Category: Stage Readings

BIPOC Play-Reading Series

February 5, 2023

Synopsis: 

Madalena is an indigenous Tocobaga woman from Florida. She is taken captive and enslaved by the Spanish empire to then become an intermediary and translator for the Spanish crown. Lost in history, save only for her mention in a friar’s journal, her story journeys from Florida through the Caribbean, across the Atlantic, and back again. A tale of mystery, faith, life, and death that gives an account erased from the colonial history of the Americas.

Cast Size: 9 characters – (5 females/4 males) parts can be expanded as desired. An ensemble can be added to play indigenous people and servants.

• MADALENA – Indigenous female from Florida of the Tocobaga people. Fourteen to 30 years old. Looks young yet timeless. The protagonist and narrator of the story. A slave, servant, and eventual translator for the Spanish crown. Relentless. (Originated* by Hannah Corlew)
• ULELE – Indigenous female from Florida of the Uzita people. Early 20s. She saves Juan Ortiz’s life. An idealist. Doubles as Bobadilla’s servant. (Originated* by Danielle Rodd/Gretchen Suárez-Peña)
• ISABEL DE BOBADILLA – Spanish female, mid-30s to early 40s. The aristocratic Spanish wife of Hernando de Soto. The first female governor of Cuba. A pragmatist. Doubles as a Tocobaga woman in Acts 1 and 2. (Originated* Alina Alcantara)
• ISA LA MORISCA – Female, 20s to 30s, a “white” slave from North Africa. Isabel de Bobadilla’s personal assistant and namesake. Kind. Doubles as a Tocobaga woman in Acts 1 and 2. (Originated* Dina Najjar/Marisol Robles)
• TOCOBAGA YOUNG WOMAN – Indigenous female, similar age to Madalena. Madalena’s friend. Doubles as Bobadilla’s servant. (Originated* by Jen Diaz/Laela Rodriguez)
• TOCOBAGA MAN – Indigenous male, 30s-50s, assumed leader of the Tocobaga. Doubles as CHIEF HIRRIHIGUA the leader of the Uzita. Doubles as Bobadilla’s servants. (Originated* by Tyler Anderson)
• JUAN ORTIZ – Spanish male, mid-20s to early 30s. A captive of the Uzita and Mocozo tribes in Florida. Saved by Ulele. Doubles as LAS CASAS, the Spanish colonist, priest, famed historian, and social reformer. Doubles as GREGORIO DE BETETA, a friar companion of Cáncer’s. Doubles as MAN 3.  (Originated* by Manuel Solis-Bauza/Lee Catalfomo)
• HERNANDO DE SOTO – Spanish male, late 30s to early 40s. The Spanish explorer and conquistador. Isabel de Bobadilla’s husband. Pretentious. Doubles as CANCER, first name Luís, a Spanish priest and missionary. Overenthusiastic. An idealist. Doubles as MAN 2. (Originated* by Cornelio Aguilera)
• LOBILLO – Spanish male, late 30s to early 40s. One of Hernando de Soto’s men. Doubles as ESTEBAN DE FUENTES, a laborer who accompanies Cáncer. Doubles as PRINCE FELIPE II, crown prince to the Spanish throne, and MAN 1.  (Originated* by Jullien Aponte)