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Job Details
Title
Neighbors - Equity Principal Auditions
Category
Performer
Description
The Public Theater Currently $525/week minimum.
Author: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Director: Niegel Smith
1st rehearsal: January 19, 2010. Runs February 16 – March 7, 2010 at the Shiva Theater as part of The Public Theater’s 2009/10 Public LAB series.
Explosive play examining race in America. Pits an upwardly mobile African American academic against a family of black Vaudeville performers who threaten his comfortable, middle-class life when they move into the house next door.
Seeking (all roles available):
The Pattersons: A progressive, liberal suburban family:
Richard: African American mane, late 30s - 40s. Highly-educated adjunct professor in Classics. A deeply focused but anxious intellectual, he started on his career path fairly late in life and is up for tenure very soon for what may be his last opportunity at some sort of security for himself and his family. Wants nothing more than to be his own idea of a good father, a good husband and an excellent professor, but is prone to occasional streaks of paranoia, bitterness, anger and resentment. Suffers from hypertension. A tragic hero.
Jean: Caucasian woman, late 30s - early 40s. Richard’s wife. Although on the surface she is the quintessential soccer mom, she has never been comfortable in suburbia, and longs for her old life in the city. With a headstrong, independent teen daughter, Jean finds herself increasingly alone, and is rekindling her repressed artistic self. Trusting and open, almost to the point of naďveté. Hospitable, polite, if at times a little socially awkward. Came of age, ideologically, in a very specific climate of liberalism, radicalism and multiculturalism.
Melody: Seeking an actress 18+ to play teens. Melody is a biracial teen, Richard and Jean’s daughter. Fearless and brazen around her peers, but borderline cartoonishly bratty in front of her parents. Keen, socially intelligent. On the precipice of coming into herself and into her beauty, but doesn’t quite recognize it. Vulnerable and not entirely self-aware in the way that teenagers are. On a deep level, insecure about her looks. At the same time, she is thirsty for adulthood, which expresses itself in a kind of constant histrionics.
The Crows: A wildly theatrical family of Vaudeville performers:
Mammy: African American woman, late 40s - early 60s. The traditional archetype: Wise, deeply religious, infinitely practical and organized. In the absence of her recently deceased husband, she has become the head of the family, and will do anything to keep them together. She may not be the face of the enterprise, but she definitely runs the show. Fiercely talented, and knows show business inside and out. Has inherited a tradition of singing, acting and dancing that she fully embodies. Role for an actress who has major comedic skills and is also a confident singer.
Zip: African American man, mid 30s - early 40s. Traditional archetype. A dandy with impeccable manners, style and carriage. Sensual, warm and outgoing. Almost a kind of flirt; makes friends everywhere he goes. Lives comfortably in many worlds. The family’s music director. Role for a skilled comedic actor. Piano-playing skills a plus but not essential.
Jim: Seeking an actor 18+ to play mid-teens. Character is an African American teen. Adorable, lovable, amenable, intelligent, a bit awkward and shy. On the precipice of adulthood. Great organizational skills, very little life experience. The company’s stage manager, and the heart and rock of his family. Never comfortable being the center of attention, and insecure about his ability to perform – but is actually more talented than anyone initially realizes when he is forced to perform after his father’s death. Goes from a place of doubting to a place of confidence. Role for an actor who sings and moves well.
Sambo: Seeking an actor 18+ to play late teens. Character is an African American teen. Very masculine, with an incredibly virile energy. Charming, handsome and talented; poised to become the star of the family’s show. Has the frenetic energy of a comedian and the theatrical imagination of a performance artist. Role for a comedic actor who moves and sings with confidence. Background in stand-up comedy/performance art a plus.
Topsy: Seeking an actress 18+ to play early teens. Character is an African American teen. Extremely energetic young performer with prodigious talent and a hunger for fame and ambition. Often feels no one takes her seriously enough because of her youth, but believes if someone just took a chance on her, they’d instantly see how amazing she is. Loves an audience, and knows how to make an audience love her. The trickster in the family. Role for a comedic actress who moves and sings with confidence.
Note from Equity: When casting personnel state that a role has been formally offered and accepted, EPA notices list the role as "CAST."
Job Start Date
Job End Date
Union Information
Salary
525/week min.
Company
The Public Theater
Address
New York City, NY 10036
US
Contact
-
Respond Method(s)
At Audition
Audition Information
When: Equity Principal Auditions:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
10 AM - 5:30 PM
Lunch from 1:30 - 2.
Where: The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
NYC
Notes/What to bring: Please prepare a brief contemporary monologue (preferably two minutes or less).
Please bring a picture and resume, stapled together.
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