Producer: Black Coffee Productions- Georgina Simon
Venue: THEATERLAB
Directors: Adam Quinn, Dunya J. Karam, Jenna Spiwack, Lauren Goldberger
Playwrights: Danny Bernstein, Danny Ursetti, Sean Dunnington, Jenna Spiwack
Casting: Black Coffee Casting
Auditions: December 10th, December 11th, December 17th, December 18th
The following staged readings will be part of Black Coffee Production's FRESH GRIND FESTIVAL, a new works festival comprised of 10 plays and musicals. The festival will take place in New York City during the week of January 16th. For more information, please consult this link: http://www.blackcoffeeproductions.org
THE BISHOPS
Director: Adam Quinn
Book, Music, and Lyrics: Danny K. Bernstein
Original Story: Danny K. Bernstein and Adam Quinn
1st Rehearsal: January 3rd, 2017
Opening: January 19th, 2017
Closing: January 21st
Contract: Non-Equity, high potential of stipend
When an interview featuring their young chess prodigy goes viral, two fathers and their two children find themselves at the center of a national discussion about what makes a successful American family. With the country watching their every move, The Bishops are forced to confront their identities, their relationships and their fears as they strive to be a "picture perfect family."
I WANT TO EAT BRAINS
Director: Dunya J, Karam
Book by: Lily Dwoskin
Music by: Danny Ursetti
1st Rehearsal: January 9th, 2017 (With potential for earlier rehearsals o/a January 5th)
Presentation: January 20th, 2017
Contract: Non-Equity, high potential of stipend
I Want to Eat Brains (or the day i killed all my friends)" is a ten minute zombie parody musical. The world is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, and our rag tag heroes are the only survivors. But what happens when one of them becomes infected? And would being a zombie really be so bad? I mean, honestly, when the undead rise, what's left to do but sing along?
FLAT FISH
Director: Jenna Spiwack
Playwright: Sean Dunnington
1st Rehearsal: January 16th, 2017 (less than 30 hours of rehearsal)
Opening: January 18th, 2017
Closing: January 22nd, 2017
Contract: Non-Equity, high potential of stipend
When Willy goes missing, his older sister Jill goes on a quest to bring him home. By reading the journal he left behind, Jill comes to understand her brother's misguided search for love--and, ultimately, uncovers not only the answers that Willy has been looking for, but makes unprecedented discoveries about herself. Through witnessing the complicated and unpredictable past of Willy, as Jill unfolds her disregarded issues, Flat Fish tells a haunting story of family, connection, and love.
BIG STUFF
Director: Lauren Goldberger
Playwright: Jenna Spiwack
1st Rehearsal: January 16th, 2017 (less than 30 hours of rehearsal)
Presentation: January 20th, 2017
Contract: Non-Equity, high potential of stipend
Big Stuff is a story of a couple having a check in conversation about the future of their relationship. Taylor and Ray are a young couple with different long term goals. Together they question if they should move forward knowing the future could be filled with nothing but heartbreak. Are they willing to compromise what they know they want for each other?
Please send ELECTRONIC submissions to:
Black Coffee Casting
Freshgrindcasting@gmail.com
Black Coffee Productions is committed to representing the diversity in ethnicity, race, and gender identity of our city and our world. Actors of all backgrounds and orientations are encouraged to submit.
SEEKING:
For THE BISHOPS:
BILL (Baritone. Caucasian. 20s+ to play 40s.). A stiff, sincere father, and an everyman. Ideally taller than average and perhaps a bit awkward Gay, but still self-conscious about expressing himself. Craves stability, comfort, safety, and sturdiness. Used to be married to a woman named Linda, the mother of his older daughter, Katie. Now married to Joey, with whom they’ve adopted Tommy. Bill has anxiety and depression, and has learned to manage most of his symptoms through years of therapy, but still suffers from them. (Range: A3-E5)
JOEY (Tenor. 20s+ to play Late 30s. Particularly interested in actors of color for this role). A more relaxed, somewhat more flamboyant father, some years younger than his husband, Bill. He exudes confidence, and comfort in his own skin, almost to a fault. He also doesn’t take life, or Bill, too seriously very often. It’s mentioned that Joey’s family rejected him for his sexuality at a young age, and since then has always dreamed of having a new family of his own that accepts him. (Range: A3 - G5)
TOMMY (Unchanged voice: African-American. 12.) An extremely shy, chess prodigy whose social skills have not developed normally. Keeps to himself, but is incredibly perceptive - he sees everything, and he often calls things out as he sees them, perhaps even when he shouldn’t. His best friend is a turtle named Alfred, who travels with him everywhere he goes. His skills in chess at his young age have begun to garner him national attention. (A4 - C6)
KATIE (Mezzo/Belt. Caucasian. Late teens.) A sarcastic, sometimes petulant, high school senior girl, with a rocky relationship with her family, constantly feeling forgotten and upstaged by her brilliant adopted brother. She is glued to her phone, and is one continuous adolescent eye roll. Terrified she won’t stand out against thousands of other high school seniors if she can’t even stand out in her own home. (Range: E4 - D6.)
ILENE/ANDREA/ANCHOR (Mezzo. Any race. 20s+ to play Late 20s/Early 30s.) This actress plays three different roles, all of whom work in the media, but whose personalities, while all forced, aggressive, and a bit fraudulent, should vary from character to character. These are the women who bring the Bishop family into the National spotlight, likely for their own agenda. They are intelligent, clever, practical, and somewhat manipulative in their own rites. (Range: A4 - C#6)
For I WANT TO EAT BRAINS:
MOLLY: (22-25; female) A bit rough around the edges, Molly knows what she wants and how to get it. We get the impression this isn't the first time she's had to fight. Blunt, and tomboyish, Molly was never voted prom queen, but she knew her way around a knife. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: F3-C4)
GEORGE: (30+ to play 50-60; male) A big fan of monster trucks and guns, George built a bunker years ago for this very occasion. Most people dismiss him as a whack job, but he's always known he is right. He once had a great love affair, but was not afraid to shoot her in order to survive. George will be the first to tell you what's what and give it to you straight. There's some part of him that's gentle, but it's hidden behind layers of beer and sweat. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: C3-E4)
ALLISON: (18-22; female) Allison is a classic Hollywood sweetheart. Doe-eyed and beautiful, Allison doesn't have much trouble finding the right sort of guy. She doesn't have many brains either, but maybe that's a good thing considering the current situation. She and James are an item, and have been for quite some time. Allison is hoping he'll propose, if they don't die first. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: D4-G5)
JAMES: (22-25; male) The sort of guy you would see in a 1940s horror flick, leading the way. He certainly sees himself that way. His first goal is to protect Allison, then himself, then the rest of the group. He would be happiest in life, with a steady job, fresh air, and a pretty wife on his arm. He speaks like a true Hollywood star, and looks like one too. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: D3-E4)
ADAM: (20-23; male) Sheepish and often left out, Adam doesn't like to speak his mind much. But that all changes on this fateful day. He is smaller than he would like to be, quieter than he would like to be, and more of a zombie than he would like to be. But that doesn't stop him from being the classiest zombie you've ever seen. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: C3-F#5)
KELLY: (40-dead; female) Think Ella Fitzgerald crooning on a grand piano. Sexy, yet undead, she is George's great love. She is smooth, jazzy, and has been a zombie for longer than the rest. She should be a surprise to everyone and not mentioned in the program. Seeking a strong comedic performer. (Range: G3-F5)
For FLAT FISH:
WILLY: (18+ to play late teens, early adult. Male.) Idealistic, romantic, poetic, kind, vulnerable. Younger brother to Jill and son of Georgia. Fresh out of college and looking for his other half. Willing to do anything for love, believing life is pointless without it. Shares everything with sister and nothing with his mother. Tries to escape his life post-heartbreak.
JILL: (18+ to play early adult. Female.) Hardworking, bold, independent, strong-willed, humorous. Older sister to Willy and daughter to Georgia. Loves Willy deeply, but doesn’t always make the time to show it. Workaholic. Determined to find Willy’s whereabouts once he’s found missing.
LOUIS: (18+ to play early adult. Male.) Charming, playful, impulsive suave, masculine. Pilot. Love interest to Willy. Says what needs to be said to get what he wants. Strives to have full control in every situation. Breaks Willy’s trust and heart because of own selfish desire, but deeply regrets it after.
GEORGIA: (30+ to play middle-aged adult. Female.) Persistent, protective, fussy, faithful. Mother of Willy and Jill. Has “Mother knows best” philosophy. In denial of Willy’s disappearance. Tries to help her children, but hurts them in the process. Acts from place of love.
CLAIRE: (18+ to play late teens, early adult. Female.) Self-assured, provocative, experienced, candid, sarcastic. College student. Willy’s first-hookup. Disinterred in commitment. Feminist.
MISTY: (18+ to play late teens, early adult. Female.) Relaxed, artistic, mysterious, free spirit. Plays guitar and frequently sings at coffee shops.
For BIG STUFF:
RAY: (Early to mid twenties.) Extroverted and caring. She has no poker face with her emotions and can sometimes be harsher than she intends. She loves kids and camping and motorcycles. She wants a big family like the family she grew up in.
TAYLOR: (Early to mid twenties.) More quiet in her caring and kindness. Sometimes anxious. Wants a quiet life and has no interest in children but also kind of doesn't know what she wants at all.
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