Uptown, Chicago, newbie Ralph doesn’t quite know what to expect during his first volunteer shift at Uptown City Gardens. It’s certainly not the vibrant, bustling community that passes through the green space, checking on their plants, composting their food scraps, meeting up with friends, and—surprisingly often—falling in love. After a few hours, Ralph begins to understand seasoned volunteer Donald’s claim that the garden is magic. In a series of heartfelt and humorous vignettes, Community Garden digs into the ways taking care of the environment helps people take care of each other.
Community Garden
Cast:
Cast of Characters
RALPH, male, new volunteer to Uptown City Gardens. He sits on a
stool reading a book in the background when not involved with
a scene, but he never leaves the stage after entering (until the
final moments of the play).
ISABELLA GIOVANNA (BELLA), female, the daughter of the owners
of the pizzeria (GiGi’s) that backs up to the garden. Sweet girl
who is trying to figure out how the rest of her life will look.
DONALD, male, older than the rest and a staple of the community.
Has been a volunteer at Uptown City Gardens for years. A wise
man who cares a lot about the growth within the community.
All of his “mean jabs” are done with love.
KELLY, female, boss of the garden (Garden Service Coordinator).
Confident woman who cares a lot about keeping the commu-
nity as green as possible. Holds Uptown to the highest standard;
wants to be alderman of Uptown one day.
CASEY, any gender, recently dumped by their partner and strug-
gling to find that next step in their life. Has spent the last two
months desperately trying to make something grow in the
garden, started on leeks a few days ago.
ANDI, any gender, Casey’s ex, has their stuff a little more together
but still cares for Casey, obviously. Trying to help their ex
figure out how to move on easier.
TRACE, any gender, has a whimsical and childlike wonder when
they look at the world. Thinks life should feel like a storybook
from time to time and hopes to find a book from their child-
hood in the Take A Book, Leave a Book, like they did when
they were a kid.
DAVEY, any gender, Trace’s roommate. Some might call them a
pessimist; they would call themself a realist. Doesn’t under-
stand Trace’s outlook and life and obsession with checking
the Take a Book, Leave a Book.
ADAM, male, dating Ken and April’s daughter Sadie. Incredibly
nervous to ask what Ken and April think of a possible engage-
ment, constantly trying to impress them.
KEN, male, father of Sadie, husband to April. A little skeptical of
Adam, but just cares a lot for his daughter and wants someone
who cares for her as much as he does.
APRIL, female, mother of Sadie, wife to Ken. More caring toward
Adam.
SADIE, female, daughter of Ken and April, dating Adam. Non-
speaking role, but appears onstage during the proposal.
AUGUST, male, a guy who grew up here and loves the community.
Very excitable and finds joy in the little things. Treats being the
shed steward of Uptown City Gardens like being a superhero.
DAPHNE, female, going on her third date with August. At first is
disappointed, but slowly sees how much joy he has for his community and his people, which gets her excited about the future.
KAPE, any gender, a college poetry student that is struggling to find
growth in themself while in college and isn’t seeing a large
difference between who they were in high school compared to
now. Kinda pissed at the world.
MR. PUTNAM, male, offstage, Kape’s poetry professor. Skeptical of
Kape’s unorthodox performance but willing to take the ride.
TAYLOR, any gender, long-term partner of Jordan. Has recently
realized that they can do very little to help the earth, especially
when living in a city, so has decided to do everything, they can
to shrink their carbon footprint . . . even if that means bringing
a bunch of gross, rotting food to a community garden.
JORDAN, any gender, long-term partner of Taylor. Not as invigorated
to save the planet so is very unwilling to carry smelly bags of
rotting fruit around the neighborhood.