The Optimist by Stacy D. Flood inspired by the lyrics of Jimi Hendrix

About the project and the company

Playlist Seattle is currently casting for an original play inspired by the lyrics of Jimi Hendrix – The Optimist or What Space Travel Means to Me by Stacy D. Flood (please note: this is NOT a musical)

As these are unique times, especially in the theatre, our development process of this piece will be similarly unique. Please review the information about how this project will proceed as well as our casting breakdown and submission procedure below.

The Optimist is a new play currently in development. We are casting for an ensemble of actors who are excited by the project and who ideally will stay with us during the development process through to our premiere live performance.

The first stage of this process is a private table read allowing for the playwright and director to experience the piece out loud and identify any edits or other adjustments that might be needed to strengthen the piece. We are planning this to take place in mid-late May 2020.

The second stage is a rehearsed reading, presented to a small invited audience, to again gauge how the piece is working, gather feedback, etc. We expect this piece to take place by the end of June 2020

These first two stages – including meetings and rehearsals for cast/crew – will be held via Zoom.

Actors who are cast in the production will receive a $50 stipend for their participation in the project to this point.

The third stage is the presentation of the piece for a full audience. Depending on the situation at that time in regard to Covid-19, this performance will be either also be totally virtual or will be presented at/through a platform such as those in development by PTNA (#SeattleLives) or NASH. In any case, we will work within the guidelines and/or restrictions put in place by the government, as well as work with cast and crew to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable with our plans.

Because what this final, public piece will ultimately be is still unclear, the artist stipend for this piece is also not finalized. But we intend to offer each actor no less than $100 for their participation in our first public performance. We also expect to mount the show more traditionally as soon as things in the world of theatre get back to normal.

CASTING BREAKDOWN
Unless otherwise noted, all roles are open to any gender/ethnicity.

JESSE – Young, but moreover spirited and young at heart. Not necessarily naïve, but growing and coming into one’s own with a passion to rise and conquer. This role is most like Jimi and as such an African-American or Native-American actor (any gender) preferred

THE MAN – Part trickster, part confidant, part guide, with enough heart to occupy each role fully.

THE WOMAN – Part warrior, part leader, part supporter, with a caring nature for all she protects.

THE MYSTERY – A confused sage. Or enlightened mystic?

THE SOUND  –  The proud soul of a movement, willing to help others prevail.

MONSTER – Multiple actors (likely 3-4), but what’s important is the ability to embody menace through voice or action, movement or stillness.

AUDITION PROCEDURE
Please submit your headshot, resume and  a 1 minute contemporary monologue via a youtube/vimeo video link to kcmcasting@gmail.com

Deadline: 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2020

We will invite selected actors to a follow-up meeting/callback via zoom over the weekend of May 9-10.

Location of Audition

Virtual

Audition requirements

Please submit your headshot, resume and  a 1 minute contemporary monologue via a youtube/vimeo video link to kcmcasting@gmail.com Deadline: 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2020