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Breakdown
Public Theater Season
BARBECUE
FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE
COMEDY OF ERRORS
THE GABRIELS: Election Year in the Life of One Family
BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES
DRY POWDER
HEAD OF PASSES
ROMEO & JULIET
THE TOTAL BENT
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BARBECUE
by Robert O’Hara
Dir: Kent Gash
Cat. C
1st reh: 8/25/15. Runs: 9/22/15 - 11/1/15. Possible Ext: 12/13/15
A Black Comedy. Working class white family has gathered in their local park to share some barbecue, Jack Daniels & straight talk with sister Barbara, whose spiral of drugs & recklessness has forced her siblings to stage an intervention. But the event becomes raucous, unpredictable & finally spirals out of control as familial stereotypes collide with hard realities, & racial politics slam up against the stories we tell.
SEEKING:
BARBARA
Late 30s–40s. Caucasian female. Recovered addictl; holds on to her sobriety by a slender thread. Has written a tell all book about her drugging & drinking days but, in truth, her chaotic take no prisoners alter ego Zippity Boom still lurks just beneath the surface.
MARIE
40s-50s. Caucasian female. Her older sister. Authentically working class. A role for a skilled comedienne. Loud mouthed & dirty drunk. Buys & consumes Jack Daniels by the gallon and has a “minor” crack habit. The life of the party, especially once she has some liquor in her. Loves her family.
ADLEAN
40s-50s. Caucasian female. Her older sister. Authentically working class. Role for a skilled comedienne. Chain smoker & pill popper. Never leaves home without a carton of menthols & cornucopia of prescription drugs. Incredulous of everything and quick to stir up shit. Loves her family.
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FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE
by Michael John LaChiusa
Dir: Kirsten Sanderson
Cat. C
1st reh: 9/8/15. Runs: 10/6/15 - 11/15/15
All roles CAST.
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COMEDY OF ERRORS
by William Shakespeare
Dir: Kwame Kwei-Armah
Mobile Shakespeare Unit – OB Special Contract
1st reh: 9/14/15. Tour: 10/9/15 – 10/30/15. Runs (Public Theater): 11/1/15 - 11/22/15
MOBILE SHAKESPEARE INITIATIVE is focused on bringing Shakespeare to non-traditional venues such as prisons, homeless shelters, centers for disadvantaged youth around the tri-state area. Actors travel by company van and participate in set-up/striking of small scenic elements, props, and costumes. The company presents approximately 6 performances per week during tour. The final 3 weeks will be at The Public Theater with 8 performances per week open to the general public.
Seeking diverse group of collaborative, language-oriented actors who enjoy working in a physical style. All roles will double with multiple characters.
Musical/instrumental skills a plus for all roles (please make note of any instruments played in submission).
SEEKING:
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE/ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS/AS CAST
30s–40s. Male. Any ethnicity. Plays ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE: After being separated as a child from his mother and twin brother, he has set out in search of his lost family. Sensitive, passionate, and feels keenly the loss of his family and his own displacement. Spontaneous, passionate, and impulsive. Possesses a quick and violent temper which can rear its head at the drop of a hat. This role will also double with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS: Antipholus of Syracuse’s long lost twin, now a well-regarded merchant in Ephesus. A successful businessman with clout in the town. Confident, brash, outspoken. Very comfortable being in charge, and easily vexed when his authority is questioned. He possesses the same quick and violent temper as his brother, and is not afraid to use it to bully others in order to get what he wants. This is a role for an actor possessing great verbal/physical comedic skills.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE/DROMIO OF EPHESUS/AS CAST
30s–40s. Male. Any ethnicity. Plays DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: The servant of Antipholus of Syracuse, whose twin brother was also lost in the very same storm, and is accompanying his master on his journey. Something of a wide-eyed innocent, although he has traveled far, his world is very small, and he is constantly awed and bewildered by the strange things he encounters in Ephesus. This role will double with DROMIO OF EPHESUS: The servant to Antipholus of Ephesus, and twin to Dromio of Syracuse. He is world weary, with a slightly gruff exterior, having borne the brunt of the foul tempers of his master and his mistress for years, but still a loyal servant. This is a role for an actor possessing great verbal/physical comedic skills.
ADRIANA/AS CAST
30s. Female. Any ethnicity. Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus. Headstrong, tough, and feisty. Fiercely stubborn, she’s not afraid to fight for what is hers, and refuses to back down when challenged. Loves her husband, and the sudden and strange changes in his behavior shock and trouble her. Prone to jealousy, and quick to jump to the worst and most dramatic conclusions, her mood can change drastically in an instant.
