Felix is the former artistic director of a prestigious Shakespearean festival. Following the sudden deaths of his wife and young daughter, his profound grief causes his theatrical productions to become increasingly erratic. Fired from his position and replaced by his colleague, he adopts a pseudonym, moves into a rural shack, and eventually takes a job teaching literature at a nearby correctional institution.

Miranda is Felix's daughter, who passed away from meningitis at three years old. Unable to process her death, Felix maintains her presence in his daily life by imagining her growing up alongside him in his rural isolation. She shares her name with the character from Shakespeare's *The Tempest*.

Tony is a pragmatic and ambitious former colleague of Felix at the Shakespearean festival. When Felix's grief begins to interfere with the theater's operations, Tony orchestrates his removal and takes over his position as artistic director. He uses this success as a stepping stone to launch a prominent political career.

8Handz is an inmate at the Fletcher County Correctional Institution who participates in Felix's literature program. With a background in hacking and special effects, he is cast as the spirit Ariel in the class's adaptation of *The Tempest* and assists Felix with the technical elements of the production.

Anne-Marie is a former gymnast, dancer, and actress who was originally cast in Felix's canceled production twelve years prior. Felix hires her to act alongside the inmates, bringing a tough, capable energy to the role of Miranda.

Estelle is a supervisor for the "Literacy Through Literature" program at the correctional institute. She hires Felix despite recognizing him from his public downfall and serves as the primary liaison between his class and the visiting politicians.

Sal O'Nally is a prominent justice minister assessing the value of the prison's educational programs. He holds strict, punitive views on incarceration and intends to cut funding for the literacy initiative entirely.

Freddie is the son of Justice Minister Sal O'Nally. He possesses a personal interest in theater and directing, contrasting sharply with his father's rigid political stance when he joins the tour of the correctional facility.

Lonnie is a board member and the chair of the Shakespeare festival. He participates in the decision to remove Felix from his position but personally returns Felix's script notes and costume on his way out of the building.

Sebert is an emerging politician and a close associate of Tony. He travels with the other ministers to evaluate the prison's literacy program.

WonderBoy is an inmate in Felix's Shakespeare class who wins the role of Ferdinand. During rehearsals, he develops an obvious crush on the visiting actress Anne-Marie.

SnakeEye is an inmate who takes on the antagonistic role of Antonio in the prison's production. He brings creative energy to the class, frequently proposing staging ideas and choreographing dance routines.

Leggs is a prisoner cast as Caliban. He connects deeply with his character's marginalized status and writes original rap lyrics that reappropriate the insults hurled at Caliban in the original play.

Bent Pencil is an inmate in the literature program who is cast as the loyal councilor Gonzalo. He offers thoughtful interpretations of his character's powerlessness and fundamental goodness.

TimEEz is a student in the prison's Shakespeare program who takes on critical backstage and security-related tasks during the class's interactive performance.

Red Coyote is a participant in Felix's theater class. He assists with the physical production of the play, taking on secondary roles to enhance the chaotic atmosphere of the performance.

Natalie is Felix's deceased wife. She died from a staph infection shortly after giving birth, marking the first of two massive personal tragedies that alter the course of Felix's life.