BCTR
San Francisco, CA
US

DESCRIPTION

Seeking local Bay Area actors for an exciting new play centered around AI, written by Matthew Gasda (Brooklyn Center for Theatre Research, playwright of Dimes Square, Zoomers) and directed by Ash Baker.

Featured in recent NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/13/technology/ai-comedy-museums-plays.html

Synopsis: In a high-stakes battle for the future of artificial intelligence, a brilliant but reckless CEO is ousted from his own company by a board concerned about the existential risks of his aggressive approach to AGI development. As the night unfolds in parallel scenes, the fired CEO and his inner circle grapple with their next moves, while the board members who removed him struggle with the consequences of their decision and the uncertain path forward. Against a backdrop of ethical dilemmas, personal conflicts, and looming technological dangers, both sides must confront the terrifying possibility that they might be gambling with the fate of humanity itself.

Actors please submit a monologue using heightened language (does not have to be classical text, but something that showcases your facility and clarity with language).

Submission deadline Friday November 22nd 8pm PST

Callbacks: You may be invited to tape sides or attend in-person callbacks in Berkeley on Sunday December 1st 5pm.

Rehearsals: January 27-March 5th (actors will not be called for all rehearsals).

Performances: Thurs-Sun evenings March 6th-March 22nd in San Francisco.

Pay: $500 stipend

AVAILABLE ROLES:

Note: Characters are written in binary but are open to all gender identities. BIPOC actors are encouraged to apply.

Myra: mid 20s-mid 40s. Any ethnicity. She/her. Recently appointed as interim CEO, Myra is methodical and diplomatic. She balances her respect for Seth’s past leadership with a clear need for more control and stability within the company. Despite the turbulence, Myra tries to be a stabilizing force, aiming to uphold both company goals and ethical standards, though she is often caught in difficult compromises.

Sanjay: mid 20s-mid 40s. South Asian. He/him. A voice of logic and moderation, Sanjay often provides a rational perspective amidst the heightened tensions. His stance is neutral yet skeptical, suggesting disillusionment with the company’s direction. Sanjay is exhausted by the group’s conflicts and wary of the long-term impacts of Seth’s AGI vision, offering level-headed, albeit world-weary, insights.

Charlie: mid20s-early 50s. Any ethnicity. He/him. Another member of the board, Charlie is invested in the situation on a personal level, showing visible signs of stress. His emotional investment causes tension, particularly when the group debates drastic steps for or against Seth’s return. Charlie often seems conflicted, caught between the professional stakes and his own anxieties about AGI’s trajectory.

Eli: mid20s-early 50s. Any ethnicity. He/him. As an outsider, Eli provides a detached and logical critique of the unfolding events. His commentary adds an external perspective, challenging the others’ views. While rational, his detached stance sometimes borders on cynical, as he frequently questions the viability and ethics of the team’s decisions and the broader implications of AGI.

Mei: early-mid20s. Asian. She/her. A young and brilliant tech founder, Mei brings fresh but often disruptive energy. Her insights are sharp, though they’re often undercut by her immature and sometimes irreverent behavior. Despite this, her unconventional perspective offers valuable contributions, even as it sometimes grates on the others.

ALSO SEEKING POSSIBLE UNDERSTUDIES/REPLACEMENTS FOR:

Jeff: mid20s-early 50s. Any ethnicity. He/him Seth’s loyal confidant, Jeff is dedicated to him but troubled by Seth’s extreme methods. Although he stands by Seth, he shows increasing anxiety and reluctance, indicating inner conflict. Jeff tries to mediate tensions within the group but is beginning to feel the strain of his divided loyalty between Seth and the team.

Seth: mid20s-late 30s. White. He/him. As the former CEO, Seth is visionary but unyielding, embodying both brilliance and recklessness. His goals for AGI push ethical and safety boundaries, which deeply concerns others. Seth’s approach is controversial, and he appears unconcerned with the fallout from his decisions. He’s unapologetic about the risks he takes, motivated by a near-fanatical belief in his work's potential, even as it alienates his team and the board.

Harriet: mid 20s-early 50s. Any ethnicity. She/her. A pragmatic board member, Harriet is focused on damage control, balancing the board's responsibilities with her personal misgivings. She grapples with the ethics and reputational risks of Seth’s vision and is caught between supporting the company and maintaining her professional integrity.

Alina: mid20s-early 40s. Any ethnicity. She/her. An ethicist and “Chief Safety Officer,” Alina is one of Seth’s most vocal critics. Her concerns about the moral and existential risks of AGI reflect her commitment to responsible technology. She is emotionally torn between her responsibility to the company’s mission and her fear that Seth’s recklessness could lead to catastrophe. Alina’s distress over the team’s dynamic occasionally reveals a vulnerability, particularly in her interactions with Jeff.

DURATION

Jan 27, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025

SALARY

$0.00 – $0.00 per hour

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