UISPAC Audition Information
Auditions will be held on the afternoon of April 20 for the upcoming UIS Performing Arts Center production of The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell.
Available audition times:
Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 20 at 1:00 PM
Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 PM
The play will be presented September 26-29 in the UIS Studio Theatre, directed by Michael Savage and produced by Carly Shank.
THE STORY: Jim Fingal is a fresh-out-of-Harvard fact checker for a prominent but sinking New York magazine. John D’Agata is a talented writer with a transcendent essay about the suicide of a teenage boy—an essay that could save the magazine from collapse. When Jim is assigned to fact check D’Agata’s essay, the two come head to head in a comedic yet gripping battle over facts versus truth.
The 85-minute play starred Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones, and Bobby Cannavale on Broadway in 2018.
Character Breakdown
- Jim Fingal (Male-presenting, any race or ethnicity, 20s – 30s) – Fact checker. Fresh out of Harvard, earnest, well-intentioned and tireless. Does things to the letter of the law and is driven by rules, protocols, and facts. He has a confidence that he draws from knowledge and facts.
- John D’Agata (Male-presenting, any race or ethnicity, 40s – 60s) – One of the world’s greatest living essayists. Feels highly intelligent and often frustrated by lack of “vision” in others. Considers his work to be perfection and without need of editorial oversight. He doesn’t suffer fools and values beauty and creativity above all else.
- Emily Penrose (Female-presenting, any race or ethnicity, 40s – 60s) – Editor-in-Chief for a high-profile Manhattan magazine. Fair but tough-minded, her great ambition is to achieve cultural relevance and commercial success. She’s relentless in her professional pursuits; it’s all or nothing.
Actors selected will receive a small compensation upon completion of the production.
Follow the link to access the audition form https://forms.uofi.uis.edu/sec/1003465371, which contains more information about rehearsals and other details. Feel free to direct questions to Carly Shank at carmi1@uis.edu.
Come join us to be a part of this meaningful theatrical experience!
