House Theatre of Chicago, The
CONTRACT
CAT $330 weekly minimum (CAT II)
SEEKING
Equity actors for roles in THE TRAGEDY OF KING CHRISTOPHE (see breakdown).
Performers who are strong movers who can dance traditional Haitian folk dance and sing with a soulful gospel sensibility are encouraged to apply. This will be a celebration of Haitian culture in the 1800s, that includes dancing to Vodou music and songs. Even though this is NOT a musical, each performer should be prepared to play multiple roles and sing. Every performer will be required to use an accent. Please note if you can play an instrument and any stage combat experience.
INSTRUCTIONS
SEE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS IN BREAKDOWN. Please email headshot, resume, and submission. Deadline: Friday January 19th by 5:00pm CST.
Deadline: Wed, Jan 19, 2022
SUBMIT TO
PERSONNEL
Directed by Lanise Antoine Shelley
Assistant Director Mariama Pouye
Casting Director: Ben F. Locke
Costume Design Izumi Inaba
Scenic Design Sydney Lynn Thomas
Lighting Design Jessica Neill
Dialect Coach Maya Prentiss
OTHER DATES
Important Dates (may be subject to change):
Reading: TBD, February 2022
Rehearsals: March 14 - April 15, 2022
Load-In: April 11 - 14, 2022
Technical Rehearsals: April 14 - 21, 2022
Previews: April 22 - 30, 2022
Opening: May 1, 2022
Closing: May 29, 2022
Load-Out and Strike: May 29-30, 2022
OTHER
https://www.thehousetheatre.com/
THIS IS A FULLY VACCINATED WORKPLACE.
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 the sides provided below. If a reader is not accessible to you, you may perform a monologue in the style of the show.
Medina/Metellus/Petion/Ensemble: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AWzrMtAQNabvBr21xXL9S6ReLplgq3gh/view?usp=sharing
Christophe: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8HKUXzcmFJuY5n0BFUI7foEWRBeCExx/view?usp=sharing
Vastey/Magny: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-GtYAAMf_TeM-47u4MD0xJccTm6ZTMl9/view?usp=sharing
Madame Christophe: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kortPBHE9kMMBtbKQsaJMG_8-VcNXeIw/view?usp=sharing
Hugonin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OmHBIi4PK1HBSWdkkZn6ik1jxkH7RIuU/view?usp=sharing
Synopsis: Written in 1963 by West Indian poet and activist Aimé Césaire, The Tragedy of King Christophe is set in the period of upheaval after the Haitian Revolution in 1804. It follows the true historical figure of Henri Christophe, a general in Jean-Jacques Dessalines army who was elected president but chose to be named King. Christophe declared himself king and ruled the northern part of Haiti until 1820. Shelley’s staging of this story explores the tragedy of Christophe’s transformation from a charismatic leader fighting against the oppression of his people to his unfortunate unraveling. The Tragedy of King Christophe will be an unabashed homage to the changing of guards, as well as an elegant display of epic storytelling vibrant with dance and music.
ROLES:
All roles will be understudied.
Henri Christophe - an-REE kree-STOHF (Haitian. He/Him. Ex-soldier in Toussaint L’ouverture’s army. Strong athleticism, moves with ease, cocky, gregarious, dexterity with language with a strong singing voice. He is driven by a need to create a better world for his people, but his insecurities get in the way. The king of the new nation of Haiti, a former slave, cook, and revolutionary soldier with the great liberator, Toussaint L’ouverture. He was named a general and commander of the northern province and then offered the presidency of the new republic. He refuses, preferring to have himself crowned king of the northern province, and sets up a court in imitation of Haiti’s former masters, the French. His throne has a gold sun emblazoned on the back to resemble that of Louis XIV, and he puts the crown on his own head at the coronation, as did Napoleon. After fourteen years of trying to make a world power of Haiti, however, he admits defeat and commits suicide.
Pétion & Ensemble - pay-TYOH[N]. Haitian. He/Him. Appears biracial. Excellent with stage combat, strong dance ability, and sings. He’s focused, calculated, noble, and has a keen sense of justice.) An ex-general in Toussaint L’ouverture’s army. He’s biracial and accepts the presidency after Christophe refuses. He rules the other half of Haiti as a republic. He urges the senate to refuse Christophe’s offer of unification and later sends the army to destroy his rival.
Madame Christophe & Ensemble - Haitian. She/Her. Open gender. Excellent with dance movements and strong singing ability. She’s maternal, smart, strong-willed, opinionated, quick to reprimand and wants her husband Christophe to succeed with honor) Madame Christophe, a former servant, now the queen. She warns her husband that he is pushing his people too hard in his drive to make Haiti a world power.
Hugonin & Ensemble - ew-goh-NA[N]. Haitian. Open gender, masculine presenting. Excellent at combat and classical language. Sings well. Tactical, calculating, mischievous, opportunistic, and flirtatious) Christophe’s agent and “court jester,” who insists that the nobility created by Christophe is a fine way to bestow favors and to secure the king’s authority. Although he is a buffoon and scoundrel, he is appointed as minister of public morality.
Franco de Medina & Ensemble - FRAH[N]- koh deh meh-DEE-nah. White Frenchman. Open gender, masculine presenting. Athletic, strong combat ability will need to use a French accent. They are haughty, pretentious and cunning in navigating this new post-revolution world. Singing is a plus. A French diplomat who comes to Christophe’s court with a proposal from the French king and is promptly put to death by Christophe.
Metellus & Ensemble - meh-teh-LEWS. Haitian. Open gender, masculine presenting. Strong singing ability. Excellent with classical language and dance movements. They are sincere in their efforts to build a better Haiti but lack scrupulous compass) A conspirator who hopes to overthrow both Christophe and Pétion because they have betrayed the revolution and divided the country.
Magny & Ensemble - Mag-Nee. Haitian. He/Him. Strong use of classical language. Excellent dancing ability. A soldier appointed to nobility by Christophe. He is skeptical and unconvinced that Christophe’s court is the correct path for Haiti)
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.
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