Be a part of the first-ever staging of the original play INSTRUMENTS OF HEALING, a story of overcoming a lifetime of adversities to find a purpose in helping others through the uplifting power of music and the love of a mother who wouldn’t give up on her child. Based on the experiences of author and composer, Andy Goldenson, the show is dedicated to his late mother MaryAnn and will be directed by Mark Ashby, with musical arrangements by Nathan Ashby.
Not only is Instruments of Healing the name of the play, it is a real-world non-profit with the mission of creating interactive musical experiences that inspire peers in their recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. You can learn more about them at www.instrumentsofhealing.org.
Instruments of Healing will be staged at the Embassy Theatre September 12-14 and 19-21, 2025, with auditions held at the Embassy on Saturday June 14 from 1-5 pm, open to age high school and up. If you are unable to attend auditions in person, you may submit a video audition. While not a musical per se, Instruments of Healing has a strong focus on music with a few original songs. If you sing or play an instrument (keyboards, guitar, bass, drums), there’s a place for you. If you don’t, there’s a place for you, too!
To make an appointment and request an audition packet with character sides, or if you have any questions about content, please contact
bWFzaGJ5OTAwMCB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t and specify if you have particular roles you would like to read for. We will take walk-ins but those with appointments will receive priority.
Available roles are listed below. Please note that the role of Caroline Cohen has already been cast.
NARRATOR: An all-knowing presence throughout the play who connects scenes from Ben’s entire life with both humor and seriousness. By the end, we learn what role the narrator really has played in Ben’s story. Open to all genders.
BEN COHEN (MALE): The protagonist. We witness all stages of his life journey from elementary school through old age and the struggles he faces and the victories he achieves along the way. He’s not perfect, and his learning differences often cause him to be bullied and underestimated. Although he endures the lows of mental illness, he also never stops dreaming big about making a difference in others’ lives. Through it all, his relationship with his mother goes through ups and downs, but he knows he wouldn’t have made it through without her sometimes-tough love and support. While not a trained pianist, Ben expresses his musical thoughts and ideas through the keyboard, so basic knowledge of chords and intermediate ability on the piano is a plus, although not required. This role does require singing.
CAROLINE COHEN (FEMALE): Ben’s mother. To the outside world, she can appear hard-edged, but that is because she will stop at nothing to advocate for her family, particularly her son. She speaks very little about what in her past has caused her to be this way, but even though her method of showing love is sometimes rough, Ben comes to recognize that although she’s not perfect, either, she had his back all along. (This role has already been cast.)
JOE COHEN (MALE): Ben’s dad, the quieter parent who provides a supportive balance to Caroline’s methods. He passes away suddenly when Ben is in his 20s.
*****The following roles appear in limited scenes. Performers may be cast in multiple roles, including brief incidental roles not listed here.*****
STEVEN (MALE): Caroline’s narcissist older brother. He constantly reminds her of how he “saved” her when they were young and uses that to manipulate her emotions and get her to do what he wants. Near the end of the play, Ben stands up for Caroline and confronts Steven about his mistreatment of her.
SARA COHEN (FEMALE): Ben’s older sister. When they’re kids, Sarah teaches Ben a bit about the piano.
DAVID (MALE): Ben’s nephew who visits him at the nursing home.
MRS. VANDERBELT (MALE): School choir teacher.
DR. GIORDANO (FEMALE): High school principal who at first resists the idea that Ben is college material.
SANDY (MALE): Ben’s high school bully. While this role is only briefly seen, their interaction colors much of what follows, as the mental scars he creates never fully leave Ben.
DR. REYNOLDS (MALE): Ben’s therapist in high school.
MRS. SILVERMAN (FEMALE): High school teacher who encourages Ben to follow his dreams.
SHARON (FEMALE): College tutor and mother of one of Ben’s friends.
DR. CANBERG (FEMALE): Unsupportive professor who tells Ben he isn’t cut out to be a music therapist and removes him from the program.
DR. VINDMAN (MALE): Dr. Canberg’s associate professor who unsuccessfully attempts to persuade her to try to work with Ben to help him graduate from the music therapy program.
MARK G. AND MARK T. (MALE): Ben’s roommates who witness him have a hallucinatory break from reality.
GINNY (FEMALE): Ben’s work mentor who encourages him to use his passion for music to help others.
JENNIFER (FEMALE): Ben’s first serious and supportive adult romantic partner, who passes away from kidney failure.
LOUISE (FEMALE): Meets Ben on an online dating site and becomes his life partner and co-founder of the Instruments of Healing nonprofit.
LEONARD (MALE): Louise’s grandfather who performs their commitment ceremony and dispenses life wisdom.
CLIENTS at Instruments of Healing programs who sing and play their own original songs (MALE AND FEMALE): These roles would be good for performers who may prefer singing and/or playing music to acting out roles, although they are open to anyone. Ideally we would like these performers to play an instrument such as keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, etc., but it is not required.
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