Auditions!!
TNT (Teaneck New Theatre) of Teaneck, NJ is casting “The Farnsworth Invention,” by Aaron Sorkin (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) directed by John Fraissinet.
It's 1929. Two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called "television." Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul David Sarnoff, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy Philo Farnsworth?
Auditions are Sunday, March 15th from 3-5pm and Monday, March 16th at 7-9:00pm. Callbacks by invitation only are Sunday March 22nd at 3pm. Performance dates will be Friday June 12th @ 8pm, Saturday 13th (@ 2pm and 8pm) and Sunday 14th @ 2pm at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HacPac). Cast members must also be available for a special daytime performance at HacPac being scheduled just prior to opening for the benefit of the East Brook Middle School in Paramus.
Sides will be provided, and will be used to judge the actor’s sense of material and not necessarily match the part(s) that will be played in the show.
Character Breakdown:
The play features about 60 speaking parts, plus crowd scenes and other dialogue. With the exception of the two male leads, most performers will play multiple roles. As written there are potentially 14 male and 3 female actors required. Some reorientation and diversification of characters may be done to accommodate casting turnout (i.e. females might be cast in male roles). Age ranges are suggestions and might be varied depending on the makeup of the cast.
David Sarnoff – (Lead - M 40s–50s) The first media mogul. Smart, relentless, savvy. Appears confident and determined.
Philo Farnsworth – (Lead - M 30s–40s) The last lone inventor. Even smarter, equally relentless but not as savvy. Appears distracted.
Lizette Sarnoff – (F 30s–40s) David Sarnoff’s elegant French wife.
Pem Farnsworth – (F 20s–30s) Philo’s wife, loving and down-to-earth.
Leslie Gorrell – (M 30s – 50s) A Farnsworth investor, more cynical and doubting than his partner George Everson.
Stan Willis – (M 20s – 30s) A Farnsworth Assistant.
George Everson – (M 40s – 60s) A Farnsworth investor, more trusting than his partner Leslie Gorrell.
Cliff Gardner – (M 20s – 30s) Pem Farnsworth’s brother.
Harlan Honn – (M 20s – 30s) A Farnsworth Assistant.
Vladimir Zworykin – (M 40s – 60s) The RCA scientist. Russian accent required.
Justin Tolman – (M 50s – 60s) Philo Farnsworth’s high school teacher.
Jim Harbord – (M 40s – 50s) A top RCA Executive.
Douglas Fairbanks – (M 30s – 50s) A movie star and potential investor.
Mary Pickford – (F 30s – 40s) A movie star and potential investor.
Agnes – (F 20s – 30s) Philo’s sister.
Atkins – (M 30s – 50s) William Crocker’s Assistant.
Lippincott – (M 40s – 50s) Philo Farnsworth’s Attorney.
Wilkins – (M 30s – 40s) William Crocker’s Assistant.
Simms – (M 40s – 50s) A RCA Executive.
Betty – (F 20s – 30s) David Sarnoff’s Secretary.
Wachtel – (M 40s – 50s) A RCA Executive.
Young David Sarnoff – (M 10 – 14)
Young Philo Farnsworth – (M 14 – 17)
These parts have already been cast:
William Crocker – (M 40s – 60s) Farnsworth’s main investor, a father figure. (This part has been cast)
Walter Gifford – (Actor 30s – 50s) A crass radio station owner. (This part has been cast).
Mina Edison – (Actor 30s – 50s) Thomas Edison’s Widow. (This part has been cast)
Any questions please email teanecknewtheatre@gmail.com
It's 1929. Two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called "television." Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul David Sarnoff, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy Philo Farnsworth?
Auditions are Sunday, March 15th from 3-5pm and Monday, March 16th at 7-9:00pm. Callbacks by invitation only are Sunday March 22nd at 3pm. Performance dates will be Friday June 12th @ 8pm, Saturday 13th (@ 2pm and 8pm) and Sunday 14th @ 2pm at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HacPac). Cast members must also be available for a special daytime performance at HacPac being scheduled just prior to opening for the benefit of the East Brook Middle School in Paramus.
Sides will be provided, and will be used to judge the actor’s sense of material and not necessarily match the part(s) that will be played in the show.
Character Breakdown:
The play features about 60 speaking parts, plus crowd scenes and other dialogue. With the exception of the two male leads, most performers will play multiple roles. As written there are potentially 14 male and 3 female actors required. Some reorientation and diversification of characters may be done to accommodate casting turnout (i.e. females might be cast in male roles). Age ranges are suggestions and might be varied depending on the makeup of the cast.
David Sarnoff – (Lead - M 40s–50s) The first media mogul. Smart, relentless, savvy. Appears confident and determined.
Philo Farnsworth – (Lead - M 30s–40s) The last lone inventor. Even smarter, equally relentless but not as savvy. Appears distracted.
Lizette Sarnoff – (F 30s–40s) David Sarnoff’s elegant French wife.
Pem Farnsworth – (F 20s–30s) Philo’s wife, loving and down-to-earth.
Leslie Gorrell – (M 30s – 50s) A Farnsworth investor, more cynical and doubting than his partner George Everson.
Stan Willis – (M 20s – 30s) A Farnsworth Assistant.
George Everson – (M 40s – 60s) A Farnsworth investor, more trusting than his partner Leslie Gorrell.
Cliff Gardner – (M 20s – 30s) Pem Farnsworth’s brother.
Harlan Honn – (M 20s – 30s) A Farnsworth Assistant.
Vladimir Zworykin – (M 40s – 60s) The RCA scientist. Russian accent required.
Justin Tolman – (M 50s – 60s) Philo Farnsworth’s high school teacher.
Jim Harbord – (M 40s – 50s) A top RCA Executive.
Douglas Fairbanks – (M 30s – 50s) A movie star and potential investor.
Mary Pickford – (F 30s – 40s) A movie star and potential investor.
Agnes – (F 20s – 30s) Philo’s sister.
Atkins – (M 30s – 50s) William Crocker’s Assistant.
Lippincott – (M 40s – 50s) Philo Farnsworth’s Attorney.
Wilkins – (M 30s – 40s) William Crocker’s Assistant.
Simms – (M 40s – 50s) A RCA Executive.
Betty – (F 20s – 30s) David Sarnoff’s Secretary.
Wachtel – (M 40s – 50s) A RCA Executive.
Young David Sarnoff – (M 10 – 14)
Young Philo Farnsworth – (M 14 – 17)
These parts have already been cast:
William Crocker – (M 40s – 60s) Farnsworth’s main investor, a father figure. (This part has been cast)
Walter Gifford – (Actor 30s – 50s) A crass radio station owner. (This part has been cast).
Mina Edison – (Actor 30s – 50s) Thomas Edison’s Widow. (This part has been cast)
Any questions please email teanecknewtheatre@gmail.com
- /8 from 7:00-8:30.
- Monday 12/9 from 7:30-9:00
- Thurs 12/12 from 7:30-9:00
