Casting Call for "Do You Feel Anger?" Play

(Female-Presenting)(Lead)- A newly hired empathy coach tasked with teaching compassion to employees at a debt collection agency. She is optimistic and determined but faces an uphill battle in this chaotic environment -- it almost feels like she is teaching kindergarteners (or cavemen) who have no idea what feelings even are. As she grapples with the absurdity and hostility of her clients, she grows frustrated and disillusioned with her work.

(Female-Presenting)(Supporting)- A female employee who is constantly "mugged" in the office kitchen. She navigates the workplace with a mix of fear and forced cheerfulness, reflecting the oppressive dynamics she endures with her coworkers. Her bubbly attitude is a thin veneer for the trauma she is experiencing. Over the course of the play, she struggles between catering to the expectations of her toxic work environment and preserving her sense of self.

(Male-Presenting)(Supporting) The boss of the agency whose absent leadership perpetuates the dysfunction in the office. Jon thinks he’s a good guy who cares deeply for his employees, but in reality… he couldn’t care any less. He is very performative and “charming” on the surface, but underneath he is slimy and self-interested.

(Male-Presenting)(Supporting) A male employee who is aggressive and lacks self-awareness -- almost to the point of being child or caveman-like in certain moments. His behavior exemplifies hyper-masculinity and the toxic culture of the office. Jordan is his partner in crime who takes after Howie’s lead. Howie is initially resistant to accepting Sofia’s empathy coaching, but over time he crawls inch by inch toward “enlightenment.”

(Male-Presenting)(Supporting) Another male employee who fancies himself a poet, often using this self-perception to mask his lack of genuine empathy or understanding. His pretentiousness adds to the absurdity of the workplace. While he thinks he is smart, he is actually pretty dumb. Jordan is best buddies with Howie and usually follows his lead; like Howie, he struggles to understand what compassion means, let alone what an emotion actually is.

(Female-Presenting)(Featured) - Sophia's Mother: Though not physically present in the office, she leaves increasingly desperate voicemails for Sofia, expressing her own personal struggles. Sofia’s mother recently found out that her husband has been cheating on her and has a second family she never knew about. She therefore clings to Sofia for support, but Sofia largely ignores her. She loves deeply but is also very vulnerable.

(Featured)(Any Age) - A scorned 130-year-old senile man on a mission of vengeance. Eva’s ex-boyfriend. He represents the old-school masculine mentality that crying is a sign of weakness. As a result, he has let all of his emotions build up and now he is old, bitter, and ready to kill.