Opportunities

Auditions

T.S. Eliot: A New Musical

By William Roetzheim
Directed by JV Mercanti

The following characters are based on actual people in Eliot’s life.  All are strongly featured characters but should be expected to perform ensemble work as well.  Looking for strong actor/singers who move well.

T. S. Eliot ( 20s ): young man, American but working hard on his English accent. On the surface he is charming, modest, and likable.  At a deeper level he is arrogant, contemptuous, and sometimes cruel.  Looking still deeper, we find a fearful man who believes that he is a sinner, a man who is constantly at war with his own thoughts and desires.

Jack ( 20s ): JACK is a young English man roughly Eliot’s age.  He is clean cut and meticulous in his dress and speech. He is cute in a puckish sort of way, rather than traditionally handsome.  JACK is comfortable with the fact that he is gay, yet many people who know him are not aware of his sexual preferences simply because he doesn’t consider it a big deal so it never came up.

Vivienne ( 20s  ): small, attractive young English woman.  She is flirtatious, moody, and given to outbursts of anger or despair. She is addicted to ether, and mentally unstable.  She wants nothing more than to be the happy, loving wife of T.S. Eliot.

Reginald ( 40 -50 ): an older English gentleman, is a famous psychiatrist, philosopher, and university professor who is friends with both Eliot and Vivienne.  He is a bachelor, bi-sexual, and a good-natured sexual predator where the entire world is his prey.

The following are based on characters created by Eliot in his work.  All are strongly featured throughout, many with their own song, but should be prepared to perform ensemble work as well.  Seeking strong actor/singers who move well:

J. Alfred Prufrock ( 40s and over ): a proper English gentleman who serves as the narrator of the production as well the voice of Eliot’s conscience.  Prufrock is determined to stir Eliot to action and sometimes will play his own devil’s advocate in order to get Eliot to move.

King Bolo ( 30s and over ): a childhood creation of Eliot’s, Bolo represents the mysterious, free-loving and free-spirited voice of the Black South (as Eliot saw it).  Bolo and his brood tempt Eliot to deny sin and follow the desire of his body.

Queen Bolo ( 30s and over): the wife of King Bolo.  A voluptuous, free-spirited black woman, she lives for the pleasures of the body and attempts to seduce Eliot to that side.

Columbo ( 20s and over ): the servant, in many ways, of the Bolos.  He enjoys their reveries and vulgarities, he is more a son than a servant to them.

Reverand Hammond Aigs ( 40s and over ): A Baptist minister and the voice of moral order, he preaches to the God-fearing of “sin and damnation.”  Aigs is more likely to condemn someone to the fires of Hell than offer helpful religious counsel.

Sweeny Agonistes ( 30s and over ): A large Irish pub owner and former boxer.  Practical and somewhat gruff, his view on life can be summed up in “there is no more than birth, copulation and death.”

Madame Sosostris (30s and over ): A famous clairvoyant, gypsy, card reader and psychic.  She represents the supernatural forces that influence our lives.  Strong, sexy and outspoken, the Madame has the power to seduce and scare.

Thomas Becket ( 40s – 50s): Anglican Bishop and protagonist of Eliot’s “Murder in the Cathedral.”  Becket urges Eliot, in song, to seek redemption through martyrdom.  Perhaps a physically slight man, Becket has a strong moral core.

N.I.C.E

By William Roetzheim
Directed by Kate Erin Gibson

Dawn (late 30’s) Folk Singer and poet, lesbian, and successful in Berkeley, CA but not known outside of the city. The youngest child from Margaret’s second marriage. Her religious beliefs are “complicated” but tend toward pagan and eastern beliefs. Actress should feel comfortable singing folk songs a capella or self accompanied on guitar.

Frank (Early-mid 40’s) Right-wing, conservative, red-necked, and born again baptist. Drives a truck for a living and has trouble with alcohol and gambling, which have led to the loss of his CDL license. He is the middle child of Margaret’s second marriage, and lives in Iowa with a wife and two teenaged children. Definitely did not vote for Obama. Frank has never been outside of the US and suffers a bit from culture shock in England.

Tess (Late 40’s – early 50’s) The only child of Margaret’s first marriage to a British citizen. She grew up in England and has little in common with her American siblings.  Manages a local restaurant, is divorced, and has been the primary care-giver to Margaret for the past three months.

