THE WHO AND THE WHAT Equity Principal Auditions - Lincoln Center Theater Auditions

Breakdown

ZARINA
Female. 32. American born of South Asian origin - brilliant, elegant, wry, wounded, stubborn and charismatic. A Harvard grad, now an aspiring writer, but also the older sister taking care of the family in the wake of her mother's passing. The guiding consciousness of the play. Afzal’s eldest daughter.

MAHWISH
Female. 26. American born of South Asian origin - very cute, very sassy, very loyal, very loving. Zarina's younger sister, eager to marry her boyfriend of ten years, but beholden to her father's will, which has it that she cannot marry her boyfriend until her older sister marries. Equally comfortable as the cheerleader in high school as she is in the mosque on Friday afternoons.

The following roles are cast (i.e. offered and accepted). Auditioning performers will be considered as possible replacements, should any become necessary.

AFZAL
CAST. Male. 60. A Pakistani man who has immigrated to the U.S. and has made a life in Atlanta. Owner of a large fleet of taxis. Quick-witted, traditional, expansive, gregarious. For those who know the culture, he is the quintessential Punjabi. Large hearted, large mouthed, generous, emotional and volatile. He is the loving father of Zarina and Mahwish, and every bit the charming and benevolent immigrant patriarch. ROLE IS CAST

ELI
CAST. Male. Early 30s. Caucasian. A convert to Islam, and now an Imam in a disenfranchised part of Atlanta. Committed to community service. Able to lead a congregation as well as connect one on one with people. Grew up in a very rough and urban section of Detroit and identifies himself with the plight of the poor and urban American. He is serious, smart and sensitive, a romantic at heart, but also a certified plumber who is as comfortable with a wrench in his hand as he is with a book. ROLE IS CAST