Submit a PlayThe Forge Theater Lab accepts unsolicited manuscripts from playwrights on a rolling basis. In this early phase in the life of the company, we are producing stage works by writers with a connection to our host institution Fitchburg State University: alumni, students, faculty, and staff. As we grow in future years, we will expand to invite submissions from all playwrights.
All submissions are added to a library of new play scripts that The Forge's Artistic Director will use when selecting material for staged readings, workshops, and full productions. For your script to be considered as an option for Season 3's full productions, submit it to us by February 7, 2020. |
Noah Dawson and Stephanie Bisono in "A Play Less About Red-Light-Green-Light and More About Something Else" by Andy Bayiates
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The Forge Theater Lab is devoted to developing plays of a range of genres and styles. We respond especially to plays that provoke conversation about important contemporary issues.
Of particular interest to us right now are:
- Full-length straight plays.
- Plays 15-60 minutes long that might be included in a double bill or program of short plays.
- Shows for a solo performer.
- Adaptations of classic works of literature that speak to contemporary issues.
To submit a manuscript, please email us at theforgetheaterlab@gmail.com. Attach the script as a Word or PDF file. On the first page, include a brief description of the play and a list of roles. In the body of your email, describe the play's production history to date, if any. In the case of an adaptation or translation of a copyrighted work, make sure to include permission of the source material's copyright owner. You may also attach your biography, resume, reviews, or any other materials that might help pique our interest in you and your work. We will confirm receipt of your submission, but please be aware that we are not able to respond with personal feedback to every play we receive.
Of particular interest to us right now are:
- Full-length straight plays.
- Plays 15-60 minutes long that might be included in a double bill or program of short plays.
- Shows for a solo performer.
- Adaptations of classic works of literature that speak to contemporary issues.
To submit a manuscript, please email us at theforgetheaterlab@gmail.com. Attach the script as a Word or PDF file. On the first page, include a brief description of the play and a list of roles. In the body of your email, describe the play's production history to date, if any. In the case of an adaptation or translation of a copyrighted work, make sure to include permission of the source material's copyright owner. You may also attach your biography, resume, reviews, or any other materials that might help pique our interest in you and your work. We will confirm receipt of your submission, but please be aware that we are not able to respond with personal feedback to every play we receive.
Nina DiRusso and Denise Alexander in a staged reading of THE LOWELL OFFERING by Andy Bayiates and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates.
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Audition for Draft House 2020As part of its second season, The Forge is hosting staged readings in February and March 2020 of two plays in development: FLOATING ON HOPE AVE by Matt Cogswell and LIFEBLOOD by Erik Nikander.
An open audition is being held to cast actors for each two-night reading in Fitchburg, MA. Actors cast will be expected to attend 4-5 rehearsals leading up to the performances. Auditions will be held at Fitchburg State University on: Sunday December 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Monday December 16 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM |
To sign up for an audition slot, please email producer Jack Crory at theforgetheaterlab@gmail.com with your available times. Walk-ins will also be seen, but may have to wait for the next open slot.
The audition will be held at the Wallace Theater for Performing Arts in the McKay Building at Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA.
Actors will have the opportunity to present a prepared monologue, but it is not required. All actors will be asked to cold read scenes from the plays.
Rehearsals for each reading will be scheduled around the availability of the actors cast. At the audition, actors will be asked to list their availability for all dates in the 4 weeks before each reading. Actors cast who live more than 20 miles from Fitchburg will be offered a $25 honorarium to defray travel costs.
February 14 & 15: FLOATING ON HOPE AVE by Matt Cogswell
Directed by Kathleen O’Connor
Gay men of all ages and walks of life weave in and out of each other’s lives as they search for pleasure, love, and hope. This tapestry of monologues and scenes showcases four stories of men seeking and running away from connection.
Roles:
ALEX, 20s: sarcastic but not mean.
BRIAN, 20s: less intelligent than Alex but not stupid.
CALEB, 30s: emotionally immature for his age with a risky sexual history.
DEAN, 30s: perhaps too mature for his age; a voice of reason.
GEORGE, early 40s: a writer who possesses a deep need to understand himself and the gay culture he has experienced.
MARTIN, 60s or older: has never found real love.
