Use your acting and improvisational skills, have fun, help students and get paid at the same time!
RIVERWALK THEATRE is looking for actors who are interested in playing the plaintiff, defendant and witnesses in mock civil trials for the MSU College of Law Trial Practice Institute. This semester’s case is a medical malpractice case. There are three trials, all using the same case study. We are looking for a total of 12 actors -- 3 actors to play the plaintiff, 3 actors to play the defendant, (one for each trial) and 6 other actors to play the various witnesses for both parties in all three 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 Oct. 5, from approximately 10 am to 12 pm for a coaching session with the class professors.
· Wednesday, Oct. 23 and, Monday 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm, for interviews with the student lawyers
· Saturday, Dec. 7 - 9 am to approximately 3:30 pm for the three trials.
The case is HATCHETT v. FLEMING. Mr. Hatchet is suing his Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) surgeon, Dr. Clifford Fleming, due to complications arising out of a surgical procedure to treat a throat problem (including being bashed on the head with a surgical pan!) All the medical and scientific issues involved are covered in the case materials, so medical training is unnecessary to play any of the roles.
While it is not necessary that the actor actually be in the age range of the witnesses described below, actors must be prepared to play the ages and personalities given.
Plaintiff’s Witnesses
Bob Hatchett (Plaintiff) -- THREE ACTORS NEEDED. Older guy, (50’s- 60’s), lives in Shepherd, Michigan (between Mt. Pleasant and Midland), had surgery for a condition diagnosed as having Zenker’s Diverticulum (a pouch) in his esophagus. He has a high school education, and worked in meat packing plant. He lives with his mother, and always has. He claims that before the surgery he made extra money as karaoke singer and a balloon-blowing clown and states that he is now suffering from both depression and a brain injury as a result of complications during the surgery. He is odd, a bit reclusive, and acts a bit like what you would expect from a hermit and should walk the line between sincerity and suspicion.
Dr. David Brandywine, (Plaintiff’s Standard of Care Expert). Dr. Brandywine is a older (40’s+), conservative doctor. While, a Board-certified ENT surgeon, he believes surgery should always be a last resort. He believes the defendant rushed the patient through without paying much attention to what the plaintiff wanted or believed would happen. He should seem old-fashioned and set in his ways.
Erica Luden, Ph.D, Plaintiff’s Neuropsychologist, Young, energetic psychologist who cares a lot about her patients. She evaluates plaintiff and concludes there is no evidence that he is malingering, and that he has deficits consistent with a mild/moderate brain injury. Very smart, but someone who will err on the side of helping people. Earthy, would dress in simple clothes. Her hobbies would include camping, hiking, being outdoors.
Floyd Jenkins, Plaintiff’s Friend (50’s-60’s), Salt-of-the-earth guy who is Hatchett’s best friend. Former mechanic, no-nonsense personality. Seems like the kind of guy who has gone into the same restaurant everyday for his entire life. Will be very polite and earnest on the stand, but you can tell he is sympathetic to Hatchett’s issues
Defense Witnesses
Dr. Clifford Fleming, Defendant – THREE ACTORS NEEDED Mid 40’s, Board-certified ENT in Midland. He doesn’t like being sued but it makes him more concerned than hostile. He is sure that surgery was appropriate and that there was no need to refer plaintiff to another specialist. He is not so sure he explained everything to plaintiff as well as he could have, and feels a bit bad about that. He is embarrassed that he allowed the surgical tray to strike plaintiff but positive it did no damage. Overall, he feels like he did the right things, but should have been more receptive to plaintiff’s complaints. Sincere, earnest, average.
Dr. Olivia Glendower, Defendant’s Standard of Care Expert, (age flexible) Board-certified ENT. She is an incredibly accomplished surgeon and knows it. Extremely confident in her opinions; She is an extremely type-A personality and would dress in expensive, smart-looking suits. She would have the air of someone who has always been at the top of her class. She’s also honest, and will give ground when plaintiff’s counsel makes a reasonable point.
Charles Martel, Ph.D, Defendant’s Neuropsychologist, (age flexible) Well-educated, very accomplished, Somewhat overconfident. You can tell in two minutes that he’s defense-oriented. Gives the sense that he thinks most plaintiffs are liars and cheats. . He would wear a show-off suit. He is convinced that the plaintiff is lying and trying to make money from this. But he is also very polished and will not let hostile questioning make him lose his composure.
Frank Papen, Plaintiff’s Neighbor, (40 +) He doesn’t like Hatchett, and it shows. He should give the sense that Hatchett has been irking him for many years, and he truly believes Hatchett is a liar. Proud of what he has accomplished and very willing to stand up for himself. He’ll be kind of brash and may get defensive on the stand. Think Ralph Kramden.
If you are interested in playing any of these characters or obtaining further information, please contact TOM FERRIS at [email protected], by Sept 9. Please include a photo, your acting age range, contact information (email, phone and home address)and any information you believe might be helpful to us, including the role(s) in which you are interested.
