CENTERstage Productions presents auditions for

FORGIVENESS
By Mark St. Germain
Directed by Christine Crawfis

Auditions:
Sunday, December 13 at 7PM
Monday, December 14 at 7PM

Callbacks:
Wednesday, December 16 at 7pm

Minnesota convicts who have served their time are given the opportunity after five years to apply for "Forgiveness." Appearing in front of the Governor and his panel, they can explain, in ten minutes set by a timer, the reasons they want or deserve it. If they receive forgiveness, their rights as a citizen are restored: the ability to vote, possess firearms, and freedom to travel throughout the U.S. and abroad. They no longer have to identify themselves as former convicts, which makes a huge difference in their abilities to get better jobs and housing.

The verdict in Mark St Germain's new play, FORGIVENESS, lies with the audience. So, in this interactive production, the audience will help decide who is worthy of forgiveness.

The testimonies and questioning in FORGIVENESS are adapted from transcripts of the Minnesota Pardoning Board's "Pardon Extraordinary" hearings, all in public domain.

Names of those testifying and identifying elements have been changed for privacy's sake.

Presented by: CENTERstage Productions
Director: Christine Crawfis
Stage Manager: Christine McCarthy

Producers: Kerry Dotson and Olivia Michaels Bogert

Performance Dates:
February 19-28, 2027: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM, Sundays at 2:30PM

There will also be a morning field trip performance on Tuesday, February 23, with a backup date of Thursday, February 25 that all actors must be available for.

Seeking:
Four Actors play the former convicts, the Governor, and his panel. Each actor presents their own case.

The CENTER is deeply committed to creating a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment for all artists. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and performers from other historically underrepresented communities to audition. We are committed to fostering a creative environment where every artist is treated with dignity, respect, and belonging.

Each actor plays roughly three distinct roles, switching among members of the Minnesota Board of Pardons (the Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Justice), supporters or witnesses, and the applicants themselves.

The production relies on a small ensemble cast of four, with each performer playing multiple roles (including a convicted individual seeking a gubernatorial pardon and supporting civic figures); we are looking for actors with high versatility and intense emotional control.

The material is verbatim theater—constructed almost entirely from real-life transcripts of Minnesota pardon hearings—the performance style requires a specific approach:

• The lines must feel completely authentic rather than overly theatrical, mimicking the raw cadence of everyday people begging for their freedom.

• In the play, characters are subjected to a strict 10-minute timer to present their case. The show requires actors who can convey immense high-stakes tension while remaining completely in control of the text.

Prepare / Bring:
Choose a monologue from one of the four convicted individuals and come prepared to read the story of your choice. 

The full script is available HERE and you are welcome to choose any section of text from any of the convicted characters: Martin Johnson,  Florence Pullman, Donnie Blazer, or  Lizzie James.  Select whichever passage speaks to you.

You do not need to memorize your selection. We simply ask that you be familiar enough with the material that it doesn't feel like a cold read when you're asked to read it aloud.

Character Breakdown:

ACTOR A
Martin Johnson
Mr. McShane
Board

ACTOR B
Florence Pullman
Macy Brown
Board

ACTOR C
Donnie Blazer
Father Nichols
Board

ACTOR D
Lizzie James
Violet Hall
Board

About the Playwright:
Mark St. Germain has written for film, television, and the stage. His dozens of plays and musicals include "The Best of Enemies," "Dancing Lessons," and "Becoming Dr. Ruth." Mark's work has received the Lucille Lortel Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award. "Freud's Last Session" premiered at Barrington Stage Company and moved Off-Broadway where it played for two years.

Forgiveness is presented through special arrangement with 

Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com