SHOW SYNOPSIS
From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz...
The Hello Girls tells the true story of America's first women soldiers; bilingual telephone operators who served on the front lines of WWI. These brave women helped turn the tide of the war, then returned home to fight for recognition and equality, paving the way for future generations.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
NOTE: French spoken language proficiency and dance experience (think Rockettes style) a plus for all named female roles. We are seeking a diverse cast in terms of race, gender identity, body size & age.
Grace Banker: Female, 25-30, Soprano/Mix
Posed and articulate, with a core of steely strength that makes itself apparent as she grows into her role as leader of the telephone operator squadron. From Passaic, New Jersey. Graduated from Barnard in 1915 and worked at AT&T as a telephone operator and supervisor before joining the army.
NOTE: Must be able to sing while doing 20 push-ups.
Suzanne "The Wildcat" Prevot: Female, 24-30, Mezzo/Folk belt
From New York City. Feisty, sardonic, tough talking. A close friend of Grace's from AT&T who holds her accountable to her ideals and advocates for change.
Louise Le Breton: Female, 18-22, Soprano.
Born in France, from San Francisco. Fearless, flirty, headstrong and often insubordinate; she lies about her age to join the army.
Helen Hill: Female, 20-28, Mezzo.
From outside Boise, Idaho. A small-town farm girl from a family of 17 children with a mother who speaks French. Sweet, over-enthusiastic, wholesomely kooky and prone to nervous panic.
Bertha Hunt: Female, 35-45, Alto.
From San Francisco. Married to a Navy doctor who is also serving abroad. Older, wiser, reliable - the Den Mother. Extremely knowledgable about military matters.
Captain Joseph W. Riser: Male, 30-35, Baritone
The Signal Corps commanding officer who recruits and trains the women, and journeys with them to the front. A career army man, a stickler for rules and order, he is skeptical of the women's presence in the army, even as his own success relies on theirs. He develops a close working relationship with Grace.
Lieutenant Ernest Wessen & Others: Male, 20s-30s, Tenor
Head of the American recruiting center for the Signal Corps. Doubles various other servicemen.
Private Eugene Matterson & Others: Male, 20s-30s, Tenor
An enlisted man for the Signal Corps, who works closely with Lt. Riser. Doubles various other servicemen.
Private Robert Dempsey & Others: Male, 20s-30s, Baritone
A Signal Corps operator at the central Paris Telephone Exchange. Doubles various other servicemen and character roles.
General John Pershing & Others: Male, 50s, Baritone
Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces. Hard, relentless, inflexible, with a deep sense of honor and American individualism and identity - but also cares deeply about the troops serving under his command.
Ensemble/Featured Dancer: All genders, all ages.
We plan to cast a small number of people to support harmonies and play various roles, including: servicemen, telephone operators, french citizens, and other character roles. Some ensemble members may also be cast as featured dancers.