Tierney's Tales of Terror: To Be Remembered & Asylum Means Sanctuary
Project Overview
UPDATE : Not sure how to close this project, but it is now fully cast. I am in the process of producing these episodes along with others. My personal life has finally settled down a bit, allowing me to work on these things.
Artwork by Karl Nordman (Tierney's Tales of Terror)
A Tale of Tierney - An original audio play I wrote that won 1st place in the MTB Audio Drama Script-Writing Competition
Vincent Tierney of Tierney’s Tales of Terror was born from the loss of a dear friend, a mentor for me in the audio drama community. I wanted to create a character who embodied the person I knew; someone larger than life who shared my love of the golden age of radio, but who was also incredibly talented as a voice actor.
Initially I thought this story would only be Vincent’s story - a one and done thing, but then I realized how fun it would be to actually create Vincent’s horror anthology, “Tierney’s Tales of Terror.” So here we are - a couple of years later. I reached out to authors and selected 6 audio plays - which will be broken into 2 seasons (3 plays a piece: first place, 2nd place, 3rd place).
TWO CASTING CALLS in ONE
Season 2 - Episode 1: To Be Remembered by Bethany Baldwin
Synopsis written by Bethany Baldwin: All Emily Stevenson wants is to be remembered. The daughter of the owner of a roadside hotel and pub, she’d much prefer writing poetry in the solace of nature and leave the rude customers and unwanted tourists who invade her favorite spaces out of it. Her favorite refuge is the local wonder, Natural Bridge. Once a sacred place to natives of the area, it is now marred by crossing buggies and gawking spectators. But when Emily sneaks out in the cool of the evening or the wee morning hours, she can almost feel that magic again that stirs her soul to write. Sometimes she thinks the wind whispers back to her. When her name appears carved in the bridge’s gorge, she sets out to uncover the mystery of who did it, not fully aware of what she’s set in motion, or that nature’s sounds are growing louder and they WILL be understood.
Season 2 - Episode 3; Asylum Means Sanctuary by Louis Gutierrez
Synopsis: Twenty-seven year old Laura Morris has just arrived in a mental institution. Her doctor and roommate both tell her of the horrible thing she has done, but Laura is unable to believe it. But what if it’s true and what sort of place is this asylum? Find out as Vincent Tierney takes you on a journey known as…Asylum Means Sanctuary!
Requirements: USB/XL microphone only. Please record in a quiet space with the equipment you intend to use if you are cast. AA/BB/CC format (Different readings of Line 1 twice, line 2 twice, etc)
TierneyAudition_YourCharacter_Yourname in either mp3 or wav format. If cast, all lines need to be in one single file, with 2 to 3 different takes of each line in Wav format.
When you are logged in, you can comment, add submissions, create projects, upvote, search open roles, and way more. Login here.
A 27 year old mother with 3 kids who finds herself in a mental institution. More than anything, she wants to be reunited with her kids.
- english
- female adult
- female young adult
- warm
Let me go! Let me go! I want to go home! I have children at home and no one to watch them!
Your protection? You don't seem like someone who needs protecting.
There was broken glass everywhere. I did not want her to get hurt.
43 year old woman who has been a patient at the mental institution. We aren't sure for how long, but long enough to be annoyed when she has to share a room with a new patient. She comes across as sarcastic, but not uncaring.
Why do I always get stuck with the new patients? Turn your head to your left. See me now?
Wait until you get into group therapy. I mean, the stories you hear from some of these people. Makes you glad they're in here and not out there.
Of course the doctor said it was not self defense. Tried to convince me it was just a delusion. Tried to tell me it’s for my own good when I realize it's just a delusion. But it's not a delusion! I know the truth. So anyway, you killed your kids, huh?
52 year old man who is a doctor at the asylum. He is a very compassionate individual who genuinely seems to care how about the people who come into his office. He just wants to help them.
- male adult
I understand this is new to you. As an enforcer, I'm sure you've seen the worst of humanity. Most of it is deliberate, but some - like her - is out of her control. She needs help right now, not punishment.
Did you do it? Everything indicates that you did. Are you responsible? That's what we are going to find out.
I'm looking for a more lasting change and not a temporary one that will evaporate as soon as the drugs are out of your system. As for electroshock, we're trying to get you to come to terms with reality, not treat you for depression.
50 year old nurse at the asylum.