Elizabeth (Mid-Late 40’s) Has an MBA from Harvard and works on Wall Street. She is the eldest child from Margaret’s second marriage. She is married to a broker, has no children and is an atheist. Has managed to visit with Margaret ever 4 months or so, when  she came to London on business.

Dickinson: The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson

By William Roetzheim
Directed by Susanne Boulle

++Some roles may be double cast++

Emily – the poet Emily Dickinson, early 30’s ***CAST

Playwright – Male, in his 30’s. He is highly intelligent, stubborn, obsessive, and a hopeless romantic. He possesses a wild imagination and feels great compassion for those whom history has misunderstood, slandered, or abused. There is an air about him that suggests he was born a hundred years too late. His encounter with Emily is rooted deep in the memories of his own scarred childhood.

Vinnie – Female, late 20’s to early 30’s, Emily’s younger sister. She is attractive, sexually charged, saucy, determined and pragmatic.

Judge Lord – Male, in his 50’s, Emily’s father’s best friend. He is righteous, strict, and an expert equivocator who secretly longed for young Emily once upon a time.

Sue – Female, in her 30’s, Emily’s sister-in-law. She is darkly handsome, powerful, cold and calculating. She toys with Emily’s sexual longing and with young Austin’s heart.

Austin – Male, late 20’s, Emily’s younger brother. He is flamboyant, colorful, and full of life. He genuinely loves Emily and he feels great remorse for his inability to protect her.

Edward Dickinson – Male, in his 50’s, Emily’s father. He is stern, forbidding and domineering. He cannot abide Emily’s “wild” behavior.

Emma Dickinson – Female, in her 50’s, Emily’s mother. She is mousy, weak, and plagued by psychosomatic illnesses.

Higginson – Male, 40’s- 50’s. He is a Preacher of questionable conviction.  He carries on a long time correspondence with Emily, often very sexual in nature, yet all the while he ridicules her behind her back to the gossipy Amherst high society.

Please send actor submissions (Headshot and resume ATTACHED) to kate@aitheater.org.  Please indicate which production/character you are most interested in, in the subject line.

Rehearsals begin May 8th.  Daytime availability is Mandatory.  Performances run June 1st-20th, in repertory (8 performances for each play) at the Grand Theatre at the Producers’ Club (44th and 9th).

Jobs

Director of Development – Seeking someone to guide the way in all fundraising and development efforts.  A creative mind and ambitious attitude are key.  Recent grads or graduate students in Arts Administrative programs are welcome.  Currently, all RDT positions are part-time, volunteer.  We are working hard to become a salaried organization within the next few years.  You would be key in that journey.  Must have good comunication skills, at least a bachelors degree, interest in non-profit theatre, and a willingness to work for the love of it at first.

Technical Director/Scenic or Lighting Designer – seeking a technical person to oversee requirements of various venues (we rent) and to provide the company with scenic or lighting design.  We generally produce two or three productions a year.  You would work closely with our resident director, and any other staff on each production.  Currently a part-time, volunteer position.  Must have excellent communication skills, a creative mind, ability to work well unsupervised (or lead a team), interest in non-profit theatre. Recent grads welcome.

Resident Stage Manager – to over see two to three productions per year.  Must have excellent communication skills, ability to work well on a team, strong accountability, willingness to be a supportive energy in the rehearsal studio.  AEA welcome, as we use the Showcase code.  College Students based in NYC and recent grads welcome.

Managing Director (interim, with possibilty for permanent position) – seeking someone to work closely with the Artistic Director and Director of Development.  Oversee booking rehearsal and performance spaces. Help to manage staff and volunteers.  Also, assist in planning the year – meetings, fundraisers, productions.  Currently a part-time, volunteer position. Must have excellent comunication skills, Bachelors Degree, interest and background in theatre arts, interest in non-profit management.

Marketing Director – Seeking someone to take the lead on marketing efforts – press releases, printing, programs, etc.  Work closely with our marketing associate/graphic designer to ensure materials are completed in a timely manner.  Currently a part-time volunteer position.  Must have excellent communication skills, creative mind, interest in non-profit theatre, and be well organized.

For any  of the positions above please send resume, cover letter (mandatory), and any other support materials to Kate Erin Gibson, Artistic Director at kateerin@thereddoortheatre.com

Internship credits may be possible for any of the positions above as well.

We are always accepting résumés from directors and stage managers. Please email all materials to KateErin@thereddoortheatre.com.