Major Character Breakdowns for
Inherit the Wind
Sen. William Harrison Brady
Senator Brady is an older man in his late 50's or early 60's.
Known as a gifted orator and brilliant politician, Brady has achieved a
comfortable station in life. Portly in stature, Brady enjoys being in the
spot light. He is a man who enjoys hearing his own voice booming out to
an audience of devoted followers. Despite losing two bids for President
of the United States, the senator from Nebraska remains extremely popular
among the common Christian people of rural America. As a self proclaimed
expert on the bible, he comes to Hillsboro to help defend the common man
from "Evil-ution" and those who teach it.
Henry Drummond
Henry Drummond is also an older gentleman in his late 50's.
Perhaps, the most talented lawyer of his generation, Drummond has successfully
defended some of the most notorious criminals in America. Outside of a
courtroom, he is quiet and reserved. But inside a courtroom, he has a charm
that makes it hard to disagree with what he says. He is passionate about
the law and views it as a search for the truth. He is an idealist at heart,
but has a realists view of the law. He comes to Hillsboro to not only defend
a simple school teacher, but defend the rights of an individual to think
and reason for himself or herself.
E. K. Hornbeck
Hornbeck's age is really indeterminate, although he does
display the cynicism of a man who has experienced quite a lot in life.
He considers himself to be a columnist and not a reporter. This affords
him the right to be quite opinionated. A wise-cracking city-man, Hornbeck
enjoys poking fun at the simple life of Hillsboro as well as their backward
view of evolution. Although extremely intelligent at times, he tends to
be quick with a judgment, believing he knows the "Real" truth. In the show,
he serves as both the comic relief as well as a representative of what
has become refered to as "the intellectual elite".
Bertram Cates, Defendant
Bert Cates is a young man in his mid to late 20's. Bert is
quiet and reserved man. Despite his conflicts with Rev. Brown's view of
religion, he broke the law not because of a desire to ridicule or subvert
religion. He did it because he felt that it was unjust to withhold new
ideas from people simply because they may be in conflict with religion.
However, he does not like making people upset, so his decision to fight
for what he believes in is made more difficult by Rachel and all of the
hoopla surrounding his case.
Rachel Brown
Rachel Brown is a young woman in her mid 20's. Rachel is
a kind and gentle person who tries to avoid controversy. She would rather
give in than fight. Her relationship with her father, Rev. Brown, is so
intertwined with her religious beliefs, that she views any deviation from
her beliefs to be at odds with her father. These problems make it difficult
for her to support Bert, despite her obvious love for him. Through the
course of the play, Rachel must confront her problems and discover that
her love for Bert is the most important thing to her.
The Judge
The Judge is in his late 40's or early 50's. The Judge is
a personable individual who enjoys the power he holds inside the courtroom.
He is the voice of reason and probably the most impartial individual in
Hillsboro. He acts based on what the law says and not his own personal
opinion. All through the play, the Judge acts like the ring master over
this circus of events.
Minor Character Breakdowns for
Inherit the Wind
Reverend Jeremiah Brown
Reverend Brown is a man in his mid 50's. Rev. Brown is a
real preacher type. He takes the word of God as truth and views all deviations
from that to be blasphemy. He gives a real "Fire and Brimstone" sermon
during the play.
Tom Davenport, District Attorney
Tom Davenport is a man (or woman) in his late 20's or early
30's. Although a firm believer in the law, he is biased toward the religious
viewpoint of the case. He serves as Brady's right hand man during the trial.
Mrs. Sarah Brady
Sarah Brady is Sen. Brady's wife. She is also in her late
50's and completely devoted to her husband. She keeps constant watch over
his health and spirits.
Mr. Meeker, The Bailiff
Bailiff Meeker is a man in his 50's. He been the bailiff
for many years and has seen lots of different people. Meeker is kind and
non-judgmental. He likes Bert and helps makes his stay in the jail pleasant.
The Mayor of Hillsboro
The mayor is a man in his late 40's. He epitomizes the small
town mayor. He is filled with self importance because of his position and
is always concerned about how his actions will be viewed by the townsfolk.
Howard Blair, Student in Bert's class
Howard is probably 13 or 14 year old. He is a very sincere
young man who does not quite understand what Bert did wrong. He is a witness
for the prosecution, but does not help either cause.
Harry Y. Esterbrook, Radio Man
Harry Y. Esterbrook is a man (or woman) in his early 20's.
Harry appears near the end of the trial to broadcast the result of the
trial to the rest of the country. He is a very energetic and enthusiastic
person.
Elijah
Elijah is a man in his late 30's. He is a hermit type that
wanders the town passing out bibles and providing his own brand of religion.
He is vigorously against Bert and makes several outbursts during the trial.
Mrs. Krebs
Woman in her late 40's or early 50's. Either a widow or old-maid
type who is also quite religious. She owns the town's boarding house. Before
and during the trial, she is very outspoken against Bert and also has a
tendancy to interrupt the trial.
Mr. Goodfellow
Mr. Goodfellow is probably in his 30's. He runs the general
store next to the courthouse. Although being against Bert initially, Mr.
Goodfellow is not terribly excited by the trial. He is more concerned about
his business.
Bit Character Breakdowns for
Inherit the Wind
News Reporters
Speaking Roles
Reuters Reporter: English Person from Reuters News
service.
Photographer: Person who takes pictures several times.
Non Speaking Roles
2 or 3 other Reporters and Photographers
Jurors
Speaking Roles
Mr. Bannister: Local man selected to be on jury.
George Sillers: Handy man who is selected for the jury.
Hot Dog Man: Tries to sell Hornbeck a hot dog when he arrives.
Mr. Bollinger: Trumpet Player who plays when Brady arrives.
Mr. Cooper: Local man on jury.
Non-Speaking Roles
Hurdy Gurdy Man: Brings on a monkey with organ
grinder.
6 other Jurors (could be men or women)
Local Townsfolk
Speaking Roles
Timmy: Young boy that sees Brady's train.
Melinda: Young girl who Howard torments. She gives two pennies to
monkey.
Mrs. Loomis: Melinda's mother.
Mrs. Blair: Howard's Mother.
Jesse Dunlap: Handy man who is rejected from the jury.
Mrs. McLain: Local woman who tries to sell a fan to Hornbeck.
Non-Speaking Roles
The 6 other jurors can be in the crowd scenes.
Witnesses
Non-Speaking Roles
Dr. Amos Keller: Head of Zoology Dept. at University
of Chicago
Dr. Allen Page: A church deacon and Prof. of geology and archeology.
Walter Aaronson: Philosopher, anthropologist and author.