LUCIANA/2ND MERCHANT/AS CAST
20s–30s. Female. Any ethnicity. Adriana’s calmer, more phlegmatic sister. Patient, thoughtful and stolid. She thinks before she speaks and acts, and is able to see all sides of an argument. Grounds her sister, and helps her to see reason instead of panic. This role will double with 2nd MERCHANT: A merchant of Ephesus, eager to collect the dues that she is owed by Angelo.
EGEON/ANGELO/PINCH/AS CAST
40s–50s. Male. Any ethnicity. A role for a skilled character actor, who is comfortable working in a physical style and is able to delineate a line of roles. To play EGEON: A merchant of Syracuse. Ravaged by grief, and weary from travel and heartbreak. After having lost his wife and infant son in a shipwreck, he has been scouring foreign ports in search of news of his family. He has lost so much in his life that the threat of death means nothing to him. This role will also double with ANGELO: A goldsmith of Ephesus. Fair and responsible in his affairs, if a bit fussy. He keeps stock of his debts, and conducts himself professionally, and PINCH: A conjuring schoolmaster of questionable credentials. He believes that the devil is behind Antipholus’ transformation, and makes a shabby attempt to exorcise him. A charlatan.
SOLINA/LUCE/COURTESAN/EMILIA/AS CAST
30s–50s. Female. Any ethnicity. A role for a skilled character actor, who is comfortable working in a physical style and is able to delineate a line of roles. To play SOLINA: The Duchess of Ephesus. A dignified and powerful ruler. Although she is not afraid to be brutal when it is in the best interests of her people, she can find it in her power to bend the rules when the cause is just. This role will double with LUCE: Adriana’s kitchen maid. Unkempt, bawdy, robust and lusty. Not self-conscious in the least. In love with Dromio, and will stop at nothing to make him hers, also COURTESAN: Confident, bold, sexy. Tough and independent. A good head for business, and a keen eye for opportunity.
MUSICIAN/OFFICER/AS CAST
20s–40s. Male. Any ethnicity. A role for an extremely skilled musician and singer. This person will be primarily responsible for providing the music and soundscape for the entire piece. Must play multiple instruments that can be carried onstage (i.e. guitar, violin, trumpet, hand drums, etc.). Please make note of instruments on submission. This role will also double with OFFICER: a police officer of Ephesus, tasked with keeping the peace, and keeping the sometimes unruly citizens of Ephesus in line.
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THE GABRIELS: Election Year in the Life of One Family
Play One: HUNGRY
Anspacher Thtr
1st Reh: 2/2/16. Runs: 2/27 - 3/20
First in a new 3-play cycle introducing us to the Gabriels of Rhinebeck, NY. Subtitled Election Year in the Life of One Family, these 3 plays track the lives of the Gabriels throughout the coming presidential election year; final play will open on Election Day, November 8, 2016. As with The Apple Family Plays, each play in the cycle will open on the day it is set and unfold in real time over a couple of hours.
HUNGRY places us in center of the Gabriel’s kitchen, 5 months after Thomas Gabriel, novelist & playwright, dies at age 64. To the rhythm of peeling, chopping and mixing, the family discusses their lives & disappointments & the world at large & nearby, as they struggle against the fear of being left behind & the challenge to find resilience in the face of loss.
SEEKING
KARIN GABRIEL
50s. Caucasian female. Thomas’s 1st wife, former actress now teacher. Invited by the family to join the gathering. Accepted as part of the family, but because she’s spent some time away she doesn’t innately share in the familiar shorthand of their interactions, & stands a little on the outside. Smart, sensitive, insightful.
PATRICIA GABRIEL
80s. Caucasian female. Thomas’s mother. In wake of son’s death, as well as an unpleasant/frightening experience with an attempted financial scam, has begun to feel vulnerable & afraid of the outside world. Strong, opinionated woman, but her advancing age has left her newly fragile. Has recently made decision to move to an assisted living facility, but refuses to give up other independences, like driving.
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BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES
by The Gob Squad
Martinson Thtr
1st Reh: 10/6/15. Runs: 10/17 - 11/29
All roles CAST
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DRY POWDER
by Sarah Burgess
Dir: Thomas Kail
Martinson– Cat. A
1st Reh: 2/9/16. Runs: 3/1/16 - 4/10/16
Same week his private equity firm forced massive layoffs at a national grocery chain, Rick threw himself an extravagant engagement party, setting off a publicity nightmare. Fortunately, Seth, one of Rick’s managing directors, has a win-win deal to invest in American-made luggage company for a song & rescue his boss from the company’s PR disaster. But Jenny, Seth’s fast-thinking counterpart, has an entirely different plan: squeeze every last penny out of the company, no matter the human toll. Sharply witty, bitingly funny, gripping new play about the price of success & the real cost of getting the deal done.
