[MARIA] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities female. Maria, the center of the story, is a strong, secure, smart, sweet, high school senior whose life is tragically ended by a senseless act of violence. She’s preparing to go to Medical School after she graduates. Her ending monologue brings audiences to tears, as we feel the pain she imagines her friends/family to have gone through upon hearing of her demise. Audiences must connect with her charisma and energy in a short time in order for the show to succeed.

[CRAIG] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities male. Maria’s boyfriend; He’s charismatic, smart, funny, loving, and has a great personality that lends to the belief that Craig and Maria really can be together forever, despite their young age. He plans to attend law school after high school.

[HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR (MRS. KOMINSKY)] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities female. Holocaust survivor who first, through present-day monologue, details her interactions with Nazis, and the painful experience of seeing her young children ripped from their beds by soldiers. We then flash back to see part of her experience in action, as she begs, pleads, and attempts to negotiate with a Commandant, the release of her three daughters. Heavy emotion, ability to cry on cue, required.

[HUMAN CONSCIENCE] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities female. The optimistic voice of reason and truth, the Conscience serves as narrator. The Conscience seeks to find the hope and progress of our society, even when history is hard to defend. Strong stage presence; loud, solid voice.

[ANTI-CONSCIENCE] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities male or female. A narrator type character that connects various horrific historical events to each other; his cup is always half empty, and while his words make one initially think he couldn’t actually be correct about the direction of society as a whole, he backs them with facts and convincing arguments. His commanding stage presence, strong loud voice, and level of confidence allows him to convincingly represent all that is evil in the world; and he enjoys it.

[RON] 14 to 21 years old, all ethnicities male. Ron is approached by a trio of random strangers, hell bent on clearing their neighborhood of anyone who’s lifestyle they disagree with; despite a lacking of any actual knowledge of Ron or his sexual preference (in fact, his orientation is never disclosed) he is attacked and beaten. His 4th-wall-breaking, powerful monologue brings nothing but compassion from audiences.

[NAZI SOLDIER] 16 to 21 years old, all ethnicities male. This stone-cold, unfeeling, loud soldier feels nothing for his victim, in fact taking great joy in the power he holds over Mrs. Kominsky. Genuinely convinced that he’s simply carrying out his tasks, as ordered, the Nazi ranges from quiet, creepy, angry and arrogant, as he argues and justifies his actions with the Human Conscience.

[KKK MEMBER] 15 to 21 years old, all ethnicities male. This hate-filled, fired-up member of the KKK, is convinced that the quality of life will vastly improve once there is just one race. The character wears a white sheet, hood, and gloves, and will intentionally be played by a race that the actual character would despise.

[SPARKY] 12 to 16 years old, all ethnicities male or female. Maria’s good friend, she works in a convenience store and is the last to see Maria before her death. Very few lines, but the dialogue leaves a lasting impression about society treats one another; priority goes to those we know and care about, over anyone else.