SLT Audition
Auditions: They Promised Her the Moon
By Laurel Ollstein
Audition one
Date: 5 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Location: SLT Fire Station
Audition two
Date: 6 Jul 2026
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
Location: SLT Fire Station
Based on real people and events, They Promised Her the Moon traces the life of Geraldyn (Jerrie) Cobb. After NASA selected its first astronauts, Jerrie Cobb was one of a group of women pilots who took part in the same selection tests.
In Act I, Jerrie is in an isolation tank overseen by Dr Randy Lovelace, the scientist who devised the tests, and Jackie Cochran, an award-winning pilot who is sponsoring the women’s testing programme. During her nearly 10 hours in the tank (the men only managed 4 hours at most), Jerrie’s memories of her life up to this point take shape.
In Act II, Jerrie has to come to terms with the media attention before the programme is abruptly cancelled. A Congressional hearing follows to consider whether NASA’s selection process was discriminatory. John Glenn - fresh from being the first American into orbit - and, surprisingly, Jackie Cochran, jealous that she was too old to be considered as an astronaut and that she didn’t get the attention she felt she deserved - both testified that it was unnecessary to include women in the space programme. After confronting Jackie and coming to terms with her disappointment, Jerrie goes to Brazil to fly medical supplies to remote communities.
The play deals with issues of gender stereotyping that was common in the early 1960s. You, and modern audiences, may find some of the language in the play unacceptable, but the playwright has used verbatim news reports and the Congressional transcript.
For more background information, see HERE
Director: Craig Norman
Performances: 3 - 7 Nov 2026
First Rehearsal: 23 Aug 2026
Characters:
Jerrie Cobb: F, the main action of the play takes place in the early 1960s when Jerrie is in her late 20s/early 30s, but we also see her from the age of 7 through to her late 40s.
Jackie Cochran: F, in her mid-50s, but we also see her in her 30s
Dr Randy Lovelace: M, mid-50s
Helena: F, Jerrie’s mother, 40s/50s
Harvey: M, Jerrie’s father, 40s/50s
Jack Ford/John Glenn: M, , 30s
As we see Jerrie, and to a lesser extent Jackie, at various ages throughout the play, and there are smaller parts that will be doubled by the actors playing Randy, Helena, Harvey and Jack; what I’m mainly looking for is versatility. American accents will be required, but full coaching can be provided.
Due to the scheduling of other shows, our first 4 rehearsals will be Sunday, 23 August at 10:00, Monday 24 August at 20:00, Sunday 30 August at 10:00 and Monday 31 August at 20:00. From Sunday 6 September, our regular rehearsal pattern will be Sundays at 16:45 and Wednesdays and Fridays at 20:00.
COMPLETE THIS FORM for further information, audition pieces, and to book an audition slot.
Please only email the director if the information you require is not included there.
