Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. “Men On Boats” is the true(ish) story of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition down the Grand and Colorado Rivers with nine amateur explorers. This satirical retelling of the explorers’ death-defying adventure raises urgent questions about whose histories are told, whose perspectives are left out, and how historical narratives shape contemporary understandings of belonging. 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 (and tell) history.

AUDITIONS: 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 6:30p-9p
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 6:30p-9p

*We strongly encourage prior registration.

To audition:

1) Use THIS LINK to sign up for an audition slot.

2) Use THIS LINK to complete the full audition form.

3) Arrive and sign in at least 15 minutes before your scheduled slot.

**If you are unavailable on either audition date, or have any other questions regarding auditions, please email director Whitney Brown at whitstheatre@gmail.com to inquire about other arrangements. 

***Everyone will be contacted with the result of their audition. 

LOCATION: Williston Immanuel United Church, 156 High St, Portland, ME 04101 
(More information on what door to use/where to park/etc will be sent in an email prior to the audition!)

CASTING:

*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.”

To that end, we welcome BIPOC actors (including cisgender men) to audition, as well as women, trans, genderfluid, and/or gender nonconforming actors of any race. All actors must be 18+.

*We are also looking for one actor who would serve as the movement coordinator for the show. Please indicate on the audition form if you would like to be considered for this position. This person will collaborate with the director and take a leading role in developing the movement and stagecraft of running the rapids of the Grand Canyon.

*We are looking for collaborative, dedicated, chance-taking and curious actors who are passionate about telling this story. We are dedicated to creating a safe, collaborative atmosphere in which we respect your time and lives inside and outside of the rehearsal space.

Any casting questions can be directed to Whitney Brown at whitstheatre@gmail.com.

PERFORMANCE DATES: 
Friday, November 6
Saturday, November 7
Sunday, November 8

AUDITION TEAM: 

Director: Whitney Brown
Producer: Sarah Cash
Stage Manager: Max Kyros

REHEARSALS:

Beginning September 10, rehearsals will occur 3-4 times a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). Times will be finalized once the show is cast and conflicts are taken into account. Please note the weeks of September 23 to October 11 there will only be 1-2 rehearsals. We will return to the regular schedule October 12. You must be available for all tech rehearsals (beginning November 1) and performances to be cast. 

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE AUDITION:

Actors should prepare two pieces: 

• a one-minute comedic monologue of your choosing 
• a Men on Boats audition side found HERE (choose 1. There will be someone in the audition room to read with you)

OR

• two sides from Men on Boats: MEN ON BOATS SIDES

All the characters in this play are cis-men, you are encouraged to find monologues from the cis male characters that you’ve always wanted to play. Your audition does not need to be memorized (though it can be!).The director hopes to learn something about your vocal and physical instruments and how you take up space when playing someone you might not usually be cast as. 

• You may bring a current resume and headshot if available. (not required) 
• Be prepared to list all of your conflicts between September 10 and November 8.
• Please fill out the audition form and arrive at your chosen audition session 15 minutes early.

CONTENT DISCLOSURES:

This play is set in the 19th century and (critically/satirically) represents frontiersmen, some of whom promoted Manifest Destiny and anti-Native/anti-Indigenous ideologies, including forced assimilation. It also includes ableist language, expletives/profanity, gunshots, rattlesnakes, loud sound effects (river, rapids, waterfalls and other natural elements), alcohol consumption, smoking and vomiting.

INTIMACY DISCLOSURES:

While this play does not call for any staged intimacy, there may be moments of physical contact between performers. These moments will be choreographed around actors’ boundaries.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: 

• John Wesley Powell – leader of the expedition; a Civil War veteran and self-taught geologist who loves adventure.
• William Dunn – a hunter, trapper, and innovator who wants to name everything after himself.
• John Colton Sumner –a former soldier and current explorer, a risk-taker, the Bear Grylls of the 1860s.
• Old Shady – John Wesley Powell’s older brother, also a Civil War veteran from Boone, WI; Detail- and task-oriented, careful, quiet.
• Bradley – a young lieutenant on his first expedition, an enthusiastic chatterbox.
• O.G. (Oramel) Howland – a printer and hunter who claims to have no friends; he and his brother (Seneca) lost their father in a tragic manner.
• Seneca Howland – OG’s quiet little brother; gets mistaken for OG’s twin; he and his brother (OG) lost their father in a tragic manner.
• Frank Goodman – British (British accent required), SO excited (to be exploring the American West).
• Andrew Hall – a map maker, only nineteen years old and the youngest of the crew, but an old soul.
• William Robert Hawkins – the cook, makes eggs of all styles and is in charge of inventory.

The Men NOT on Boats (doubled with other characters) –

• Just Jim – farmer/tradesman on the ridge just out of the canyon, disarmingly calm/wry.
• Johnson – farmer/tradesman on the ridge just out of the canyon, disarmingly calm/wry.
• Mr. Asa – a desert Mormon settler.