WALT WHITMAN BODYJOLT - Submissions for NYC Appointments
Alex Hare
CONTRACT
Showcase-NY $500 stipend for Walt, Devin, and Older Walt; $300 stipend for Thayden
SEEKING
Headshots/Resumes and any video demos from actors interested in Walt Whitman BodyJolt, an audience participatory fitness class play inspired by the words of Walt Whitman, having a workshop production at Corkscrew Theater Festival this summer July 17-August 3. Interested in performers who are both highly physical and very comfortable with elevated language and poetry. See Character Breakdowns for more details.
INSTRUCTIONS
For consideration, submit photo/resume/videos by May 1st at 5pm.
SUBMIT TO
PERSONNEL
Writer/Director - Alex Hare
Choreographer - Katie Rose McLaughlin
Composers - Van Broh
OTHER DATES
Rehearsal Period - Mon June 10th - Sunday July 14th (likely 5 times a week, evenings and weekends; time off around the July 4th holiday
Tech - Mon July 15th (all day) and Tues July 16th (all day)
Opening - Wednesday July 17th evening
Run - 10 performances throughout July 17-August 3
OTHER
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
WALT WHITMAN
late 20s-late 30s, Man (cis or trans), or anyone masc-of-center. Open ethnicity. Highly physical role, requiring the stamina of a fitness instructor, but also a highly verbal role requiring an actor who is comfortable with heightened text and poetry. Interested in performers with strong comedic timing and an ability to lead a room. Experience with participatory/immersive theatre helpful, though not required. Brash, lusty, and boisterous, but warmly inclusive at the same time, this is Walt Whitman as he was in his mid-30s, embracing a rough-around-the edges ‘working-man’ persona while at the same time tapping into spiritual and metaphysical forces in order to convey his egalitarian vision for humanity. Because he contains multitudes, Walt is sometimes relaxed and gentle as a fitness instructor and sometimes dogmatic and obsessive about attaining the perfect body. Carries his own insecurities, shame, fear, and uncertainty into the fitness room. LEAD
DEVIN
20s, African-American. Man (cis or trans) or non-binary. Walt’s co-instructor. Highly physical role, requiring the stamina of a fitness instructor, but also a highly verbal role requiring an actor who is comfortable with heightened text and poetry. Interested in performers with comic flair and an ability to lead a room. Experience with participatory/immersive theatre helpful, though not required. A contemporary Soul Cycle-type fitness instructor who revels in being “too much,” without shame or self-consciousness. Leads the room with humor, silliness, and compassion. Prone to using “inspirational speak,” but makes it feel mostly natural. Wants to ensure that this fitness class is inviting to all people regardless of class, background, age, ability, or stamina – in that way, he is a passionate devotee of Whitman’s vision. Trying to navigate the more troubling aspects of Walt – his obsession with masculinity, the untoward attention he pays toward Devin, and his at-times regressive attitude toward marginalized people. Good at hiding his personal issues. LEAD role.
OLDER WALT
age 55+. Man (cis or trans), open ethnicity. The Good Gray Poet as we have him in our minds. Serene, authoritative, and with a mischievous sense of humor. Has some regrets, and is haunted by the pain and violence he has seen in his life, but he gets pleasure from imagining the generations that will follow him. Must be comfortable with heightened text and poetry, and also a good mover. Especially interested in disabled actors and actors who use wheelchairs. SUPPORTING role.
THAYDEN
under 30, any gender identity or expression. Open ethnicity. Works at the gym. This actor will greet the audience participants and get them settled in the space; the actor will also assist the audience throughout the show as needed. Experience working in stage management, customer service, or the fitness world is a plus, though not required. Warm and friendly, but with a dry sense of humor. SUPPORTING role.
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.
Videos
