The Stagecrafters Audition Form

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BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK By Lynn Nottage | Directed by Suki

Vera Stark, aspiring film actress, is determined and talented. The time is 1933, and the place is Hollywood, USA, and Vera is Black. What awaits this young, ambitious woman is a string of roles as slaves, maids, cooks, and mammies. Public recognition of her contribution to the arts emerges only after several decades in the business, when she is invited to appear on a popular TV talk show, and years later, when she becomes the subject of a movie retrospective and an academic symposium. This life story of an actress of color in America is bitter, but also wildly humorous – a full-blown satire that takes on old-time Hollywood, latter-day pop culture, and private and public hypocrisies.

Playwright awarded Pulitzer Prize for RUINED (2009) and SWEAT (2017)

AUDITIONS:
Monday, January 3rd, 2022
Tuesday, January 4th, 2022

4 women | 3 men

All roles are available. This production explores themes of racism, sexism, intersectional feminism, and violence. Mature language.

Auditions are by Appointment Only 6:30pm - 10:00pm. All auditioners must provide proof of vaccination and wear a mask when entering the building. The auditioner may remove the mask during the audition. Callbacks will be by invitation only.

Please come prepared with two monologues: a 1-2 minute comic monologue AND a 1-2 minute dramatic monologue.

PLEASE NOTE:
With regards to character descriptions: most roles one encounters [currently] are written with binary he/him or she/her pronouns. Please note that however limiting these descriptions can feel, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible. We invite artists to submit for any role with which they identify. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or requests for accommodations. Madame Director seeks to cast artists whose energies align with the characters in her productions, and is dedicated to representation and inclusion in her theatrical endeavors. Neurodiverse artists and members of the alphabet mafia are encouraged to audition.

COVID POLICY:
The health and safety of our artists, staff, and patrons are our first priority. Due to potential risks, we are requesting all auditioners to have documented proof of the COVID-19 vaccination at the audition. As guidelines and information surrounding COVID-19 are evolving, we will continue to evaluate the situation. Masks must be worn when entering the building, but can be removed during the audition.

Non-Equity/Non-Union. Stipend paid at the end of the run.

WHERE:
The Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19118

This rehearsal process will include pre-recorded “film” segments.
Tech Week will take place Sunday June 5th - Thursday June 9th.

PERFORMANCES:
June 10th, June 11th @ 8pm
June 12th @ 2pm
June 16th, June 17th, June 18th @8pm
June 19th @ 2pm
June 23rd, June 24th, June 25th @8pm
June 26th @ 2pm

CONTACT INFORMATION:
auditions@thestagecrafters.org
After you submit this form, please email your headshot and resume.

Email *

Name *

Phone Number *

Address *

Please select the role(s) for which you would like to audition. *

Vera Stark (Fem. Black. Range: 20s, and later 60s.) First appears in her 20s, and then again in her 60s. Smart, funny and willful; works as an assistant to the famed actress, Gloria Mitchell, until she gets her own big break. her subsequent career does not play out as she perhaps anticipated it would. Performers who can sing are a plus.

Gloria Mitchell (Fem. White. Range: 20s, and later 60s) First appears in her 20s, and then again in her 60s; movie star. Vain, melodramatic, absurd and self-absorbed (sometimes ironically so). She works to preserve an air of glamour. Performers who can sing are a plus.

Leroy Barksdale/Herb Forrester (Masc. Black. Range: 30s-60s.) DOUBLING, READ BOTH DESCRIPTIONS. Leroy: Adorably pompous. Chauffeur to Maximillian von Oster, and a love interest for Vera. Herb: Savvy and articulate contemporary filmmaker/musician/author, fascinated by Vera’s celebrity.

Lottie McBride/Carmen Levy-Green (Fem. Black. 30s-40s.) DOUBLING, READ BOTH DESCRIPTIONS. - Lottie: Vera’s cynical and quick witted roommate, also an actress. - Carmen: Respected, pretentious, college professor with strong views.

Ana Mae Simpkins/Afua Assata Ejobo (Fem. Black. Range: 20s-30s.) DOUBLING, READ BOTH DESCRIPTIONS. - Anna Mae: Vera’s overconfident roommate. Her lighter complexion allows her to pass as a South American. Nothing is beneath her. Black/African Descent (The script calls for fairer skin). - Afua Assata: Modern-day poet, journalist and proud lesbian performer.

Mr. Slasvick/Brad Donovan (Masc. White. Range: 30s-50s) DOUBLING, READ BOTH DESCRIPTIONS. - Slasvick: Attractive, well-groomed and wealthy studio executive with less-than-stellar social skills, but a whole bucket of audacity to make up for it. - Donovan: Smooth-talking 1970s talk-show host with an appealing (if over-the-top) personality. He tries to steer away from serious topics, like racism or sex.

Maximillian Von Oster/Peter Rhys-Davies (Masc. White. Range: 20s-40s.) DOUBLING, READ BOTH DESCRIPTIONS. - Oster: Russian. Conceited, famous film director with an inflexible artistic vision. - Rhys-Davies: British. Groovy 1970s rock BLUES musician. Must have the ability to perform accents. (Russian, British - cockney and/or brogues)

Required

Proof of vaccination for COVID will be required at the audition. Are you now or will be fully vaccinated by the audition? * *

Yes, I am vaccinated.

Yes, I will be fully vaccinated by the audition.

No, I am not vaccinated and will not be able to audition.

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