ACT THEATRE/5th AVENUE THEATRE: Self-tape Submissions for "CHOIR BOY"

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre/5th Avenue Theater

About the project and the company

5th Avenue Theatre and ACT join forces for a co-production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s stirring play with music, Choir Boy. Directed by Jamil Jude, the production will play in ACT’s Allen Theatre September 10, 2022 – October 23, 2022.

Set at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, which is dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men, the play centers on one talented student trying to step into his long-anticipated place as leader of the school’s famous gospel choir without losing his individual voice.  It’s both a compelling coming-of-age story and a powerful examination of the conflict between personal identity and institutional traditions – here, being black and queer in a prestigious all-male prep school.

Location of Audition

In person callbacks: ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street, Seattle, WA. 98119

Other details

ALL ACTORS PLAYING THE CHOIR BOYS MUST BE STRONG A CAPPELLA SINGERS WHO CAN HOLD A SOLO AS WELL AS BLEND WELL WITH OTHER VOICES.

**SPECIAL INFORMATION**
The roles of the student choir members require full nudity and/or simulated acts of a sexual nature in the course of the production. Note: The Allen Theatre is an arena configuration.

Proof of COVID vaccination (including booster) and compliance with all applicable COVID safety protocols is required for audition and employment at ACT and 5th Avenue Theater.

Audition requirements

Script and sides, as well as a detailed character breakdown, are available in the Dropbox at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bhku22dvas3fzh9/AAASc7Ao7zdrzCf71YU9RvZea?dl=0 Please choose and present one side (not the one marked CALLBACK) for the character you feel most drawn to, and an a cappella song (gospel, spiritual, or R&B). Please note you may be called back for a different role than the one you choose. When your self-tape is complete, please share the YouTube or Vimeo link, along with uploads of your headshot & resume and some other information you’ll see requested, at this Airtable location: https://airtable.com/shrrXR1fQSHxNUByk

Character breakdown / Project needs
PHARUS JONATHAN YOUNG
Late teens, Black, effeminate, leader of the school’s famous choir.
BOBBY MARROW
Mid to late teens, Black, choir member. Nephew of the headmaster. Combative, disgruntled, a rule-breaker.
JUNIOR DAVIS
Mid/late teens, Black, choir member. A follower, but capable of independent thinking. A diffuser of tensions
ANTHONY JUSTIN “AJ” JAMES
Late teens, Black, athletic, choir member and on the school baseball team. Roommates with Pharus. Supportive, caring, compassionate.
DAVID HEARD
Late teens, Black, choir member. An aspiring pastor repressing the reality of who he is.
HEADMASTER MARROW
Late 30s/early 40s, Black, pressured by responsibility, plays by the rules. (Only sings once in the play, but should have strong enough vocals to surprise us when he does.)
MR. PENDLETON
Late 60s/70s, white male, professor. A career educator, committed, empathetic. (Non-singing role)
UNDERSTUDIES
UNDERSTUDIES FOR ALL ROLES. 3 U/S TO COVER THE 5 CHOIR BOYS
Additional information
Preferred method of submission

Other

Audition/Interview dates

Self-tape submissions accepted through May 19; In-person Callbacks May 23-24, 2022

Pay type

Contract (union or other)

Audition location

Seattle WA

Pay type

• LORT C-2 Contract, $954/wk (AEA), $875/wk (non-union) • LORT C-2 Contract, $954/wk (AEA), $875/wk (non-union)

Callbacks or second audition/interview?

In-person as needed. Actors will be contacted.

Submission instructions

Self-tape video, upload links via Airtable: https://airtable.com/shrrXR1fQSHxNUByk

Union Requirements

Open to All

Website specific to project

https://acttheatre.org/choir-boy/

Sides or script location

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bhku22dvas3fzh9/AAASc7Ao7zdrzCf71YU9RvZea?dl=0

Equity Contract

Equity (AEA)