Website City Lit Theater Company
City Lit is seeking ten non-equity actors plus understudies for a world premiere co-production with Black Button Eyes Productions of Strange Cargo- The Doom of the Demeter by Chicago playwright Timothy Griffin.
Adapted from Chapter Seven of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this gothic horror high-seas adventure tells the shocking events aboard the cargo ship transporting Count Dracula’s belongings from Transylvania to England.
Submissions are due by Sunday, May 18.
Current publicly available creative team info:
Directed by Ed Rutherford
Stage Managed by Hazel Flowers-McCabe
Lighting Design by Liz Cooper
Properties and Puppets design by Jeremiah Barr
Sound Design by Joe Griffin
Technical Direction by Matt Klingler
Dialect Coaching by Carrie Hardin
Material to Prepare:
Auditions will be in person (with a reader) of sides from the play, provided in advance. Please also be ready if asked to sing a short cut (16-32 measures) acapella of a song of your choice. Singing in the show is limited, but leans towards folk / sea shanty.
A perusal copy of the script will be made available to actors invited to audition.
Time Commitment:
Rehearsals begin on or around September 1, scheduled based on actor availability to take place Monday-Thursday evenings, Saturday during the day, and Sunday during the day or evening. Friday nights always dark until tech week. Previews start October 10th and show runs through November 23.
Character Type/Restrictions:
ALL GENDERS, ETHNICITIES, AND AGES (18+) ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO AUDITION; especially seeking submissions from actors with substantial stage combat, movement and/or acrobatics experience.
If interested and available, please submit h/r to City Lit by Sunday May 18. In your submission letter, please note your availability for the audition dates, any experience with stage combat, movement / acrobatics, as well as for which character(s) you’d like to be considered. If invited to audition, you will be provided with sides and access to a perusal copy of the script.
Character Breakdown:
Captain Gorodetsky) – 40s, Russian – The parental figure of the ship, strong, willful, good-hearted, and a devoutly religious. Slow to anger, but quick to act. They view their crew as children or siblings.
Chief (First Mate) Basarab – 30s, Roumanian – Highly competent, affable with the crew, but very much a leader. They go progressively mad through the play, partly from the presence of Dracula onboard, but also from their own dark secret.
Second Mate Post – 40s, Russian – Childhood friend of the Captain, they are huge, strong, loyal, and dedicated to the Captain and the crew. A gentle giant, but no one to mess with.
Bucatar – 50s, Roumanian – character is peg-legged, crusty, and wry. They speak their mind as they like. They are a lifelong sailor and a serviceable cook.
Petrofsky – 20s, Russian – A lusty young sailor who loves the sea, is always up for a fight, a laugh, a wench, a drink, or a card game. They are something of a jackass, but fiercely protective of their crew.
Olgaren- 30s, Russian – Brave and stalwart, highly intelligent (but not stuffy), a genius with weather and navigation. Well on their way to a bright future as a Chief Mate, and, ultimately, Captain of their own ship.
Abramoff – 40s, Russian – A world-wandering mercenary and cool as the other side of the pillow, they are completely lethal and an expert with any weapon. An absolute badass, but not a jerk about it.
Gusa – 20, Roumanian – A happy, acrobatic,and beautiful youth, a natural born sailor, they love their work. They exude warmth and joy and are well-liked by the crew. They are closest with Basarab, with whom they share a dark secret. Especially seeking actors with acrobatic/tumbling skills and lovely singing voice; sign language experience a plus (character communicates in sign for portions of the play).
Munir – 17, Turkish – A young, novice sailor, they are somewhat nervous and jumpy, a bit of a complainer, but eager to be useful.
Yorga –can convincingly play 70s-80s but will consider 40s-60s., Transylvanian – Servant of Dracula, a cranky yet charming old traveler who is more than they appear.
To apply for this job email your details to info@citylit.org