LVLT announces open auditions for The Farnsworth Invention by Aaron Sorkin

Directed by Lindsay Wray

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Disclaimer: LVLT does NOT pay - We are an entirely volunteer organization!

 

Audition Dates and Times: Monday, Feb. 12  at 7pm or Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7pm

 

Rehearsals will begin immediately. If deemed necessary, callbacks will be by invitation only. If you are unable to attend the initial round of auditions in person, please reach out to the director, LindsayLWray@gmail.com. 

 

Directives: 

1. Choose 1 of the above audition dates to audition in person at LVLT (3920 Schiff Drive)

2. Be prepared for cold readings from the script

3. Headshots and resumes are requested but not required

 

Performance Dates: April 19 - May 5, 2024 with performances on Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. There is an additional Saturday matinee at 2pm on April 27.

 

Show Synopsis: In the 1920s and 1930s, the battle to create and control television came down to two men: David Sarnoff, a self-made titan of industry and the president of RCA; and Philo T. Farnsworth, an unsophisticated but brilliant inventor working independently in a private laboratory. Their separate paths eventually collide in a legal battle for control of the 20th century’s most powerful communications tool. The turning point of the 20th century wasn't on television. It was television.

 

Roles: All roles are available. See character descriptions below:

 

There are about 60 speaking parts (more than are listed below), plus crowd scenes and other dialogue. With the exception of several leads, every performer will play multiple roles. Some redistribution of roles may be possible. Non-traditional casting will certainly be considered and all ages are merely a suggestion.

 

1. Actor 40s-50s: DAVID SARNOFF The first media mogul. Smart, relentless, savvy. Appears confident and determined. (almost all scenes)

2. Actor 30s-40s: PHILO T FARNSWORTH The last lone inventor. Even smarter, equally relentless but not as savvy. Appears distracted. (almost all scenes)

3. Actress, 20s-30s: PEM FARNSWORTH (Philo’s wife, loving and down-to-earth)

4. Actress 30s-40s: LIZETTE (Sarnoff’s elegant French wife) and MARY PICKFORD (the movie star, a potential investor)

5. Actor 40s-60s: RUSSIAN OFFICER and WILLIAM CROCKER (Farnsworth’s main investor, a father figure)

6. Actor 20s-30s: CLIFF GARDNER (Pem’s brother)

7. Actress 20s- 30s: AGNES (Philo’s sister) and MINA EDISON (Thomas Edison’s widow)

8. Actor 30s-50s: ATKINS (Crocker’s assistant), WALTER GIFFORD (a crass radio station owner), DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS (the movie star, a potential investor)

9. Actor 30s-40s: WILKINS (Crocker’s assistant)

10. Actor 40s-60s: GEORGE EVERSON (a Farnsworth investor, more trusting than his partner Gorrell) and VLADIMIR ZWORYKIN (the RCA scientist)

11. Actor 30s-50s: LESLIE GORRELL (a Farnsworth investor, more cynical and doubting than his partner Everson)

12. Actor 20s-30s: STAN WILLIS (a Farnsworth assistant)

13. Actor 40s-60s: JUSTIN TOLMAN (Farnsworth’s high school teacher) and JIM HARBORD (a top RCA executive)

14. Actor 40s-50s: SIMMS (an RCA executive) and LIPPINCOTT (Philo's attorney)

15. Actress 20s-30s: BETTY (Sarnoff’s secretary)

16. Actor 20s-30s: HARLAN HONN (a Farnsworth assistant)

17. Actor 40s-50s: WACHTEL (an RCA executive)

18. Actor 10-14/ or adult that can play younger: YOUNG DAVID SARNOFF

19. Actor 14-17/ or adult that can play younger:  YOUNG PHILO FARNSWORTH

 

Contact Lindsay Wray, LindsayLWray@gmail.com if you have any questions.