THE VOLUNTEERS
In this America, a civilian militia - the self proclaimed "Volunteers" - have started tracking any person who is not white, straight and cisgender through a barcoding system. Desperate to escape the escalating violence and oppression, a group of friends try to escape over the border into Canada.
In the not-too-distant future... the one we’re all afraid of...
THE VOLUNTEERS, a rapidly expanding white supremacist hate group, self-polices and terrorizes local communities across the United States. What starts as a glorified neighborhood watch group sanctioned by the increasingly conservative government quickly roils into an unregulated but nevertheless organized civilian militia. Their purpose? To track, control, oppress and drive out anyone who is not white, straight, and Christian. Those not aligned with the dogma of The Volunteers are fleeing the American nightmare. Stationed near the border of Canada, Sarah and her husband, Jarret, activists and conductors for the new Underground Railroad, anxiously await the signal that it is safe to shuttle their friends Zahabiya, a Muslim woman who lost her family in a mosque bombing, and David, her husband, over the border. With The Volunteers growing stronger and more violent every day, this time Sarah and Jarret will be escaping, too.
But it’s been months now, and still no signal has come through. Sarah worries that The Underground has been compromised. When an unplanned rescue mission goes awry, the group goes from hiding in plain sight to wanted targets by The Volunteers. Sarah puts the cabin on lockdown, but with supplies dwindling and The Volunteers closing in on their hideaway, the group knows they need a new plan now.
What’s better? Wait for safe crossing coordinates and risk being found by The Volunteers? Or flee and risk running straight into one of their checkpoints? With each passing hour, the group grows more on-edge as each of them are forced to confront their true identities in this do-or-die moment. Would you run? Would you hide? Self-sacrifice or sacrifice others? There’s just one person who may actually be able to help - he’s the Volunteer the group has chained to the wall in the basement.
Zahabiya
She is a proud Muslim, but hasn’t always been - she works hard to hold on to her culture and faith, which is tied into her sense of self. She wants to prove that good people still exist, that the Volunteers can be walked back from the darkness.
David
Hiding behind a facade of normalcy, David keeps the people he loves the most from knowing who he really is. He is scared of looking weak or being judged for being less than straight. Vulnerability is his kryptonite.
Sarah
She is fiercely protective of her family and friends and is driven by a need to save people, to fix things. Sarah is never relaxed, always on guard - and she hides her pain well, refusing to ask for help or give up the reigns to her sense of control.
Arjay
Unabashedly authentic, he is strong-willed with a very big heart - often falling in love easily, and having his heart broken unexpectedly. Arjay has worked hard to find unconditional acceptance for himself and his identity as a gay man.
Jarret
Gruff, a bit guarded - Jarret is the straight man misplaced in a world run by Volunteers. He doesn’t like feeling stagnant and always wants forward momentum - especially to move on from the death of his son.
Gabe
An army veteran, Gabe returned from serving overseas in Afghanistan to find reintegration into civilian life extremely difficult. Hungry for comradery and purpose, Gabe joined The Volunteers to feel like he was part of something bigger than himself, make friends, and protect his town.
Creative Team
Jess Weiss
Brandon Roots
Sarah Wharton
Jarret Kerr
