The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies Presents…
A Series of Three Readings
AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions for all three shows will happen the same days and will occur virtually over Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to auditionees at least twenty-fours before the start of auditions.
Signups are available via THIS LINK, and auditionees will choose a 5 min time slot between the following times:
Thursday, September 17th from 12:00pm - 10pm
Friday, September 18th from 5pm - 10pm
If you are unavailable between any of these times, you can also send in a pre-recorded audition tape to this email: Maurice.Emmanuel.Parent@gmail.com
After the first round of auditions, select individuals will be invited to Callbacks which will occur virtually Sunday, September 20th and scheduled based on student availability. Each individual will be sent a scene(s) from a show(s) the director will be considering you for. You will be paired with others students to perform the scene together over zoom. More instructions will be shared before the date.
All readings will be directed by Department of Theatre Dance and Performance Studies Professor of the Practice (Acting) Maurice Emmanuel Parent
------------------------------------
The New Black Fest’s HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments
Synopsis
A powerful collection of seven monologues written in light of the police shootings of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and John Crawford III in Beavercreek, Ohio, among others. The New Black Fest commissioned seven emerging black playwrights to write 10-15 minutes monologues that explore their feelings about the well-being of black in a culture of institutional profiling.
Monologue Breakdown
Superiority Fantasy by Nathan James, a monologue exploring how a majority of police officers give black men a reason to feel the need to perform for them to appear as non-threatening, while most of the white population has never had this experience.
Holes in My Identity by Nathan Yungerberg, a monologue about the experience of a black man going to a community discussion about Ferguson, his experience of being raised by white parents, the dismissal of feelings, and how upbringing changes perspective.
They Shootin! Or I Ain’t Neva Scared… by Idris Goodwin, a three part monologue about a black man and his fear of being outside his home a midnight, how white community members react to his art, and a story of a black man being gunned down and metaphorically hunted from a passing train. Dead of Night… The Execution of… by Nambi E. Kelley, a monologue about a black woman’s experience with police brutality, and being abused by a white boyfriend and then being arrested for reporting him to the police.
Abortion by Nsangou Njikam, a monologue in which the character, Amen, is writing a letter to his potential child, telling them life lessons and the danger of being a black person in the US.
Walking Next to Michael Brown by Eric Micha Holmes, a 4 part monologue that explores the views of a man who is both white and black and explains how he would have handled the situation with Michael Brown and officer Darren Wilson.
How I Feel by Dennis A. Allen II, a monologue that states the frustrations of everyone who recognized the injustices done to the black community by police officers.
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for Hands Up will begin Monday, October 5th, and go through Tuesday, October 14th. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be asked to be memorized at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text.
Tech will be Thursday, October 15th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Friday, October 16th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Audition Sides
Click the title to access. Sides do not have to be memorized
"The New Black Fest’s HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
God of Carnage
By Yasmina Reza
Synopsis
A play about an evening where two couples meet and discuss a playground incident. Alan and Annette’s son hit Michael and Veronica’s son in the face with a stick, resulting in two broken teeth. The four agree to discuss the incident civilly, but as the night wears on and drinks are imbibed, the polite conversation breaks down. Reza’s play suggests that our civilized trappings do a poor job of hiding our venality and bile.
Character Breakdown
Veronica Houllie: appears to be the most benevolent, she believes they can all come to an agreement about how Ferdinand should make amends after his attack on her son, Bruno. She exhibits the strongest desire for harmony.
Michael Houllie: seems eager to create a space of peace between the two boys and perhaps bond with the Reilles over food and drink. Quick to agree with the Reilles, even making light of the violence, commenting about his own gang during his childhood.
Annette Reille: appears to be constantly on the brink of a panic attack. The pressures of motherhood and the household have eroded her self-confidence, and she feels abandoned by her husband. She is the most physically destructive of the four characters, going as far as to break her husband’s phone. Should be noted that she vomits twice during the show.
Alan Reille: is the classic slimy lawyer. He is the most openly rude and frequently interrupts the meeting by talking on his cell phone. The pharmaceutical company he represents is about to be sued because of one of their products. He claims his son is a savage and doesn’t see any point in trying to change him.
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for God of Carnage will begin Sunday, October 18th, and go through Sunday, October 25th. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be asked to be memorized at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text.
