Pig Iron Theatre Company is looking to cast nine performers for our upcoming production of FRANKLIN’S KEY. Six actors will play named roles, and three actors will form the core of a movement ensemble. Experience in physical theater is a plus.
We are seeking performers of all races and genders. The ages to be played on stage range from 15 to 60. We are casting both Equity and Non-Equity Actors for these roles.
We are actively seeking BIPOC performers for both lead and ensemble roles. Pig Iron was founded by artists and for artists, and we believe that a diversity of experience, of culture, and of spirit is critical to all aspects of our artmaking. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to audition.
FRANKLIN’S KEY is a family-friendly adventure that celebrates young, ingenious outsiders who must save Philadelphia from shadowy forces. In an alternate universe where Benjamin Franklin’s undiscovered technology has been hidden for centuries underneath Philadelphia’s landmarks, a mystery is unfolding. Two high school prodigies—Temple, a self-taught scientist, and her brother Arturo, a brilliant musician—find themselves caught in a struggle between secret societies dedicated to safeguarding Franklin’s most dangerous discoveries. Familiar and more esoteric pieces of Philadelphia’s history—including the Museum of Art, City Hall, the Waterworks, and the Wanamaker Organ—become a series of puzzles to be unlocked as the duo embarks on a Goonies-style journey to unravel the truth. With twists reminiscent of Stranger Things and The Da Vinci Code, FRANKLIN’S KEY is Pig Iron’s sci-fi love letter to Philadelphia.
THE STYLE: This production aims to translate the panoramic, fast-paced energy of a graphic novel or a Marvel movie to the theater, using stage magic and other practical effects. Actors will play larger-than-life characters who have bold outlines, but are grounded in an emotional reality. Sound and musical cues linked to carefully choreographed movement will be a key feature of the production.
FRANKLIN’S KEY Creative Team:
Text by: Robert Quillen Camp and Dan Rothenberg
Director: Dan Rothenberg
Set Designer: Anna Kiraly
Lighting Designer: Amith Chandrashaker
Costume Designer: Maiko Matushima
Visual Effects Designer: Skylar Fox
Video Designer: Dave Tennent
Original Score: Rosie Langabeer
Creative Producer: Eva Steinmetz
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Temple - she/her, 17-19 (Adult actor playing younger)
A brilliant, independent-minded young inventor. Adventurous and resourceful. The gears in her brain are constantly turning. Not much patience for stupidity—even less patience for her brother. A methodical thinker and certified puzzle master with a nose for sniffing out funny business, Temple is the girl you call to crack a code. She has lived alone with her brother since their mom died and has become a pro at keeping it a secret from authorities. Forever a skeptic, sort of punky-nerdy. ACTIVELY SEEKING ACTORS OF COLOR IN THIS ROLE.
Arturo - he/him, Temple’s brother, 14-15 (Adult actor playing younger)
A brilliant cellist with perfect pitch. Soft and sweet inside, Arturo appreciates order and knowing what comes next. Easily spooked, but putting on the bravest face, Arturo lives in the shadow of his ever-confident older sister, and maybe likes it that way. Prone to typical younger sibling complaining and pleading. Easily overwhelmed and far too trusting. For actors: Musical ability is a plus, but no actual cello playing is required in performance. ACTIVELY SEEKING ACTORS OF COLOR IN THIS ROLE.
Fordhook - he/him, 40-55, open to all ethnicities.
Gravekeeper at Ben Franklin’s grave. At first glance, Fordhook seems like a self-taught historian and Benjamin Franklin enthusiast. But, in actuality, he is an evil historian and Benjamin Franklin enthusiast! Charismatic, quirky, and prone to excessive monologuing, Fordhook becomes obsessed with a secret plan to rule the city. He once belonged to the New Prometheans, a centuries-old secret society of scientists, but was kicked out for his erratic behavior. An engineer and inventor, he is building an army of automatons from Franklin’s lost designs. He easily performs the role of harmless oddball while carefully exploiting people’s weaknesses. Underneath, he is unapologetic and reckless in his yearning for power.
Richard / Goggler - he/him, Temple’s ex-boyfriend, 19 (Adult actor playing younger), open to all ethnicities.
The security guard at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A good-hearted guy, he is sweet and optimistic, but a bit hapless. Other than Temple breaking up with him, not too many bad things have happened to him. Out of his league in some of the more scientific conversations. Richard is consistently trying to do the right thing, but not always sure what that is. He has a sweet bond with Arturo and a prickly dynamic with Temple—he’s the ‘go with the flow’ to her stubborn disposition. We can tell why they broke up, but also sense the lingering feelings. Sensitive and reasonable with some puppy dog energy. (This actor will also be in the movement ensemble of Gogglers in selected scenes).
Diane Prentiss / Goggler - she/her, 45-60, open to all ethnicities.
