Eddy thinks he’s a blank slate, unassuming even to himself, but he’s about to see who he really is here in Joyland. Photography has always been his passion and he wants to make a career of it, though he never quite realized how difficult that would be. He tries to hold to his convictions while working in Joyland, as this job will pay the bills, but it could also kill his dreams. He must decide if he will keep true to what gives him purpose or sacrifice it to thrive in this new corporate driven environment. He quickly finds himself intrigued by Harvey’s abrasive but thoughtful actions as he begins to vet him as a potential role model. Upon meeting Alice he can’t help himself from wanting to know more about her, and their conversations only make him want to talk more with her, even when they don’t always agree. He initially thought his boss Richard would serve as his role model, but after his first day with him, he questions what success here at Joyland will cost him.

Richard doesn’t do anything without getting something in return. In work and life, he has grown cold and calculated in order to gain the position he now holds as a co-manager of the photography department.  He harbors a long dormant crush for his co-manager, Susan, who manages the character photographers, and finds himself weak to her sweet demeanor. Once an artistic dreamer like many here in Joyland, no one knows exactly why his dreams died or even what they were, but he likes it that way. His ambition now drives him toward upper management, but first he must rid himself of the last vestige of his old life, Harvey.

Alice is a Spanglish speaking, white passing, young Mexican American woman who has had to learn to watch out for herself. Though the “Princess” here in Joyland, she dreams of one day becoming a lawyer so that she may find a way to bring her deported father back to the country. She can often be found hidden in her headphones, books, drawing pads or anything that will put a barrier between herself and others. Despite being slow to trust and stubborn at times, she is a good judge of character and values anyone who can change her mind. When push comes to shove, she knows how to get things done. Very few people have found their way through her defenses, but Charlie and Harvey are two of them. She adores them and values their friendship above all here in Joyland. Initially she didn’t really think much of Eddy, that is until he made her question her thoughts on one of her favorite characters. Alice has never really paid much mind to Richard as he hasn’t really affected her, until now as he started to annoy her and she feels she may need to do something about it. But for now, she waits.

Harvey has always followed his dreams, although he has never achieved them. His drive remains, just hidden within his work and under his relationships, responsibilities and vices. Often blinded to his bad eating habits, he only really tries to change them when pushed by his significant other, Charlie. Working in the park for the last decade, Harvey’s seen it crush the many dreams of those around him, including his childhood friend, Richard. Although once good friends, their lives took very different paths, leading to many years as ideological enemies here in Joyland. His experiences have caused him to hold disappointingly tight to his dreams and he won’t be truly happy with himself until he learns to appreciate life as it is now, working as a talented blue-collar actor. Always one to vet Richard’s new hires, Harvey realizes his foe has made a mistake with the new guy, Eddy, and decides to take him under his wing, in the hopes of giving him a chance of happiness at the park. Harvey sees Alice as the little sister he never had as he remains protective of her and invested in her emotional well-being. Harvey met Charlie years ago, before he discovered really himself, and through their friendship blossomed a relationship that has stood strong ever since.

Charlie’s always known who he is, an over-confident beauty of a man, but struggles with how he fits into the real world. He comes from a religious family who, aside from his older brother, all but disowned him. Initially in Joyland, he used his role of “Prince Charming” as conformity practice for his family reunions, but through the influence of his partner, Harvey, he has learned to love the art and craft of acting. Harvey was once his friend, then best friend, then his partner and now his everything, they have grown with each other over the years and it shows. Alice is unknowingly his ward, she sparks his motherly instincts and he remains diligently protective of her. Eddy gives him similar feelings, like another baby bird that needs looking after here in Joyland.

Mark is exactly who he thinks you want him to be… if your name is Richard. Mark found this job before he could really discover himself as a person and his survival instinct keeps him as Richard’s perfect “yes” man. Stuck in an arrested development, Mark works hard to avoid any real feeling of his own self, in fear of being found out as anything other than a loyal soldier here in Joyland. Deep down though, there is a someone with an original thought locked away in that head, a prisoner of their fears.