The Brown Bag Canteen
by Alexander Lee Rekers
Commissioned by Jopuka Productuons and Red Tree Theatre
Winner of the 2022 Red Tree Theatre Youth Commission
Directed by Calem Madden
Assistant Director: Xander Rush
Producer and Deisgner: Joshua Maxwell
Dramaturg: Danielle Brame Whiting
June 2023 Red Tree Theatre
Award Funded by Elderslee Foundation,
As part of the Rocket Fuel Program funded by Bendigo Bank Wyong, Create NSW, and The NSW Department of Regional Youth
WHAT’S THE PLAY ABOUT?
A story of good friends, great secrets and outstanding food.
Food fanatic, Ren, steps off the bus at St. Lawrence Prep, the fanciest high school in six towns. She’s there with the rest of her peers after a mysterious fire destroyed their beloved - albeit kind of a hole - Woodrich College across town, and these poor students are not welcome. Life at SLP is tough. A decent lunch is a luxury, and the long bus ride to the new school means many are skipping breakfast as well. Fearing for her peers’ wellbeing, Ren hatches a brilliant plan: a secret, student-run organisation that serves cheap, delicious food. The Brown Bag Canteen is born. The Brown Bag Canteen is a fascinating glimpse at the inner workings and revivals of private and public schools, food poverty, and how being rebellious and hunger unites us!
DETAILS
Cast Age
High School Age.
Cast Size
Either a single, or double cast of 10 (20)
Venue
Rehearsals will be held between Red Tree Theatre and The Launch Pad
Performance will be held at Red Tree Theatre
Auditions - The Launch Pad Tuggerah
Sunday March 19th 10am - 1pm, Two 90m minute workshops, (Xtract Monday Students apply here)
Monday 20th 6pm - 7:30pm
Rehearsals
Saturday March 25th - June 3rd
Saturdays 1:30pm - 5pm
Some Wednesdays (Mid May - Performances) 6pm - 9pm
Production Week - June
Monday 5th - Thursday 8th
Shows - June
Friday 9th 7pm Preview
Saturday 10th 1pm Preview
Saturday 10th 7pm Gala Opening
Sunday 11th 1pm
Friday 16th 1pm - SCHOOLS PERFORMANCE
Friday 16th 7pm
Saturday 17th 1pm
Saturday 17th 7pm
Schools Performance
As part of Jopuka's accessbiltiy program, this show will have a schools performance which will require young people to take a day of school. Notes can be provided.
Audition Material
Material will be supplied on the audition day
Content Warning
Production contains some adult themes.
Show Fee
$60. Creative kids accept via emailing kel@jopuka.org.au and scholarships available by emailing support@jopuka.org.au
Production Clashes
This production rehearses at the same time as Frozen Jr. It may also interact with rehearsals for Little Meramid Jr, and performances of The Sound Of Music we strongly encourge you check your schedules to ensure you are able to commit the time required for this performance.
Characters
Woodrich College Students:
REN keeps her hair up and her sleeves rolled: ready to work with nothing slowing her down. She's a natural leader with a generous spirit, and lives to cook and feed her friends.
JOE has good posture and a contagious smile. He's ready to rally his friends in times of need. Change is hard for Joe, and sometimes his emotions get the best of him. Luckily, he has support and understanding from his younger sister Ren.
YASMIN is a movie star in training who adds glamour to any outfit (or uniform) she wears. She is bubbly, enthusiastic and her best friend Ren's Number One Fan. (Note: Yasmin should be able to sing.)
FREDDIE keeps his uniform neat—it's the best way to avoid unwanted attention. He has spent most of his school years alone until he came across his current friend group. Now it seems as though he's finally finding his voice.
EVAN keeps his tie loose and his shirt untucked: not because he's messy, but because he's desperate to stand out and be noticed. Ever the optimist, Evan likes to make friends and chase new experiences. Especially at SLP, where he's desperate to be accepted.
PERLA has a terrifying stillness to her that chills any room she walks into. She's intimidating, aggressive and an expert at putting up walls to keep people out. Is there more to her than that? Absolutely! But Perla's yet to meet anyone who's cared enough to find out.
St. Lawrence Preparatory Academy Students:
HAMISH wears his pristine St. Lawrence Prep uniform with pride, knowing the doors it can open and the respect it can bring. He's charming, intelligent and the most privileged human being ever to walk the earth.
GREG is big. “Rugby” big. He's not exactly the social type, but he's got time to spare for his mate Hamish. Greg is sarcastic, a little bit rude—but that comes from boredom more than anything deep from within.
EMMA heads up the SLP Student Council. It's a lot of responsibility and this shows on her face and in her mannerisms: always a bit stressed, always a bit annoyed. Emma cares a lot about her school and her friends. But sometimes she wishes she could take a break from being “Emma.”
AMANDA has more merit badges than anyone in existence; each of them are polished to perfection. As a student with social change in mind, she's a kind and patient member of her peer group. She hopes the Woodrich kids can find some comfort at St. Lawrence Preparatory Academy.
NIAMH's uniform stands out from the other SLP students: it's a little worn, ill-fitting. Niamh is a scholarship student at SLP who is allowed to attend because her father is on staff. It's a situation (and a privilege) she's very uncomfortable with, and a fact that keeps her slightly distant from her peers.
LUCAS is the theatre star of his school, and carries himself everywhere with a rare kind of confidence and maturity for somebody his age. He's never met a person that didn't like him, and does all he can to make connections with others.
All roles are open to anyone, and character names and pronouns may be adjusted to suit the casting.
Commitment to Diversity;
Jopuka is committed to presenting the true diversity of Australia in our artistic vision so that all youth and young people can see themselves represented in our programming. Jopuka also commits to actively working towards better engagement of youth and young people from First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities, to ensure the future of our sector represents the true make-up of our community. Further information about Jopuka’s commitments and governing princpals can be found in our mission statement on our website
QUESTIONS? Email Joshua josh@jopuka.org.au