Seeking:
JENNY
Mid-30s. Female. Managing director at successful private equity firm in NY. Sharp, driven, straightforward—used to getting her way & getting ahead at any cost. Has dry, quick, brash sense of humor. Uninterested in making friends; unafraid of making enemies. A shark. Believes deeply in her own self-worth & her own individual values system. Very aware of the pressure to succeed & risk of making mistakes, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field. Doesn’t know when to stop.
RICK
50s. Male. Founder & president of the private equity firm. Mentor to both Jenny & Seth, & charged with the exasperating task of wrangling the pair’s competitive & wayward ambitions. Analytical, smart, a strong leader. Has natural charm & humor, as well as ability to deliver bad news with amusing candor. Decisive but not hasty. Has short temper, but quick to refocus & attend to what’s most important. Shrewd businessman with an awareness of the bottom line.
JEFF
30s-40s. Male. CEO of a California-based boutique luggage company on brink of change. His west coast sensibilities leave him slightly out of place in fast-moving world of NY finance. Optimistic, friendly, open. Trusting, idealistic, easy - but smart & quick on the uptake. Hard worker; his success has afforded him luxury of kindness. Grown the company from its earliest stages without asking for much in return; wants the best for the company & its employees—when possible. Ultimately, has plans & goals for himself.
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HEAD OF PASSES
by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Dir: Tina Landau
Co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Newman Thtr
1st Reh: 2/16/16. Runs: 3/15 - 4/24
SEEKING
AUBREY
Late 20s-early 30s. African-American male. Son to Shelah. Confident, independent, self-sufficient. Take charge kind of person; likes to confront & solve problems head-on—though sometimes his assertive forcefulness can make him seem a bit like a steam roller. Holds himself & others to high standard, which makes it difficult at times to see things from all angles.
SPENCER
30s. African-American male. Son to Shelah. Outspoken, charismatic, with candid & forthright sense of humor. Big personality & big talker. Well intentioned, eager to take matters into his own hands; sometimes lacks organization & focus to follow through.
COOKIE
Mid-late 20s. African-American female. Step-daughter to Shelah. Years of past trauma left her bitter & filled with rage. Turned to alcohol & drugs to numb the internal pain that’s tearing her apart inside. Tough, fierce, wild, but getting tired of fighting. To her, idea of trusting anyone is impossible. Everyone is a danger; keeping her distance is only way to survive.
CREAKER
Late 40s-early 50s. African-American male. Works for Shelah. Short-tempered, gruff, brusque, no nonsense. Underneath rough exterior is a good heart, but he only allows himself to soften after he’s had a few drinks. Wants to be a good father to his son, but his attempts to mold & focus him often devolve into bouts of brutal criticism.
CRIER
18+ to play late teens. African-American male. Son to Creaker. Sweet, earnest, eager. Sensitive. Taken job with his father working at Shelah’s house, but heart isn’t in it. Feels stifled by his father & smallness of the world around him. Harbors dreams of being a singer. Feels his father’s criticism deeply & resents his father can only seem to show him affection when he’s drunk.
MAE
60s. African-American female. Friend of Shelah’s. Gentle spirit with good/caring heart. Friendly, bubbly. Supportive & loving of her friends. Bit of a flirt; not afraid to get a little silly. Can give back as good as she gets.
DR. ANDERSON
Late 40s-early 50s. Caucasian male. Shelah’s physician. Been the family doctor for decades; at this point is more family than doctor. Trustworthy, thoughtful, with a rough-hewn sensibility. Genuinely cares about his patients. Plain-spoken, sincere; not afraid to speak frankly & to the point.
THE ANGEL
20s. African-American male. “A Young Brilliant Person” with a 100 watt smile. Charming, beautiful, calming. Powerful presence. Says little, but words and presence speak volumes.
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ROMEO & JULIET
by William Shakespeare
Dir: Lear de Bessonet
Mobile Shakespeare Unit – OB Special Contract
1st Reh: 3/21/16. Tour: 4/15–5/7. Runs: (at Public Theater): 5/10- 5/29)
SEEKING:
A diverse company of 8 collaborative, language-oriented actors who enjoy working in a physical style to cover all roles. All roles will double with multiple characters. Specific character tracks are currently TBD.
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THE TOTAL BENT
Text: Stew. Music by Heidi Rodewald & Stew
Dir: Joanna Settle
Anspacher Thtr
1st Reh: 4/12/16. Runs: 5/10-7/17
New musical about a black gospel prodigy from down South and a white music producer from South London who meet in a recording studio south of the Twilight Zone, as they both desperately seek their own versions of transcendence, salvation, and a hit record.
As THE TOTAL BENT is currently in development, we have no further information available at this time.
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