The Art of Acting (Animated Sitcom)
Aubrey Lima for Penelope Allster
PENELOPE ALLSTER, 15, Sophomore.
Penelope is a scholar. The valedictorian of the Sophomore class, learning is her favorite activity, which can make her come off as anal-retentive. She is exceptionally personable and charming, despite the fact that she has zero patience for stupid people, and she can become standoffish or sarcastic when someone says something dumb, but in her mind, it's always meant to be helpful. She loves her friends and would do anything for them, but unlike Spencer, she wouldn't do something like that for a stranger. At her best, she is charming, scholarly, and driven. At her worst, she is competitive, anal-retentive, and set-in-her-ways.
Penelope's arc in Season 1 is about overcoming religious trauma. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (more simply put, she's a Mormon), and she realizes she has a crush on Ava. Not wanting to have a crush on a girl, she tries to keep it down the entire season, until gradually, she leaves the church and gives into her feelings. Her and Ava get together at the end of Season 1.
FOR YOUR AUDITION: ONLY READ THE LINES THAT ARE SAID BY THE CORRESPONDING CHARACTER
LIAM: I'm about to make everything right in the world, kiddo. I wanted you to be here to witness it.
PENELOPE: Liam, I don't think I could care less about this situation if I tried. But I will try, just to prove how much I don't care. (A pause. Then:) Nope. Can't do it.
(Penelope is incredibly smug here. Liam's plan failed, and she was right about it.)
PENELOPE: You know what? I changed my mind. I'm glad you called me here.
LIAM: Shut up.
PENELOPE: How does it feel to do good for once, Mr. Hero?
LIAM: I don't know. How does it feel to eat shit, shit eater?
PENELOPE: Feels great.
PICK ONE (OR BOTH, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO):
Improvise something you think this character would say!
OR
Sing something! (These are Theatre kids after all, and will be performing a musical. Let's hear what you've got!)
