The Crimson Thread: Audition Notice for Female Performers in Rochester, NY
AUDITION NOTICE
THE CRIMSON THREAD
By Mary Hanes
The Ensemble Theatre Company of New York (TETCNY) Rochester, NY
TETCNY is seeking strong female-presenting performers for its upcoming production of The Crimson Thread, a powerful and lyrical drama by Mary Hanes.
Spanning three generations of Irish women, The Crimson Thread explores family, immigration, sacrifice, grief, survival, women's independence, and the enduring strength of sisterhood.
Set across three pivotal periods in history, the play follows the lives of Irish sisters and their descendants, from an impoverished farm in Ireland in 1869 to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1889, and finally to New York City in 1911, in the aftermath of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
CASTING
The play is written for an all-female cast of SIX actresses across different generations and settings.
We are looking for talented, committed performers who can bring emotional depth, versatility, and strong character distinctions to these roles.
Although the play centers on Irish immigrant families, we are very open to non-traditional casting. Performers of all backgrounds are encouraged to audition.
NON-UNION PRODUCTION
CHARACTERS
ACT I – 1869 | IRELAND
• Bridget McDermott Flynn: A fiercely loving strong-willed woman who remains on the family farm in Ireland. Knowing that opportunities are scarce, she selflessly encourages her sister to leave for America, despite the possibility that they may never see one another again.
• Eilis McDermott Connelly: Bridget's sister, deeply devoted to her family. Torn between her love for Ireland and the hope of a better future, she faces the heartbreaking decision to leave home and join her husband in America.
ACT II – 1889 | NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
• Kathleen Connelly Wright: Eilis' daughter. Following the sudden death of her husband, Kathleen is overwhelmed by grief and hardship, bringing her dangerously close to despair and self-destruction.
• Fionnuala Connelly Kennedy: Kathleen's sister. Strong and compassionate, she becomes her sister's lifeline, arriving just in time to comfort her and prevent a devastating outcome.
ACT III – 1911 | NEW YORK CITY
• Maggie Kennedy: Fionnuala's daughter. Independent, progressive, and determined to forge her own path, Maggie leaves New Bedford for New York City. In the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, she dedicates herself to organizing and building a union for women garment workers, discovering that sisterhood extends far beyond family.
• Nora Kennedy Fitzpatrick: Maggie's sister. Nora embraces a more traditional life for a woman of her time, centering her world around marriage and domesticity. Her choices provide a contrast to Maggie's growing political and social activism.
REHEARSAL COMMITMENT
Because the play is structured in three separate acts, rehearsals may be scheduled for individual acts, with approximately one to two rehearsals per week for each act.
As a result, strong preparation and memorization are especially important. Actors must be comfortable working independently between rehearsals and arriving prepared to work.
Rehearsals will be from January to the end of March, before transferring to the performance space.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
• Location: Rochester, NY
• Venue: The premiere production at a brand-new theatre space in Rochester.
• Run: Two weeks.
• Production period: April 4–18, 2027, encompassing technical rehearsals, performances, and final load-out.
Additional rehearsal and audition details will be discussed with prospective cast members.
HOW TO AUDITION
Interested performers should email:
Please put THE CRIMSON THREAD – AUDITION in the subject heading.
You are welcome to attach a résumé and photograph, although these are not required. We will arrange an individual audition time with interested performers.
ABOUT TETCNY
The Ensemble Theatre Company of New York (TETCNY) is entering its third year in the Rochester, NY theatre community.
Our productions include the award-winning The Lion in Winter and our recent production of The Dresser, which received Broadway World Award nominations.
As we look ahead, TETCNY hopes to present two to three productions in the coming year, continuing our commitment to thought-provoking theatre and meaningful storytelling.
We invite you to become part of our growing theatrical family.
Learn more about TETCNY:
TETCNY – The Ensemble Theatre Company of New York
Bringing compelling stories and people together through theatre.
-Kevin G Shinnick
Director
THE CRIMSON THREAD
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