SUFFRAGIST Submission - New York Shakespeare Festival Auditions

SUFFRAGIST - EQUITY VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

New York Shakespeare Festival

CONTRACT

Off Broadway $575 weekly minimum (Level 3 Development)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in The Public Theater's “SUFFRAGIST,” (see breakdown), a new musical by Shaina Taub (she/her).

INSTRUCTIONS

SEE BREAKDOWN FOR PREPARATION. All submissions must be received by WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021. Please submit audition video via online form, which can be found at https://airtable.com/shrCEDKOO78fkqC1F.

Deadline: Wed, Jun 30, 2021 (EST)

PERSONNEL

SUFFRAGIST, a new musical by Shaina Taub (she/her).
Director: Leigh Silverman (she/her)
Music Director: Andrea Grody (she/her)
Casting: Heidi Griffiths (she/her)/Kate Murray (she/her)
Assistant Director: Lori Parquet
Set Designer: Mimi Lien
Costume Designer: Toni-Leslie James
Lighting Designer: Jen Schriever
Sound Design: Palmer Hefferan & Kai Harada

Viewing auditions:
Jordan Thaler, Heidi Griffiths, Kate Murray (Casting Directors), and Chalin Tulyathan (Casting Associate)

OTHER DATES

8/30/21 - 9/26/21
(In-Person)

OTHER

The Public Theater is committed to ensuring a safe return to theatrical production and to complying with state and local guidelines in addition to sector-specific parameters. The health and safety of all of our artists, staff, audiences, and the city is paramount to The Public. For further information about our health and safety plans for this production, please see * on breakdown.

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 submit.

BREAKDOWN

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please prepare:
EITHER: a short song (2 minutes or less) sung with either live or recorded accompaniment (not a cappella) that shows who you are and that is either contemporary to today or of the 1910’s era. We are interested in all vocal ranges and types; the common thread for all parts is a high level of musicianship and intricacy of lyric, rhythm, and harmony.

OR: A one-minute cut of HOW LONG. Materials available at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1paIazgRX0OaszCY7gehsbMrk_EJt8KaX?usp=sharing.

SYNOPSIS: A new & completely sung-through musical about the women’s suffrage movement in America.

A NOTE OF INTENT FOR THE CASTING PROCESS, FROM AUTHOR SHAINA TAUB AND DIRECTOR LEIGH SILVERMAN: White suffrage leaders perpetrated racism in their struggle for the vote. They segregated various suffrage events, used racist arguments to mollify white supremacist politicians’ concerns about women’s enfranchisement, and continually prioritized political expedience over intersectionality. Our show seeks to honestly depict this racism without perpetuating it in our production.

How can we dramatize the ugly truths of the movement while also building an ensemble that embodies the inclusivity the suffragists failed to achieve? We’re approaching casting in a way we hope honors the complexity of this question. This musical depicts a range of historical and fictional characters of many races, ethnicities, and nationalities. We intend to cast a diverse company of actors, each of whom will play a variety of roles to which they can bring their own lived identity, while also portraying characters outside of it. However, each character who was historically a person of color will be played by an actor whose racial identity aligns with that of the character.

Every actor in the cast will play characters who are women, as well as characters who are men, throughout the show. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors.

This piece is still in development. We don’t pretend to have all the answers or to have worked out every nuance of our casting practice. But we’re committed to the rigorous, respectful process necessary to figure it out. We also acknowledge that we’re two white, cisgender women at the helm of this project, and we’re not always going to get it right. For the past seven years of bringing this show to life, we’ve been collaborating with scholars and artists of color and will continue this engagement all the way through. We’re passionate about cultivating a culture of communication and transparency in our rehearsal room and will facilitate on-going open dialogues with the whole cast and team. We want every actor to bring their own perspective to the process and to hold us accountable as we continue to work toward these goals. We hope you’ll consider joining us in the journey.

NOTE ON CONTENT: As a completely sung-through musical, SUFFRAGIST employs multiple stylistic devices such as satire, parody, and vaudeville pastiche to explore difficult subject matter. In order to portray the historical challenges and struggles faced by the Suffragists, this musical includes depictions of: sexism and misogyny, racism and xenophobia, and violence and physical abuse, which may be triggering to some individuals. The creative team is committed to exploring this content in ways that are safe and supportive for the entire company.

