THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT - The Vagabond Theatre Company Non Equity Auditions

The Vagabond Theatre Company of Greater Bridgeport
www.vagabondBPT.org

Twitter: @VagabondTCo / Facebook: VagabondBPT Instagram: vagabondtheatreco

John R. Smith, Jnr. / Tanya Feduik-Smith – Artistic Directors

The Vagabond Theatre Company of Greater Bridgeport announces auditions for its second production of the 2016/17 Season:

The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Mat Young

Audition Details:

Open auditions December 2 & 3; 7 pm

Callbacks December 4; 7 pm

Location:

Performing Arts Center Of CT

18 Lindeman Dr, Trumbull, CT 06611

No appointment necessary. Non-Equity - All Roles Unpaid

Please prepare a 1-3 Minute Monologue Sides will also be provided

If available, please bring Headshot (or recent photo) & Resume

Contact
info.vtcbpt@gmail.com with questions or visit
www.vagabondbpt.org/auditions for more info.

Production Details:

Tentative schedule for rehearsals is Sun-Thurs evenings beginning in January 2017 Production dates are March 17-19 & 24-26 2017 : Fri/Sat @ 8:00pm Sun @ 5pm.

About the Play:

Judas has been condemned to spend eternity in Hell after selling out the Son of God and then committing suicide. If there is a God – a God that we are told preaches forgiveness and mercy – then why has Judas not been forgiven? Many others throughout history have been forgiven; many others have been given a second chance. Judas was condemned while other people who played integral roles in Jesus’s death did not suffer the same fate.

On Judas’s behalf, court has been called into session to argue his case and appeal against his sentence of eternal damnation: God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Judas Iscariot.

Set in Purgatory (which closely resembles downtown New York; in our case, the New York subway), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is a courtroom drama.

The play is neither pro- nor anti-religion and this production does not have any religious agenda either. The story uses characters that most people have heard of as witnesses, as the court decides who was responsible for Jesus’s death and what should now happen to Judas. Beyond this, the play looks at betrayal and forgiveness in everyday life, and how we can punish and condemn ourselves, or forgive and celebrate; how each and every one of us has our own ‘heavens’, ‘hells’ or ‘purgatories’ that we can throw ourselves into. In the end we are our own judges, juries and – in some cases – executioners.

And on top of all of the above, this courtroom drama is also a comedy.

[THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT] shares many of the traits that have made Mr. Guirgis a playwright to reckon with in recent years: a fierce and questing mind that refuses to settle for glib answers, a gift for identifying with life's losers and an unforced eloquence that finds the poetry in lowdown street talk…Mr. Guirgis is a zealous and empathic researcher, and he presents dilemmas of ancient Galilee in terms winningly accessible to the twenty-first century… —NY Times.

Stephen Adly Guirgis has written a real jaw-dropper…expressionistic fantasy…raw language and flamboyantly street-savvy characters…his imagination is dazzling and his command of language downright thrilling. —Variety.

…one of the most passionate and powerful young playwrights to have come down the theatrical runway…a must for anyone interested in the work of thoughtful and original playwrights. —CurtainUp.

An extraordinary play…not since Angels in America have I seen a play so unafraid to acknowledge the power of the spirit… —The Guardian (UK).

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Please note: Lots of the roles below will be doubled up. In total we are looking to cast around 15 actors. All roles have plenty of stage time and when on stage many are giving evidence, being cross-examined or delivering long monologues.

ROLES:

Fabiana Aziza Cunningham (female)

Age: 30s +

Accent: New York/generic ‘American accent’ preferred

Fabiana is the counsel for the defence. She has brought Judas’s case to court to argue that he should not be left in hell, and that others were also responsible. As the play progresses we learn more and more about her. As well as Judas, who else is this court case for? Why did she bring this case in the first place? This is a cracking role which requires a lot of stamina. This role will not double.

Yusef El-Fayoumy (male)

Age: 30s +

Accent: Egyptian/Middle Eastern

The prosecution counsel. Yusef treads a fine line between being a sharp legal mind and a sycophantic bootlicker. He is a lecherous ground-kissing, arse-licking prosecutor– sometimes because that is who he is and sometimes because he puts it on for his own and the prosecution case’s advancement. Yusef is the play’s most comic role, however he isn’t just comedy. This great role requires lots of stamina. This role will not double.

Judas Iscariot (male) Age: 30s

Accent: not specified, however New York or General American preferred

This is a very intense role which requires a lot of focus. Judas spends the majority of the play in a catatonic state. Judas feels the weight of guilt of betraying Jesus and the guilt of committing suicide. As the court case proceeds, Judas performs in various flashbacks from his past. This role will not double.

Jesus of Nazareth (male)

Age: early 33

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

The role of Jesus has one major scene in this play, however he does appear every now and then in other scenes. This beautiful role is great for an actor who wants to play an interesting and challenging role, but does not have the availability to attend every rehearsal. This role will not double.

Satan (male/female)

Age: any

Accent: I would prefer Satan to have an English accent – a Hollywood-English-bad-guy accent

Our Satan is suave, charming and funny, but at the drop of a hat, he can be everything that you would expect, and want, from Satan. This character needs to ooze presence and charisma. He is called as a witness. This role will not double.

!Judge Littlefield (male)

Age: 40s +

Accent: General American

The trial judge. Littlefield has the power to decide which cases will get heard. High status. He believes in himself sometimes more than the rule of law – though he tries not to let his own opinions interfere too much in a case when challenged. He died in the American Civil War and now resides in Purgatory. He is still waiting/hoping that one day he will be allowed into heaven. This role will most likely not double.

#Court Bailiff (male/female)

Age: any

Accent: any, New York/generic ‘American accent’ preferred

A role with great comic moments. I am looking for an actor who wants to take on a role where they can build as much backstory as possible and enjoy every comic moment that can be found – beyond what is on the page. This Court Bailiff needs to believe that his/her job is the most important job in the whole of Purgatory. They must believe in the status that the job’s uniform and that their attitude brings.

However, how well does that status stand up under scrutiny and challenge? This role will most likely not double. The Court Bailiff is on stage for most of the play.

Henrietta Iscariot/Sister Glenna/Ensemble (female)

Age: 40 –50s

Accent: not specified, however New York or General American preferred

Judas’s mother. She opens the play with a heartfelt monologue about motherhood and losing a son. This role and her monologue grounds the play in realism, which is important before we ‘enter’ the Americanised purgatory. She is later called as a witness. Henrietta’s love, pain and faith have to be real; she provides the first insight into who Judas is. She is proud of her son.

@Mary Magdalene (female)

Age: mid 20s – 30s

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

This Mary Magdalene is not your typical representation. She is not a whore. She loves Jesus with all her soul; as she says about Jesus: ‘We shared an intimacy that I cannot put into words.’ She is also a good friend of Judas. A kind and loving character.

Saint Monica/Soldier3/Ensemble (female)

Age: 20/30s

Accent: New York

A fabulous role that really sets the tone for the play. Saint Monica is not your normal saint; she is fiery, loud, opinionated, funny and very New York. Underneath this brash exterior, she is also capable of real love, patience and compassion.

Saint Peter (male)

Age: Any

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

A disciple known for his temper and love and passion for fishing. An urban, street-smart saint. A fun and comic role.

!Saint Matthew (male)

Age: Any

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

A disciple who talks about his life before meeting Jesus – he freely admits that he was a “scumbag”. A tax collector who admits he was a sinner and a traitor. Another fun comic role.

$Saint Thomas (male)

Age: Any

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

‘Doubting Thomas’ – Thomas, a disciple, has a long monologue about people deserving second chances. We also learn a lot from him about who Judas was and what he was like.

#Simon the Zealot (male)

Age: Any

Accent: not specified, however General American preferred

A disciple who is called as a witness for the defence. Simon believes that Jesus should have led the revolution and thrown the Romans out. He starts off sure of himself and his views, but as he is cross- examined it starts to dawn on him slowly that maybe he is not as sure of the answers as he thought he was. It is easier to hold very black-and-white views than to defend them.

!Caiaphas the Elder (male)

Age: mid 30s +

Accent: New York/ General American

Caiaphas paid Judas to betray Jesus and, upon Jesus’s arrest, handed the son of God over to the Romans. Caiaphas is The High Priest of the Sanhedrin. He is a man of faith, however, like many people who reach high positions within religion, he is also a skilled politician. He was appointed with Rome’s blessing. He wants to preserve his own power, standing and status as well as protect his temple and people. Even though he stands by what he did, his role in Christ’s death may have affected him deep down. He does not ask for or want forgiveness from anyone but his god.

Pontius Pilate/Uncle Pino (male)

Age: mid 30s +

Accent: General American / Southern American

Pontius Pilate ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. He is filled with self-love and self-belief. There is also a touch of Jack Nicholson from A Few Good Men in this role. The play is set in an Americanised version of Purgatory – and the role of Pilate can be seen as the American put in place to govern an invaded country. Now he is dead, he is ‘retired’, and would much rather be out on heaven’s golf course than called to give evidence and be questioned. He is truly patriotic. A role with both great laughs and serious drama.

%Mother Teresa (female)

Age: Any

Accent: Eastern European/Middle Eastern

A lovely comic role – a lot of the humour comes through stereotypes – being old and deaf.