"The Affair of the Poisons" tells the story of Fran?ois Ravisson, an archivist hired to catalog a cache of documents dating from the reign of Louis XIV, which had been relegated to a storeroom and forgotten about since the Sun King's reign. What he discovers is an infamous and secret scandal; Louis may have built a glittering palace to rival any in Europe, but underneath the gilding lay a dark, criminal world where human life was up for sale, and cheap. But what happens when the rash of poisonings and dead husbands reaches straight into the heart of Versailles? And in Fran?ois' world of the nascent Second Republic, will there be time to finish uncovering the scandal before the new administration cuts off his access? Will the story of what happened to the dozens of women involved be lost to history again?

A script sample (a link to NPX), and music samples can be found at www.markwritessongs.com

THE AFFAIR OF THE POISONS will be directed by Claire Yearman, with musical direction by Aaron Zimmerman. Information about them may also be found at the website above.

Performances will be at Edge of the Wood Theatre, located in Edgebrook Community Church, 6736 Loleta Avenue, Chicago. Rehearsals will be located at the same June 22-July 17; then again August 17-27th. The break is to accommodate rewriting; you may be given new material up until the 23rd of August. Conflicts may be managed up to the week leading to performances.

The workshop will be staged, with scripts-in-hand. Some rehearsal props and furniture will be used. There will be movement, but no choreography. The show is rated PG-13 and is not suitable for all audiences.

Each actor will receive a stipend of $100 and one complimentary ticket.

Auditions will be by video submission only. Upload your resume, and a video of a short monologue and 60-90 seconds of a song. Your selection should highlight storytelling over vocal showmanship. We are less interested in traditional "belt" pieces or golden-age material, and more drawn to songs that reveal inner conflict, vulnerability, or obsession. Legitimate voice placement is preferred; the score is not pop/rock.

The author and directors are committed to diversity and inclusion in our casting practices. Character ages listed are stage ages, and the genders are as presented in the script. We strongly encourage actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, ages, and abilities to audition for any role they identify with.

Roles available:

Louis XIV, King of France: male; bari-tenor; 30s
Brother no. 1, Courtier, Priest, Workman no. 1: male; tenor; 20s-30s
Brother no. 2, Guard, Workman no. 2: male, bass; 20s-30s
Olympia, Countess of Soissons: female, alto, 40s+
Nanelle (Fran?ois' sister), Serving Girl, La Fontanges : female, mezzo, 30s

Several other roles are already cast. Additional roles may be added to your track.