CASTING CALL CHARACTER LIST
LOVE WILL COST YOU EVERYTHING
Written by John Lockett
 

LEAD ROLES

MARCUS- Male - 30s–40s - Lead

A successful, driven man shaped by childhood wounds and a deep desire to love others the right way. Marcus experiences betrayal, heartbreak, and loss, yet refuses to let his heart harden. His journey is one of spiritual surrender, healing, and discovering that true love is rooted in God—not outcomes.

Traits:
Strong yet emotionally layered
Vulnerable beneath control
Spiritually conflicted → transformed

Actor Must:
Carry emotional weight across the entire play
Deliver powerful monologues and subtle internal moments
 

ELENA- Female - 30s–40s - Lead

Marcus’ love interest and emotional mirror. Intelligent, grounded, and self-aware, Elena desires real connection—not surface-level love. After feeling emotionally shut out, she makes the difficult decision to move on, representing both heartbreak and truth.

Traits:
Emotionally mature
Honest and direct
Strong but not hardened
 

Actor Must:
Handle emotionally intense dialogue
Balance strength with vulnerability
 

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SUPPORTING ROLES

MAMA RUTH-Female - 50s–70s - Supporting Lead

Marcus’ spiritual foundation and guiding voice. A woman of deep faith, wisdom, and calm authority. She teaches Marcus that love is not about fairness, but faithfulness, and challenges him to surrender rather than control.

Traits:
Spiritually grounded
Warm, nurturing, but firm
Speaks with calm authority

Actor Must:
Deliver lines with natural depth (not preachy)
Command presence through stillness

 

TROY- Male - 30s–40s - Supporting

Marcus’ friend and philosophical opposite. Confident, strategic, and success-driven, Troy believes love is a liability and control is the key to winning. He challenges Marcus’ worldview throughout the play.

Traits:
Charismatic
Persuasive
Emotionally detached

Actor Must:
Deliver sharp, confident dialogue
Represent a believable opposing mindset

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YOUNG MARCUS- Male - Age 8–10 - Supporting

The younger version of Marcus. Innocent, curious, and full of belief in love. He represents the pure heart Marcus is fighting to hold onto and later becomes a symbolic mirror in Marcus’ journey.
Traits:
Genuine
Curious
Emotionally open

Actor Must:

Be natural and believable
Show emotional sincerity without overacting

 

 

MARCUS’ FATHER- Male - 30s–50s - Supporting

Emotionally distant and absent. His departure creates the foundational wound in Marcus’ life, shaping his understanding of love, abandonment, and emotional independence.
Traits:
Detached
Quiet
Emotionally unavailable

Actor Must:
Make impact with limited stage time
Convey absence through presence

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ENSEMBLE ROLES
Male & Female - Various Ages
Actors will play multiple roles including:
Board Members
Business Associates
Community Members
Audience Participants (Act III setting)

Ensemble Must:
Be versatile
Shift energy between scenes
Support emotional tone of the play