anthropology

by Lauren Gunderson

Directed by Sophie Peyton

DESCRIPTION:

In this riveting techno-thriller wrapped in a heart-wrenching mystery, Lauren Gunderson (Silent Sky) asks how far we’ll go to preserve the people we love—and the cost of trying to bring them back. Brilliant software developer Merril is reeling after her sister’s sudden death. Using cutting-edge AI and digital clues, she creates a virtual version of her sister to find the truth—but the deeper she digs, the more reality begins to blur. As memory and technology entwine, anthropology becomes a stunning exploration of loss, grief, and identity in the digital age.

SHOW PROCESS:

This process will require a people-centered approach that recognizes power dynamics, anti-oppression work, and prioritizes a culture of care. We will use equitable collaborative and closure practices to establish safety in our deeply vulnerable, emotional work. To minimize the ongoing harm of the theater industry as a whole, we will implement accountability tools from the MN-TAC Theater Foundational Standards, and harm reduction and repair practices from Nicole Brewer's work on antiracism.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

Runs Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays March 27 through April 19, plus a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on April 6th. Cast and crew are required to participate in strike immediately following the final performance.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will begin in early-February and will generally run weekday evenings and Sat/Sun afternoons. Whenever possible actors will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

AUDITION DATES:

January 27 & 28, 6-9pm. Doors open at 5:30p. Callbacks on January 29, 6-9p, if needed.

AUDITION FORMAT:

All auditionees will perform select readings from the script.

Scenes will be available in advance: https://www.theatreintheround.org/home/get-involved/auditions/. Auditionees signed up before scenes are available will receive email notification when scenes have been posted on the TRP website.

Please note that all roles at Theatre in the Round are volunteer; however, as of the 2024-2025 season all actors will be offered a $100 honorarium and be provided a new professional headshot, with rights to use digitally or print.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Roles are open to actors of all identities – racial, ethnic, sexual, gender – and no roles assume the presence or absence of disability. Any character presentation or identity decisions, other than age, will be made through discussion in the rehearsal room. Any perceived/assumed identity of the actor does not have a decision-making factor in the casting process.

Merril - older sister, millenial-ish, brainy coder & AI expert, queer, brilliant, hopeful

Angie - younger sister, gen-z-ish, cheeky, brash, always a handful, sometimes a disaster

Raquel - Merril’s ex, millenial-ish, confident, clear-headed, heart-driven

Brin - Merril and angie’s estranged mom, boomer-ish, recovering addict, clingy and desperate to reconnect