To license for stock and amateur production, contact Concord Theatricals:
For all other rights inquiries, please contact Brian Sherman
”A brilliant, myth-shattering world premiere.”
- Jay Harvey Upstage, Indianapolis
ABOUT
What does it mean to “be an American”? In The Rocket Men, six women step into the roles of former Nazi scientists who became the backbone of the NASA team that sent America to the moon. The play explores the dynamic relationship of Wernher von Braun and Heinz-Hermann Koelle as these two have set their sights on space exploration and colonization beyond the moon. Still, as the play counts down to the launch of Apollo 11, Koelle is befriended by a Jewish engineer who is hell-bent on exposing the truth: the Germans’ technology is based on the V-2 rockets built by slave labor and is more tied to Koelle’s world than he can imagine. Told with theatrical invention, gripping urgency, and dark humor, Crystal Skillman’s new play confronts the uneasy bargain between ambition and accountability. The Rocket Men launches a conversation about power, complicity, and the stories we choose to celebrate.
The Rocket Men will be a part of the Alabama Shakespeare 2026-27 season!
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Our Ensemble (6 Actors) who play:
Ensemble 1: Heinz-Hermann Koelle, 30s. Relentlessly inquisitive, has all the questions.
Ensemble 2: Wernher von Braun [VB], 40s. Endlessly energetic, has all the answers.
Ensemble 3: Friend, VB's "Assistant"/Sol, 30s, Introspective and bold.
Ensemble 4: Helmut Hoelzer, 40s, Seemingly gruff.
Ensemble 5: Arthur Rudolph, 40s/fifties. Rough, vulnerable.
Ensemble 6: William A. Mrazek, 40s/fifties, Thoughtful, quirky, a dreamer.
The Ensemble are female-identifying actors who step into playing The Rocket Men.
It is revealed why at the end. Casting should reflect a diversity of race, ethnic background, physical type, and ability. This casting reflects an examination of history. A reimagining. It is possible to expand the Ensemble from six to seven and not double cast Friend/Sol.
READ THE PLAY
Be Notified for the Concord Theatricals Publication Release :
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Crystal Skillman (Playwright) is an internationally award-winning and 4-time NYT Critics’ Pick playwright (CUT, GEEK, KING KIRBY, and OPEN). In addition to the NNPN productions of The Rocket Men, her play OPEN moved Off-Broadway last summer to WP Theater, after being selected for the WP Space Program, with Midnight Theatricals. Notable works under commercial option and in development include MARY & MAX THE MUSICAL and RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD (2022 UK Premiere). KING KIRBY, co-written with NYT bestselling author Fred Van Lente about the life of Marvel’s co-creator, artist Jack Kirby, is a podcast series on Broadway Podcast Network. Her new play, co-written with Fred Van Lente, Tragedy: A Comedy, was selected for the very first 2025 FSU/Asolo Conservatory New Works Play Lab (Ojai Playwrights, O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Semi-Finalist). Her first graphic novel is about to come out in print from Rocketship Entertainment; she has written for Wondery Kids, Adventure Time comics, and Marvel comics. She is represented by Brian T. Sherman (IPEX Artists Agency.
https://www.crystalskillman.com/ @crystalskillman
PRESS
NEWS
Playbill - Crystal Skillman's The Rocket Men To Receive Rolling World Premiere
TheaterMania - Crystal Skillman's The Rocket Men to Have Rolling World Premiere
Nothing for the Group - The Week of August 29 - September 4, 2025
Broadway World - Photos: CRYSTAL SKILLMAN’S THE ROCKET MEN Premieres at Phoenix Theatre
Broadway World - Photos: THE ROCKET MEN at Synchronicity Theatre
American Theatre - What Else Is New
Nothing for the Group - The Week of October 10 - 16, 2025:
Broadway World - Crystal Skillman's THE ROCKET MEN To Receive West Coast Premiere
Playwright’s Spotlight Podcast - Playwright's Spotlight with Crystal Skillman
Something (rather than nothing) Podcast - Interview with Crystal Skillman
American Theatre - Brian James Polak Reverses Roles
Arts ATL - Review: Synchronicity’s ‘Rocket Men’ launches slowly, reaches emotional impact
Speakeysie - Review: THE ROCKET MEN at Synchronicity Theater is a thought provoking new work
Jay Harvey Upstage - Phoenix Theatre opens season with brilliant, myth-shattering world premiere
Plays With John and Wendy - Phoenix launches unflinching look at ‘Rocket Men
GALLERY
VIDEOS
DRAMATURGY
In The Rocket Men by Crystal Skillman, six women step into the roles of real-life Nazis who formed the backbone of the NASA team that sent us to the moon. Told with invention and theatricality, this gripping new play about the intersection of scientific exploration and moral responsibility unfolds in startling ways and asks us what it means “to be an American” … then and now.
Learn more about the background here:
CONTACT
For regional licensing, please contact Concord Theatricals
For all other rights inquiries, please contact Brian Sherman, Founder & CEO | Literary Agent At IPEX Artists Agency
Contact the author, Crystal Skillman
