Audition Information for the
2024 Incubator/Mentor New Works Festival: New Voices, New Narratives
TSGP is seeking actors to fill roles in 3 plays that will be part of our 2024 New Works Festival, elevating new and diverse voices.
The Uterine Files - Written by Jourdan Imani Keith | Directed by Divya Rajan - click for character and audition information
A lyrical choreopoem rooted in movement, music, and the lineage of African American narratives, exploring the experience of generations of African American women, and demanding an answer to the question “what are they doing with our uteruses?”
Carmilla - Written by Mariah Lee Squires & S.W. Jones | Directed by Aidyn Stevens - click for character and audition information
A camp-horror adaptation of an original, queer, female, pre-Dracula vampire novella, introducing the mother of the modern monster and shattering the mold of protagonists in horror.
On the Train - Written by Lisa A. Price | Directed by Christie Zhao - click for character and audition information
A timely indictment of medical racism as three women fight a hypocritical senator to secure the right for women to control and protect their own reproductive destinies.
Key production dates and components:
Auditions: Video audition submissions are accepted through March 1, 2024. Callbacks for Carmilla will take place on March 9, 2024; callbacks for On the Train and The Uterine Files will take place on March 10.
Rehearsal dates and times: March 25-May 8, 2024
On the Train - Mondays 6-9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday between 1-5 p.m. and Sunday between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Uterine Files - Mondays-Friday between 5-8 p.m., Saturdays between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Carmilla - Monday-Friday between 6-10 p.m., Saturdays between 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Times are tentative and may be adjusted to match actor availability or rehearsal venue availability.
Rehearsal venue: MLK FAME Center (3201 E. Republican Street, Seattle WA 98112). Depending on scheduling needs, alternate rehearsal venues may be used. Some rehearsals for Carmilla will be held at Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle Center), potentially two days per week.
Tech week: April 29-May 8, 2024. Actors should assume that they will be called for all of these dates.
Performances: May 9-May 19, 2024, Thursday-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. Detailed performance schedule listed with each play below.
Performance Venue: 18th & Union (1406 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122)
Compensation:
All actors will receive a $300 stipend. We acknowledge this is a gesture of our love for you and does not match the amount of work you put in nor the passion you bring to the project.
COVID Safety Information:
For the purposes of this festival, proof of vaccination for COVID-19 will not be collected. Vaccination for COVID-19 is encouraged, including recent boosters, but is not required. Masking may be required during rehearsals: decisions about masking will be made by the production team prior to the beginning of rehearsals. Any changes will be made in consultation with the cast.
Play #1 - The Uterine Files: Episode One, Voices Spitting Out the Rainbow
written by Jourdan Imani Keith | directed by Divya Rajan
Synopsis:
The first part of a trilogy telling the story of Virgina Mary, an enslaved African American woman transformed after her death by an unquiet and demanding dybbuk. Virginia Mary’s trauma haunts her descendants throughout time. Through her voice and vignettes of women in her family, this choreopoem, rooted in movement, music, and the lineage of African American narratives, explores the connections between the stories and histories our bodies tell, demanding an answer to the question, “What are they doing with our uteruses?”
CONTENT INFORMATION:
The Uterine Files includes racial stereotyping and language; and descriptions of torture, sexual assault and related trauma.
audition Requirements and Casting Notes:
This play is a choreopoem about Black women. All actors should identify as black and cisgender women as this play is rooted in the lived experiences of Black cisgendered women.
Monologues should be chosen from works similar in genre to plays by Ntozake Shange.
Actors auditioning for the role of Narrator are requested to submit a one-minute monologue showing an array of expressions, physicality, and range.
Actors auditioning for Actor 1, Actor 2 and Actor 3 are requested to submit a recording with two distinctively different versions of their chosen one-minute piece.
All actors need to be comfortable with swift costume changes, embodied movement, and physicality on stage.
Available Roles
The Narrator - she/her. Black. The Narrator acts as the chorus and appears as the Intergalactic Griot, AFRITIKI. She is stately and deliberate. It feels as though she towers over the others.
The Narrator is played by one actor. Actor needs to have agility and flexibility and should be comfortable with embodying bold physicality and physical storytelling. Actor should also be comfortable expressing a range of expressions.
Actor #1 - plays Virginia Mary & Granchil’ (aka Stace) - she/her. Black. Reads 18-20 years old and should be able to portray/embody/manifest the two characters in distinctively different ways, think Jekyll & Hyde.
VIRGINIA MARY, enslaved from 1845 through1863 she escapes mentally after witnessing and experiencing atrocities in early childhood. After death, at the age of 18, she is possessed by a dybbuk.
GRANCHIL’ a.k.a. STACE stays at the club or the BBQ. She does not believe in being home or being still. She is a young MC trying to write old school lyrics. She is involved in social justice work. She is often on her grandmother’s landline with friends.
Actor #2 - plays Dr. Wes and Jazelle - she/her. Black. Reads middle-aged. Must be able to portray two distinctively different characters. Think seasoned academic vs artsy, flowy, expressive like the saxophone.
PROFESSOR LEAH CARMEL WES is a tenured African American Studies professor. Her research is tormenting her. Soon she will leave for a sabbatical, choosing to stay on a former slave plantation with her white-passing lover. He identifies as Black.
JAZELLE, is accomplished alto saxophone player in her mid-to late 50’s who became obsessed with the instrument when the Challenger blew up, killing the Black astronaut who played the sax. She pursued Dr. Wes after hearing her lecture. Dr. Wes’ ex-lover is recovering from her homophobic upbringing and her polyamorous relationship with Dr. Wes. who has left Jazelle for Kevin.
