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Seeking
East West Players, the longest running theater of color in the US is seeking actors to play Asian, Mixed Race, and diverse ethnicities for KENTUCKY by Leah Nanako Winkler.
Preparation
Prepare a brief monologue that best showcases who you are as a person and performer, and that you can handle dark comedy with nuance and heart. In addition please prepare 16 bars of either “Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster or the gospel hymn “Bind Us Together Lord.”
Other Dates
Rehearsals begin October 11, 2016.
Previews begin November 2, 2016,
Opening Wednesday November 16 for a 4 week run (5 performances a week) through December 11, 2016.
Other
www.EastWestPlayers.org
Personnel
Directed by Deena Selenow
· EPA Rules are in effect.
· A monitor will be provided.
Appointments
EPA rules in effect.
Sign-up begins at 11:00AM
Performers of all ethnic and racial background are encouraged to attend.
Always bring your Equity Membership Card to auditions.
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Breakdown
Hiro is self-made, single, and almost making it in NYC when her born-again baby sister decides to marry a man she hardly knows. Hiro resolves to stop the wedding by returning to Kentucky and the past she put behind her. Will she save her sister and escape back to Manhattan? Will years of therapy unravel in one weekend back home? Identity, religion, and love collide in this rollicking coming-of-age story.
Hiro: late 20s, to play Female, mixed race Japanese. Means well. Smart and driven. Makes sixty thousand dollars a year. Powerful, vulnerable, insanely charismatic and likable, deeply flawed. Lacks self-awareness in a way that she can only see what is in front of her with a blinding sense of self confidence. Again, means well.
Sophie: early 20s, to play Female, mixed race Japanese. Hiro’s sister. A born-again Christian. She is elegant, smart, charming, funny, and Jesus is genuinely the best thing that has ever happened to her. Impossible not to love.
James: 50s to 60s, to play Male, White. Hiro and Sophie’s father. Funny at times and scary at others. Mean, sad, drunk, and high. Loves his family deeply, but has no idea how to show it.
Masako: 50s to 60s, to play Female, Japanese. Hiro and Sophie’s mother and wife to James. Her spirit is bright, though there is a deep sadness and horrifying anger within her that comes out when triggered.
Da’Ran: mid 20s, to play Male, African American or Mixed Race. Sophie’s fiancé. Kind, adorable, genuine and strong. Sweet and charismatic, he is the guy every parent wants their child to marry.
Pastor Ernest: 50s-60s, to play Male, African American, Latino, Middle Eastern, White, or Mixed Race. Da’Ran’s father. Rational. Charming. Unbelievably charismatic, giving, and cool. A Pastor with a deep understanding of humanity and God. Incredible gospel singer.
Adam / Larry: late 20s-mid 30s, to play Male, Any and All Races/Ethnicities
- as Adam: late 20s. Handsome, sweet and adoring. Really wants to settle down. Goodnatured jock who peaked in
high school.
- as Larry: 30s. Hiro’s therapist in New York City. Friendly and approachable but direct. Has a sense of humor.
Laura / Bridesmaid 1 / Grandma: late 20s, to play Female, Any and all Races/Ethnicities. “Incredible Singers” a plus!
- as Laura: Hiro’s childhood friend. Party girl with a vulnerable side. Funny with an edge. Never left Kentucky.
- as Bridesmaid 1: Christian Bridesmaid who can sing and dance. With Bridesmaid 2, functions as a sort of
“Kentucky Greek Chorus.”
- as Grandma: A messed up grandma. The mother of James.
Nicole (or Cole*) / Bridesmaid 2 / Sylvie: late 20s, to play Female, Male* or Gender Non- Conforming*, Any and All Races/Ethnicities. “Incredible Singers” a plus!
- as Nicole (or Cole*): Hiro’s childhood friend. Genuine and giving. A little shy, a little quiet, very sweet and well-intentioned. Always calls back, always texts back. Never left Kentucky.
- as Bridesmaid 2: Christian Bridesmaid who can sing and dance. With Bridesmaid 1, functions as a sort of “Kentucky Greek Chorus.”
- as Sylvie: an old, sickly cat.
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