AMI (ACTOR 1) – Female. 20s. An awkward, 14-year-old over-sharer with ADHD who just wants to stay invisible. Lots of energy. This is her story until the story takes over. Until then, she’s a manic Zach Morris on the brink of a dark identity crisis. She doesn’t really identify with the Asian culture that is literally pumping through her veins. Loves her family, hates her family.
EXOTIC DEADLY (ACTOR 2) – Female. 20s to 30s. A timeless (yet youthful) rebel. Unpredictable. The embodiment of MSG. Like a chestnut, she’s prickly yet surprisingly sweet. But years of being misunderstood takes its toll. She used to be something else. Then something else and something else. What does authenticity even look like anymore?
ACTOR 3 – Male. 20s to 30s. He represents family: our ancestors, our brothers. The flawed, surprisingly sensitive sweetheart. His eyes are warm, even as he teases you. The first to laugh at the joke at his own expense, even when the other guy goes too far. He’ll be a great Dad one day. Specifically plays OJICHAN/JAPANESE SCIENTIST, KENJI, SEXY DOCTOR, BILL THE NEUROLOGIST and HUSBAND OF LADY WHO READ AN ARTICLE.
ACTOR 4 – Female. 30s to 40s. A bit of a chameleon with comedy chops, who plays a lot of maternal figures: The Mom who shows her love through her actions, not her words. The annoyed Aunties who work on their feet day in and day out for a brighter future (for someone else). The Midwestern teacher who really just wants you to do your golly-darned best! Specifically plays MOM, CHINESE RESTAURANT LADY, JAMHOLDER, VOICE 3, ASIAN WOMAN, KAZUKO and LADY WHO READ AN ARTICLE.
ACTOR 5 – Male or non-binary with comedy chops. 20s. The lovable, hunky buffoon. The well-intentioned, popular kid at school, who accidentally did a number on your self-esteem. We’re meeting him at his peak, and his peak looks great, especially in slo-mo. Keanu from Bill & Ted. Specifically plays VIDEO GAME VOICE, DR. LYLE, BEN, SCHOOL NURSE, VOICE 2, ASIAN MAN, BENKEI and 7-11 CLERK.
ACTOR 6 – Male or non-binary. 20s to 40s. Can smoothly move between buffoonery and some Iago-level Shakespearean monologue, all with an egg roll in his mouth. The other popular kid at school that also represents the dangers of the world. The funny, charming folks with maybe not so great intentions... Specifically plays GOOD MORNING SUBURBIA HOST, MATT, VOICE 1, MR. AJINOMOTO, PRODUCER, DR. STEELE and YELP REVIEWER.
All actors should identify as Asian/Asian-American. The specifics of “what kind of Asian” or “how much Asian” are not super important. The pressures of the model minority myth and the outlawing/disgust towards Asian foods by Western culture affects all people of Asian descent. You can also break up roles differently than listed, if desired.