Men On Boats

by Jaclyn Backhaus
Directed by Heather Schultz
Produced by Debra Miller
Stage Manager Kathy Hyland

Production Kickoff: September 10, 2023

Audition: September 17, 2023

Performance Dates

Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, & 16, 2023 at 8:00PM
Dec. 10 & 17, 2023 at 2:00PM

Unless specifically noted, all roles are open to all regardless of race or ethnicity.

  • The cast will be made up of racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid and/or non-gender-conforming. This is a physical show filled with fun and laughter.

  • John Wesley Powell – one-armed leader of the expedition.
  • William Dunn – Hunter/Trapper.
  • John Colton Sumner – Former soldier/current explorer.
  • Lieutenant Bradley – manic with youth.
  • Old Shady – Powell's older brother & Civil War Vet.
  • O.G. Howland – Printer/Hunter.
  • Seneca Howland – O.G.'s quiet little brother.
  • Frank Goodman – oh-so-excited Britain.
  • Hall – Mapmaker/old soul.
  • Hawkins – the Cook.
  • Tsauwiat – a Ute Chief (doubles with O.G. Howland).
  • The Bishop – Tsauwiat's wife (doubles with Seneca Howland).
  • Mr. Asa – Desert settler (doubles with Frank Goodman).

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 insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River and Green River on the government's first sanctioned expedition.

Heather Schultz has been involved with performing arts for over 30 years in various capacities. In 2017, Heather directed the first fully staged production of the new play Wendy Darling, which earned eight recognitions at the 2018 OCTA Central Region Conference, including an award for Outstanding in Direction for Heather, and four recognitions at the 2018 OCTA State Conference. Most recently Heather has directed Sense and Sensibility during CP's season 58, Women Playing Hamlet in season 59, and Goodbye Freddy in season 60. Heather is the current Board President for Curtain Players and serves on the Marketing Committee.

When

  • Production Kickoff: Sunday, September 10, 2023, 6:30 pm
  • Audition: Sunday, September 17, 2023

Where

Production Kickoff, auditions, and performances take place at:
Curtain Players Theatre
5691 Harlem Road, Galena, OH 43021

Curtain Players offers an information session for each of its productions as a help for actors seeking roles, but attendance is not required to audition. The event is an opportunity for actors to become acquainted with the community theatre organization, to discuss the play with the director, and to ask questions about the audition process, rehearsal period, and production plans. Those interested in working behind the scenes are also invited to attend.

Curtain Players conducts open auditions for its productions. Roles are not cast in advance, and, unless specified otherwise in the role's description, are open to all without regard to race or ethnicity. Casting decisions are made by the director and a casting committee comprised of a member of the theatre board, a general member of the organization, and individuals of the director's choosing.

At the audition, cast hopefuls will be given readings (sides) from the script, the page numbers of which the Director will provide at the Production Kickoff. Everyone will read at least twice.

The cast will be made up of racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid and/or non-gender-conforming.

There will not be a callback audition for this production. Calls will be made to the actors cast as soon as casting decisions have been made (usually within 24 hours). You will receive notification whether or not you have been cast.

For any questions, please email Director Heather at schultz.heathers@gmail.com

Requests for an early audition for Men On Boats must be made no later than September 03, 2023.

Questions related to the audition process may be directed to production@curtainplayers.org.

Rehearsals for our productions begin in an offsite location, to be determined for each production. Approximately one month before opening night, rehearsals move into the Harlem Road playhouse.

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Curtain Players is an award-winning theater serving the central-Ohio area. We have been routinely recognized by AACT, OCTA, and Theatre Roundtable for our tradition of excellence. Learn more about who we are!