Sci-Fi Audio Drama "Beyond Awakening" Debuts

QuietPlease.org Productions, the creative team behind “253 Mathilde,” proudly announces the debut of their latest audio drama series, Beyond Awakening. The series premiered on Friday, August 16, 2024, with the first episode “Unrealized Realities” now available at https://www.quietplease.org/awakening and across all podcasting platforms.

Set aboard a Galactic Confederation spaceship responding to a mysterious distress call, this first episode follows the crew as they grapple with the unsettling realization that not everything is as it seems in their lives. The crew must begin to re-examine everything they think they know, as they begin a season-long journey which will dramatically reshape them. Their ultimate challenge is to distinguish fact from fiction before they lose their sanity.

This full-cast production features returning talents from “253 Mathilde” in the four central roles. John Gaunce plays Captain Mack Hardcase, a brave leader in the mold of Captain Kirk who feels a bit out of his time. David Loftus portrays the inscrutable Doctor Clay Erhardt, whose deep curiosity can border on mad science and has him pushing the boundaries of an uncertain reality. Steff Knappe plays the ultra-strong, many-tentacled alien Commander Misty L’Quil as she grapples with a disparity between who she’s supposed to be and who she is. Gwenith Knight is Ensign Trisha Blackburn, who we meet relaxing in a state of bliss with her head against a cow.

Created, written, directed, and produced by Paul Knierim, “Beyond Awakening” explores themes of uncertainty, alienation, and skepticism. One one level the series feels a bit like “The Orville” with a light-hearted cliche space adventure setup -- yet on another level it’s a deeply intense journey down a rabbit hole akin to “The Matrix.” It wrestles with the difficulty of reinventing yourself when you come to doubt everything that made you who you are, making it a compelling listen for podcast fans who appreciate thought-provoking science fiction.

The first season will consist of seven episodes, with episodes 2 through 7 set to be released every three weeks on Fridays, starting September 13 and running through the end of the year. Notably, episodes will be available earlier for Patreon backers, providing an opportunity for dedicated fans to engage with the series ahead of the public release.