Auditions for “The Orpheus Variations”

Title: The Orpheus Variations
Category: Collaborative Performer
Description: Myth and memory collide in a contemporary theatrical landscape where love doesn’t quite conquer all.
Producer : The Deconstructive Theatre Project
Website:  www.deconstructivetheatreproject.org
Director: Adam J. Thompson
Aerial Choreo: Nicki Miller
Original score composed and performed by: Keith Zarriello/The Shivers

Commitment dates: July 26, 2010 – September 4, 2010
Equity Basic Showcase Code (Approval Pending)
Salary: Stipend

Auditions:  Monday, May 3, 2010, Late Afternoon / Evening; Tuesday, May 4, 2010, Late Afternoon / Evening; Thursday, May 6, 2010, Late Afternoon / Evening

A contemporary deconstruction and adaptation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth.  This development production will integrate live performance, aerial silk choreography, interactive video/projection, and live music performance in an intensely visual atmosphere.

Fully staged workshop performances at the Theatre for the New City, first week of September 2010.  Additional development planned to follow.

Seeking

Note: Actors will contribute to the shaping of characters and narrative and should be comfortable with both contemporary and poetic language and open to dramaturgical and physical collaboration, including scripting and staging opportunities.  Some roles require specific musical or movement skills.  See below.

Eurydice: Female, late 20s to early 30s.  Striking, full of questions and a bit sad.  She is the lover and muse to Orpheus and new friend of Persephone, overseer of the dead.  Following her suicide, Eurydice is trapped in a single moment in time, perpetually confronting variations in her own timeless myth.  This actor must be able to project a striking sense of unease.  Requires above average to expert skills in aerial performance, or in dance but comfortable with learning aerial silk performance.

Orpheus: Male, late 20s to early 30s.  The greatest musician in recorded history – larger than his own myth, now catatonic following the death of Eurydice.  Dark, bold.  A very strong physical actor needed to convey emotion and presence through elements other than text.  Requires proficiency in musical instruments, preferably (but not limited to) violin and/or piano and strong indie-rock vocals; as well as some aerial performance skill or comfort learning.

Persephone: Female, any age.  A modern goddess – a couture fashion queen in enormous dresses, and overseer of the Underworld.  Persephone was kidnapped from the world above by the god Hades.  She is a bit lonely, sometimes cunning, sometimes wistful.  A unique relationship blooms between she and Eurydice.  Ideally has some experience with stilts or the ability to learn very basic stilts technique.

Notes/What to Bring

Please prepare short contemporary monologue and short monologue from the classical Greek tragedy canon.  Orpheus should prepare 16 bars of indie rock song to sing a capella.

Aerial and movement callbacks will be held on May 9^th, during daytime hours.

To arrange an appointment, please email headshot and resume to casting@deconstructivetheatreproject.org.  Please include links to aerial or musical performance in your email if applicable.

The Orpheus Variations First Workshop Teaser

Auditions for The Orpheus Variations, developmental workshop

The Orpheus Variations, first developmental workshop
Directed by: Adam J. Thompson
Rehearses: Aug. 2 – Aug. 30, Thurs. eve, Fri. eve, Sun. afternoons

This is a 44 hour developmental workshop and will not immediately culminate in a performance.

Email: info@deconstructivetheatreproject.org
Website: www.deconstructivetheatreproject.org

Description: After traveling to the Underworld to retrieve his dead wife, the musician Orpheus is granted permission by the Lord of the Dead, to return her to the land of the living. He offers the single condition that Orpheus not gaze upon Eurydice before reaching the world above. In doubt, in haste, or by tragic accident, Orpheus defies this decree, thus banishing his beloved to the land of the dead – and himself to an inescapable loneliness – forever.

The Orpheus Variations will explore moments of loss and the ways in which elements of theatre communicate with one another through a deconstruction and reconstruction of this classical myth.

Seeking: Multi-skilled performers who will collaborate to create character and shape the narrative of the project.Actors who are also singers, composers, instrumentalists, modern dancers/choreographers, aerialists, writers, new media artists, DJs, designers, etc. are sought. The Deconstructive Theatre Project is a highly collaborative ensemble laboratory for new hyper-theatrical and hyper-visual theatre. Individuals cast will play a crucial role in creating the work under the guidance of the artistic director.

Open to all ethnicities. Non-Union. No pay for workshop, but opportunity to continue with development of the piece with future compensation.

When: Week of July 13, evenings, by appointment only.

Submit: Resume and headshot via email or mail to info@deconstructivetheatreproject.org or The Deconstructive Theatre Project, 1421 DeKalb Avenue, Unit 2L, Brooklyn, NY 11237.