AUDITION NOTICE
​Rossum's Universal Robots (R.U.R.)
​
Written by Karel ÄŒapek
Directed by Jason Wyatt
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.) I am so excited to bring this classic work of science fiction to the LCCT stage and am so pleased that you have decided to be a part of this production. If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact me at conscious.since.77@gmail.com. Break a leg!
-Jason Wyatt, Director
Although written in 1920 and first performed in 1921, its themes of artificial intelligence, man’s complicated relationship with technology and the role it plays in our moral development, and what it means to be human are not only universal but very timely in the era of social media, the rise of “large language model” AI systems, and the ongoing struggle of minorities to achieve equal representation and regard in our society at large. This play is culturally significant, not only because of its themes but also because it was for this play that ÄŒapek coined the term robot, a word that has become a staple not only of science fiction but has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of our social discourse around technology.
Auditions will take place at the Las Cruces Community Theater on Friday, January 24 from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday, January 25 from 2:00-4:00 pm.
For the audition, please prepare a brief (60-90 second) dramatic/dark comedic monologue, preferably, but not necessarily, in the genre of science fiction. The audition will consist of both the monologue and cold readings from the script.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals for R.U.R. will be Sunday-Thursday from 6:30-10:00 pm, February 24-March 27, 2025. All rehearsals will be held at the Las Cruces Community Theater. A more detailed rehearsal schedule will be provided once casting is complete and identified conflicts have been accommodated. Pick up rehearsals will only occur as necessary once the run of performances has begun.
Performances
Performances for R.U.R. will be Friday-Sunday, March 28-April 14, 2025 at the Las Cruces Community Theater. Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7:30pm and Sunday performances will be at 2:00pm. Call time will be 1 hour before each performance.
You must be available for ALL performances to be considered for a role.
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Principle Roles
Mr. Alquist-Architect, Head of the Works Department of R. U. R. (Presenting M, 50-65yo)
Alquist serves as an architect and the Head of the Works Department at R.U.R. He is older and holds traditional values. In Act II, he reveals his hope that robot production will cease and that the world will revert to its former state. Alquist views the creation of robots as a lucrative yet fundamentally evil endeavor. He survives because Radius decrees that Alquist should spend the remainder of his life as a laborer, essentially a slave to the robots. In the Epilogue, Alquist struggles unsuccessfully to recreate the formula for making more robots. By the play’s end, he discovers two robots who have turned human and sends them off to repopulate the earth.
Harry Domin, General Manager of Rossum's Universal Robots (Presenting M, 35-50yo)
Domin, the General Manager at R.U.R., is an idealist who dreams that robots will help create a paradise on earth. He envisions a world where robots perform all labor, allowing humans to enjoy life. Domin sees men as the new gods, ruling over a world with robots as their servants. Upon meeting Helena Glory, Domin claims to have fallen in love instantly and asks her to marry him. Ultimately, Domin is killed by the robots.
Helena Glory, Daughter of R.U.R. President and Humanitarian (Presenting F, 21yo)
Helena, the President's daughter, first encounters Harry while inspecting the R.U.R. factory. During her initial visit, she is horrified to learn that the robots, who seem so human to her, are treated as mere machines. Even after a decade of marriage to Domin, Helena remains uneasy around the robots. She begs Gall to make them more human by giving them souls. Tragically, she is killed by the robots during their uprising.
Radius, A Robot (Presenting M or F, 20-30yo)
Radius, a robot in charge of the library, appears in Act II suffering from "robot cramp." With a superior brain compared to other robots, Radius refuses to take orders and aspires to be a master. Dr. Gall’s examination reveals that Radius’s condition is not typical "robot cramp" but rather an indication that he has become more human. Radius leads the robot rebellion and, in the Epilogue, regrets killing his creators. He demands that Alquist create a formula to produce more robots and offers himself for the research.
Supporting Roles
Consul Busman, General Business Manager of R. U. R. (Presenting M or F, 45-55yo)
Busman, the General Business Manager at R.U.R., is primarily focused on profitability. When Miss Glory inquires about giving robots a soul, Busman responds with cost estimates. He predicts that robots will eventually replace all workers, leading to a continuous decline in manufacturing expenses. Even as the robots attack, Busman remains engrossed in his accounts, almost in denial. He believes he can buy the humans’ freedom, but when he approaches the robots, he touches an electrified fence and is killed.
Mr. Fabry, Engineer General, Technical Controller of R. U. R. (Presenting M, 25-35yo)
Fabry is the Engineer General and Technical Controller at R.U.R. Like most others, he is killed during the robot rebellion.
Dr. Gall, Head of the Physiological and Experimental Department of R. U. R. (Presenting M or F, 30-40yo)
Dr. Gall heads the Physiological and Experimental Department at R.U.R. At the play’s start, he is working on endowing robots with pain receptors to make them more careful and less prone to self-damage. During the robot revolt, Dr. Gall reveals that he enhanced the robots, making them more human and even superior to humans. He, too, is killed by the robots during the uprising.
Dr. Hallemeier, Head of the Institute for Psychological Training of Robots. (Presenting M or F, 35-50yo)
Dr. Hallemeier, head of the Institute for Psychological Training of Robots, informs Miss Glory that robots are incapable of love. He explains that they lack souls, passion, or free will. Hallemeier also mentions that robots sometimes experience "robot’s cramp," a mechanical breakdown that mimics rebellion. He is ultimately killed by the robots during their revolt.
Helena, A Robot (Presenting F, 20-30yo)
Helena is a robot created by Dr. Gall in the likeness of Helena Glory, though she is a poor imitation of the original. In the Epilogue, Helena the robot is shown to possess human-like qualities. As one of Gall's last creations, she is capable of love and emotions. Alquist perceives her as the new Eve.
Primus, A Robot (Presenting M, 20-30yo)
Primus, a robot created on the same day as the robot Helena, defends her when Alquist threatens to dissect her. Alquist realizes that Primus exhibits human traits and believes he has found the new Adam, who, along with his Eve, will repopulate the earth.
Marius, A Robot (Presenting M, 20-30yo)
Marius is a robot who works in the plant office for Domin.
Sulla, A Robot (Presenting F, 20-30yo)
Sulla is a robot who mainly serves as Domin’s secretary or typist. She resembles a typical young woman so closely that Helena Glory initially struggles to believe that Sulla isn't human.
Nana, Helena Glory’s servant (Presenting F, 50-65yo)
Nana is Miss Glory’s servant. She has come to the island to care for Helena, who desires the companionship of a human rather than a robot. Nana assists Helena in burning the formulas and is ultimately killed along with everyone else.
First Robot (Presenting M or F, 20-30yo)
This robot is part of the group in the Epilogue that insists Alquist produce more robots.
Second Robot (Presenting M or F, 20-30yo)
This robot is part of the group in the Epilogue that insists Alquist produce more robots.
Third Robot (Presenting M or F, 20-30yo)
This robot is part of the group in the Epilogue that insists Alquist produce more robots.
Servant (Presenting M or F)
In the Epilogue, the servant attends to Alquist, who is attempting to recreate the formula.