on the search for an escape.
​KRYS: Sophomore. Plays a lot of sports hoping one of them will bring a scholarship. Knows a lot of people but sometimes wonders how many of them are actual friends.
​FRANKIE: Senior. An excellent student. Ready to graduate. Very confident and put-together—on the outside.
​JESSE: Senior. An excellent friend. Dealing with loss. Needs a break from what life has been so far. Making decisions that some might find surprising.