Bright Room
Bright Room explores the life of Rose Mackenberg, Harry Houdini's chief investigator into the paranormal in the 1920's. Rose made a career out of assisting Houdini to expose the wave of fake spiritualists and mediums who deceived grieving families hoping to speak to their deceased relatives. Rose and Harry’s friendship and partnership arises from a shared desire to understand life, death, and what comes after. Through the connections she makes, Rose brings light into the dark rooms of her soul.
The Characters
Cast of Characters (several may be doubled)
Rose Mackenberg, an American investigator of fraudulent psychic mediums
Matthew Steinem, lawyer and managing partner of Steinem and Sons, Attorneys-at-Law
Jack Daudet, owner of Daudet Investigations
Calumet/Brother, A supposed medium who presents himself as a leader in the Sioux Nation / His twin brother.
Servant, Calumet’s native servant.
Clark Gerrold, a grieving New York banker.
Harry Houdini, a Hungarian-American magician specializing in escapes and stunts, and notorious spiritualist-debunker
Bess Houdini, Harry’s wife, business partner and stage assistant
Signora Benedetti, an Italian Spiritualist
Rev. Charles Gunsolas, a prominent Indiana Spiritualist and medium
Jane Coates, a Washington D.C. medium with ties to prominent D.C. politicians
HR Committee Chair, chair of the House of Representatives Committee (VO only)
Rep. Sol Bloom, a US Representative from New York (VO only)
Rep. from Florida, a US Representative from Florida (VO only)
Mary Stalich, a young student reporter
James, a doorman
Millie, a young woman.
The following characters should be played by the same actor
Rose
Harry
Bess
Jack/James
Steinem/Rep from Florida VO
Calumet/Twin
Servant/Charles/Bloom VO
Gerrold/HR Committee Chair VO
Benedetti/Coates/Mary/Millie