Production Requirements

The essentials for producing The History of Light are flexible, ranging from a cast of 10 with a minimal set and a single DJ to a more elaborate presentation

CAST SIZE

The History of Light can be performed with a cast of 10. However, the ensemble can be expanded to any size

4 male leads
3 female leads
3 or more in the ensemble

CHARACTERS

B-THERE: A street character with many assumed professions – who speaks in rhyme. Also leads the ensemble. (baritone, adept at rap and hip-hop)

FREDERICK WINSLET: 24-year-old heir to a New York City sugar fortune (light baritone)

ALICE WINSLET: Frederick's wife; 23-year-old social activist and Boston Brahmin (soprano)

EMMA FARLEY: 35-year-old African-American social activist (mid-range soprano)

JOSEPH: 43-year-old African-American butler (baritone)

BRIDGET KEARNEY: 26-year-old Irish maid and former sex worker (mezzo soprano)

FREDERICK WINSLET SR.: Frederick's 58-year-old father; sugar baron and aspiring politician (baritone)

ENSEMBLE: Includes B-There plus at least three additional performers. They play small roles — street characters, butler, electrical engineer, masked ball guests. (soprano, tenor, alto, bass, baritone)

MUSIC

All songs can be performed with a single DJ playing backing tracks, with some live keyboards. To emphasize the musical connection between the Gilded Age and our time, the DJ may be visible to the audience. (In a larger production, the DJ could be supplemented with other musicians.)

SET

The History of Light can be performed with a minimal set — a park bench and a street light to suggest Union Square; a sofa and limited furniture to suggest a parlor; shadows behind sheets to suggest crowds during a tour of the Five Points slum. Or the set can be more elaborate, as needed.

COSTUMES

Ensemble performers are dressed in simple black clothes that suggest past times but also might be worn today.

Lead characters should wear clothing that more clearly suggests the 1880s.