FALL SHOW AUDITIONS

 

A Rock Sails By   by Sean Grennan, directed by Lisa Parker.
Audition dates: June 15 and 16, (Sunday and Monday), starting at 7PM.  Callbacks will be on June 17.

Performances: October 10, 11, 12*, 17, 18, 19*, 24, and 25, at 8 pm (*2 pm Matinee)

SYNOPSIS

Renowned astrophysicist Dr. Lynn Cummings believes in the power of facts, but her ability to believe what her own mind is telling her is threatened when she learns she has early onset dementia.  Her daughter Olive's visit coincides with the arrival of the first known interstellar object to visit our solar system, an event of paramount importance to Lynn.  The event is further complicated by an overzealous tabloid reporter, Jason, whose less-than-accurate reporting threatens Lynn's reputation and livelihood.  This often witty, always fascinating dramedy is based on real events.  Additional roles include Jason's click-hungry boss, Lynn's boss at the University, her doctor, and a mysterious character known as the Messenger.

CHARACTER LISTING

Dr. Lynn Cummings
A recently widowed astrophysicist and professor in her 50s or 60s who is intelligent, sardonic, and a believer in facts.  Highly recognized in her field.  (Nobel finalist.)  She is diagnosed with early onset dementia but only shows slight signs of it during the play.  Very intellectual, very logical, can be terse but loving.  Is sometimes sarcastic to make a point.  Strong sense of humor.

Olive Cummings
Dr. Cummings' daughter in her 20s or 30s who is smart, self-possessed, and caring.  She is a doctoral candidate in English literature.  She is an upbeat, positive person, much more in touch with emotions than her mother, although she and her mother are on the same humor wavelength.

Jason Harper
A tabloid reporter in his 30s with a good heart who is curious and eager to experience new things.  He’s young enough to be under the thumb of his editor, Taylor, but old enough to be a possible match for Olive.  Ethical, intelligent, searching, and a little annoying.

Players

The playwright indicates certain roles can be Any Gender or Nonbinary (AG/NB) and may be played by the same actor(s) at our discretion.

HALEY – AG/NB: Teaching assistant for Dr. Cummings.  Displays an attitude of superiority, or is it ambivalence?  Always verifying things on their phone.

TAYLOR – AG/NB: Jason’s superior at Grate Magazine, an online publication.  Aggressive, ambitious, pushes their writers for clicks, clicks, and more clicks.

MEDICAL DOCTOR – AG/NB: The specialist who delivers Dr. Cummings’ diagnosis.  Gentle, caring, and unprepared for Lynn’s response to her diagnosis.

CHANCELLOR – AG/NB: The head of the university and a very close friend of Dr. Cummings.  Takes her job seriously, but is always professional, thoughtful, and compassionate.

MESSENGER – AG/NB: A mysterious figure who might or might not be imaginary.  Pivotal character to the central premise of the play.  Role is open to a range of interpretations.  Actor must be collaborative.

TOM – Offstage Voice: Dr. Cummings’ husband who died two years earlier.  A thoughtful, very typical, devoted long-time husband in everything he says to Lynn.

To begin the audition process, please fill out the AUDITION FORM.