Curator of Historical Technology at Philadelphia Museum of Art. When we meet Diane, she is the sunny and verbose judge of a high school STEM competition, but we quickly learn that she is cunning and full of surprises. Has a mischievousness that turns into magic at times. Has clearly done years of deep research on Benjamin Franklin and his energy experiments, but comes across more political than professorial. The Elizabeth Warren-esque leader of the New Prometheans. Takes a shine to Temple from the start, but worries about entrusting dangerous information to a teenager. She has too many ideas in her head, which can make it hard for Temple (and the audience) to trust her intentions. (This actor will also be in the movement ensemble of Gogglers in selected scenes).
Jimmy / Armantrout / Goggler - he/him, 21-40, open to all ethnicities
This actor will play multiple smaller roles: Jimmy (age 21) is a hapless intern who maintains the Wanamaker Organ but is sent on secret missions he is not qualified for. Pimply, awkward, overgrown teenager who is always in hot water. Stephen Armantrout (age 40-50) is a husky, gravel-toned and mustachioed blacksmith/inventor who builds all the big machines and weapons for the New Promethean Society. He is gruff but lovable. (This actor will also be in the movement ensemble of Gogglers in selected scenes).
Goggler/Movement Ensemble - any gender, 20-45, open to all ethnicities
Inspired in part by the Blob-men in Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle, the Gogglers are the functionaries who animate the mystery beneath Philadelphia in Franklin’s Key. Attired in “clockpunk” goggles, they are part Puck from Midsummer Night’s Dream, part subterranean force connected to electricity and tunnels. They are mainly invisible to the characters of the play. Through carefully choreographed object manipulation and movement, they are the engines who propel the scenery and construct the world of the play around the characters. They are also puppeteers who animate automatons (18th-century wooden robots run by clockwork) and other effects. Must be able to lift 40 lbs; must be comfortable doing weight-sharing movement work.
We are casting 3 performers for this ensemble. We are looking for movers skilled in mime, puppetry, object manipulation, or contemporary dance. These parts are mainly non-speaking roles. At least one of the Gogglers will provide percussive music / live foley effects from stage and should have a strong sense of rhythm. Ability to read music is a plus but not required.
More about Pig Iron:
Founded in 1995 as an interdisciplinary ensemble, Pig Iron Theatre Company is dedicated to the creation of new and exuberant performance works that defy easy categorization. Pig Iron has emerged as a leader in the alternative theater movement, and the company is now a platform for unusual performances that scale up and down, from gallery to nightclub to proscenium theater—creating complete performance worlds with a shifting roster of remarkable actors, designers, and writers. Pig Iron’s work has toured to 15 countries on 4 continents, with notable stops at the Humana Festival, the Public Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Woolly Mammoth, TR Warszawa, and the Tokyo Performing Arts Market. Notable collaborators include acclaimed playwrights Toshiki Okada and Will Eno, Emmy-award winning composer Troy Herion, celebrated designers Machine Dazzle and Macarthur Fellow Mimi Lien, and visionary filmmaker Josephine Decker. The company has won 2 OBIE Awards, received the Total Theatre Award from the Edinburgh Fringe, and been nominated for over 50 Barrymore Awards here in Philadelphia (winning 10).
In 2011, Pig Iron launched a 2-year graduate program in physical and devised theater at a new home in North Philadelphia. In 2015, the company partnered with University of the Arts to offer both a Graduate Certificate and an MFA in Devised Performance. The program is on hiatus due to UArts’ collapse in June 2024, but Pig Iron plans to reopen this program in 2025 with a new academic partner. In addition to offering an MFA and Certificate, Pig Iron School also hosts professional workshops in physical theater and devising practices every winter and summer.
AUDITIONS:
Auditions and callbacks will be held at Pig Iron Studios, 1417 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia PA 19122.
We will do solo auditions with sides for named characters, and group auditions with improvisations for the Gogglers/Movement Ensemble roles.
AUDITION SCHEDULE:
Character roles:
Saturday, November 9: 10am - 4pm
Sunday, November 10: 12- 5pm
Monday, November 11: 12- 3pm
Goggler/Movement roles:
Sunday, November 10: 10am-11:15am
Monday, November 11: 10am-11:15am
(Please wear comfortable clothes for movement. All candidates must be non-equity.)
CALLBACK SLOTS:
Thursday, November 21: 10am - 4pm
Friday, November 22: 10am - 4pm
These sessions will be 30-60 minutes.
REHEARSAL/CREATION PERIODS: (All in Philadelphia)
Rehearsal Process: May 5 - May 20, 2025
Technical Rehearsals: May 20 - June 1, 2025
Previews and Performances: June 3- June 29, 2025
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION:
If you would like to be considered for an audition, please complete this google form.
Short reels of performance work are fine too, but not required. When applying for consideration, please also send any existing conflicts or time preferences during the audition and callback times. Questions? Email [email protected].
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Pig Iron continues to prioritize the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. Masks are optional but welcome while visiting the Pig Iron Studios. Performers will be asked to remove their mask while auditioning. Please reach out with any questions or requests for accommodations.