March 27 & 28: LIFEBLOOD by Erik Nikander
Directed by Pamela Kathleen Hill
A miracle medical device has the country abuzz about an exciting female entrepreneur. But when a young journalist begins to dig deeper, she finds out the shocking truth about the company and its founder. A drama inspired by the true events of the Theranos scandal.
Roles:
CALVIN HALE, early 20s, Black, male: A gawky, nerdy computer programmer. Driven to be a part of something important. Deep down, a bit of a hopeless romantic.
LUCY ABBADON, early 20s, female: An aspiring journalist trying to sort out her life after the death of her father. Deeply principled and slightly naive.
PETRA WATSON, 20s-30s, female: Self-made billionaire and Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Charismatic and inspiring, but also intensely manipulative.
BODHI MANNAN, 40s, Indian, male: Senior leadership in Petra's medical tech company, and her former lover. Likes to have an ace up his sleeve.
SHARON UNGER, 50s or older, female: Tenured professor at Stanford. Perceptive and kind-hearted, but also world-weary.
JACK ANGEL, mid 20s, male: A former employee of Petra's company. Bitterly sarcastic, unpredictable, clever, and vindictive.
BRYCE WENDT, 50s, male: Editor-in-chief of Lucy's newspaper. An insightful leader who harbors a deep paternalistic streak.
The audition will be held at the Wallace Theater for Performing Arts in the McKay Building at Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg, MA.
Actors will have the opportunity to present a prepared monologue, but it is not required. All actors will be asked to cold read scenes from the plays.
Rehearsals for each reading will be scheduled around the availability of the actors cast. At the audition, actors will be asked to list their availability for all dates in the 4 weeks before each reading. Actors cast who live more than 20 miles from Fitchburg will be offered a $25 honorarium to defray travel costs.
February 14 & 15: FLOATING ON HOPE AVE by Matt Cogswell
Directed by Kathleen O’Connor
Gay men of all ages and walks of life weave in and out of each other’s lives as they search for pleasure, love, and hope. This tapestry of monologues and scenes showcases four stories of men seeking and running away from connection.
Roles:
ALEX, 20s: sarcastic but not mean.
BRIAN, 20s: less intelligent than Alex but not stupid.
CALEB, 30s: emotionally immature for his age with a risky sexual history.
DEAN, 30s: perhaps too mature for his age; a voice of reason.
GEORGE, early 40s: a writer who possesses a deep need to understand himself and the gay culture he has experienced.
MARTIN, 60s or older: has never found real love.
March 27 & 28: LIFEBLOOD by Erik Nikander
Directed by Pamela Kathleen Hill
A miracle medical device has the country abuzz about an exciting female entrepreneur. But when a young journalist begins to dig deeper, she finds out the shocking truth about the company and its founder. A drama inspired by the true events of the Theranos scandal.
Roles:
CALVIN HALE, early 20s, Black, male: A gawky, nerdy computer programmer. Driven to be a part of something important. Deep down, a bit of a hopeless romantic.
LUCY ABBADON, early 20s, female: An aspiring journalist trying to sort out her life after the death of her father. Deeply principled and slightly naive.
PETRA WATSON, 20s-30s, female: Self-made billionaire and Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Charismatic and inspiring, but also intensely manipulative.
BODHI MANNAN, 40s, Indian, male: Senior leadership in Petra's medical tech company, and her former lover. Likes to have an ace up his sleeve.
SHARON UNGER, 50s or older, female: Tenured professor at Stanford. Perceptive and kind-hearted, but also world-weary.
JACK ANGEL, mid 20s, male: A former employee of Petra's company. Bitterly sarcastic, unpredictable, clever, and vindictive.
BRYCE WENDT, 50s, male: Editor-in-chief of Lucy's newspaper. An insightful leader who harbors a deep paternalistic streak.
Future OpeningsThe Forge casts productions, workshops, and readings using a combination of auditions and invitations to actors who have worked with us before. Auditions for upcoming productions will be posted on this page when they are announced.
This page will also announce openings for directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, and staff. If you would like to submit your resume and letter of general interest to be kept on file for future openings, please email us at theforgetheaterlab@gmail.com. The Forge Theater Lab is a host site for Fitchburg State University internships for students concentrating in Theater, Technical Theater, Professional Communication, and Graphic Design. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about internship possibilities, email Managing Director Jack Crory at theforgetheaterlab@gmail.com. |
Mike Daniel in "Copley" by Mary Darling
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