Men on Boats AUDITIONS
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Director: Martin Mussey
Location: Allen Contemporary Theatre, 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002
AUDITION DATES:
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 2:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, November 2, 2025 – 2:00-4:00 PM
Callbacks (if needed) will be held on Sunday, 11/2 from 4:00-5:00 pm
*If your only option to audition is on Sunday in that final hour please sign up for the final available slot on Day 2 and we will fit you in at the end of the day.
Audition Signup:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845ADAC2DABFDC25-59257549-auditions
REHEARSALS:
The tentative rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Sunday 12/7 - Wednesday 12/10 – 7-10PM
Sunday 12/14 - Wednesday 12/17 – 7-10PM
Sunday 12/21 - Monday 12/22 – 7-10PM (Tentative)
Tuesday 12/23 - Wednesday 12/31 – Holiday Break
Thursday 1/1 – 7-10PM
Sunday 1/4 - Thursday 1/8 – 7-10PM
Sunday 1/11 - Thursday 1/15 – 7-10PM
Saturday 1/17 – 10AM-6PM – Cue-to-Cue
Sunday 1/18 – 1-10PM – Tech Week Load In
Monday 1/19 - Thursday 1/22 – 7-10PM – Tech Week
NO conflicts accepted during Tech Week.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Show runs Jan 23 – Feb 8 (Fridays/Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM).
Possible pick-up rehearsal or additional shows added on Thursdays during the run (Jan 29 & Feb 5).
NO conflicts accepted during performance times.
SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. MEN ON BOATS is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when one-armed captain John Wesley Powell and his crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. An ensemble-led journey manifesting destiny through thrilling adventure, discovery, fueled by unapologetic daring, (un)wavering nerve and the deep rooted hope of being remembered. MEN ON BOATS is a comedy that turns the American myth of man-ifest destiny on its edge and challenges conventional notions about who gets to make history.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS & PREPARATION:
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”.
Please prepare a 1-minute monologue of a male character you wouldn’t ordinarily play, or have always wished to play. Your audition DOES NOT need to be memorized (though it can be). The director would rather see a strong, evocative performance with a script in hand than have you stumble over memorization. You may also be asked to read from sides provided and will do some movement work. This is a comedic and physical play.
*Please prepare to interact, improvise, and play.
**This play contains strong language, drinking, and dreaming.
CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
JOHN WESLEY POWELL (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) confident, charismatic, one-armed leader of the expedition. Fiery temper and excitable soul, loves adventure.
WILLIAM DUNN (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) hunter and trapper, wears beaver skin always. Has a close and competitive relationship with Powell.
JOHN COLTON SUMNER (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) former soldier, current explorer adventurous and maybe a little cocky.
OLD SHADY (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet. Oldest in the crew; still, quiet, observant, but when he speaks it is truth. Sings and does not like people.
BRADLEY (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) youngest in the crew, lieutenant, manic with youth. Genuinely loves people, never stops talking, like an excited puppy.
O.G. HOWLAND (18-99, Ethnicity: Indigenous or BIPOC) printer and hunter. Protective of his brother. (Doubles as TSAUWIAT, a Ute chief.)
SENECA HOWLAND (18-99, Ethnicity: Indigenous or BIPOC) O.G:s quiet little brother. Has a temper, protective of his brother. (Doubles as THE BISHOP, Tsauwiat’s wife.)
FRANK GOODMAN (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) British, so excited. Not an explorer, just here for fun, British accent required. (Doubles as MR. ASA, a desert settler.)
HALL (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) mapmaker, old soul. On the “party boat” with Hawkins.
HAWKINS (18-99, Ethnicity: OPEN) the cook and the “fun” one on the “party boat”. Impulsively brave.
This true ensemble piece calls for agile, spirited, imaginative comedic/dramatic actors who will work as a whole to shape this adventure.