Welcome to the table read page for my latest screenplay, a one-hour drama TV pilot based on the California Gold Rush.
LOGLINE: In the tumultuous Gold Rush town of Marysville, California, former soldier and fugitive Thomas Wilson seeks refuge and redemption while uncovering a web of corruption spun by the manipulative businessman, Samuel Brennan. As tensions rise, Thomas’s new allies—Paddy, a hopeful saloon owner; Charlie, a brave stagecoach driver with a secret; and Lotta, a singer with big dreams—must choose between loyalty and survival. With enemies closing in and past secrets haunting him, Thomas must lead the charge to bring justice to Marysville, risking everything for the truth.
The table read will take place on August 31, 2024, from 2 pm-4 pm at the Audubon branch of the Erie County Library, 350 John J. Audubon Pkwy. Please review the characters and, if you’re interested, fill out the contact form below. You don’t have to follow the age range since this is just a read-through, but listing it helps you understand the character better.
Thank you very much for taking an interest in this project. I feel that table reads are an important part of screenwriting because what’s said out loud can frequently be different than what it sounds like in my head! FYI, some of the characters below are based on real people from this time period.
Main Characters
- Narrator
- The Narrator is the most important part of the table read. Please be able to read out loud smoothly. Hesitation or stuttering can take people out of the story.
- Thomas Wilson
- Late 20s
- Tall, lean, rugged, weathered appearance from military service
- Former U.S. Army soldier and fugitive. Seeking redemption while hiding from past actions.
- Reserved, resourceful, determined to uncover the town’s corruption.
- Charlie Parkhurst
- 20s
- Medium height, wiry, strong build, short dusty brown hair, one eye covered with a patch. Dresses androgynously with practical clothing.
- A woman disguised as a man to work as a stagecoach driver.
- Brave, resourceful, determined to survive and thrive in a male-dominated world.
- Samuel Brennan
- 50s
- Lean, graying hair, neatly trimmed beard. Wears a dusty suit indicating his status as a businessman.
- Manipulative businessman who owns most of the land in Marysville. Involved in shady dealings.
- Authoritative, calculating, power-hungry.
- Paddy Mackenzie
- 20s-30s
- (Irish Brogue preferably) red hair, full beard, ruddy complexion.
- Saloon owner, hopeful to bring his fiancée over from Ireland.
- Welcoming, determined, protective of his interests.
- Lotta Crabtree
- Late teens to early 20s
- Striking beauty with long, wavy auburn hair and green eyes. Wears elegant but practical dresses.
- Singer with dreams of performing in New York. Performs at the saloon to earn money.
- Confident, captivating, ambitious.
Secondary Characters
- Elias Barton
- 30s
- Military bearing, authoritative presence.
- U.S. Army captain, brother to Oliver Barton.
- Ruthless, determined, harsh
- Oliver Barton
- Late 20s
- Military bearing, similar to Elias.
- U.S. Army lieutenant, Elias’s brother.
- Messenger
- 18
- Young, trail-weary, determined.
- Army messenger delivering important news.
- Eleanor Collins
- 20
- Works at the brothel, interacts with new arrival
- Bold, perceptive, knowing
There are a few more characters with small speaking roles.
If you are interested in a role, please fill out the form below.
[wpforms id=”372″]