Riley

Riley is the 11-year-old girl whose mind the emotions live in. She has just moved from Minnesota to San Francisco and is struggling with the change. She is a hockey player, a good kid, and someone every young person in the audience will see themselves in.

Personality for Dance

Riley moves like a real kid. Not a performer, not a character, just a person. She runs, she plays, she slumps when sad, she jumps when happy. Her movement should feel completely natural compared to the stylised emotions. When she is happy, she is energetic and athletic. When she is shutting down, her body language closes off. The final moment where she breaks down crying and lets her parents in should feel achingly real.

The Outfit

Top

A casual hoodie or zip-up jacket over a simple t-shirt. Rainbow stripe details or a star motif connect to the colour world of the emotions. Keep it looking like something a real kid would wear.

Bottom

Jeans or casual joggers. For hockey scenes, add shin pads and a hockey jersey over the top.

Accessories

A backpack for school scenes. A hockey stick for the hockey scenes. A box of moving supplies for the San Francisco transition.

Shoes

Sneakers or trainers. Regular kid shoes. Nothing theatrical.

Hair

Brown hair in a casual ponytail or down. Nothing styled or fancy. She should look like any kid in the audience.

Special Details

The hockey gear is important for establishing who Riley was before the move. Even simplified versions like a jersey and stick help the audience understand what she is losing. For the breakdown scene, consider removing layers so she looks smaller and more vulnerable.

Movement Tips

Keep it natural. Riley is not performing, she is living. Her movement should feel unrehearsed even though it is not.
Hockey movement vocabulary for the happy scenes. Skating strides, stick handling, goal celebrations.
As the emotions lose control, Riley's movement should become more disconnected. Not quite her own, slightly robotic.
The final breakdown needs to be the most honest moment in the show. No technique, just raw feeling.

Age Recommendations

Best for ages 10-14. Riley should be played by someone close to the character's age. The role needs a dancer who can be completely natural on stage, which is harder than it sounds. Strong contemporary training helps with the emotional sections.