Available: Oct. 12, 2021
“Tochi Onyebuchi is a…master of dystopia, his visions encompass the fantastic as well as the all-too-possible.” -Arley Sorg, Clarkesworld
“There is such a dynamic action under each [and every] sentence and phrase… Really, it’s excellent.” -Paul Jessup, Vernacular Books
Cecile dreams of falling, but her work on the android keeps her grounded. She works to keep him safe, to improve his speed and stamina so that he can continue boxing with minimal risk. But, this isn’t what he wants. He needs to feel the pain of getting hit to know that he is real, that he is himself and not just a series of recycled chips, code, and battered parts. She can’t know his heart. She never asks. Without being able to help herself, these efforts to protect him may cost her the secret she holds most dear. This audio journey to the heart of identity and connection will have you on the edge of your seat wanting more.
Why We Chose This Story: The opportunity to dive into the work of a popular author—an author who engages with the broader literary world in a compelling way; an author who is as fun, interesting, and forward-facing as his work—this opportunity could not be missed. This story is the perfect vehicle for another of our fantastic audio plays.
For Fans Of: Butler’s Childfinder, Oates’ On Boxing, Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Content Warning for This Play: suicide; suicidal ideation; self-harming; graphic descriptions of: medical procedures, violence, bodily injury, and blood
Our Content Warnings are applicable to our productions and are not necessarily inclusive of all subject matter that may be found in the books from which they are adapted.
The Cast:
Mandy Rose Nichols (they/them): Cecile
Tim Gouran* (he/him): Boxer
Annette Toutonghi* (she/her): Brianne
Arlando Smith (he/him): Boxer #2/Bayou Android/Boxer #4
Jesse Calixto (he/him): Tom/Boxing Referee/Electrocuted Android/Boxer #3
Mia Morris (she/her): Pilot Android
The Creative Team:
Tochi Onyebuchi (he/him): Author
Gin Hammond* (she/her): Adapter & Director
Impossible Acoustic with Brendon J. Hogan (he/him) & Paul Eric Miller (he/him): Sound Design
Rosemary Jones (she/her): Rehearsal Stage Manager
Benjamin Radin (he/him): Audio Engineer/Technical Director
Kyle Thompson (he/him): Audio Engineer
Leanna Keith (she/they): Audio Book-It Theme Music
Dan Schuy (he/him): Production Manager
Zenaida Smith (she/her): Company Manager/Casting Associate
*Member of SAG-AFTRA, the union of the Screen Actor’s Guild and American Federation of Radio Artists.
This production was made under working agreement with SAG-AFTRA, the union of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Radio Artists.
