Casting "Thelma™ Saved My Life," Short Film

Must be willing to straighten or perm hair. Maya is a Black “super mom” suffering from postpartum depression, alcoholism, and sex addiction (which is revealed in the longer feature film). Maya’s years of suffering in silence come to a head in the first years of starting a family with her husband, Everett, and son, Charlie, who is on the autism spectrum. In the film, we find her at a low point, where her suicidal ideation confronts her attempts to conceal her addiction with perfectionism.

A ride-or-die type of husband, but he is oblivious to the signs that his wife is more than “disappearing.” His upbringing was slightly more idyllic than Maya’s, creating an intangible gap in their communication. As a former reporter-turned teacher with a psychology background, he gives Maya the grace we don’t often see in heterosexual relationships, especially those in which a wife is caught cheating. Appearance: Average-to-athletic build, pale skin, protective but unassuming, fatherly.

Must be comfortable learning simple dance moves and executing emotions while wearing a mascot/character costume. No specific age, but should feel like a young adult woman. Blue fur, presumed to belong to (and be part of) Black American culture.

Thelma’s dancing best friends in the Thelma’s universe. Must be able learn and perform simple dance routines in a mascot/character costume. Appearance: Pepto-bismol pink furred muppets differentiated by the hair color and accessories. Looking for hip hop style dance and grooves. Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial