Dad's House - A CBW Original Series
Project Overview
Every family has its secrets, not every family is close. Welcome to Dad's House. The Brooks siblings have been estranged for many years, but must all return to their childhood home to plan their abusive father's funeral. Along the way they will be confronted with their lingering traumas and have to decide whether to move forward or keep being weighed down by the past.
I have had this performed on stage, feel free to take a look: https://youtu.be/naSjctPqVLk
Dad's House is going to go into production later in 2023, but I thought I would go ahead and get stuff started for casting for now.
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The oldest sibling. A snarky narcissist by nature. Only is that the real James?
- english
- male adult
Oh yeah, I could tell you about the time he got lost in the woods at night when we were camping or how he soiled himself when he thought something grabbed him…it was just a tree root. But you should have seen the terror on his face! (fake horrified scream) Dad was pissed.
Don’t take everything so seriously! I know this whole thing is a crapshoot, so let’s just try to make the most of it, alright?
Get off of me! (composes himself) The service hasn’t even started yet. We all just got here. (to AIDEN) But he does raise a valid point, Aiden. I’m assuming you have a caterer coming?
The second oldest. A hardass, but also very closed off to others
You will be expected to play your younger self in flashbacks
- english
- female adult
Oh good, we’re arriving around the same time… Perfect
The funny part is that he thinks someone will show up that isn’t old and intolerable like Dad. I don’t think Dad knew a lot of younger people.
ell, I guess I’ll continue setting up even though James was the one suggesting you not do all of this on your own.
The neurotic artist in the family. Never feeling what he does is good enough.
- english
- male adult
Roughly six or seven years. I wasn’t terribly close with my father after graduating. You can imagine my surprise when I got your call about my father leaving the house to me in his will. And you’re certain the funeral has to happen...here?
Come on, where is everyone?! (groans) I know I was running a bit late, but it’s already two and the wake is supposed to happen at four.
Of course, nothing was ever great…was it Dad? (pause) Probably why you just decided to hide this in the garage…
The screw-up of the family. Perpetually unmotivated to succeed.
- english
- male adult
Dudes! What’d I miss? Have we gotten to the food part yet?
(with unearned confidence) Not yet. But who knows, maybe something might happen depending on who Dad invited.
Look, I’m real sorry to bother you with this right now, but do you think I could get a little money? I’m just a little low right now and I don’t know how I’m getting back after this.
The princess character. The family favorite and perpetually blind to her privilege.
You will be expected to play your younger self in flashbacks
- english
- female adult
Oh my gosh! Guys! Hi! I’ve missed you all so much! I can’t believe I made it in time what with the storm on its way!
You remember what mom always said, “Just because it’s a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t look your best.”
Philip! (clears throat) There will be plenty more time to get to know each other later, why don’t you go help Aiden’s wife in the garage.
Aiden's doting and loving wife. A kind soul who tries to help everyone.
- english
- female adult
I feel like I am. You hardly ever spoke of your father or your mother. I don’t even know that much about your siblings. The most I know is that you aren’t close.
Let’s see…the last text I have from the funeral director says he would be ready soon. He says the priest officiating the wake is a family friend and volunteered to bring him on his way here.
Well, when I was in the garage, the first box I found had your name on it. It was full of all sorts of stuff from when you were a kid and I just couldn’t help myself… No! Honey, this is a good thing! Because just behind that box, I found this! It’s one of your old paintings from when you were a kid.
Melanie's frustrated doormat of a husband. Kind, but being pushed to his limit
- english
- male adult
(grunting) Hey babe, I know you’re having a reunion, but could you please tell me where to put these?
B-babe. Would you mind helping me out a bit? I’m starting to feel a little—
(under his breath) Oh good…I was worried you were doing something useless.
James' estranged wife. A woman resolved in her decision to finalize their divorce
- english
- female adult
Hello James…my condolences. I’ve been trying to reach you for two weeks, but you won’t answer my calls and seem to be gone whenever I go to the house. (uninterested) It doesn’t matter. I’m here because I’m tired of waiting…
He thought he was so clever trying to avoid me, but I guess he didn’t realize that he should clean up the mess of papers he’s received in the mail from the kitchen table.
There you are! This is ridiculous, you hiding from me. You are a grown man and it’s not right nor is it fair to keep treating someone this way. Especially someone you claim to want to spend your life with! This is exactly why I left you, you have no sense of intimacy and no desire to change!
The siblings' abusive and overbearing father. Cunning and shrewd. But also very calculating
- english
- male adult
What do you have there, son? Something you painted? Well let’s have a look. (he begins to study it) This is quite good son. (sigh) But it’s not perfect… Don’t get me wrong, I think you’ve got a real talent here, m’boy! (chuckles) I think you could make a career at this if you worked at it.
Don’t interrupt… Now if Melanie is hurting, then doesn’t that make it your job to make sure that doesn’t happen again? It means you still have a chance to ensure this Lucas boy doesn’t trouble her ever again. You’re her older sister. Figure it out. Just be sure, whatever you do, it works. Understand?
Don’t you ever talk to me like that again, you ungrateful little bastard! How dare you speak so flippantly about something you know nothing about! You want to talk about wrong? You know nothing about what’s wrong or right…you’re just an ignorant child.
The drunk absentee mother. She may have been there physically but she was always lost in a stupor
- english
- female adult
All I’m saying, Henry, is if she was really that bothered by this, then she should have done more to prevent it from spinning out of control. But clearly, she didn’t mind the attention that much—
You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Well, you’re just a kid. Give it time, you’ll make mistakes too…
I don’t know anything about that. (pulls out pills) What I do know is that a little suffering may build character (holds out hand with a few pills) but it’s nice to have a little something to keep you floating through it.
Erin's childhood best friend. Very supportive.
The kind barista who formed a friendship with Henry at the end of his life
The lawyer who opens the house at the beginning
- english
- female teen
LISA - Uh oh… I know that face. How bad was it? You poor thing. (unconvinced) Uh huh… Just lean on me for now. I’m here.
ELLA - (sympathetic) I take it reconnecting with your oldest didn’t go so well. (upbeat) Well, hey! You did your part and tried to reach out, if he doesn’t want to hear you out then that’s his mistake. Why don’t I go get you a refill on your usual, Mr. B? (gently prodding) We also got some of those danishes you like. They just came in last night. Why don’t I grab you a couple of them on the house?
ATTORNEY - I understand the hesitance sir, but per your father’s wishes, he wanted for his service to happen here where he lived out his days. You are more than free to sell it if that’s what you desire, but the service does have to happen first.
The Kind family priest who has brough Henry on his way
- english
- male senior
My mother was always fond of the old adage “many hands make less work.” Besides, I never mind helping, I’m just sorry that there weren’t many others who attended the service. Especially, given all the trouble you went to with the preparations.
That’s alright Aiden. It’s hardly a well-kept secret that your father wasn’t always the best man he could be. But all we can ever be in life is human, nothing more, nothing less.
No, not at all. But it isn’t our place to render judgment. The Bible preaches forgiveness as we are judged in the eyes of our Lord.
The younger versions of James and Aiden from flashbacks
- english
- female teen
- male teen
AIDEN - Dad! (pause) What about that one? Could we at least, I don’t know…hang that one in the house?
JAMES - I don’t care about any of that! This feels wrong! I never even wanted to come out here and now that poor animal is—!
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