AUDITIONS: MEN ON BOATS

AUDITION NOTICE:

TITLE: MEN ON BOATS

PRODUCERS: Produced by JD Theatricals (James Huffman, Producer) in collaboration with the Long Beach Playhouse

AUTHOR: Jaclyn Backhaus

DIRECTOR: Meredith Miranda

RUN:  April 26th– May 25th, 2024

Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events.

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

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Monday, March 4th & Tuesday March 5th, 2024 

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

Callbacks:

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, 7pm – 10pm, by invitation only.

REHEARSALS:

First Read-Through: Saturday, March 9th, Noon – 4pm.

Regular Rehearsal: Starts Monday, March 11th and continues to Thursday April 25th, 2024. 7pm – 10:30pm. 

*Possible Saturday or Sunday offsite rehearsals TBD throughout these dates in Long Beach, CA.*

(Please see Beginning Rehearsal Schedule BELOW for Specific Dates and Times.)

Location: Long Beach Playhouse

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS & PREPARATION:

The characters in MEN ON BOATS were historically cisgender white males. The cast should be made up entirely of people who are not. Seeking racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid, and/or non-gender-conforming.

Bring headshot and resume. Please prepare a 1-minute monologue of a male character you wouldn’t ordinarily play, or have always wished to play. Dress comfortably for movement and give ample time to warm up physically and vocally. *Please prepare to interact, improvise and play. 

**This play contains strong language, drinking, and dreaming.

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. MEN ON BOATS is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when one-armed captain John Wesley Powell and his crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. An ensemble-led journey manifesting destiny through thrilling adventure, discovery, fueled by unapologetic daring, (un)wavering nerve and the deep rooted hope of being remembered. 

MEN ON BOATS is a rollicking comedy that turns the American myth of man-ifest destiny on its edge and challenges conventional notions about who gets to make history.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

*Note on casting: The characters in MEN ON BOATS were historically cisgender white males. The cast should be made up entirely of people who are not. Seeking racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid, and/or non-gender-conforming.

JOHN WESLEY POWELL (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) one-armed leader of the expedition.

WILLIAM DUNN (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) hunter and trapper.

JOHN COLTON SUMNER (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) former soldier, current explorer.

OLD SHADY (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet.

BRADLEY (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) lieutenant, manic with youth.

O.G. HOWLAND (18-99, Ethnicity: Indigenous or BIPOC) printer and hunter. (Doubles as TSAUWIAT, a Ute chief.)

SENECA HOWLAND (18-99, Ethnicity: Indigenous or BIPOC) O.G:s quiet little brother. (Doubles as THE BISHOP, Tsauwiat’s wife.)

FRANK GOODMAN (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) British, so excited. (Doubles as MR. ASA, a desert settler.)

HALL (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) mapmaker, old soul.

HAWKINS (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) the cook.

This true ensemble piece calls for agile, spirited, imaginative comedic/dramatic actors who will work as a whole to shape this adventure. There are no small parts. Seeking a diverse ensemble of actors with physical theatre, commedia dell’arte, dance, and movement experience. 

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: