AUDITIONS: ADA AND THE ENGINE

AUDITIONS: ADA AND THE ENGINE

Playing in the Long Beach Playhouse’s Studio Theater

By Lauren Gunderson

Directed by Kelsey Weinstein

AUDITION DATES:  April 14 – 16, 2025

• Monday, April 14 2025 – 7pm – 9pm: Open Call
• Tuesday,  April 15, 2025 – 7pm – 9pm: Open Call
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025 – 7pm – 10pm: Callbacks – By invitation only.

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of open call auditions.  We are only seeing in-person auditioners during audition times – no video submissions.)

PERFORMANCE DATES:  June 7 – July 5, 2025

AUDITION NOTICE:

TITLE: ADA AND THE ENGINE

AUTHOR: Lauren Gunderson

DIRECTOR: Kelsey Weinstein 

RUN: June 7- July 5, 2025

Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events. There will be a Special Thursday performance July 3rd, and no performance on July 4th. 

This is a volunteer community theater production.  Non-Equity.  There is no pay.

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call: 

Dates: Monday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 15, 2025

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions.)

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

Callbacks: By Invitation Only.

Date: April 16, 2025

Times: 7pm – 10pm

REHEARSALS:

First Read-Through: April 19, 2025, Noon – 4pm

Regular Rehearsal: Starting April 21, 2025, Mondays – Thursdays 7pm – 10pm, Saturdays 10am – 2pm. 

(Please see beginning rehearsal schedule BELOW for specific dates and times.)

Location: Long Beach Playhouse

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring headshot and resume. 

Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions. 

LINK TO OPEN CALL MONOLOGUE SIDES

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

As the British Industrial Revolution dawns, young Ada Byron Lovelace (daughter of the flamboyant and notorious Lord Byron) sees the boundless creative potential in the “analytic engines” of her friend and soulmate Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer. Ada envisions a whole new world where art and information converge- a world she might not live to see. A music-laced story of love, friendship, and the edgiest dreams of the future. Jane Austen meets Steve Jobs in this poignant pre-tech romance heralding the computer age. 

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

NOTE: All Ethnicities are encouraged to audition for any role. 

ADA BYRON LOVELACE (Female-Identifying, 18-35) Curious, funny, brilliant, aware of her brilliance, storied, aware of her story. Never met her famous father. Tries to be a “good girl” but just cannot help her curiosity and love of all things impossible. A woman of our time stuck in hers . (English accent required, ability to sing comfortably preferred.)

LADY ANABELLA BYRON (Female-Identifying, 35-55): Ada’s mother, harsh, strict, jealous? Yes. But, realistic. She has had a hard life largely due to Ada’s father. Projects his sins on her. Doubles As: MARY SOMERVILLE: Charles’ friend and colleague and Ada’s mentor. There are no women as successful and respected in science and math as her. Pragmatic, sharply friendly, someone who will tell you when you’re wrong.  (English accent required.)

CHARLES BABBAGE (Male-Identifying, 40-60) Ada’s soulmate, friend, mentor. Lauded genius of London. A holder of famous salons, an inventor, a mathematical scholar, a dreamer who just cannot seem to make his dreams into the metal they require to be real. Almost perfect for Ada. Almost. (English accent required)

LORD LOVELACE (Male-Identifying, 25-45): A gentleman who becomes Ada’s husband. He’d rather that he was more rich and more lordly, but he’ll manage with his lot. A proud man. A wanting man. A serious man. Is not madly in love with Ada, but she’ll do just fine. Doubles as: LORD BYRON: Ada’s father, a charming man, darkly funny, unpredictable, brooding but self-aware. A poet. (English accent required)

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

OPEN CALL MONOLOGUE SIDES: