Arena Stage
CANCELLED
**Out of an abundance of caution, the producers have chosen to cancel this EPA for the safety of our members and everyone involved. They anticipate rescheduling the auditions at some point in the near future.**
AUDITION DATE
Mon, Mar 16, 2020
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST)
Lunch 1 to 2
CONTRACT
LORT Non-Rep LORT B+ (minimum $1,003) LORT B (minimum $969) and LORT C (minimum $873)
SEEKING
Equity actors and singers for various roles.
All SM positions are currently filled.
PREPARATION
Please prepare a 90 second monologue, OR 32 bars of a song, OR a 60 second monologue with 16 bars of a song. No Shakespeare monologues. Auditions may not exceed 2 minutes. Accompanist will be provided. Please bring one (1) copy of your headshot and resume.
LOCATION
Pearl Studios NYC (500)
500 8th Ave
New York, NY 10018-6504
4th floor. Check lobby upon arrival for any changes.
PERSONNEL
Expected in attendance:
Teresa Sapien, Arena Stage Casting Director/ Line Producer
OTHER
EPA Procedures are in effect for audition.
An Equity monitor will be provided.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions
BREAKDOWN
Actors of all genders, backgrounds and identities are encouraged to audition. Unless specifically noted, roles are any ethnicity. Arena Stage will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who request them in advance. Accommodation requests may include but are not limited to: Large Print Materials, Social Narratives, and ASL Interpretation. Please call 202-554-9066 with any questions.
AMERICAN PROPHET
Music and Lyrics by Marcus Hummon
Book by Frederick Douglass, Marcus Hummon and Charles Randolph-Wright
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
First Rehearsal:6/9/2020
First Preview: 7/10/2020
Opens: 7/22/2020
Soft Close: 8/16/2020
Hard Close: 8/23/20
FREDERICK DOUGLASS (30s-40s, male, African American) escaped slavery to become a successful orator, abolitionist, and political reformer; storyteller; not afraid to show flaws/growth; passionate beliefs; commanding presence; the American Prophet. ROLE IS CAST
GRANDMA BETSEY (50s-70s, female, African American) Frederick’s grandmother; slave; raised Frederick; Warm, loving nature. Also plays ELIZABETH – dressmaker at the White House; plays along with Mary Todd’s shenanigans. ROLE IS CAST
ANNA MURRAY (20s-30s, female, African American) a free woman living in Baltimore; instant connection with Frederick; hospitable and devoted wife; supports Frederick and his cause.
ESTHER (20s-30s, female, African American) A slave; beaten in front of Frederick which horrifies him. Plays others
DEMBY (20s-40s, male, African American) A slave killed in front of Frederick by Mr. Gore; Refuses to cooperate after being whipped; knows what’s coming. Plays others
MR GORE/PREACHER (40s, male, white) a slave owner; kills a slave in front of Frederick; preaches the word of God; a walking contradiction, normalized. Plays others.
SOPHIA (30s, female, white) Wealthy mistress; cares for Frederick as he is sent to Baltimore by slave master; a warm, pious woman who teaches Frederick to read the Bible; ultimately sees the danger in that and becomes cold and harsh to Frederick. Also plays MARY TODD – Wife to President Lincoln; loving wife; eavesdropper; funny
LINCOLN (40s-60s, male, white) President of the United States; A loyal friend to Frederick; against slavery; storyteller. Also plays GARRISON. ROLE IS CAST
NATE (30s- 40s, male, African American) A fellow slave along with Frederick; tells the story of what it took for Frederick to rebel against his master. Plays others
GABE (20s-30s, male, African American) A friend of Frederick’s in Baltimore; a match maker; introduces Frederick to Anne; matter of fact with a sense of humor. Plays others ROLE IS CAST
JOHN BROWN (40s, male, white) Abolitionist; very passionate about the cause; would die for the fight. Also plays HUGH, a slaveowner who demands his wife (Sophia) not teach Frederick to read.
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ENLIGHTENED
by Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Theresa Rebeck
First Rehearsal: 8/11/2020
First Preview: 9/11/2020
Opens: 9/24/2020
Closes: 10/18/2020
MR. STRANGE (30-50, male) good natured, good looking, good with language. The third son of a minor British earl. A provocateur. He owns a large tract of deep wood just outside a small village in rural Pennsylvania. He is a lover of nature and a real appreciator of women. Verbose, with a bit of a temper. His interests do have a sinister aspect: though he does nothing explicitly evil. In fact, Mr. Strange may or may not be the devil. Or he may or may not just be a devious neighbor who would love to have his own farm. ROLE IS CAST
FAYE (18 – mid 20s, female, white) an open-hearted young beauty. Curious, confident, not so much innocent but possessing of an innocent heart. She steps into marriage with a local landowner, completely unaware of what awaits her. She grows in ferocity, cunning, determination and power as she faces the reality of being a woman born into America in 1770. She’s a heroine if there ever were one.
MR. AMES (early 40s, male, white) wealthy and arrogant in his wealth. He means well and yearns toward the glory of the Declaration of Independence. When he realizes what independence for all might mean in terms of his own privilege, it unmoors him and he becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his wife and slaves out of fear that they might actually want to claim the rights he helped secure for his brothers in democracy. ROLE IS CAST
SUSAN LITTLE (30s-40s, female, black) a slave. She has been owned by Mr. Ames for the last 12 years. She knows who he is and how to keep him happy. She is practical, unapologetic, wise. She has a very sound relationship with Mr. Strange, to whom she turns in times of need. She learns an awful lot from him about decidedly non-traditional medication.
WILLIAM NO-SECOND-NAME (20s-30s, male, black) The second slave on Mr. Ames’ farm. He works largely in the stables. A sorrowful big heart. Yearns to find his mother and has not crumbled under the knowledge that he cannot. A figure of real hope, even as his already bad situation worsens, he never ceases to see the beauty that surrounds him.
CHASTITY (18-mid 20s, female, white) Faye’s friend. Indiscreet and uncouth. She comes from humble stock and is dissatisfied with the hand she’s been dealt. Though she begins the play as a gossiper with a bit of a smart mouth, the events of the play disturb her circumstance and elevate her status. As the world swirls around her, she stumbles out of gossipy worry and into a belief in a larger spiritual world.
MRS. HASTINGS (55, female, white) Faye’s mother. She’s proud that her daughter has caught the eye of the richest man in the county. She’s cunning and determined to maintain the bump in status Faye’s marriage brings her. She’s hard on Faye and insists that her daughter should be grateful for the physical comforts Ames provides. She relishes tradition and status and is disturbed by the changes that swarm forth with enlightenment. ROLE IS CAST
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CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Choreography by Parker Esse
Directed by Molly Smith
First Rehearsal: 9/22/2020
First Preview: 10/23/2020
Opens: 11/5/2020
Soft Close: 12/13/2020
Hard Close: 12/27/20
FRANK ABAGNALE, Jr. (20-30, male) a handsome and youthful con artist; grew up learning to disappear into another skin to avoid his problems; eventually falls in love with Brenda and desperately tries to change his ways. ROLE IS CAST
CARL HANRATTY (25-55, male) an FBI agent leading the investigation and search for Frank Jr.; a knowledgeable and habitual workaholic who idolizes the moment he catches his perp; lives a private life of loneliness and depression.
FRANK ABAGNALE, Sr. (45-65, male) Frank Jr.'s father; an inspiration when it comes to swindling; upbeat and fast-talking, he undergoes a series of progressive failures that leaves him a miserable drunk.
PAULA ABAGNALE (35-45, female) Frank Jr.'s gorgeous mother; met Frank Sr. in France, during the war, but has fallen out of love; caring and loving, with an underlying resentment toward her husband and son.
BRENDA STRONG (20-30, female) a hard-working young nurse, and initially insecure, she meets Frank Jr. after running away from a wedding; comes to trust him but his true identity clouds her feelings.
CAROL STRONG: (40-50, female) Brenda's mother, talkative and boisterous.
ROGER STRONG (45-55, male) Brenda’s conservative father; stern and interrogatory but reveals himself to be deeply romantic.
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ANGRY, RAUCOUS AND SHAMLESSLY GORGEOUS
by Pearl Cleage
Directed by Susan Booth
First Rehearsal: 11/3/20
First Preview: 11/12/20
Opens: 11/19/20
Closes: 12/20/20
ANNA CAMPBELL: (65, female, African American). Actress and performance artist; looking for a future. ROLE IS CAST
KATE: (45, female, African American). Producer; looking for a hit.
BETTY SAMSON: (65, female, African American). Manager/agent; looking for a home ROLE IS CAST
PRECIOUS ‘PETE’ WATSON: (25, female, African American). Burlesque artist; looking for a change
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RASHOMON
by Fay & Michael Kanin
Directed by Seema Sueko
First Rehearsal: 1/5/21
First Preview: 2/5/21
Opens: 2/11/21
Closes: 3/7/21
HUSBAND: (30-40, male, East Asian) A samurai warrior, a noble man. ROLE IS CAST
WIFE: (20-40, female, East Asian) Daughter of a maidservant who married a samurai. Comic and dramatic range required. Combat experience necessary.
TAJOMARU: (20-30, male, East Asian). Infamous bandit known for doing evil, boastful, card-carrying villain. ROLE IS CAST
PRIEST: (40-60, male, East Asian). Buddhist monk. Was once an idealist but is facing a crisis after witnessing the savagery of humans to one another and themselves.
WOODCUTTER: (25-40, male, East Asian). Seemingly innocent by-stander, appears to have accidentally stumbled into the scene of the crime. No desire to further complicate the situation at hand.
WIGMAKER: (40-60, male, East Asian). Mischievous, alert, resourceful, cynical, crass and lives in the Rashomon gate, collecting hair from corpses for wigs. Was not present at the crime or the trial and so hears everything second-hand. Physical agility required.
