PAID ACTING GIG - MOCK TRIAL FALL 2019!

Use your acting and improvisational skills, have fun, help students 
and get paid at the same time!
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RIVERWALK THEATRE and the MSU College of Law are looking for actors who are interested in playing the plaintiff, the defendant, and the witnesses in mock civil trials for the MSU College of Law Trial Practice Institute.  This semester’s case is a wrongful death case arising from the death of Lindsey Marie Bofus who died tragically when she ran into the street in a panic upon being accosted by a young man who allegedly harassed, intimidated and bullied her at a summer camp they both were attending. There are 4 trials, all using the same case study over 2 days. We are looking for a total of 12 actors --2 actors to play the plaintiff, 2 actors to play the defendant, (one for each trial day) and 8 other actors to play the witnesses for both parties in all 4 trials.   There is a small stipend for the gig – up to $200, depending on the role and the number of trials in which you testify.
 
Actors would need to be available on all of the following dates:
  • Saturday, October 19, from 9-11 am for a case orientation.
  • Saturday, November 2, 9 am to 1 pm for interviews with the student lawyers
  • Saturday, Sunday, November 23 and 24 , 8:30 am – 4 pm for the trials
 
WITNESS LIST (The number of actors needed for each role is in parentheses.)

For Plaintiff
1.       William Thomas Bofus: PLAINTIFF (2 men, 50’s and up) Mr. Bofus is the grieving father of the decedent, Lindsey Marie Bofus.  He is a nice man, a retired teacher.  The death of his daughter has had a huge impact on Bofus and his wife.  As a former teacher, he can’t understand why the Summer Camp, and especially Ray, did nothing to protect his daughter from Duframe’s misconduct.  He refuses to forgive Duframe for the bullying of his daughter.
2.       H. Tweed, MSW (2 actors, male or female, age 35+):  Tweed treated Lindsey during the weeks of bullying.  S/he is an out going and likeable.  Tweed attended a small college in Michigan and got a bachelors followed by a Masters in Social Work.  This witness should come across as pragmatic therapist—not an ivory tower professorial type.
3.       Julie Timmers:  (2 women, early 20’s) A one-time friend of Duframe—She was with Lindsey at the time of her death.  Julie was traumatized by seeing Lindsey killed. Julie is known as the brightest woman in the Summer Camp.  She holds herself out as very intelligent and comes across as such.  She is trustworthy—quite religious and a devout Baptist.  Her demeanor is calm.  While Julie is listed as a Plaintiff’s witness, and was a friend of Lindsey’s and highly sympathetic to her situation, she actually provides support to both sides in the case.

For Defendant
1.       Andrew Duframe, DEFENDANT (2 male actors, early 20’s): Duframe is a real “ladies’ man”.  He fancies himself as the guy all the girls want to be with.  He has had success with women.  He is cocky and tends to think of himself as humorous.  He wants to go into business and eventually lead a Forbes 500 firm.   He is frightened at the prospect that this case will ruin his career.  He can be seen as a potential candidate to fly off the handle and strike a significant other.
2.       J. McTavish, MD, Psychiatrist (2 male or female actors, 40’s and up):  An ivory tower type.  Hired to establish that Lindsey over reacted to Duframe’s teasing.  A typical expert witness—has an answer ready for any question.  Will fight and disagree with the attorneys for the Plaintiff while on the stand.  A bit short tempered.  Arrogant.  Never treated Lindsey.
3.       Bill Johnson: (2 men, early 20’s) Duframe’s buddy. A follower.  In spite of his lack of personal knowledge of the relationship between Duframe and Lindsey, he willingly bought into Duframe’s version of the events and amplified it on social media.  He is bright, but immature.  Thinks of himself as funny—but no one else does.  He is a devoted friend of Andrew Duframe and will offer testimony that will support Duframe’s defense, but it is also based on assumptions and inferences.
If interested, please contact Tom Ferris at tjferris49@gmail.com 
​by Friday, September 20.
Please include a brief resume and headshot.