Theatre Casting Call for "Dead Man’s Cell Phone"
ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. The Theater is excited to announce auditions for "Dead Man’s Cell Phone". Actors needed. See more details below. About the project: Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative new comedy by MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl. An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. Jean is sleepwalking through her life until she answers a dead man's cell phone. A dead man – with a lot of loose ends. It turns out to be a wake-up call that sends her on a date with the dead man's brother, a drinking binge with his wife, and a mysterious rendezvous with his mistress. Not to mention trips to the afterlife and the black market. This play explores the theme of how cell phones both connect and isolate us, as well as the balance between going through the motions and really living. A work about how we memorialize the dead – and how that remembering changes us – it is the odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world. Additional info: What to prepare: There will be cold reading from the script. To be considered, apply.
7 roles
Non-binary, gender fluid, No special movement, but will kiss two actors. Description: Jean is somewhat disengaged with her life, but develops an obsession with Gordon after she witnesses his death. She assumes responsibility for the life he left behind, and lies easily to provide comfort to his family. She is people pleasing but also particular about how she interacts with the world. She is nervous, and a woman who is used to making an effort not to take up too much space.
A Dead Man, No special movement, but will kiss an actor. Description: Gordon is the Golden Child who got away with anything. He cheated on his wife and was in the business of selling organs on the black market. He is more annoyed at his death than anything, but shares a tender moment with Jean in the afterlife.
Gordon's Mother, Needs to sob obnoxiously and make strange crying sounds. Description: She is a drama queen and an old school matriarch who favored Gordon and barely acknowledges her other son, Dwight.
Gordon's Widow, Female presenting, No special movement, but needs to act drunk. Description: She has contempt for Gordon, knowing he did her wrong, but still loved him and feels a mix of guilt and repulsion for her life with him. She knows what business he was in, and realized that he bought her off with jewelry. She confides in Jean, either as a way to scare Jean off or because Jean becomes the default vessel for everyone’s grief in the play.
Gordon's Brother, Male presenting or non-binary, No special movement, but will kiss an actor. Description: Dwight is not as smart, strong, or charismatic as his older brother Gordon. He has spent most of his life in Gordon’s shadow. He is deeply in love with Jean and she shows him affection but there is always the question of whether they are both trying to use each other to get love from Gordon. Dwight is loving to Jean and loyal to his mother, and has a fixation with stationary.
Female, non-binary, gender fluid, No special movement, but will point a gun and “shoot". Description: The mystery woman plays both Gordon’s mistress and business associate. In many ways this character represents fantasies in life, a sassy and smoky character reminiscent of the film noir genre.
2 Male or Male indentifying and 2 Female or Femle indentifying, Fluid movement/dance preffered but not nessessary. Description: Great roles for first time actors. Mostly Character walk ons. Also assists with scene changes. All ensemble will partake in the "Cell Phone Ballet".
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