DEPUTY: (20-50, male, East Asian). Eager to do his job well. Bullied by Tajomaru.
MOTHER: (40-60, female, East Asian). Mother of the Wife. A former maidservant in the Husband’s home, she did everything in her power to help her daughter marry above her social class and cherishes this accomplishment as though it were her own.
MEDIUM: (20-60, female, East Asian). An otherworldly woman trained in the art of the afterlife. Induces a trance that summons the voice of the Husband. Must be physically agile.
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LIFE AFTER
Book by Britta Johnson
Music by Britta Johnson
Lyrics by Britta Johnson
Choreography by Ann Yee
Music Supervisor: Lynne Shankel
Directed by Annie Tippe
First Rehearsal: 12/15/20
First Preview: 1/15/21
Opens: 1/28/21
Soft Close: 2/21/21
Hard Close: 2/28/21
ALICE CARTER: (16 years old, female). Alice is the production’s central character; strong, confused, open, and vulnerable; soprano.
KATE CARTER: (20 years old, female). Alice’s sister, Kate is away at school and glad to be so. She is intense, smart, and vegan; soprano.
BETH CARTER: (40-50, female). mother to Alice and Kate, wife to Frank – early-to-mid 40’s. Beth tries hard to be all that she thinks she should be; mother and wife - and somewhere along the way, she got a bit lost; soprano.
HANNAH: (16 years old, female). Alice’s best friend, She is funny, charming, and a bit of a wise zany; mezzo.
MS. HOPKINS: (30-40, female). Alice’s favorite teacher. Intelligent, passionate, and a bit sad; mezzo.
FRANK CARTER: (40-50, male). Alice’s father, mid to late 40s, charismatic, somewhat self-involved and still loving Father. He is a Self-help Guru; bari-tenor
THE FURIES: (female). An ensemble of three women, woman in her late 30’s/40 to be part of a small ensemble. Each of the three ensemble members will play multiple roles throughout the piece. We are looking for someone with a great sense of humour to play a broad range of characters and with the facility to cover different vocal styles
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THE HIGH GROUND
by Nathan Alan Davis
Directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian
First Rehearsal: 1/26/21
First Preview: 2/26/21
Opens: 3/11/21
Closes: 4/11/21
SOLDIER: (male, 30’s, African American) Stubborn, energetic, alert. Timeless.
VICTORIA/ VICKEY/VEE: (female, 30’s, African American) Powerful, compassionate, strategic. A shape shifter.
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CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY
by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Hana Sharif
First Rehearsal: 3/2/21
First Preview: 4/2/21
Opens: 4/8/21
Closes: 5/2/21
ERNESTINE CRUMP: (17, female, African American): She is the eldest daughter of Godfrey, a studious dreamer, maternal intelligent, stubborn, mature, self-aware, thoughtful, determined, shy, honest, and the protagonist of the story.
ERMINA CRUMP: (15, female, African American): Younger sister of Ernestine, curious, self-assured, fierce yet fragile, humorous, rebellious, out-spoken, petulant, sexually curious.
GODFREY CRUMP: (35-50, male, African American) The father of Ernestine and Ermina Crump, stoic, hardworking, warm, tender, somber, faithful, neat, devoted, meticulous, hopeful, and forgiving.
LILY ANN GREEN: (35 female, African American) Aunt, deceased mother’s sister. She is a non-conformist, drinker, liberated, intellectual, rebellious, savvy, loud, communist, passionate, smart, vivacious, bawdy, glamorous, sexually confident, genuinely loves her nieces. Actors who can sing a plus.
GERTE SHULTE: (30, female, German): German immigrant and Godfrey’s new bride. Friendly, soft yet strong, no-nonsense, direct, understanding, patient, mature.
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CHANGE AGENT
by Craig Lucas
Directed by Molly Smith
First Rehearsal: 3/22/21
First Preview: 4/23/21
Opens: 5/5/21
Closes: 5/30/21
MARY: 30’s/40’s, female; a ghost; born to a progressive family of means; highly literate and at ease in all social milieus, playful, faithful to her ideals while maintaining a light spirit. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
MARY’S HUSBAND: 30’s/40’s, male; a ghost; born to wealth, Ivy League educated; highly idealistic in youth, then corrupted by power. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
PROFESSOR: 30’s/40’s, male, a ghost; maverick in his academic field, controversial, a bit of a trickster, eloquent, cryptic, flirts with danger. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
J.: 30’s/40’s, male, a ghost; wealthy insider in the upper echelons of power; torn between a desire to be popular and an equal and opposite pull toward wanting to truly benefit mankind. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
J’S WIFE: 30’s, female, a ghost; socialite, erudite, old school values. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
MARY’S BEST FRIEND: 30’s/40’s, female, a ghost; poet, heiress and Bohemian. Well-educated, articulate, powerful.
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Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
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