Worth Playing For is a two-person autobiographical play about who gets to tell your story, the danger of surrendering that power, and what it says about an audience that can't turn away.
Drawing inspiration from Fun Home and Next to Normal, with the Brechtian punch of intimate, emotional, and immersive theater, the play pushes past the immediate story and asks a central question that lingers long after the lights come up:
Worth Playing For uses Survivor — now in its landmark 50th season — as a framing device to explore why we feel compelled to share our personal trauma for entertainment, while raising a mirror to a complicit audience that has been conditioned to always want more.
Colin O'Neill is a San Francisco-based performer, director, and writer whose work is driven by a persistent question: who gets to tell a story, and what happens to the people whose stories get told for them?
His training includes studies at Berkeley Rep, storytelling work with Joyful Raven, vocal training with Jack Wilkins, and writing classes through the San Francisco Writers Salon. A former middle school teacher and proud member of Songbird City Choir, he has spent much of his life helping others find their voice — on stage and off.
Worth Playing For: A Survival Fantasy is his playwriting debut.
We are always looking for passionate, creative people to help bring this show to life. Whether you have theater experience or have always wanted to get involved — there is a place for you here. No contribution of time or talent is too small. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning. If you or anyone you know is interested, please reach out.
Second Actor
Plays Jeff Probst and a rotating cast of characters. Open to actors of any age or gender.
Stage Manager
Organized, detail-oriented, analytical. Running cues, managing props, keeping rehearsals and performances on track.
Technical & Scenic
An eye for design. Background in sound, lighting, or projection helpful but not required.
General Production
Marketing, front of house, logistics — and more. If you have a talent that could help, we want to hear from you.
Rehearsals begin in mid-June. Tech rehearsal July 29th. Performances August 2nd, 8th, and 16th at Potrero Stage, San Francisco.
Do I need theater experience to get involved?
Not at all. There's room for everyone, regardless of background or experience level. If you're curious and willing to show up, we want to hear from you.
What is the time commitment?
Rehearsals will run 2–3 times per week for 5–6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. Performances are August 2nd, 8th, and 16th at Potrero Stage.
I'm interested in acting — how do I audition?
To sign up for an audition slot, please click here and reserve your time. Initial auditions will be held via Zoom, with callbacks announced at a later date.
I've never seen Survivor — do I need to know the show?
Not at all. While a love of Survivor is always welcome, it's not a requirement. You'll learn everything you need to know. And who knows — you might get hooked.
Where do rehearsals take place?
We are finalizing our rehearsal space in San Francisco. If you know of a space that might work for a small team, we'd love to hear from you.
I'm not sure which role fits me — can I still reach out?
Absolutely. We can find a place for almost anyone. If you want to be involved in any capacity, reach out and we'll figure out how to put your skills and talents to work.
Worth Playing For will be presented as part of PlayGround's Free Play Festival at Potrero Stage in San Francisco this August.
PlayGround is a nationally recognized new playwriting incubator that began right here in San Francisco and has since expanded with chapters in Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago. For over 30 years, PlayGround has championed early-career playwrights and helped launch some of the most exciting voices in American theater.
The Free Play Festival is a fringe-style festival — meaning it operates independently of mainstream commercial theater, with an emphasis on bold, innovative, and risk-taking new work. Fringe theater exists to give emerging artists a platform to develop original productions in front of live audiences, free from the constraints of traditional theater structures. It's where new work gets made.
Script finalized. Team assembled. Development sessions with dramaturg Joyful Raven.
Full rehearsals. Technical design developed. Invited dress rehearsal.
Tech rehearsal at Potrero Stage, 6pm.
Opening performance, 4pm.
Second performance, noon.
Closing performance, 2pm.
Interested in joining the production, seeing the show, or just want to know more?
worthplayingforplay@gmail.comIn this game, fire represents life. Once your fire is gone, so too are you.