MAGGIE MICKNOLEY (21), is beautiful, intelligent, stubborn and loves animals. So much so, that she’s studying to be a veterinarian. From a young age she had always felt drawn more to animals than people, so when she decided what she wanted to study it came as no shock to her parents though it’s not wrong to say they were a little disappointed. Her father, a wealthy man of the south intended perhaps for her to be a lawyer, or what he would call “a real doctor.” Alas, like mentioned…she’s a stubborn, sure-headed woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. When we meet her, it’s the first time she’s ever been to a circus.

 

ASHLEY WATLING (21), is strong coffee and grease. Born and raised in the dazzling world of the circus by circumstance, the only life he’s ever known, is an odd one. Ashley began working properly with animals around the age of six -- training them, teaching them, nursing them when they were sick – he barely left the menagerie for any reason and on most days it’s where one would look to find him still. A string of meaningless courtships, and drunken carnival nights leading to regret hardened him to the possibilities of true love and when we meet him, he’s rarely dated at all. Though, Watling men are inherently charming and it follows him like sweet cologne wherever he goes. Lüa is his chosen brother and best friend. They grew up together from infancy and know only too well the sorrows of heartbreak and struggle. That may be true, but you won't see him spend too long feeling sorry for himself. A great man of pride, he keeps his chin up, if he can.

 

CLARK HARTFORTHAM (26), is the man Maggie is supposed to be with. The one both their parents have been struggling, in futility, for years to arrange.  Clark is Southern, Smart, Sophistical and a total asshole where it counts even for all his heroic war medals he keeps on show at all times. It’s hard not to relate to him, he’s half the population who doesn’t understand us artists of the world and sadly you can’t blame him, it isn’t his fault he was born a rube with no talent.

 

JERRI (22), is older than Maggie and it shows in both manor of walking and mind. She’s wise beyond her years, and a step well ahead of everyone. She brings our girl to the circus grounds and for that perhaps is the instigator for our entire story. When possible she helps and when she can’t she’s there for support anyhow. Jerri is all our collective best friends.

 

EAMON WATLING (50’s), is Cotton-Candied Scotch on the Rocks. He’s absolutely swoon-worthy in every way and it only makes us love him more that he’s a widower and wonderful father. Sometimes his priorities conflict between family and business as to be expect when one runs a family business. The show sometimes comes first, but Ashley doesn’t mind most of the time and is accustomed to a “show-must-go-on” mentality. Eamon is the father we all wish we had…loving, supportive, proud and completely free. A role model to any young kid, looking for direction in life. In his humanity he makes some tragic mistakes and we’re able to see that even kings drop their crowns once in a while.

 

DARIOUS CARTWIN (50’s), is the Owner, Operator, Circuteer and Ringmaster of a seedy circus called UNDERLAND. His biggest attraction is a SHANTY-MAZE called FREAKTOPIA that is filled with oddities, horrors and whores. He is the underworld orchestrator of the carnival universe and he is not to be trifled with. From a young age, like Eamon and Ashley, he grew up in carnivals. However, his experience was drastically opposite to The Watling's, filled with abuse and neglect. If there is a good side of a coin and a bad side…he is the bad. A freak accident left him with a limp arm so in a twisted personal vendetta against the world, he compensates by being as brazen, bold, and evil as humanly possible.

 

OLMA (70’s), is patient, understanding and loyal. She wears her many hard years on her face like a beauty mark or badge of honor. Her eyes are deep and full of stories…or memories rather. She is Southern, as most of the cast, and speaks with a sort of sophistication that only comes from growing up with money. When we meet her, it doesn’t seem that she’s maintained that lifestyle. She wears simple clothes for purpose rather than fashion. Kiddo is important to her for so many reasons that we as an audience gain gradual understanding of. Olma is our voice.

 

KIDDO (10 going on 11), is P.R.E.C.O.C.I.O.U.S. with a capital P. She’s too young to have gone through so much tragedy, and she too, like Olma, wears it so it’ll show. Olma is important to her too, but at her age, their relationship is just beginning. When we meet her, it’s clear we’re witnessing that and by the end of our journey, it’s as if hours were years. They form a true bond, and we grow to love them and their relationship with one another.

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MOOHBIE a.k.a. "MOOH", is a mischievous cheeky little monkey...a chimpanzee, actually to be specific. She's the first person our Maggie meets at the circus and gives our first insight into how Maggie interacts with animals. Mooh is our friend, our younger sibling: the one we take care of and adore. It's arguable that she may have the strongest personality of them all, but truly she's wise beyond her years and just too aware of it. Mooh is a symbol, a great symbol of the power of kindness, love and ultimately the ability for one to remember who they are even when all hope seems lost.