Ascent
Theatre
AEA, Los Angeles Transitional 99 Seat Theatre Code
Los Angeles
Ascent is inspired by the true story of Qian Xuesen, a promising young engineer from China, who travels to America in 1935 on a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship. Advancing quickly through the ranks at MIT and CalTech, he becomes a pioneer of the American space age, co-founding JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and helping the United States of America win World War II. But as extreme nationalism swells in the U.S. and the Cold War begins, Xuesen soon finds himself accused of being a Communist. Caught between war and politics, what happens next shapes the future of both his new and native homelands.
Roles For This Project
-
Theatre
$20/hr
Man
Los Angeles
32 - 49
AEA, Los Angeles Transitional 99 Seat Theatre Code
Theatre
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Brilliant scientist, a Robert Goddard Professor of Jet Propulsion whose work in engineering cybernetics made possible the early American entry into the space age. Aloof, proud and aristocratic, does not suffer fools gladly. He ages during the play from a young man to 50s or 60s.
-
Theatre
$20/hr
Woman
Los Angeles
25 - 47
AEA, Los Angeles Transitional 99 Seat Theatre Code
Theatre
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Beautiful, charming, sociable. Her father was a Nationalist, on the side of Chiang Kai-shek, an opponent of Mao Zedong. Gave up a promising opera career to marry Qian. Singing expertise, especially operatic, a major plus. She ages during the play from a young woman to 50s or 60s.
-
Theatre
$20/hr
Man
Los Angeles
40 - 60
AEA, Los Angeles Transitional 99 Seat Theatre Code
Theatre
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Interrogator, Theodore von Karman, Yong-gang, and Ambassador Alexis Johnson. Must have a solid German accent for Theodore von Karman. Able to play multiple characters a must. Please submit all ethnicities.
-
Theatre
$20/hr
Man
Los Angeles
30 - 47
AEA, Los Angeles Transitional 99 Seat Theatre Code
Theatre
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Hearing Committee Chair, Frank Malina, Sidney Weinbaum, Ying’s voice teacher, Father, Lee DuBridge, Yong-zhen, Richard Lewis, LAPD officer, Ward, Ambassador Wang Ping-nan, and Messenger from Caltech. Must have a Russian accent for Sidney Weinbaum. Able to play multiple characters a must. Please subm... [See More]
More Roles For This Project
-
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Brilliant scientist, a Robert Goddard Professor of Jet Propulsion whose work in engineering cybernetics made possible the early American entry into the space age. Aloof, proud and aristocratic, does not suffer fools gladly. He ages during the play from a young man to 50s or 60s.
-
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Beautiful, charming, sociable. Her father was a Nationalist, on the side of Chiang Kai-shek, an opponent of Mao Zedong. Gave up a promising opera career to marry Qian. Singing expertise, especially operatic, a major plus. She ages during the play from a young woman to 50s or 60s.
-
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Interrogator, Theodore von Karman, Yong-gang, and Ambassador Alexis Johnson. Must have a solid German accent for Theodore von Karman. Able to play multiple characters a must. Please submit all ethnicities.
-
Submissions Due:
03/23/2026
Hearing Committee Chair, Frank Malina, Sidney Weinbaum, Ying’s voice teacher, Father, Lee DuBridge, Yong-zhen, Richard Lewis, LAPD officer, Ward, Ambassador Wang Ping-nan, and Messenger from Caltech. Must have a Russian accent for Sidney Weinbaum. Able to play multiple characters a must. Please subm... [See More]
