DNA Character Analysis

Leah

At first glance, the verbose Leah is ditzy, easily distracted, and self-obsessed. During her many afternoons sitting in a field with her silent boyfriend Phil, Leah muses aloud about big questions (such as the… read analysis of Leah

Phil

Phil is, in many ways, the play’s main antagonist. An intensely quiet and inscrutable presence for the first part of the play, Phil soon emerges as a kind of mastermind once the group of teens… read analysis of Phil

A Boy/Adam

A teenage boy who dresses like a tramp and lives in a hedge in the woods, this character is listed as “A Boy” in the characters section at the beginning of the play, yet all… read analysis of A Boy/Adam

Brian

Brian is a sensitive, emotional teenage boy who crumbles under the pressure of lying to the police in the wake of Adam’s “death.” Brian wants to come clean to the authorities as soon as… read analysis of Brian

John Tate

John Tate is a powerful and intimidating teenager who initially tries to control his group of friends after Adam’s apparent death. Though John Tate is, at the start of the play, ostensibly the leader… read analysis of John Tate

Cathy

Cathy is a self-centered girl who is nonetheless desperate to please the other members of the group and prove her worth, going so far as to secure incriminating DNA from an innocent man which ties… read analysis of Cathy

Jan

Jan is Mark’s close friend and constant companion. Mark and Jan’s vague, gossipy conversations act as preludes during each part of the play, opening the action in a disorienting and intriguing way. Jan and… read analysis of Jan

Danny

Danny is a strait-laced worrywart who fears that his involvement in his friends’ actions will derail his future. Danny plans on becoming a dentist and has a very clear plan for his schooling, work experience… read analysis of Danny

Richard

Richard is a member of the group of teens at the center of the play who, in spite of appearing intimidating and even potentially violent at the beginning of the play, becomes calmer and more… read analysis of Richard

Lou

Lou is a pessimistic girl who constantly believes that she and her friends are right on the precipice of being caught and exposed for their role in Adam’s supposed death. Lou’s main function seems… read analysis of Lou

Minor Characters

Mark

Mark is a nervous, gossip-hungry teen whose constant companion is Jan. Mark, like Jan, enjoys creating and discussing drama and conflict—but he doesn’t want to accept his role in sowing discord and division within the group when faced with the fallout of their collective actions.

DNA

Dennis Kelly

DNA Characters