UPCOMING AUDITIONS
Men on Boats
 

​​​​​Auditions for Men On Boats
By Jaclyn Backhaus

Directed by Aliza Moran

Movement Direction by: Katy Stanfield 

Stage Manager Marya Paolillo

OPEN CALL

Saturday, September 19th @ 2:00
Sunday, September 20th @ 6:30 pm

CALLBACKS (by invitation only)

Monday, September 21 @ 6:30 
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All auditions will take place at TheatreWorks at the Square

2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN, 38104

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WHAT TO PREPARE

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Sides and character descriptions are posted below.

Notes about Auditions: Actors should be prepared to move so dress accordingly. 

PRODUCTION DATES

February 5-21, 2027

Fridays and Saturdays @8:00pm

Sundays @ 2:00pm

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REHEARSAL DATES

December 13-17, 2026

January 3- 28, 2027

Tech & Dress: January 30-February 4, 2027

Rehearsals will be Sunday-Thursday evenings off Fridays & Saturdays 

Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. MEN ON BOATS  is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of unique yet loyal volunteers set out to map the course of the Colorado River.

This ensemble-driven show pairs modern dialogue with physical comedy and real drama to tell the story of exploration, determination, and legacy.

Note on Casting from the playwright: The characters in MEN ON BOATS were historically cisgender white males. The cast should be made up entirely of people who are not. I’m talking about racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid, and/or non-gender-conforming. It is the playwright's strong preference that Tsauwiat and The Bishop (so thusly O.G. and Seneca Howland) be played by Native cast members. If there are no Native actors in our production, the Howlands/Utes must at least be cast as non-white. 

Note on Casting from the Director: This production will follow the casting recommendation given by the playwright. I am looking for diverse actors of all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities. Even though Tsauwait and The Bishop (so thusly O.G and Seneca) are non-white, all characters are available for non-white actors. 
 

Character breakdown and Intro Lines: 

1. John Wesley Powell 

One-armed leader of the expedition

My name is Major John Wesley Powell. I'm the leader of this expedition. I'm aboard the Emma Dean-the boat named after my wife.

2. William Dunn

Hunter and trapper

My name is William Dunn.

I'm a hunter. A trapper. An innovator.

3. John Colton Sumner

Former soldier, current explorer

I'm John Colton Sumner.

Last winter I went snowshoeing in the Rocky Mountains

Obviously I survived.

4. Old Shady

Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet

No.

5. Bradley

Lieutenant, manic with youth

My name's George Young Bradley!

This is my first expedition!

I'm a little nervous but I'm also excited!

Did I forget anything?

6. O.G. Howland (Tsauwiat, a Ute chief)

Printer and hunter

My name's Oramel Howland.

My friends call me O.G.

(Laughs to himself)

Nah, I'm kiddin

I don't have any friends.

7. Seneca Howland (Bishop, Tsauwiat’s wife)

O.G.’s quiet little brother 

Seneca Howland.

People think we're twins but we're not.

8. Frank Goodman (Mr. Asa, a desert settler)

British, so excited

My name is Frank Goodman.

I'm here and I'm quite thrilled to be here in the American West!

9. Hawkins

The cook

Hi. I'm William Robert Hawkins.

I can make eggs all styles!

10. Hall

Mapmaker, old soul

I'm Andrew Hall and I don't have time for this shit

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AUDITION SIDES FOR MEN ON BOATS, CLICK HERE

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COMPANY HISTORY 

New Moon Theatre Company was formed in 2004. During that time it has produced many challenging works such as: The Drowning Girls, The Minutes, A Monster Calls, Evil Dead the Musical, Shockheaded Peter,  Lizzie: The Lizzie Borden Rock Musical, Eurydice, Buried Child, Hamlet,  Killer Joe, Lettuce and Lovage, The Woman In Black, Haint, Frankenstein, The Rainmaker, Bug, King Lear, and Death of a Salesman. Over the past decade, New Moon Theatre Company has garnered over 50 nominations for Memphis' Ostrander Awards, and 15 wins.
 
MISSION STATEMENT
To entertain with challenging and provocative works, classic and contemporary, which are not often produced on the main stages of Memphis.

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CONTACT

Gene Elliott

Executive Director, New Moon Theatre Company

2085 Monroe Ave

Memphis, TN 38104

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901-484-3467
www.newmoontheatre.org​​

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