FAITH IN SHACKLES - Hudson Guild Summerfest Theater Festival Non Equity Auditions

Posted March 22, 2019
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FAITH IN SHACKLES - Hudson Guild Summerfest Theater Festival

Casting the NYC Premiere of Dramatist Guild Member Justin Giachetti’s “Faith in Shackles”, opening the NYC Summerfest Festival this June. We are casting under Equity Showcase Code. While tech and performances will be at the Hudson Guild theater, rehearsals will be in New Jersey.

Faith in Shackles “takes place in a world of religious radicalism and terrorism, where a young lawyer, Sofia, is pushed to her limits with her new case: defend nine historical women who have each had a special relationship with God. Through discovering the truth of these women’s stories, Sofia combats her own biases and fears against religion and learns the true meaning of having faith.” Additionally, the director wants you to know that she sees this as a true character study and ensemble piece, so availability to attend rehearsals is a major factor in casting.

While Tech and Shows will be at the Hudson Guild Theater (in Chelsea), most rehearsals will be in Bordentown, NJ (a 60-90 minute train ride from NY PENN). Travel expenses will be reimbursed for all New York talent, as well as transport will always be provided to and from the rehearsal space. Rehearsals will take place one weeknight a week, as well as a longer rehearsal one weekend afternoon a week. Tech will be from 1:00pm-5:45pm on Wednesday, June 26, with shows at 6:15pm on Wednesday, June 26, 6:15pm on Thursday, June 27, and 9:00pm on Saturday, June 29.

This production will be under the Equity Showcase-NY Basic Showcase Code (pending). Travel reimbursement will be covered.

If interested, please send us an initial email to
casting.bttb@gmail.com with your headshot, resume, and a video reel/performance clips. Please also list any conflicts you may have from May through June, and any other material you would like us to have. If the casting team is interested, they will request a video audition, with sides from the play. All self tapes must be in by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 30th. If called back, you will be informed by Friday, May 10th, at the latest.

In person callbacks are scheduled from 11am-2pm on Sunday, May 19th, at Pearl Studios (500 8th Avenue), with a tentative local callback at Open Arts PAC (146 US-130, Bordentown, NJ) from 4:30pm-7pm that same day, if needed. All callbacks must be in-person. Conflicts with callbacks will be handled on a case by case basis. Bring hard copies of your head shots and resumes to the callback.

Cast of Characters

Sofia Abassi: (24-30, Black/Middle Eastern/South Asian American) A Muslim American Public Defender at the start of her career. Late 20’s. Has issues connecting to her faith because of ostracization and Islamophobia within the world. Compassionate, yet very fact and logic, afraid to let her emotions get involved and taint the cases.

DAUGHTER: (18-26, All Races) Eve from the Bible. Immortal, though she has the appearance of a radiant young woman. Wise, but at the cost of her innocence.

MOTHER: (18-26, All Races) The Virgin Mary from the Bible, forever immortalized as the youthful mother of Jesus. Constantly looked upon to be a nurturing figure, but can feel uneasy with all that pressure and attention.

LOVER: (21-30, All Races) Mary Magdalene from the Bible. Headstrong, emotional, yet still carries the scars and weight that comes with being in love with the son of God.

VIRGIN: (16-24, Caucasian) St. Agnes of Rome. A young child, around 12 years old, who is a blind follower of the Roman Catholic church, and one of its first followers. She is inquisitive, stubborn, and most of all, never doubting of her faith. Preferably looking for actors who can do the Italian dialect.

WARRIOR: (18-26, Caucasian) Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans. Bold. A born leader. Captivating. However, she is mentally still scarred by her captivity and her trial, suffering from PTSD and claustrophobia. Preferably looking for actors who can do the French dialect.

RULER: (35-50, Caucasian) Mary Tudor, aka Mary I, aka Bloody Mary. Cold and powerful, yet fragile. Clings to her beliefs and her past actions to cope with the loss of her child. Preferably looking for actors who can do a RP British dialect.

PRIESTESS: (35-50, Black/Caribbean Descent) Tituba, from the Salem Witch Trials. While blamed for the chaos of Salem, she is just a devout follower of the worship of nature. Wise beyond her years, having watch and learned from the mistakes of those in power around her in Salem. Preferably looking for actors who can do the West Indies/Caribbean dialect

WRITER: (18-25, Caucasian) Anne Frank, of diary fame. 15 years old. Gentle, yet powerful with her words. Strives to maintain the peace, but can get lost in her own thoughts and pain. Preferably looking for actors who can do the Danish dialect.

MESSENGER: (18-25, Caucasian/Middle Eastern) Liz Trobishi, an Israeli teenager from 2009. 16 years old. Compassionate, but at the same time, that emotion can also be used as weapon. An LGBT ally who lost her life in a hate crime/shooting at a LGBT center in Tel Aviv. Preferably looking for actors who can do the Israeli dialect.

THE FATHER: (35-50, All Races) The middle aged, intellectual personification of the Hebrew aspect of God.

THE SON: (21-30, All Races) The young, emotional personification of the Christian aspect of God, as well as Adam, the first man

THE SPIRIT: (18-35, All Races) The shapeshifting, willful personification of the Islamic aspect of God. Preferably an actor with movement/dance training.

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