An Impatience of Birders
The Eastern Whipporwills of Paugusset State Park are in danger, but the Lars Van Houtts Birdwatching Society, the second oldest in New England, have risen to the challenge of protecting these fragile creatures. That is, until president Mac Welburne–author of the NY Times Bestselling Flight of the Kingfishers–thinks he may have seen a bird previously believed to be extinct. When Welburne’s change in plans throws everything in disarray, plots emerge, lines are drawn, and, mutinies are a-wing. But unbeknownst to the members of the society, a secret war begins to brew beneath the cover of the forest foliage, one that may threaten the society forever. An Impatience of Birders is a two-act comedy about honor, loyalty, and the follies of power set amidst the most sinister members of humanity–bird watchers.
Cast
MAC WELBURNE 60s, male, Black, President of the Lars van Houtts (pronounced HOOTS) Birdwatching Society. Bestselling author of Flight of the Kingfishers. It was a New York Times bestseller and nominee for the Templeton Prize for Non-Fiction. MAC is a former high school English teacher. SONIA Mid-50s, female, Latinx, Secretary of the Society. MAC’s right-hand woman and sometime caretaker. JIMMY WRAY Mid 20s, male, Black, eager amateur birder and a true MAC WELBURNE disciple. KYLIE CHO Mid 20s, female, Asian, ambitious young science journalist; gives no fucks about birds. JIMMY’s friend from undergrad. CLINTON Late 50s, male, race unspecified, SONIA’s chauffeur who is also her husband. LYDIA DURHAMMER Early 50s, female, White, VP of the Society and a real outdoorswoman. She could make a lean-to with sticks that would blow your mind. MILO HAMMOND Late 40s, male, race unspecified, Treasurer of the Society, doing his best to impress LYDIA, often failing. GEORGE PLOUGH 30s – 40s, male, White, Connecticut State Planning and Environmental Department Secretary and MAC WELBURNE Superfan. RANGER (GENNIFER) MARCH 30s, female, race unspecified, Park Ranger at the Paugussett State Park and Nature Preserve. Ex-military. She’d like you to know that. THEO Mid 20s, male, White, Assistant Park Ranger at the Park and Nature Preserve. Loves beautiful things; not great with thinking. Also: SONG SPARROW MARSH WREN WOOD THRUSH EASTERN WHIPPOORWILL PILEATED WOODPECKER RING NECKED PHEASANT BLUE HERON TURKEY VULTURE RED TAILED HAWK GREAT HORNED OWL
Authors
Ian August