Tech will be Monday, October 26th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Tuesday, October 27th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Actors interested in auditioning for this reading please prepare a 1-2min monologue. Memorization is not mandatory
Smart People: A Play
By Lydia R. Diamond
Synopsis
The eve of Obama’s first election, four of Harvard University’s brightest; a surgeon, an actress, a psychologist, and a neuro-psychiatrist, are all interested in different aspects of the brain and how it responds to race. But like all smart people, they are also searching for love, success, and identity in their own lines in this play about social and sexual politics.
Character Breakdown
Valerie Johnston: a promising actress who has her MFA from the American Repertory Theatre, who is frustrated by the roles she is offered or not offered. Earns money on the side by cleaning houses and works as Brian’s research assistant. Black female identifying
Jackson Moore: a surgical intern, who works 12-hour shifts at the hospital and then puts in more hours at a neighborhood clinic that treats people without insurance, believes he is often second-guessed because of his skin color. Black male identifying
Ginny Yang: a self-confident professor of psychology at Harvard, who specialized in identity and depression in third-generation Asian-American women. Asian female identifying
Brian White: a Harvard neurobiologist, who studies race and perception. White male identifying
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for God of Carnage will begin Wednesday, October 28th, and go through Tuesday, November 4rd. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be required to memorize the script or to be off-book at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text
Tech will be Thursday, November 5th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Friday, November 6th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Audition Sides
Click character name to access. Sides do not have to be memorized
"Smart People” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com"
Thank you for showing interest in these shows. We look forward to seeing you at auditions!
Auditions for all three shows will happen the same days and will occur virtually over Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to auditionees at least twenty-fours before the start of auditions.
Signups are available via THIS LINK, and auditionees will choose a 5 min time slot between the following times:
Thursday, September 17th from 12:00pm - 10pm
Friday, September 18th from 5pm - 10pm
If you are unavailable between any of these times, you can also send in a pre-recorded audition tape to this email: Maurice.Emmanuel.Parent@gmail.com
After the first round of auditions, select individuals will be invited to Callbacks which will occur virtually Sunday, September 20th and scheduled based on student availability. Each individual will be sent a scene(s) from a show(s) the director will be considering you for. You will be paired with others students to perform the scene together over zoom. More instructions will be shared before the date.
All readings will be directed by Department of Theatre Dance and Performance Studies Professor of the Practice (Acting) Maurice Emmanuel Parent
------------------------------------
The New Black Fest’s HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments
Synopsis
A powerful collection of seven monologues written in light of the police shootings of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and John Crawford III in Beavercreek, Ohio, among others. The New Black Fest commissioned seven emerging black playwrights to write 10-15 minutes monologues that explore their feelings about the well-being of black in a culture of institutional profiling.
Monologue Breakdown
Superiority Fantasy by Nathan James, a monologue exploring how a majority of police officers give black men a reason to feel the need to perform for them to appear as non-threatening, while most of the white population has never had this experience.
Holes in My Identity by Nathan Yungerberg, a monologue about the experience of a black man going to a community discussion about Ferguson, his experience of being raised by white parents, the dismissal of feelings, and how upbringing changes perspective.
They Shootin! Or I Ain’t Neva Scared… by Idris Goodwin, a three part monologue about a black man and his fear of being outside his home a midnight, how white community members react to his art, and a story of a black man being gunned down and metaphorically hunted from a passing train. Dead of Night… The Execution of… by Nambi E. Kelley, a monologue about a black woman’s experience with police brutality, and being abused by a white boyfriend and then being arrested for reporting him to the police.
Abortion by Nsangou Njikam, a monologue in which the character, Amen, is writing a letter to his potential child, telling them life lessons and the danger of being a black person in the US.
Walking Next to Michael Brown by Eric Micha Holmes, a 4 part monologue that explores the views of a man who is both white and black and explains how he would have handled the situation with Michael Brown and officer Darren Wilson.
How I Feel by Dennis A. Allen II, a monologue that states the frustrations of everyone who recognized the injustices done to the black community by police officers.
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for Hands Up will begin Monday, October 5th, and go through Tuesday, October 14th. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be asked to be memorized at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text.
Tech will be Thursday, October 15th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Friday, October 16th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Audition Sides
Click the title to access. Sides do not have to be memorized
- Superiority Fantasy by Nathan James -. Character identifies as an African American Man (Both parents identify as African American, with roots in American Slavery.