SEEKING:

RUZA WENCLAWSKA/UNCLE SAM: 20’s - 30’s. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, or Native ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. A Polish immigrant who came to America at age 7. Speaks with a Polish dialect. A former factory worker turned labor and immigrant’s rights activist, and a dedicated Suffragist. Resourceful and determined. Brave. Bluntly outspoken, with a frank and straightforward sense of humor. A big heart, although she would be the last to admit it. Cares deeply about improving the lives of ALL women. Also plays UNCLE SAM: A mischievous and playful Vaudevillian emcee, who uses satire, irony, and a broad, heightened, theatrical style to comment on the current events of the play. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

DORIS STEVENS/AS CAST: 20’s-early 30’s, to play younger. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, Native, or white ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. A student from Ohio. She’s Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party’s biggest fan, but once she joins their ranks, her brains and tireless work ethic make her essential to the cause. The youngest of the group, she’s everyone’s little sister. Optimistic, brave, sweet, and kind, but in no way a pushover. A bright light, and a true nerd. Definitely more book-smart than street-smart. A role for a skilled actor & singer, with equal comedic and dramatic gifts. This role will double. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

DUDLEY MALONE/AS CAST: 20’s - 40’s. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, Native, or white ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. Woodrow Wilson’s young protégé and his new Chief of Staff. Genuinely quirky and nerdy. Endearing and sweet, with an awkward charm and a goofy sense of humor. Naïve. Buttoned-up, but not stuffy, in fact there’s an upbeat brightness about him that contrasts his dour Washington surroundings. Extremely intelligent, but becomes easily flustered in the face of authority. Coming from conservative Washington, he has old-fashioned ideas about gender roles, but when he’s prompted to really put himself in women’s shoes, his eyes are opened, and he becomes a genuine ally. This is a role for a skilled, comic, actor & singer. This role will double. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

ALVA BELMONT/PHOEBE BURN/ENSEMBLE: 50-60’s. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, or Native ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. A millionaire divorcee and New York socialite, who uses her wealth to fund the upstart National Women’s Party. Formidable, imperious, and larger than life. Speaks her mind with a frank and upfront sense of humor. Also plays PHOEBE BURN: A widow, living on a farm in Niota, Tennessee. Mother to Senator Harry Burn. Warm, kind, practical, unadorned. Her support for the Suffragists is deeply felt, but she hasn’t had the opportunity to exercise it. However, when she’s given the chance to use her influence to make a difference, she speaks up to great effect. Will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, civilians, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

MOLLIE HAY/ENSEMBLE: 40’s-50’s. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, Native, or white ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. The romantic partner and professional associate to Carrie Chapman Catt (a major leader in the Women’s Suffrage movement). Intelligent. Patient and warm but also extremely passionate and outspoken about her political beliefs and ideals. Carrie & Mollie’s views begin to diverge over Carrie’s support of World War I. Will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, civilians, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

MARY CHURCH TERRELL/ENSEMBLE: Mid-40’s – 60’s. Black. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. A longtime Suffragist leader. Her lighter complexion and her willingness to move within white circles becomes a point of contention between her and Ida B. Wells, another Black suffragist, who disagrees with Mary’s philosophy of working from within a system to affect change. As a woman of color working within a movement that repeatedly prioritizes the needs of white women, she has had to fight long and hard to make her voice heard. Will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, civilians, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

PHYLLIS TERRELL/ENSEMBLE: Early 20’s, but feels younger. Black. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. The young daughter of suffragist leader Mary Church Terrell. Will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, children, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies. This role will likely understudy principal roles.

WARDEN WHITTAKER/MAUD/ENSEMBLE: 30’s - 60’s. White. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. The warden of Occoquan prison. Effortlessly menacing and innately ruthless. MAUD: A dedicated suffragist who quits NAWSA (the National American Woman Suffrage Association) in protest after their leader, Carrie Chapman Catt, voices support for World War I. A role for an actor with equal dramatic and comedic abilities, as they will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, civilians, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

HARRY BURN/CRYSTAL/ENSEMBLE: 20’s - 40’s. Any AAPI, Black, First Nations, Indigenous, Latine, MENA, Multiracial, Native, or white ethnicity. We’re committed to creating a company of actors inclusive of diverse gender identities, including all women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and genderqueer actors. A young U.S. senator from Tennessee, and CRYSTAL: A suffragist and member of the National Woman’s Party. Will also be a part of the ENSEMBLE: A group of versatile singer/actors who will play multiple roles across age and gender lines, including but not limited to suffragists, civilians, and male politicians. As the piece is almost completely sung-through, all company members must possess STRONG musicianship and confidence navigating complicated harmonies.

*Safety guidelines have been developed by the Public's Onsite Safety and COVID-19 Compliance team in ongoing dialogue with those with expertise in institutional infection control practices, infectious diseases, and community health to ensure compliance with all state and local health guidelines, and to augment working practices during rehearsals, tech, and performances to minimize risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among actors, crew, and other theater professionals. Safety measures may include but are not limited to social/physical distancing per CDC recommendations, mandatory COVID-19 testing at regular intervals, daily asymptomatic screening, mandatory use of PPE per CDC recommendation and an agreement to abide by community health pledge for the duration of the development.

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 submit.