CASTING CALL
Radio Play/Live Performance
Date: May 3, 2025
Location: Catskill NY
Staged reading of episodes 1-2 with live audience and live radio broadcast. (90 min performance)
Brief Description:
“The Case of the Mysterious Lenticular Glass” is a historical fiction/radio drama that is set simultaneously in 1899 as Marietta, a collector of optical antiquities investigates the mysterious content of a leather pouch and in 1609 as Galileo is on the verge of inventing his telescope. The fictional characters interact with historical figures within the context of actual scientific and cultural events of the period. Each episode is 40 minutes long.
CHARACTERS:
1899-
Marietta Boyle is a well-educated and independent American Woman and passionate collector and dealer of ancient optical devices and lenses. An early 17th century pouch containing a lens and documents has come into her possession and she is seeking the identity of its owner.
Madame Adriana Contarini is a wealthy, strong willed, Italian woman in her 60-70s of noble Venetian heritage who lives in Padua and is Marietta’s mentor in all things. By avocation a collector and dealer in antiquities and the childhood friend of Marietta’s mother.
Edmund Kendall is the chairman of the Society of History and Genealogy in Florence, a group of wealthy expatriates Marietta pursues to support her research. He is assured, capable and thoughtful.
Dr. James Boyle: Marietta’s estranged father who is a famous Chemist and Chairman of the Megatherian Society in Washington DC is fiery, arrogant, and demanding.
1609-
Alessandra Mazzolini – A precocious and headstrong young woman who is a lens-making apprentice to her Uncle Francesco. Her father runs Galileo’s workshop. She wants to be a natural philosopher. To make money she uses optics and illusion to conjure spells of love.
Mark Antonio Mazzoini – Alessandra’s father, hard working and earnest, manages Galileo’s workshop. His wife Falchetta, runs the kitchen and domestic activities. He is of an old and respectable family of craftsmen in Padua who make clocks.
Galileo Galilei is a charming, demanding creative genius. A natural philosopher that teaches and experiments with the laws of motion, mathematics, and astronomy at the University of Padua. He oversees a large household with a common law wife, two children, and a number of student boarders as well as a busy workshop to build and sell compasses and other instruments.
SEEKING: 2 Male actors. 3 Female actors.
• Non-Union
• Estimated 3-4 rehearsals (via zoom/live TBD)
• Honoraria
• Open to non-traditional casting.
• Voice acting experience a plus.
• Within 50 mile radius Catskill/Hudson NY
Contact: EMAIL: alysonpou@gmail.com CV/Headshot (or link) + questions/more info.