Richard Carter - Male / 45 Ethan’s father and the billionaire CEO of Carter Capital Group. Convinced that suffering will “discipline” Ethan, he is not truly religious, but uses religion as an excuse to justify years of abuse. He blatantly favors his adopted son, Lucas. His pride and blind faith in Lucas lead directly to Ethan’s death. Only after Ethan is gone does Richard learn the truth and begin to regret what he has done. Appearance: Around 45. A middle-aged man. Taller and more physically imposing than Ethan, with a strong, authoritative presence that feels intimidating and fear-inducing. A wealthy man who is used to being in control. Personality: Harsh, controlling, arrogant, emotionally cold, and self-righteous. Later broken by guilt and regret.

**PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNDER LEGALLY 18YRS OLD. Lucas Carter - Male / 18 to early 20s Richard’s adopted son. Raised in luxury by the Carter family, Lucas sees Ethan as a threat and manipulates the family to secure his place as heir. He frames Ethan, covers up his illness, and hides the truth about his death. He is the undisputed villain of the family. Appearance: Around the same age as Ethan. Slim, but healthy-looking. Should look well cared for and clearly come from wealth, with expensive clothes and a polished appearance. Needs to come across as sharper and meaner than Ethan, without Ethan’s soft or gentle look. Personality: Manipulative, jealous, calculating, cruel, performative, and deeply insecure underneath.

Margaret Carter - Female / 40s Ethan’s mother. She has doubts about Richard’s twisted way of raising Ethan and is often the first to sense that something is wrong, but she is never strong enough to stand against Richard. Because she keeps trusting Richard and Lucas over Ethan, she repeatedly fails to protect Ethan. Her silence and disbelief ultimately help lead Ethan to his death. Appearance: A middle-aged woman. Polished, wealthy, and refined. Should look like a high-status woman. Personality: Weak-willed and easily influenced.

**PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNDER LEGALLY 18YRS OLD. Nancy Foster - Female / 18 to early 20s. She has feelings for Ethan and deeply sympathizes with the abuse he suffers at the hands of his cruel family. In the end, she is the one who reveals the truth to Ethan’s parents. She must look kind and gentle. Around Ethan’s age, and should not look too mature. Big eyes are preferred. She needs to be able to express sympathy and determination without seeming harsh or aggressive. A cold expression is acceptable, since she has later scenes confronting Ethan’s parents.

Dr. Miller - Female / 30-35. A female doctor in charge of Ethan’s medical care. Female. 30-35. Professional, upright, and with a strong sense of justice.

Sam - Male / 30. Street thug and hired muscle. Dangerous, intimidating, and clearly villainous. Sam must look stronger than Ethan, with visible facial scars (makeup).

Fearless, daring and bold by nature, Michelle lives for adventure. She works hard so that whenever her budget allows, she can indulge a deep-set passion for world travel - and have a good time! We first see Michelle coming home from a month-long trip to Japan, only to leave for the Philippines a few days later. She butts heads with her mother Rachelle who is naturally protective, and just wishes her daughter would spend more time at home. Michelle cares about her mother’s feelings, and aside from the hassle of continuously defending her fun-loving lifestyle, they have a great relationship. So on a lark and to assuage her mother’s hurt feelings, she invites Rachelle to join her in the Philippines for a mother/daughter vacation. ...All is going well at their small beach-side resort until Michelle decides to rent a ‘banca’ (small out-rigger canoe) so she can explore the bay and take-in some snorkelling. The ocean is stunningly beautiful that afternoon, but Michelle has ignored some distant storm-clouds as she ventures further out to sea in her little boat...As the sea grows increasingly turbulent, Michelle realizes she has ventured too far out and a harrowing battle for survival ensues. ONLY SUBMIT TOP TALENT WITH LEAD CREDITS. MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM. TRAVEL TO PHILIPPINES REQUIRED BY MAY 5, 2026. ANY RACE.

Smart, handsome and well-liked, David is the bartender at a small beach-side hotel in the Philippines. He’s actually American, but spends his summers working in the Philippines at a resort owned by a family friend. When he flirts a little with Michelle, she responds in kind and the foundation is set for a light-hearted tropical romance. ...Later when Michelle goes missing in the storm, David really steps-up and proves his mettle. A decent and responsible man, he leads the effort searching for Michelle at sea and offers Rachelle much-needed material and emotional support. MUST BE ABLE TO SWIM. TRAVEL TO PHILIPPINES REQUIRED BY MAY 5, 2026. ANY RACE.

Female, 45 - 60, BIPOC (MENA preferred). Mother Mary is a deeply faithful, maternal woman with quiet authority and emotional depth. Grounded, composed, and spiritually resolute, she serves as the emotional anchor of the piece. She carries a lifetime of foreknowledge and restrained grief beneath a calm exterior. Yet beneath her stillness is an ocean of grief. When it finally breaks, the release is immense: a mother, a believer, and a witness all collapsing into one human moment.

Female, 25-40, BIPOC (MENA preferred). Mary Magdalene is fire in motion, emotional, intuitive, and fiercely alive. She enters the story carrying wounds and doubt, but also an unrelenting capacity for love. Where others choose faith, she must earn it. Her devotion is raw, her grief immediate, her questions dangerous. Over the course of the play, she transforms before our eyes: shame becoming strength, fear becoming clarity, silence becoming voice. By the end, she stands not in shadow but in flame, a woman claiming power in a world determined to deny it.

Mia (6-9) A kind and lively little girl who is fond of Joe and longs for a father figure.

He has no bottom line—only survival—and is driven purely by profit. Joe’s former coach and an accomplice in framing him years ago, he launders money for Scott, arranges underground fights, and even kidnaps Bella and her daughter, with the blood of many fighters on his hands. He seeks to control Joe, but when Scott is finally arrested, he is the first to step forward as a cooperating witness.

Scott’s lackey and a spoiled heir of the Martin Group—arrogant, despicable, and a bully who preys on the weak. He has committed every kind of wrongdoing.

The ultimate antagonist and the mastermind behind Joe’s downfall. Ruthless and defiant, he is a man of few words but extreme brutality. He became the new boxing champion by defeating Joe through conspiracy, not true skill. His confidence comes not from real fighting ability, but from his status as the son of powerful capital. Driven by an intense need for control and a violent nature, he craves honor as a way to satisfy his deep narcissism. **Boxing Exp. a plus

Mia’s biological father—a compulsive gambler and a despicable man. To repay his debts, he sells his ex-wife Bella to Martin and even kidnaps his own daughter.

An average, nerdy kid not too high on the social ladder at school but wants more than anything to be accepted by the cool crowd. Has a knack for making people laugh. Not involved in any sports and spends most of his time playing video and board games with his two best friends.

The most popular girl at school. Genuinely sweet, mature and confident for her age. She’s looking for something different with her social group and in dating which is why she gives Will a shot. She needs to learn to stand up for herself more especially around her alpha male ex-boyfriend, Roman.

Will’s long time best friend. Dorky yet street smart. Has Will’s back but warns him that he’s a bit out of his league with Jessica.

The top alpha male at school. Had dated Jessica off and on in the past and still has feelings for her. Not ok with an upstart like Will on his turf and looks to knock him back down.