- Holes in My Identity by Nathan Yungerberg, Character identifies as A light skinned black man
- They Shootin! Or I Ain’t Neva Scared… by Idris Goodwin, Character identifies as Black, mid/late thirties, a writer, performer, educator
- Dead of Night… The Execution of… by Nambi E. Kelley, Character identifies as a passionate and fiery young black woman who goes after what she wants in life with a vulnerable side that is also her strength
- Abortion by Nsangou Njikam, Character identifies as Thirty-three years old. African American male. Smart. Lovable.
- Walking Next to Michael Brown by Eric Micha Holmes, Character identifies as A man in his thirties with a White mother and Black father. He has dark hair, light eyes, and passes as white
- How I Feel by Dennis A. Allen II, Character identifies as Black; Male; age twenty and up
"The New Black Fest’s HANDS UP: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
God of Carnage
By Yasmina Reza
Synopsis
A play about an evening where two couples meet and discuss a playground incident. Alan and Annette’s son hit Michael and Veronica’s son in the face with a stick, resulting in two broken teeth. The four agree to discuss the incident civilly, but as the night wears on and drinks are imbibed, the polite conversation breaks down. Reza’s play suggests that our civilized trappings do a poor job of hiding our venality and bile.
Character Breakdown
Veronica Houllie: appears to be the most benevolent, she believes they can all come to an agreement about how Ferdinand should make amends after his attack on her son, Bruno. She exhibits the strongest desire for harmony.
Michael Houllie: seems eager to create a space of peace between the two boys and perhaps bond with the Reilles over food and drink. Quick to agree with the Reilles, even making light of the violence, commenting about his own gang during his childhood.
Annette Reille: appears to be constantly on the brink of a panic attack. The pressures of motherhood and the household have eroded her self-confidence, and she feels abandoned by her husband. She is the most physically destructive of the four characters, going as far as to break her husband’s phone. Should be noted that she vomits twice during the show.
Alan Reille: is the classic slimy lawyer. He is the most openly rude and frequently interrupts the meeting by talking on his cell phone. The pharmaceutical company he represents is about to be sued because of one of their products. He claims his son is a savage and doesn’t see any point in trying to change him.
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for God of Carnage will begin Sunday, October 18th, and go through Sunday, October 25th. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be asked to be memorized at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text.
Tech will be Monday, October 26th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Tuesday, October 27th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Actors interested in auditioning for this reading please prepare a 1-2min monologue. Memorization is not mandatory
Smart People: A Play
By Lydia R. Diamond
Synopsis
The eve of Obama’s first election, four of Harvard University’s brightest; a surgeon, an actress, a psychologist, and a neuro-psychiatrist, are all interested in different aspects of the brain and how it responds to race. But like all smart people, they are also searching for love, success, and identity in their own lines in this play about social and sexual politics.
Character Breakdown
Valerie Johnston: a promising actress who has her MFA from the American Repertory Theatre, who is frustrated by the roles she is offered or not offered. Earns money on the side by cleaning houses and works as Brian’s research assistant. Black female identifying
Jackson Moore: a surgical intern, who works 12-hour shifts at the hospital and then puts in more hours at a neighborhood clinic that treats people without insurance, believes he is often second-guessed because of his skin color. Black male identifying
Ginny Yang: a self-confident professor of psychology at Harvard, who specialized in identity and depression in third-generation Asian-American women. Asian female identifying
Brian White: a Harvard neurobiologist, who studies race and perception. White male identifying
Rehearsals & Tech/Filming Information
Rehearsal for God of Carnage will begin Wednesday, October 28th, and go through Tuesday, November 4rd. These rehearsals will take place virtually over zoom. The timing of rehearsals will be based on student availability once the show is cast, but will not exceed 20 hours a week.
All conflicts during the duration of the rehearsal period should be noted on the audition form. Actors will not be required to memorize the script or to be off-book at any point for the reading, only very familiar with the text
Tech will be Thursday, November 5th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Because audience viewing is limited due to Covid-19 and health precautions, the reading will be filmed and then streamed by the department later in the fall semester. This filming will occur Friday, November 6th. Exact times are unknown, please try to remain free between 6pm - 11pm. Filming will either be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing measures in place, should the situation be deemed safe for all participants.
Audition Sides
Click character name to access. Sides do not have to be memorized
- Valerie Johnston
- Jackson Moore (from "so here's what I do" to the end of the page)
- Ginny Yang
- Brian White (from "please disabuse yourself..." to the end of the page)
"Smart People” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com"
Thank you for showing interest in these shows. We look forward to seeing you at auditions!