2081

An exceptionally strong, intelligent, and handsome young man who rejects the regime's claim that equality requires handicapping talent. He defies the system by removing his handicaps and addressing the audience with a bombshell-like address. He then chooses a dancer to join him, and they share a brief, unimpeded moment of grace before the regime intervenes. His actions spotlight the brutality of enforced equality and the fragility of its supposed harmony.

Hazel is perfectly average and capable of only short bursts of thought, wearing no handicaps. She represents the default, content with mediocrity and largely oblivious to the deeper political machinations around her. Her character embodies the regime’s ideal of a predictable, unremarkable citizen who never questions the status quo.

A man weighed down by handicaps—earpiece for his intelligence and weights for his strength—who struggles to recall the raid on Harrison. He is gentle, overwhelmed by the devices, and provides a sympathetic link to the dangers of a world where memory and individuality are suppressed. His heartbreak while watching the televised rebellion underscores the human cost of the regime.

The Narrator guides the audience through the dystopia, offering context and commentary on the world of 2081. Her presence frames events and helps viewers understand the contrast between official rhetoric and lived experience. She serves as a steady, observed voice in a world many citizens cannot escape.

Diana Moon Glampers is the Handicapper General, the ultimate enforcer of the regime’s policies. She orchestrates the crackdown on Harrison’s rebellion and embodies the reach of the state’s coercive power. Her actions demonstrate that the regime will go to extreme lengths to maintain the illusion of equality.

A high-ranking Handicapper General operative who enforces the regime’s rules on the ground. He represents the bureaucratic machinery behind the dystopian system, ensuring that dissent remains suppressed and public order is maintained.

A television news anchor who reads the report about the escaped Harrison Bergeron, his stutter adding a layer of dramatic irony to the broadcast. He helps connect the events of the stage to the wider public narrative.

A TV anchor who delivers the news about Harrison’s rebellion, contributing to the sensationalized portrayal of events that the regime uses to justify its control.

A dancer in the televised ballet, heavily weighed down to ensure her performance aligns with the regime’s equilibrium. Her grace is constrained by handicaps, making her an emblem of beauty managed by state power.

The lead dancer who shares the stage with the Prima Ballerina, also subjected to handicaps that curb her natural talent. She embodies the tension between artistic expression and state-imposed mediocrity.