Blanche DuBois
Female-presenting, 30–40 years
A sensitive, delicate, moth-like member of the fading Southern aristocracy. She has just lost her teaching position in Laurel, Mississippi, because of her promiscuity and therefore left Mississippi to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski. She eventually reveals that she is completely destitute. Though she has strong sexual urges and has had many lovers, she puts on the airs of a woman who has never known indignity. She avoids reality, preferring to live in her own imagination. As the play progresses, Blanche’s instability grows along with her misfortune until Stanley has her committed to an asylum. Blanche is an outcast from society.
Stella Kowalski
Female-presenting, 25–30 years
Blanche’s younger sister of a mild disposition that visibly sets her apart from her more vulgar neighbors. She is married to Stanley, with whom she shares a robust sexual relationship, and is pregnant with their first child. Stella’s union with Stanley is both animal and spiritual, violent but renewing. Living in the French Quarter of New Orleans, she is happy in her marriage and her home; however, much to the consternation of Blanche, she has forgotten her genteel upbringing to enjoy a more common existence. Stella possesses the same timeworn aristocratic heritage as Blanche, but she left Mississippi for New Orleans in her late teens. After Blanche’s arrival, Stella is torn between her sister and her husband but eventually stands by Stanley. While she loves and pities Blanche, she cannot bring herself to believe Blanche’s accusations against him. Stella’s denial of reality at the play’s end shows she has more in common with her sister than she thinks.
Stanley Kowalski
Male-presenting, 30–40 years
The husband of Stella, Stanley is a working-class man whose main drive in life is sexual. A former master sergeant in the engineer corps, he faces everything and everybody with brutal realism. He is loyal to his friends, passionate toward his wife, and heartlessly cruel to Blanche. Of Polish ancestry, he represents the new, heterogeneous America. Seeing himself as a social leveler, he seeks to destroy Blanche’s social pretensions. Practicality is his forte, and he has no patience for Blanche’s distortions of the truth. By the play’s end, he is a disturbing degenerate who shows no remorse. Stanley is the proud family man.
Harold “Mitch” Mitchell
Male-presenting, 30–40 years
Stanley’s friend, coworker, and poker buddy who served in the war with him. Unmarried, he courts Blanche until he discovers she has lied about her past. Though clumsy, sweaty, and drawn to unrefined interests like muscle building, Mitch is more sensitive and gentlemanly than Stanley and his other friends, perhaps because he lives with his slowly dying mother. Blanche and Mitch are an unlikely match, as he does not fit the chivalric ideal she dreams will rescue her. Nevertheless, they bond over their lost loves, and when Blanche is taken away against her will, Mitch—along with Stella—is one of the few who despairs over the tragedy.
Eunice
Female-presenting, open age
Stella’s friend, upstairs neighbor, and landlady. Eunice and her husband, Steve, represent the low-class, carnal life Stella has chosen. Like Stella, Eunice accepts her husband’s affections despite his physical abuse. At the play’s end, when Stella hesitates to stay with Stanley at Blanche’s expense, Eunice insists she has no choice but to disbelieve Blanche. Eunice and Steve provide moments of light relief.
Steve
Male-presenting, open age
Stanley’s poker buddy who lives upstairs with his wife, Eunice. Like Stanley, Steve is a hot-blooded and brutish man, and an abusive husband. He adds light relief to the play. May double in other roles.
Pablo
Male-presenting, open age
One of Stanley’s poker buddies. May also be cast as the Young Collector.
Young Collector
Male-presenting, plays 14–16 years (actor must be at least 18 due to content)
A teenage newspaper collector who comes to the Kowalskis’ door when Blanche is home alone. He leaves bewildered after Blanche hits on him and gives him a passionate farewell kiss. May also be cast as Pablo.
Unnamed Woman
Female-presenting, open age
A friend of Eunice who finds Stanley’s openly sexual gestures toward Stella amusing. Appears throughout the play in street scenes. May also be cast as the Mexican Flower Seller and Nurse.
Mexican Flower Seller
Female-presenting, open age
A vendor calling out “Flores para los muertos” (“Flowers for the dead”). May also be cast as the Unnamed Woman and Nurse.
Nurse (Matron)
Female-presenting, open age
Accompanies the doctor to take Blanche to an institution. She is professional but uncaring. May also be cast as the Unnamed Woman and Mexican Flower Seller.
Doctor
Male-presenting, 50+ years
The doctor who arrives at the play’s finale to take Blanche to an asylum. He is kind and gentle toward her, embodying the chivalric Southern gentleman Blanche imagines will offer her salvation. May also be cast as an ensemble character.
Other
Additional ensemble and non-speaking roles may be cast as required.