Playing with Fire (after FRANKENSTEIN)
by Speedrun Studios
Jul. 05 - Jul. 26
Playing with Fire is an exploration of good and evil, parent and child, and scientist and experiment in the wake of Frankenstein. Stranded at the top of the world, the titular Doctor Frankenstein must wrestle with his convictions as he faces his creation, his “Adam”. Throughout the play, the story of Frankenstein is told through memories and hallucinations, half-remembered and played through a skewed lens. The play culminates with the Creature's burning question: “Why did you make me?”
[poster graphic from Stage Left, Dixon IL, 2024]
Submission Guidelines - Go to the online folder HERE for info, documentation, and forms.
Performers: Please fill out the “PWF Audition Form”)and submit a video audition no later than July 26th to be considered for a role. A video callback will take place on August 2nd @ 7 PM CST.
Technicians: Please fill out the “PWF Technician Form” no later than July 19th. Individual interviews will take place after all submissions have been collected.
Note: Please feel free to fill out both forms if you are interested in Performance and Tech. There will be space on the Technician form to indicate if you are more strongly interested in Tech or Performance.
Rehearsal Schedule
A video reading of the script will be scheduled at some time before the first rehearsal after casting. Rehearsals begin September 16th and will take place Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings from 7-10 and Saturday afternoon from 12-3. All actors will likely not be called each not, and we will adjust the schedule as much as possible around conflicts. Tech Week begins with Load-in on the 29th, with All-Call beginning the 30th at Trinity Stage from 6-10 PM. The show opens October 4th and runs through the 6th, with two performances on the 6th. Strike will be the following Sunday, the 7th.
Character Breakdown
Frankenstein: The titular doctor, much advanced in age. He is suffering gangrene from an accident with his sled, causing his mind to wander and hallucinate. He is still the headstrong, results-first doctor, however. He has come to the North Pole in search of his Creature to put an end to their lives at last
Creature: Frankenstein's creation. He has gained a great deal of knowledge at this point and has goaded Frankenstein into chasing him to the North Pole. He wishes to understand the circumstances of his birth, hold the doctor accountable, and then finally pay for his crimes with his death.
Victor: The doctor in his early life. We see Victor's journey from a teenager losing his mother in childbirth to a student at University to finally a happily married man. He suffers greatly for his pursuit of knowledge, never stopping to address the consequences of his actions.
Elizabeth: Victor's beautiful cousin and paramour. She is a vision of angelic perfection and benevolence, never seeing the darkness in Victor's heart. She is perhaps the most painful victim of his hubris.
Professor Krempe: Victor's physics professor at Ingolstadt. He is the driving force behind Victor's experiment, though unintentionally. Throughout their interactions, he encourages Victor to push the envelope of science in hopes that they will publish together. Sadly, this pressure leads Victor down a much darker path.
Adam: The creature from the first moments of his creation. He begins as a child in an adult body, grappling with no memory and no context for life. He is treated cruelly and grows to hate the “human” world. Note: This will be a highly physical role. Adam will work with the director to become less feral and more human as the play progresses.
*NOTE: Performers of any gender presentation are encouraged to audition for Victor and Krempe. Though they will be played Male-presenting, performers of any gender identity will be considered in casting.*
