Starr Street
Written by Jesse Regis, Directed by Pat Golden
Seeking actors to be a part of the continued development of Starr Street, a full-length play tackling violence in the queer and transgender community, at HB Studio in NYC.
Synopsis: It's showtime at the House of Johnson, a Brooklyn-based drag house, but Tanisha's father demands she return home, and her friend Brandhi is unable to see the value in her own life. Meanwhile, 27 transgender people have died this year alone, and despite her best efforts, not even Darnell, the fearless drag mother, can protect her home.
It's a story about violence, rejection, friendship, and the struggle for acceptance against a backdrop of intolerance, religion, gentrification, and an America unable to grasp the way it treats its young, queer, and black.
Submission Instructions:
Send headshot, resume, and reel (if possible) to jesseregis@gmail.com. Auditions will be held the week of June 8 at HB Studio.
SEEKING:
Tanisha (Lead), Transgender Male, 18-25
Actor of color wanted to play Tanisha - an 18-25 year old Drag Queen-in-training who has begun transitioning from male to female. Tanisha is smart, impressive, tough, she is a leader in the Johnson House, and a mentor to Brandhi. Transgender, gender non-conforming actors of color, especially those with experience in the Ball, Drag, or performance scene are encouraged to audition.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic
Brandhi (Lead), Male, 18-25
Actor of color wanted to play Brandhi - 16-21 year old Drag Queen-in-training who is intelligent, stunning and capable. Intelligent for a teenager, but Brandhi is still immature—she is a child. She understands the street more than she does having a stable home life, such as the one House Mother Darnell Johnson seeks to provide. Change is the only thing Brandhi knows. Gender non-conforming actors of color, especially those with experience in the Ball, Drag, or performance scene are encouraged to audition. Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic
Reuben (Supporting), Male, 48-58
Actor of color wanted to play Tanisha’s father — Reuben 48-58. His short temper is driven by conservative religious teachings, his desire for community acceptance, a fear of standing out, and his inability to bridge the gap between himself and Tanisha as she transitions from male-to- female. His actions are not rooted in malice, but rather ignorance. That he is unable to understand his daughter makes his outbursts even more heartbreaking to watch.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic
Marc (Supporting), Male, 25-30
Actor of color wanted to play Marc - 25-30; Tanisha’s older brother, and Reuben’s son; Sweet and masculine, probably an athlete. A son any parent would champion. Growing up as a cisgender male, Marc had very different experiences and types of friends than his sister, Tanisha. He is more understanding of Tanisha’s identity than their parents, but the distance in their identities meant he didn’t always know how to support her.
Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations
Rehearsal Period at HB Studio: June 17- July 26
REQUIRED Rehearsal Dates: July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, week of July 22
REQUIRED Performance Dates: July 26 & 28
We will take all actor's schedules in to consideration as we set our rehearsal schedule.
Compensation & Union Contract Details
Unpaid. Producer will cover cost of roundtrip subway fare for rehearsals and performances. Other transportation compensation (i.e. gas/NJ Transit/LIRR) discussed as needed.
Herbert Berghoff (HB) Studio
https://hbstudio.org/programs/residencies/2019-residencies/
DURATION
June 17, 2019 - July 28, 2019
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