Yes, doctor. Right this way, Ms. Morris. Don't be scared. Everything is all right. I'll be outside if you need anything
Laura Morris. Has she been evaluated yet?
Barney, you know we don't talk to patients that way.
35 year old man, the law enforcement
Well, she is pretty upset, but so far had not shown any violent tendencies, as least to other adults.
Why not? She deserves to be punished. Why can't we just give her the punishment she deserves?
I don’t know why you’re bothering.
She is sad and anxious for her mom to come home, but I also get the sense she wants her mom to get better. In this scene, she's having a phone conversation with her mom.
- female child
Mom, is that you?
We're with grandma. She's taking good care of us until you can get home.
Mom, please don't be mad. If you would just talk to her...
He or she is in charge of the mental institution.
- female adult
- male adult
Hope. Do you think it’s ironic to have hope in a place like this?
(laughs) You certainly have a unique way of healing people. Very well. Good luck to you.
Do you think you can convince her that she murdered her children?
Emily (ideally could have a slight Southern VA accent). She dreams of being a poet and often speaks in fanciful ways with poetic intonation. Late teens – early 20s.
- female adult
- female young adult
Line 1: What am I to do with the words that burn in my chest so bad I think I might ache if I don’t release them? I want to be remembered. My writing’s gonna get me there, Pegs.
Line 2: (a confession to the man she likes) Poetry is my heart. I want to share it, but I’m also scared no one will like them. My secret thoughts. My feelings. But if I had to choose a dream, I’d want to be remembered. Line 3: (as if she becomes transfixed the more she talks) People have carved their names into the bridge, into the stones around it. I’ve always found it so interesting... What would my name look like if I just... carved it.
Line 4: What! Peggy! My poems. They’ve all... bled away. Everything is gone. How could you?! Line 5: (panicking as something terrible is happening to her) This isn’t what I meant! This isn’t what I wanted! No! Wait!
Peggy (ideally could have a slight Southern VA accent). Younger sister to Emily. More sensible. Hopes to find a good husband to get away from roadhouse life. Mid-late teens.
- female teen
- female young adult
- virginian
Line 1: (after a scuffle with Emily over a journal) You nearly tripped me over the edge, you beast! I could have died! I hate this place. I’m going back to the road house. Set my feet on normal ground.
Line 2: Emily, there’s a new fellow in the corner! He’s young. Oh, Emily he’s so handsome!
Line 3: I know I’m not like you. I can’t think of anything I’d like better than marrying and living on a farm with somebody. But if it really means what you say... Pa needs to see it. (Beat) When will you see him again?
Charles Barrow. A British artist documenting America’s natural wonders. (20s-early 30s)
- male young adult
- british
- male adult
Line 1: (Very polite flirting) No harm done. She’s just ahead. Shall we? I’m afraid you may have to hold my arm. My balance is terrible you see. I may fall in and ruin my best adventuring suit.
Line 3: (Snake attack) Get back! (a beat during which he shoots it, feel free to improv) It’s dead. Little monster tried to bite me!
Line 3: Would you believe me if I said I felt something dark drawing me to this place? Telling me to jump?
Captain Stevenson. (Ideally could have a slight Southern VA accent). Emily and Peggy’s father who runs the roadside hotel and hopes to see both his daughters settled after the end of the Civil War has left everything so uncertain.
- male adult
- virginian
Line 1: Where’ve you been, fool girl? I’ve no one to help the customers, having to send your sister out after you.
Line 2: Emily, stories aren’t going to keep you fed. We’re lucky to have this place after the war destroyed so much. Lucky we can serve those fancy northern folks who want to come look at the bridge. And if we’re real lucky, we’ll find you someone to take care of you when I’m gone. Now get to it.
Line 3: She’s only sixteen, but I think she’s got eyes for young Tommy Watkins. I’ve caught him hangin’ round the place. He never buys anything so it must be that.
The Voice. A male voice that almost seems to be the wind blowing through the trees. A whisper that grows more ominous throughout. While this part might seem like a minor role, it is HUGELY significant to the story. We are looking for someone whose voice has an eerie, ageless quality.
- male adult
(very quiet whisper) ...Emilyyy...
(a repeat of a poem Emily spoke aloud) Remember me, grand arches and riverways. Waterfalls and streams. Let not the light of my person fade or fall away. Remember my name. Carve me in your heart and in your limestone walls.
Who...do you want...me to be?
Comments
Public Submissions
