DARKSIDE By Tom Stoppard DIRECTED BY KATHLEEN MCKINLEY AUDITION INFORMATION: FALL 2020
WILL THIS PLAY BE PERFORMED FOR A LIVE AUDIENCE? No, this production is a live action, multi-media video that will be filmed in segments in collaboration with Media/Communication/Journalism. After post-production editing, the video will be streamed to University Theatre audiences, dates TBA.
WILL THE REHEARSALS BE FACE-TO-FACE ON CAMPUS? Yes. Actors must be available for face-to-face rehearsals and filming in the John Wright Theatre at 7:00-10:00 PM, August 23-October 1. Some rehearsal conflicts might be accommodated. Please contact the director.
WILL ACTORS FOLLOW CDC AND UNIVERITY COVID-19 GUIDELINES? Yes.
WHO MAY AUDITION? Auditions are open to all Fresno State students and community members. If cast, all actors must enroll in Drama 115 Laboratory Theatre.
VIDEO AUDITIONS Audition Forms/Videos may be submitted August 12 thru 12:00 Noon on August 18. One memorized monologue, no longer than 2 minutes is preferred. You may also read a monologue of your choice or one of the pieces posted on the website. bit.ly/Fall2020AuditionForm
DO I NEED A PROFESSIONAL QUALITY VIDEO? No! Examples of DIY audition videos may be viewed on the Theatre & Dance website.
CALLBACK AUDITIONS FOR DARKSIDE VIA ZOOM 4:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 19 7:00-10:00 PM, Thursday, August 20 Callbacks will consist of readings of scenes. Callback sides will be posted on-line.
DOES DARKSIDE CONFLICT WITH OTHER FRESNO STATE PRODUCTIONS? Actors cast in Detroit 67 will likely not be cast in DARKSIDE. Some exceptions may be allowed.
CAN I READ THE PLAY BEFORE THE AUDITION? Yes! A digital perusal copy is available by emailing the director or [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A PDF OF THE SCRIPT CONTACT: Kathleen McKinley, Director Email: [email protected] WHO IS THE PLAYWRIGHT? Tom Stoppard is an award-winning writer for theatre, film, and radio. His many works include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, The Real Inspector Hound, & Travesties.
WHAT IS DARKSIDE ABOUT? The story starts with a scene of impending disaster, where a runaway train speeds toward a washed- out bridge. A superhero named Ethics Man diverts the train to save all aboard, but to the horror of onlookers, the train runs over a boy on the other track. Without apology, he tells the crowd that he "did what had to be done." We discover that this is a "thought experiment" in a college philosophy class. Was Ethics Man right to sacrifice one boy for the survival of many passengers? What is the value of a single life? Only one student, Emily, answers by inquiring "who was on the train?" "What's the name of the boy?" Emily starts a perilous trek through world catastrophes, guided by the BOY, who is now a young man. She believes she can be the one to save a suffering earth from a greedy humanity if only she can find the right words. Along the way, she challenges a slick Politician, a greedy Banker, a naked Wise One, a Fat Farmer, and of course, her mom! She escapes a witch trial. Finally, her psychiatrist ends her journey with a brain surgery.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN TO ACTORS OF ANY ETHNICITY/RACE. This play includes some adult language. British dialect not required.
EMILY: (Identifies Female, early 20's) College student. Sincere, funny, intense, committed, emotional. Deeply believes that she may be the one who can tell humankind how to save the world from "fucked-upness." She may be a prophet. Some fear she is a witch. Or it might be all in her head. Falls in love with BOY.
BOY: (Identifies Male, early 20's) As a child, he was run over by a train in a "thought experiment." Comes back to life as young man. Falls in love with Emily. Bold, protective, seeking. Escapes with Emily.
PROFESSOR BAGGOT/ETHICS MAN (All Genders) Know-it-all professor by day/moral philosophy super hero by night. Clever, demanding. Must develop two distinct character voices.
DR. ANTROBUS/WITCH FINDER (All Genders) Emily's caring psychiatrist/her nightmare accuser at a witch trial. Must develop two distinct character voices.
GOSPEL SINGER (All Genders) Sings at a revival. Strong voice.
FAT ONE (All Genders) A selfish farmer. Might have a mid-west dialect.
POLITICIAN (All Genders) Slick.
BANKER (All Genders) Verbose, greedy.
COMMENTATOR (All Genders) Dramatic reporter on the scene of a public execution.
Wise One, Onlookers, a Small Boy, Laughing College Students, Mystery Voice, Soldiers, Revival Attendees, A Hostile Jury, Angry Posse, Mind Voices, Emily's Mom: Played by 3-4 actors, all genders, distinctive voices/postures.