SEEKING ACTORS

First Reading of a New Post-Apocalyptic Musical

Flower & Ash 

by Mike Descoteaux

Monday, November 16th (evening)

Rehearsals Friday 11/13 - Monday 11/16 (times TBD)

Stipend: $150

***CONTACT: Elizabeth Ramirez (director) at eramirez814@gmail.com for sides & video submission guidelines***

This reading produced in part with a generous grant from the Mass Cultural Council

DETAILS

For this reading, NO SINGING REQUIRED

The show includes:

  • 4 lead roles (option to sing a verse at end of show, but not required)

  • 8+ ensemble roles (each playing multiple featured characters from subtle to over-the-top)

This reading is ideal for actors who:

  • Love new musicals

  • Are excited by dystopian storytelling

  • Care about LGBTQ+ narratives

  • Want to help shape a piece from the inside

A band performs the majority of songs.

No music rehearsals required for the cast, though there may be some singing opportunities for those who are interested

Performance/Reading:  Monday, November 16th (evening) in Winthrop, MA (borders East Boston, MBTA-accessible)

Rehearsal Times:
Friday 11/13 - Monday 11/16  (2-3 sessions, times TBD for scheduling flexibility of the creative team)

Rehearsal Location: Online, Winthrop, Boston, or Cambridge. Venues TBD based on actor availability)

CHARACTERS & ACTOR DOUBLING (cast of 10)

The cast features 4 leads with a minimum of 6 ensemble members. Generally, characters can be played by actors of any ethnicity and gender expression. The character list specifies instances where a particular gender expression is key to the story. Several characters are written to be played by an actor who uses a wheelchair.

PRINCIPALS (4 actors)

FLOWER (SPROUT)--Early 20s. Raised in Fishcamp. Empathetic, spunky, a little naive but quick and brave. Non-binary trans woman, femme “passing” with strangers; longer hair, normative feminine clothes

ASH--Early 20s. Street-smart, raised in the remains of NYC. Quiet, slow to warm up, fierce. Not exactly non-binary, she/her, futch, Queer. Wears short hair, tactical pants, t-shirt.

STEEL--Late 20’s, cis man. Smart, slippery, reformed Ex-Confed. Ideally, BIPOC.

SASHA--Apocalypse-glamorous 24/7 drag queen and living large. Ideally, BIPOC or Asian (post) American.

ENSEMBLE (6 actor version)

ACTOR 1

RADIO--agro voice over handheld VHF

TAR--The troubadour. Mysterious, empathetic. The only character who can traverse the world of the play and Band

KARA--Fishcamper

HANDLER--A loner raccoon trainer

ARCHER--guard, Yale

QUINN--Nomad

ACTOR 2

DAD--A parent of 2 young kids

PROFESSOR UPTON--pompous and overly academic

COAST--Fishcamper

BAKER--on the ground crew at White Plains

THE SELECTMAN--Assists the Mayor

BAMBAM--Confed ranger, more than a little bit country

MAJOR TOM--Cisman. New Providence Confed brass

ACTOR 3

MOM--A parent of 2 young kids

LORD STARBUCK--pompous, cynical, professorial character

MA--Older, nurturing with resolve and grit

THE LIBRARIAN-- “Li.” (pronounced “lee”) Grounded, patient. Ash’s mentor.

SPOKES--teen, scrappy, wheelchair user

THE MAYOR--leader of the Fall River delegation, wheelchair user

SPEAR--guard, Yale

ACTOR 4

STAGE MANAGER--uncomfortable onstage

8--feisty, obstinate, impulsive young adult

GRUBBY--teen, scrappy

G.O.--leader of the ground crew at White Plains

HANDSOME DAN--Chancellor of Yale. Intelligent, empathetic, spirited

WRECKER--Confed ranger, southern accent

ACTOR 5

CONFED 2--Cisman, gruff and agro

BUBBA--Cismale. Younger than Steel. The muscle. Ex-Confed

BIG GUNS--a hardened leader in the NYC Confed

THE COMPTROLLER--assists the Mayor

CARL--Nomad, short fuse

SERGEANT HOUSE--Cisman, New Providence Confed Brass

ACTOR 6

CONFED 1--Cisman, gruff, alpha

PROFESSOR HARLEM--pompous and overly academic

LOBSTAH CHAHLIE--a lobsterman, Yankee accent

ABLE--Cisman. Strong, smart enough

THE WOLF--Dark, touched loner, been out in the woods too long

PREACHER--Nomad leader, dressed “of the cloth”

WHY THIS READING MATTERS

This is the moment where a new musical finds its voice in a room full of artists. The goal of the reading is to:

  • Hear the piece aloud for the first time

  • Refine story, tone, and character

  • Gather targeted feedback from artists and invited audience members

  • Build the core team that may shepherd this show forward

If you love being part of new work before it’s polished, before it’s finished, while it’s still alive and evolving, this is that opportunity.

THE SHOW

A dystopian America.
A violent political divide.
An epic journey spanning the ruins of Manhattan (“The Island”) to the rubble of Gloucester, MA (“Fishcamp”).

Two 20-somethings, Flower and Ash, search for something beyond survival. Along the way they form deep bonds with unlikely companions and confront wayward tribes, anarchic Confeds, and the cultural aftermath of “The Fall.”

At its heart, Flower & Ash is a story about:

  • Chosen family

  • Gender identity and freedom of expression

  • Love in fractured times

  • Hope surviving in the darkest corners

The folk/roots score revels in the universal rhythms of humanity, while the play dives into the messy, volatile realities of a broken America. Our piece centers Queer experience as foundational and explores what it takes to fight for true freedom.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Mike Descoteaux is a songwriter with over 25 years in the industry. In addition to his singer/songwriter catalog, he’s written musicals including Ready for Life, Dia De Los Muertos, The Fundamental Skip, Warfield: USA, and Sodomites! The Musical. He’s worked with Ellis Paul, Jason Robert Brown, Jackie Hoffman, Dickie Smothers, Laura Hall, William Finn, and many more. His songs have been performed at venues like The Second City, Club Passim, Chicago Shakespeare and New World Stages. 

Mike is the creator of the Music Program at the legendary Second City in Chicago, former artistic director of several New England nonprofit arts and comedy organizations, and has been seen on NBC, A&E, WGN, and WGBH. He's “composed” and “conducted” over 1,000 completely improvised musicals with BLANK! the musical (Off-Broadway), Baby Wants Candy, Musical! the musical, and others. Mike leads workshops in improvisation, sketch, music direction, and music improv at festivals internationally.

Awards and recognitions include:

  • Jeff Award (Best Revue, The Second City)

  • Paynter Award for Music Composition (Northwestern University)

  • ASCAP/NMTP “Best Young Songwriters in America” Workshop artist

  • Chicago Reader Critic’s Pick

  • Personal accolades from Ben Brantley (New York Times)

Mike was raised in the LGBTQ+ family and has been an advocate for equality and inclusion throughout his career. Flower & Ash is deeply personal and rooted in chosen family, resistance, and love.

FLOWER AND ASH has received multiple grants, a full-band concert performance of the songs at City Winery in Boston, and has been accepted to the New Opera & Music Theater Initiative’s 2026-2027 season (NOMTI).

Story, History & Demo Tracks