RIVERWALK THEATRE is looking for actors who are interested in playing the plaintiff, defendant and witnesses in mock civil trials for the MSU College of Law Trial Practice Institute. This semester’s case is a medical malpractice case. There are three trials, all using the same case study. We are looking for a total of 12 actors -- 3 actors to play the plaintiff, 3 actors to play the defendant, (one for each trial) and 6 other actors to play the various witnesses for both parties in all three 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 Oct. 5, from approximately 10 am to 12 pm for a coaching session with the class professors.
· Wednesday, Oct. 23 and, Monday 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm, for interviews with the student lawyers
· Saturday, Dec. 7 - 9 am to approximately 3:30 pm for the three trials.
The case is HATCHETT v. FLEMING. Mr. Hatchet is suing his Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) surgeon, Dr. Clifford Fleming, due to complications arising out of a surgical procedure to treat a throat problem (including being bashed on the head with a surgical pan!) All the medical and scientific issues involved are covered in the case materials, so medical training is unnecessary to play any of the roles.
While it is not necessary that the actor actually be in the age range of the witnesses described below, actors must be prepared to play the ages and personalities given.
Plaintiff’s Witnesses
Bob Hatchett (Plaintiff) -- THREE ACTORS NEEDED. Older guy, (50’s- 60’s), lives in Shepherd, Michigan (between Mt. Pleasant and Midland), had surgery for a condition diagnosed as having Zenker’s Diverticulum (a pouch) in his esophagus. He has a high school education, and worked in meat packing plant. He lives with his mother, and always has. He claims that before the surgery he made extra money as karaoke singer and a balloon-blowing clown and states that he is now suffering from both depression and a brain injury as a result of complications during the surgery. He is odd, a bit reclusive, and acts a bit like what you would expect from a hermit and should walk the line between sincerity and suspicion.
Dr. David Brandywine, (Plaintiff’s Standard of Care Expert). Dr. Brandywine is a older (40’s+), conservative doctor. While, a Board-certified ENT surgeon, he believes surgery should always be a last resort. He believes the defendant rushed the patient through without paying much attention to what the plaintiff wanted or believed would happen. He should seem old-fashioned and set in his ways.
Erica Luden, Ph.D, Plaintiff’s Neuropsychologist, Young, energetic psychologist who cares a lot about her patients. She evaluates plaintiff and concludes there is no evidence that he is malingering, and that he has deficits consistent with a mild/moderate brain injury. Very smart, but someone who will err on the side of helping people. Earthy, would dress in simple clothes. Her hobbies would include camping, hiking, being outdoors.
Floyd Jenkins, Plaintiff’s Friend (50’s-60’s), Salt-of-the-earth guy who is Hatchett’s best friend. Former mechanic, no-nonsense personality. Seems like the kind of guy who has gone into the same restaurant everyday for his entire life. Will be very polite and earnest on the stand, but you can tell he is sympathetic to Hatchett’s issues
Defense Witnesses
Dr. Clifford Fleming, Defendant – THREE ACTORS NEEDED Mid 40’s, Board-certified ENT in Midland. He doesn’t like being sued but it makes him more concerned than hostile. He is sure that surgery was appropriate and that there was no need to refer plaintiff to another specialist. He is not so sure he explained everything to plaintiff as well as he could have, and feels a bit bad about that. He is embarrassed that he allowed the surgical tray to strike plaintiff but positive it did no damage. Overall, he feels like he did the right things, but should have been more receptive to plaintiff’s complaints. Sincere, earnest, average.
Dr. Olivia Glendower, Defendant’s Standard of Care Expert, (age flexible) Board-certified ENT. She is an incredibly accomplished surgeon and knows it. Extremely confident in her opinions; She is an extremely type-A personality and would dress in expensive, smart-looking suits. She would have the air of someone who has always been at the top of her class. She’s also honest, and will give ground when plaintiff’s counsel makes a reasonable point.
Charles Martel, Ph.D, Defendant’s Neuropsychologist, (age flexible) Well-educated, very accomplished, Somewhat overconfident. You can tell in two minutes that he’s defense-oriented. Gives the sense that he thinks most plaintiffs are liars and cheats. . He would wear a show-off suit. He is convinced that the plaintiff is lying and trying to make money from this. But he is also very polished and will not let hostile questioning make him lose his composure.
Frank Papen, Plaintiff’s Neighbor, (40 +) He doesn’t like Hatchett, and it shows. He should give the sense that Hatchett has been irking him for many years, and he truly believes Hatchett is a liar. Proud of what he has accomplished and very willing to stand up for himself. He’ll be kind of brash and may get defensive on the stand. Think Ralph Kramden.
If you are interested in playing any of these characters or obtaining further information, please contact TOM FERRIS at [email protected], by Sept 9. Please include a photo, your acting age range, contact information (email, phone and home address)and any information you believe might be helpful to us, including the role(s) in which you are interested.
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