The Characters
While Joanie Callahan is the focus of God's Glass, there are six other characters with important supporting roles. It is our hope that we can hire exceptional character actors for all these roles.
Joanie Callahan
Joanie is a tragically misunderstood woman who grew up seeing the world as washed out and emotionless and gray. When she discovers her masochistic tendencies, the world lights up with emotion and color. When she meets a boxer named Michael who grows stronger and happier every time he's hit in the ring, she feels like her life has finally changed. Convinced that he's just like her, Joanie vows to win Michael's heart.
Michael Nolder
Michael is a dim-witted boxer who does as he's told. He comes from a large and very religious family. From a young age he had a talent: He enjoys fighting, he enjoys getting hit. But his father instructs him only to use this talent in the boxing arena; never outside of it; and never tell anyone you enjoy being hit. When Joanie first shows interest in Michael, he is confused and doesn't understand what she wants from him. Eventually, the two grow close, but it takes a long time for Michael to admit that he truly enjoys being hit; he had been repressing his urges. The price of this admission, for him, is huge. He loses the closeness with his large family as a result of his relationship with Joanie. He is also forced to leave his church, but he finds happiness with Joanie, and she with him.
Joseph Callahan
Joseph, Joanie's father, is deeply religious but also abusive, backwards, and steadfast in his ways. He has seen his daughter's type of peculiarity before, and thinks it could be the work of the devil. It frightens him. He begins pushing his daughter away as soon as she shows her true colors. When Joseph is elected rector of his church, he sees his daughter as an embarrassment. He doesn't want her in the family anymore.
Regina Callahan
Regina, Joanie's mother, is a caring and nurturing woman. She is very religious, and secretly has masochistic desires of her own. Years ago, she chose to repress her masochistic tendencies, because she thought it was the only way to live a happy life with a family. Regina tries to push her daughter towards repressing herself as well, but when Joanie refuses, Regina is forced to make an excruciating choice to leave her daughter behind.
Charlie
Charlie is Joanie's younger brother. He is "normal," as far as his parents are concerned. They try to shelter him from Joanie's weird ways, and after she leaves for the mental hospital, they make sure Charlie never contacts her again. He grows up afraid of his sister.
Martessa
Martessa is a young woman who Joanie meets in the psychiatric institute where "unwanted" women are sent. Martessa serves as Joanie's guide for surviving life as a "weirdo."
Dr. Lerner
Dr. Lerner is Joanie's psychiatrist. He means well, but he also believes that severe treatments like electroshock therapy can cure "disturbed" women of everything from lesbianism to masochistic desires.