Actor #3 - plays Alice and Sonja - she/her. Black. Reads mature or middle-aged. Must be able to portray two distinctive personalities. Think free-spirited vs caged.
ALICE, is Smoking Woman. She is frustrated and wise. She is a former government agent and beautician. Dr. Wes., Sonja and Jazelle all go to her when they need their hair done.
SONJA, the Nursing assistant would have been an RN but got comfortable thinking she would have enough of what she wanted out of life with her husband.
Performance Dates for The Uterine Files
Friday, May 10, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, 2024 - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 4:30 p.m.
Play #2 - Carmilla
written by Mariah Lee Squires and S.W. Jones | directed by Aidyn Stevens
Synopsis:
While Count Dracula is often seen as the father of the modern vampire, Carmilla is the 1872 Gothic novella by Sheridan Le Fanu that inspired his inception - predating Bram Stoker's Dracula by 25 years. Based on the book of the same name, Carmilla tells the tale of the isolated Laura and the mysterious young woman she falls in love with. But what happens when infatuation turns into obsession? Shattering the mold of male protagonists in horror, the mother of the modern monster is waiting for you.
Content Information:
Carmilla includes camp horror, blood, sexual situations, toxic relationships, death.
audition Requirements and Casting Notes:
Please submit a one-minute selection from a classical play with heightened language.
Actors are invited to audition for any character regardless of gender.
Available Roles:
Young Laura/Laura Petherick - Laura is the kid you met at camp who you learn is homeschooled and now things make more sense. Plus also an ingenue- naive, and feels deeply. Female. Reads 17-22.
Carmilla Karnstein [Sometimes Millarca] - Carmilla is a 100-year-old vampire lesbian. She relies on her charisma and perceived innocence to hunt. She is odd in a way that is often found endearing, but can become frightening in an instant. She only does things that she enjoys doing. Female. Reads 17-22.
Madame Perrodon/The Lady/Peddler - Madame is the chary caretaker to Laura. The only nonsense she tolerates is her own; The Lady is doing everything Carmilla is doing, but well; Peddler must commit to his bits 110%; this track must have the biggest BDE in the play. Multiple genders. Reads 40+. Speaks in a French dialect.
Gentleman/Girl/Doctor/Woodsman - Gentleman works for and knows everything about the supernatural; Girl is madly infatuated with Carmilla and nothing else; Doctor is the town doctor, and doesn’t know anything about the supernatural; Woodsman is truly just some guy who chops wood and wishes the vampires would leave him and his family alone. Multiple genders. Reads any age.
Father [George Petherick] - Father is Laura’s only living parent. He is a terminal optimist, determined to see only the easiest, most low stakes explanation for all the fantastical terrors of Carmilla. Male. Reads 40+
Housekeeper/Art Conservator/General Spielsdorf - Housekeeper is skeptical, but is just a housekeeper… what can they do?; Art Conservator Julian is the best in the business; General Spielsdorf lost everything he held dear when Bertha died. Now the only purpose left in his life is to remove Carmilla from the world. Male. Reads 40+
Performance Dates for Carmilla
Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, 2024 - 3:15 p.m.
Friday, May 17, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 3:15 p.m.
Play #3 - On the Train
written by Lisa A. Price | directed by Christie Zhao
Synopsis:
Shortly after the overturning of Roe, political correspondent Nia Anderson has a brief confrontation with Senator Chad Fox, the pro-abortion ‘face of morality’, about the pending increase in African-American maternity and infant mortality rates; his public insult leads to the damaging of her career. A serendipitous meeting between Senator Fox’s estranged daughter and his African American campaign assistant facilitates possible retribution as Nia seeks a second interview with the politician. The three conspire, exposing the ways in which the Senator has been clandestinely incorporating a new form of eugenics into his legislation. Years of dishonesty, hypocrisy and sinister politics finally catches up with Senator Fox at the hands of three women.
CONTENT INFORMATION:
On the Train includes racial stereotyping and language, and discussions of eugenics, abortion, politics and abusive family relationships.
audition Requirements and Casting Notes:
Please submit a one-minute monologue from a contemporary American play.
The role of Nia Anderson has been cast.
Available Roles:
Melinda Kramer - 21 year old White Woman. Cis. Daughter of crooked politician. Bitter and entitled; still racist, product of her environment; intense.
Daniel Stevens - African American Man. Cis. 38 year old. Nia’s boss; career and aspiration driven.
Rebecca Levin - African American Woman. Cis. 28 year old. Black Republican. Crooked politician’s temporary assistant.
Senator Chad Fox – White male. Cis. 58 years old. Crooked politician. Racist. Entitled. Driven by political gain and power; very simple and not very intelligent; his lack of intelligence is almost comedic.
Performance Dates for On the Train
Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 10, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, 2024 - 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 8:45 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 2:00 p.m.
Audition Sign-up: What do I need to complete the audition submission?
a photo or a headshot of yourself
a resume or a summary of your theatrical experience
a link to a recording of a short audition piece as described below for each play you wish to be considered for. Please check the audition requirements note for each play. In each recording, please state your name and the name of the selection at the beginning; and please ensure that the link is accessible and not password-protected:
The Uterine Files: a one-minute monologue chosen from works similar in genre to plays by Ntozake Shange.
Carmilla: a one-minute selection from a classical play with heightened language.
On the Train: a one-minute monologue from a contemporary American play.
Please have all your submission elements ready before you start filling out the form.
Fill out the form and provide a shared link to the audition video on the Google Form at https://forms.gle/h67bUyMKQGbnFsAS7
![OAC_logo[blue-rgb].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d2a7696d13fd90001edd567/1649346908196-42X3LHTEQA0YDFCNEUXA/OAC_logo%5Bblue-rgb%5D.jpg)