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
All auditions will take place at TheatreWorks at the Square 2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN, 38104
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
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.
Click here for audition sides. https://www.newmoontheatre.org/_files/ugd/1e2936_96969c133704423bb20916699270b484.pdf
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
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
All auditions will take place at TheatreWorks at the Square 2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN, 38104
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
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.
Click here for audition sides. https://www.newmoontheatre.org/_files/ugd/1e2936_96969c133704423bb20916699270b484.pdf
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
Where is it happening?
2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN, United States, Tennessee 38104
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherNew Moon Theatre Company
