When The Sun Rises Again
Project Overview
“When the Sun Rises Again” is a heartfelt LGBTQ+ coming-of-age audio drama that follows Sam, a quiet teen girl wrestling with her identity and the fear of rejection, and Harley, her bold, protective classmate who becomes something much more. The story begins with Sam coming out to her conservative parents over breakfast — an act of courage met with painful silence. Meanwhile, across town, Harley begins her day unaware that fate is about to tie her life to Sam’s in ways neither of them could have imagined.
As the two girls meet at school and spark an unexpected connection, their relationship blossoms through flirty moments, late-night conversations, and the warmth of a found family. However, not all love stories are met with open arms. When Sam’s mom discovers the truth and reacts with harsh rejection, Sam is forced to find safety elsewhere — and Harley’s family opens their doors, and their hearts.
Through sleepovers, mall dates, English class confessions, and painful confrontations, the drama explores themes of identity, self-worth, rejection, chosen family, healing, and love in its most sincere form. Guided by a thoughtful narrator and anchored by moments of humor and deep emotion, Sam and Harley grow from scared teenagers to strong, loving adults.
By the end, the girls are no longer just surviving — they’re thriving. From high school to heartfelt proposals, from first kisses to backyard barbecues with their future children, this is a story of resilience, queer joy, and the simple, radical power of being seen and loved as your true self.
When you are logged in, you can comment, add submissions, create projects, upvote, search open roles, and way more. Login here.
Age: 17 (26 in epilogue)
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Lesbian
Appearance: Brown eyes, wavy dark hair, often wears soft-colored hoodies, jeans, and Converse; quiet but expressive eyes.
Personality: Sensitive, introspective, deeply empathetic. She struggles with expressing herself verbally but finds strength in emotional vulnerability. Sam begins the story feeling like she doesn't belong, but grows into someone confident in who she is and fiercely loyal.
Strengths: Artistic, emotionally intelligent, observant.
Weaknesses: Fear of confrontation, internalized shame, people-pleasing tendencies.
Arc: From isolated and closeted to fully embracing her identity and love with Harley, eventually becoming a wife and mother in the epilogue.
- english
- female young adult
- all american accents
SAM: Do you ever… say something about yourself and then wish you could take it back? Not because it’s wrong… but because you know people won’t get it?
SAM (crying): She… she slammed the door in my face. Like I’m nothing…
SAM (smiling slightly): Do you think… this thing between us… could last?
Age: 17 (26 in epilogue)
Pronouns: She/They
Sexuality: Queer (unlabeled, sapphic)
Appearance: Black shoulder-length hair, often in messy waves; hazel eyes; signature ripped jeans and long-sleeve shirts; has an effortlessly cool “soft punk” aesthetic.
Personality: Bold, sarcastic, protective. Harley is confident in her queerness and deeply supportive of her chosen family. She often leads with humor but feels things very deeply.
Strengths: Leadership, loyalty, sense of justice.
Weaknesses: Represses emotions, can be impulsive when people she loves are hurt.
Arc: A steady rock for Sam, Harley also learns to be more emotionally open and discovers what long-term, committed love looks like.
- female young adult
- all american accents
HARLEY (teasing): I figured I'd bless everyone with my presence on time today. You’re welcome.
HARLEY: You’re everything. And you don’t need someone who only loves the version of you that they made up.
HARLEY: You’re beautiful, you know that?
The narrator is more than just an expositional voice—they're a sentimental observer, someone who cares deeply about the characters, especially Sam and Harley. They're warm, present, and intimate with the listener. They don’t intrude on the story, but guide it with a gentle hand, often reflecting the emotional weight or inner world of the characters, especially when dialogue can’t capture it alone.
They feel like a quiet journal entry come to life, offering perspective, memory, and hope.
- english
- warm
- male adult
- all american accents
- female adult
- calming
NARRATOR: Ripped jeans. Long sleeves. Her signature look. She heads out with her phone in hand.
NARRATOR: Weeks pass. Bond turns to comfort. Comfort turns to heat. And one night, on a Ferris wheel high above the city—
NARRATOR: One year has passed. Sam lives with Harley. Their days are full. Their hearts are even fuller. But their fears? Still quietly growing.
Age: 17
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Pansexual
Appearance: Korean-American; short pixie cut, tons of glitter, layered necklaces, and bold eyeliner. Fashion-forward.
Personality: Loud, hilarious, confident, and zero-filter. She’s the hype girl and emotional compass of the group. Alyssa is the kind of friend who will embarrass you publicly but comfort you privately.
Strengths: Fearless, affirming, great sense of humor.
Weaknesses: Uses humor to hide her own vulnerability.
Arc: Eventually comes out and realizes she may have feelings for Jen, which she wrestles with internally.
- english
- all american accents
- korean
- female young adult
ALYSSA (sassy): Speak for yourself, clown.
ALYSSA (eagerly): Have you ever had a crush on someone… in this room?
ALYSSA: If you two don’t make it official soon, I swear I’m filing the gay paperwork for you.
