Trent Conway
Trent Conway went to the same high school as the Kittredge kids. While studying at MIT, he met Paul in Boston, and the two had a brief three-month relationship. Trent shared detailed stories with Paul about the affluent families he knew in New York.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth relocated to New York from Utah with her boyfriend Rick, both aspiring actors. They encounter Paul in the park and are convinced by his tale of being Flan's estranged son. When Paul requests money, Elizabeth declines but later discovers Rick's betrayal. After Rick's suicide, Elizabeth accuses Paul of theft, believing he has robbed her of everything.

FlanSee Flanders Kittredge.

Geoffrey
Geoffrey is a liberal billionaire from South Africa who is acquainted with the Kittredges. He is present at their home when Paul arrives and is captivated by Paul's supposed connection to Sidney Poitier. Enjoying the evening immensely, Geoffrey decides to give Flan the funds for the painting.

Flanders Kittredge
Flan Kittredge is a charming, middle-aged art dealer specializing in the discreet trade of high-value artwork. Initially driven by a genuine love for art, Flan's passion has waned by the time the play begins, replaced by a focus on the substantial profits art can yield. He is aware that many of his clients purchase art for its social status rather than its beauty. Like his wife, Flan is intrigued by Paul, but unlike her, he distances himself after learning the truth. Despite acknowledging Paul's role in securing two million dollars from Geoffrey, he still labels Paul as a "crook" and wants minimal involvement with him.

Louisa Kittredge
Louisa Kittredge, often called Ouisa, is a wealthy, attractive, middle-aged woman living with her husband in an upscale Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan. At the play's start, Ouisa is depicted through her superficial qualities: she's an excellent hostess, a quick conversationalist, and a captivating storyteller. However, she is the character most profoundly impacted by her encounter with Paul, leading to her personal growth and spiritual awakening.

Ouisa articulates the play's title, explaining that there are "Six degrees of separation between us and everybody else on this planet." This concept enables her to see the possibility of a genuine connection with Paul, despite their vastly different backgrounds. Although she ultimately abandons him to the impersonal bureaucracy of the police, her encounter with Paul sparks an internal transformation and a fresh perspective on the world. She shifts from valuing anecdotal experiences to seeking true experiences, indicating her desire to form deeper relationships with others. Ouisa realizes that, while her life has been filled with interesting events, it lacks inherent meaning.

Talbot Kittredge
Tess is the Kittredges' rebellious daughter. She tracks down Trent Conway and discovers his relationship with Paul.

OuisaSee Louisa Kittredge.

Paul Poitier-KittredgeSee Paul Poitier.

Paul Poitier
Very little is known about Paul's true identity. He claims to be the son of Sidney Poitier and a Harvard classmate of the Kittredges' children. In reality, he learned about the Kittredge children and their social circle through a young man who had attended high school with them. Paul used this young man to learn how to navigate upper-class society and gather enough details to convincingly integrate himself into the Kittredges' world.

Although Paul is not actually an actor's son, he is a talented actor himself. He easily deceives the Kittredges with his fabricated identity, and his charm plays a pivotal role in Geoffrey's decision to invest in the Cezanne painting. His articulate and intelligent conversation conceals his true background.

Paul is equally skilled at ingratiating himself with Rick and Elizabeth, a young couple who have...