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Friday, February 17, 2023

Chatham Players to Hold Auditions for the Sharp & Witty Play, “The Lifespan of a Fact”

 



THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell
Doug McLaughlin of Hillsborough directs

WHEN: Monday & Tuesday, March 6 & 7, at 7pm. Actors must check in to the auditions by 7:45pm.
WHERE:
 The Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928 
For directions or additional information, please visit 
www.chathamplayers.org
973-635-7363

Production dates are May 5 - 14, 2023 with rehearsals to begin mid-March. 

The Lifespan of a Fact revolves around Jim Fingal, who 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. 

This thought-provoking play, which debuted as a Broadway production in 2012, was originally written as a longform essay, an experimental work of nonfiction by writer John D’Agata and his editor Jim Fingal. The meta-essay, which included both the original reportage written by D’Agata as well as the red-penned edits made by The Believer magazine editor Fingal, explored the relationship between writer and editor, fact and storytelling, truth and embellishment.

Director McLaughlin seeks 3 actors (20’s to 30’s). 

Actors will be asked to read from sides provided at the audition, these are available on Chatham Players' website at www.chathamplayers.org.

Character Breakdown

Jim Fingal (M) 20s – 30s) – Fact checker. Earnest, well-intentioned and tireless. He 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 (M) 40s – 50s – 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 (F) 40s – 50s) – Editor-in-Chief for a high-profile Manhattan magazine. Her great ambition is to achieve cultural relevance and commercial success. She’s relentless in her professional pursuits, it’s all or nothing.

In order for everyone to enjoy safe audition experience, masks are optional while inside the theater and proof of vaccination is not required. We ask if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you stay home. These requirements are subject to change based on local health advisories. 

The Chatham Players have an open call casting policy. ALL roles are open, none are precast, and everyone is encouraged to audition. Any questions, please call Gus Ibranyi at (201)-563-0362 or email casting@chathamplayers.org.