Beatrice Herford’s Vokes Theatre
Auditions for
The Body of an American
Written by Dan O’Brien
Directed by Dave Sheppard
The Story
“If you do this, I will own you forever.”
Canadian photojournalist Paul Watson is haunted by the words he heard a dead soldier say as he
took the photo that would win him the Pulitzer Prize and reshape American foreign policy.
Playwright Dan O’Brien, struggling with ghosts of his own, was finishing a residency at Princeton
when he heard Paul Watson tell this story on Fresh Air in 2007. Also obsessed with the idea of
hauntings, O’Brien reaches out to Watson, and the two forge a friendship as they battle with the
ghosts and traumas that have shaped their lives.
The Body of an American is a bold, radically theatrical and poetic true story that breaks
boundaries of convention in both content and form. In his multi-award- winning play, Dan O’Brien
pinpoints a globally historic moment, and with it, shines a light on deeply personal issues relevant
to our time and culture.
This amazing documentary-like drama offers two actors a chance to bring two powerful characters
to life along with nearly 30 other characters. And … be a part of the Boston premiere of this
powerful and important piece of theater.
Characters
Man 1, Dan O’Brien and others (30s)
Man 2, Paul Watson and others (50s)
*Casting note – two actors play all the roles here – ideally one actor in his 30s, who plays Dan
most of the time, and an actor in his 50s to mostly play Paul. The older of these two actors has the first line in the show, and with each new character-heading the actors alternate.
Rehearsals: Sundays through Thursdays, based on cast availability.
Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, February 22 through March 10 at 8:00
pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00 pm on March 3 and 10.
Audition Information
Auditions held by appointment in small groups (90-minute time slots) and will consist of readings
from the script on:
Sunday, November 12
- First slot: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
- Second slot: 8:00 – 9:30 pm
Monday, November 13:
- First slot: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- Second slot: 8:30 – 10:00 pm
To book a time slot, please choose:
- Direct link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080D4EAEAF2CA2FF2-thebody
- Visit SignUpGenius.com. Select Find a Sign-Up in the upper right corner. On the next screen, if you are not a member of SIgn-Up Genius, you can join for free or access the search by putting in the email of the organization under Search by Email.
Please contact the director (acmeactor@gmail.com) or the producer (tstepanian@hotmail.com)
with questions.