Age: 17
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexuality: Bisexual
Appearance: Latino; tall, athletic build; wears sports hoodies and cargo pants; goofy charm.
Personality: Flirtatious, playful, a little clueless but has a huge heart. Initially plays the "class clown," but is secretly dealing with the weight of hiding his sexuality from a judgmental older brother.
Strengths: Protective, generous, lightens tense moments.
Weaknesses: Avoidant of serious conversations, jokes to deflect.
Arc: Grows into a more self-aware version of himself, learning that it's okay to be vulnerable, and finds safety in his friend group.
- english
- male young adult
- latino
- mexican
- all american accents
CARLOS (laughing): Alright, alright. Damn. Go get your girl, Romeo.
CARLOS (annoyingly): What the hell teach!
CARLOS: Okay, but I swear on my Mama’s tamales if it’s me, I’ll pass out from shock.
Age: 17
Pronouns: She/They
Sexuality: Demisexual
Appearance: Korean-American; long black hair in a ponytail, thick glasses, plaid shirts and denim jackets. Often has a camera or sketchbook.
Personality: Observant, quietly witty, emotionally intelligent. She’s the glue in the group—more reserved but deeply loyal. She’s the one people go to when they need someone to just listen.
Strengths: Empathy, artistic eye, gentle guidance.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t speak up about their own feelings enough.
Arc: Eventually explores romantic feelings for Alyssa, leading to a deeper identity awakening.
- english
- female young adult
- all american accents
- korean
JEN: You say that like drama hasn’t already been living in this group chat for weeks.
JEN: Literally. You’re embarrassing all of us single people.
JEN: Woooo! Kiss already!
Age: 30s
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexuality: Gay
Appearance: Stylish teacher fits—slim-cut shirts, cardigans, colorful socks; wears glasses; gentle smile.
Personality: Thoughtful, encouraging, the kind of teacher who makes students feel safe. An openly gay teacher who provides support that many queer students lack.
Strengths: Mentorship, compassion, creativity.
Weaknesses: Carries quiet pain from his own coming-out journey.
Arc: Becomes a subtle but vital anchor for Sam as she learns to express herself, offering her books and advice that change her life.
- english
- all american accents
- male adult
MR. RHODES: Fair enough. Quick question to get us rolling: “What do you think it means to find your own voice when the world’s been trying to shut it down?”
MR. RHODES: HEY LANGUAGE!
MR. RHODES: Then they’re missing out on knowing the real you. But you’ll find people who will. Trust me, kiddo — found family can be louder than blood.
Age: Early 40s
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Straight (Ally)
Appearance: Wavy dark-blonde hair, kind face, wears flannel pajama sets and smells like coffee. Warm-toned glasses.
Personality: Fiercely loving, funny, the kind of mom who says "baby" and means it.
Strengths: Emotional warmth, radical acceptance, protector energy.
Weaknesses: Sometimes forgets how intense the world can be outside her home bubble.
Arc: Becomes a second mom to Sam, representing chosen family and what parental love should look like.
- english
- female adult
- all american accents
HARLEY’S MOM: Of course. You’re safe here, sweetheart. For as long as you need.
HARLEY’S MOM: Sam. You’re not taking anything. You’re adding something. Warmth. Kindness. You’ve made Harley so happy.
HARLEY’S MOM (smiles warmly): You’ve already lasted through heartbreak and rejection. That’s more than most grownups I know. I think you’re both the real deal.
Age: Late 30s
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Straight
Appearance: Cold, well-kept, often wears sharp lipstick and pressed blouses.
Personality: Distant, emotionally repressed, more concerned with appearances than connection.
Strengths: Controlled, intelligent, ambitious.
Weaknesses: Refuses to accept Sam’s queerness at first, causing emotional damage.
Arc: Possible redemption or softening years later, but largely represents rejection and the pain of losing unconditional love.
- english
- all american accents
- female adult
SAM’S MOM: Well… last night you said you had something to tell us. So I thought — breakfast, family, soft landing. How does that sound?
SAM’S MOM (tight): We’ll talk about this later, okay honey?
SAM’S MOM (furious): WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT MY HOUSE?! YOU DON’T BELONG HERE ANYMORE. LEAVE. I NEVER WANNA SEE YOU AGAIN!!
Age: 40s
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexuality: Straight
Appearance: Quiet, button-downs, sports fan.
Personality: Avoidant, passive, means well but lacks a backbone.
Strengths: Calm demeanor.
Weaknesses: Fear of conflict, unwilling to stand up for his daughter.
Arc: Stays in the background emotionally; he doesn’t reject Sam but also doesn’t defend her.
SAM’S DAD: You think I care what people say? I care that our daughter is choosing a life that’s going to make things harder. Riskier.
SAM’S DAD (low, shaken): Yeah. I heard her. (Sighs deeply) I was hoping it was a phase. That she’d grow out of it.
SAM’S DAD (quietly): God help us…
Comments
Public Submissions
