Auditions
Audition Notice: Phamaly Theatre Presents “Theatre as Sanctuary” Staged Reading Series
GENERAL INFORMATION
About the Project:
Phamaly Theatre Company will be holding general auditions for its staged reading series, Theatre as Sanctuary. This project will explore the theatre and its ability to provide sanctuary for those in search of a home, in juxtaposition to more traditional forms of sanctuary. During the months of October and November, Phamaly will present three staged readings at three different religious institutions: The Christians by Lucas Hnath, The Royale by Marco Ramirez, and My Name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner (adapted from the novel by Chaim Potak).
Seeking:
- Disabled Performers of all race, ethnicity, and gender identities, except when specifically outlined in character descriptions below.
- Actors must be located or have housing within the Metro-Denver or Boulder area.
- Non-equity actors (There is currently no plan for Actors’ Equity Association contracts at this time.).
**As Phamaly is a disability affirmative theatre, all actors who submit for Phamaly must have a disability. Phamaly uses the ADA definition of disability as a guideline for its casting: “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.” Performers are not required to disclose their specific disability or give any information on how they fit the ADA definition**
AUDITION SPECIFICS
Show Auditions will be held over Zoom on Friday, July 2nd 2021 – 4-8pm MT
The Christians:
The Royale
My Name is Asher Lev
To Schedule an Audition:
- Auditions are by appointment only.
- To schedule an audition, please contact Darion Ramos, Company Production Manager, at dramos@phamaly.org or 702-493-0475.
- Please double-check the show information below for specific identity-related information regarding roles.
- Please specify any disability-related accommodations you may need for the audition.
- If leaving a voicemail, please leave your full name, phone number, and email address.
What to Prepare:
Auditionees are asked to prepare a 1-minute monologue or a theatricalized personal story. Auditionees will then be asked to read a short selection from the script with a reader.
SHOW INFORMATION
The Christians
Directed by Monique Holt
Written by Lucas Hnath
Synopsis: Pastor Paul does not believe in Hell, and today he's going to preach a sermon that finally says what he really believes. He thinks all the people in his church are going be happy to hear what he has to say. He's wrong.
Rehearsals and Performances:
• Rehearsals on: October 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th
• Rehearsal Time: All rehearsals will be held in the evening
• Tech: October 28th
• Performances: October 29th and 30th
• Rehearsal Location: Tramway Nonprofit Center (3532 Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80205)
• Performance Location: TBA
Roles:
*Please note that this production will be utilizing a lot of ASL, so please double-check the ASL knowledge requirements included below prior to submitting.*
Paul: (Male Identifying, 35-50, Seeking a hearing actor who knows minimal ASL) The founding pastor of a non-denominational church. Very charismatic and sincere with a strong moral sense. Is struggling to hold his personal and professional life together as he figures out how to navigate these morals.
Elizabeth: (Female Identifying, 35-50, Seeking a hearing actor who is fluent in ASL) The wife of Pastor Paul, she is an important leader within the church community and struggles with her husband’s revaluations about faith.
Joshua: (Male Identifying, 30-40, Seeking a Deaf actor) The Associate Pastor of Paul’s Church. Pastor Paul has always been a mentor to him, which has led to feelings of frustration and betrayal given Paul’s new religious revelations.
Jay: (Male Identifying, 50-70, Seeking a hearing actor) A church elder who holds great respect for Pastor Paul but is confused by his new thoughts on religion. He often acts as a mediator within the church and is constantly a voice of reason.
Jenny: (Female Identifying, 25-40, Seeking Deaf or hearing actor who is fluent in ASL) A congregant in Paul’s Church who also serves as one of their choir members. She is a single mother who has been having trouble financially and is confused as to how her church world under Pastor Paul is changing.
The Royale
Directed by Donnie l. Betts
Written by Marco Ramirez
Synopsis: Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” The Sport just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion.
Rehearsals and Performances:
• Rehearsals on: November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th
• Rehearsal Time: All rehearsals will be held in the evenings
• Tech: November 11th
• Performances: November 12th & 13th
• Rehearsal Location: Tramway Nonprofit Center (3532 Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80205)
• Performance Location: TBA
Roles:
Jay: (Male Identifying, 18-35, Black) Jay is one of the finest boxers in the United States and dreams of being the first black undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He is an intense athlete whose loveable bravado hides a deep insecurity as to where he fits in this world.
Wynton: (Male Identifying, 40-70, Black) Wynton is Jay’s trainer who acts as a paternal figure to Jay. He has seen a lot during his lifetime and is, at times, a bit more cautious than Jay can be. Depending on the situation, can be a charmer or a fighter.
Nina: (Female Identifying, 25-40, Black) Jay’s older sister who is quite protective of Jay, even if neither of them actually sees it. Her fierce and immovable demeaner hides the deep love that she has for her family.
Fish: (Male Identifying, 16-30, Black) An amateur boxer who becomes Jay’s sparring partner after a surprisingly intense bout between the two. Spends his time emulating Jay, hoping to one day gain the confidence that he has. While not possessing the largest amount of natural gift, he may have the hardest work ethic and certainly has the most guts.
Max: (Male Identifying, 25-50, White) A fight promoter and referee to Jay’s fights, he is obsessed with the potential history-making fight he believes is all thanks to him. Has an innate desire to make a name for himself and is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
My Name is Asher Lev
Directed by Ben Raanan
Written by Aaron Posner
Adapted from the novel by Chaim Potak
Synopsis: MY NAME IS ASHER LEV follows the journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist.
Rehearsals and Performances:
• Rehearsals on: November 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
• Rehearsal Time: All rehearsals will be held in the evenings
• Tech: TBA
• Performances: November 20th & 21st
• Rehearsal Location: Tramway Nonprofit Center (3532 Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80205)
• Performance Location: Temple Emmanuel (51 Grape Street, Denver, CO 80220)
Roles:
Asher Lev: (Male Identifying, ages 16-30) Asher is the narrator of the story and we see him at different points in his life from age 6-25. He is an artistic prodigy whose love for painting is not accepted by his family, particularly his father. He spends most of the play grappling with what it means to be a Hassidic Jew, while also not wanting to limit his own artistic depth. Asher is curious, impulsive, and conflicted.
Rivkeh Lev & Other Roles: (Female Identifying, ages 30-60) Rivkeh is Asher’s mother, and we see her at different points of her life from ages 30-50. Rivkeh is a woman of extraordinary strength, but struggles to find her role within the Chassidic faith. She often plays the mediator between Asher and Aryeh. Rivkeh is quiet but powerful, nurturing, and curious. The actor who plays this role will also play several others.
Aryeh Lev & Other Roles: (Male Identifying, ages 30-60) Aryeh is Asher’s father and a deeply respected figure within the Jewish community, who works with the Rabbi to save Jews from persecution. He struggles to grasp Asher’s passion for art and wonders if it puts him at odds with his faith. Aryeh is passionate, stern, and can be extremely impulsive. The actor who plays this role will also play several other characters.