Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COM
F O R
Y O U R
FRONT COVER - C1
C O N S I D E R A T I O N
CASEY AFFLECK
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
AmazonStudiosGuilds.com
11.17.16 BACKSTAGE.COM
The
Great
Escape
NAOMIE HARRIS
DESERVES
THE BUZZ FOR
BARRY JENKINS
MOONLIGHT
CONTENTS
vol. 57, no. 46 | 11.17.16
NEWS
8 Celebrating the premier solo comedy
festival in NYC
ADVICE
13 THE WORKING ACTOR
Spin your own web
13 #IGOTCAST
Timothy J. Cox
15 #IGOTCAST
Rolando J. Vargas
FEATURES
6 BACKSTAGE 5 WITH...
Amy Ryan
14 SPOTLIGHT ON...
Brittain Ashford
15 INSIDE JOB
Andrew Habel,
McLaren Engineering Group
CASTING
33 California
36 National/Regional
Naomie Harris photographed by Matt Doyle in NYC on
Oct. 4. Hair by Peter Lux. Makeup by Alex Babsky. Nails
by Mo Qin. On this page: jumpsuit by Wai Ming, coat by
Burberry. On the cover: jumpsuit by Wai Ming. Cover
designed by Jessica Balaschak.
2 backstage 11.17.16
COVER STORY
page 16
A WOMAN LOST
AND FOUND
MATT DOYLE
BACKSTAGE.COM
NEW YORK
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PERMISSION
BACKSTAGE, vol. 57, no. 46 (ISSN#53635 USPS#39740) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY (except the fourth week of December) by Backstage LLC, 45 Main St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, $3.99 per copy, $99 per year.
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4 backstage 11.17.16
BACKSTAGE.COM
Amy Ryan
By Jack Smart
Did you ever use Backstage in your early career days? I actually had
really good fortune when I got out of high school. I had an agent, so
they were able to find stuff for me. But I certainly used to read it for the
articles and just to keep tabs on whats going on. Just to make sure my
agents were doing their job!
Tell us about Love, Love, Love. I love this play so much, its so
different. My mom was at the show the other night and said, This is the
best play Ive seen in a long time. You know, the other play I liked this
much was Cock. I go, Mom, you know thats the same writer. Shes
like, What? When I saw King Charles III, same thing. Its so hard to
believe this is the same brain that dreams up all these different stories.
I get very excited to go to the theater every night. Sandra, we first meet
her in 1967, shes 19 years old and a student at Oxford. Shes really
excited by the changes happening in the world; freedom is coming and
she devours it.
What advice would you give your 19-year-old self? When I was
younger I was so happy to work, I would kind of do anything. Which isnt
necessarily a bad thing, because work begets work. But I would probably
advise my younger self to be more patient. Quality, not quantity, matters
more. Six months can feel like an eternity when youre not working. My
mother actually gave me that advice. She would say, Something better
is around the corner. Just be patient. I would also save my money.
I advise young actors today: Save your money. Borrow your friends
clothes for fancy parties, dont buy $900 shoes. If you save your money,
youre going to be able to afford to do that play you really love that pays
no money.
Do you have any audition advice? This is really the truth: They want
you to get the job. They want you to be the one[then] their day is done.
They were justified in bringing you in. They want you to win, theyre
not against you. If people know that, theyll have a bit more confidence
walking in the room.
What was your first headshot like? Haha! Its pretty big, my whole
head is in the frame. Black-and-white, because Im old. It looked like me,
it wasnt some overly styled glam shot. I had good representation who
guided me: Be yourself, dont try to disguise yourself, wear the makeup
that you wear in real life. It was the third headshot, a few years later,
that was pretty awful. Just bad hair, getting into the early 90s, late
80sbig hair.
I THINK YOU SHOULD STUDY ALL FILMSTUDY COMEDY, STUDY DRAMAS. YOU CAN
6 backstage 11.17.16
JOEL KIMMEL
BACKSTAGE.COM
Follow us backstagecast
NEWS
Follow us @backstagecast
Follow us @backstage
HAVE YOU BEEN CAST in a project through a Backstage casting notice? Share your story with us and you might be featured in an
upcoming issue! Just tweet @Backstage using the hashtag #IGotCast and well be in touch to hear your success story!
Lucas Brooks
COMEDY
Spotlighting
Solo Comedy
SOLOCOM CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS IN NEW YORK CITY
BY BENJAMIN LINDSAY
f you are a New Yorker in need of a laugh,
SOLOCOM is the place for you.
As the Big Apples only solo comedy
festival for four years strong, SOLOCOM
(running Nov. 1720) boasts over 130 performances, approximately 120 of which are
world premieres of new material. The rest
are encores of fan and festival favorites from
years past, like Polly Esthers Dammit, Jim!
Im a Comedienne, Not a Doctor!. According
to festival founder Peter Michael Marino, his
hearty, four-day helping of comedy is just 50
percent of the total applications received for
festival participation.
8 backstage 11.17.16
For actors interested in pursuing solo comedy or trying their hand at writing, SOLOCOM
is an easy and affordable opportunity to see
others at work and gauge what audiences connect with. Just by being exposed to different
ways to use the art form, I think it inspires
writer-actors to think outside the box and think
of different ways to tell a story, Marino said.
Even if you dont see yourself as a writer-actor,
try it out! You may surprise yourself.
Were all writers, Marino added. If youre
able to tell a story at the end of the day at the
dinner table, youre certainly able to tell a story
to a bunch of strangers.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thepit-nyc.com/solocom.
BACKSTAGE.COM
C O U R T E SY S O L O C O M
UPDATE |
Like us facebook.com/backstage
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more news and advice at youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
INDUSTRY NEWS
BACKSTAGE
Get Resourceful
THERES SO MUCH MORE TO BACKSTAGE THAN THE LATEST
industry news or profiles of your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) actors.
Visit backstage.com/resources, and there youll find a wealth of
industry information that you can leverage to take your career to the
10 backstage 11.17.16
next level. Want to land an agent? Browse our listings and find one in
your area! Curious about what projects might be filming nearby? Check
out our Production Listings. We even provide a list of casting offices and
their submission regulations!
Taking the time to explore the carefully curated content on backstage.
com may mean the difference between struggle and successso go
check it out now!
BACKSTAGE.COM
U N D R E Y/ S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M
SPENCER ALEXANDER
BY REBECCA WELCH
cademy Award winner
Halle Berry is making her
way back onto the silver
screen with her new project Kings. The actor, who has
been out of the spotlight since her
television stint on CBS supernatural thriller Extant, is picking
up the dramatic project alongside
James Bond himself, Daniel
Craig. The film will follow a Los
Angeles woman and her family
throughout the Rodney King trial
and the 1992 riots that followed,
a meaty subject for both actors
involved. The project, directed
by Deniz Gamze Erguven, will
begin filming in mid-December
and continue through February
2017. While no other cast has been
announced, Heidi Levitt Casting
will handle any additional roles
needing to be filled. Filming will
take place at the center of the real
riots: Los Angeles.
Melissa McCarthy is about to go
straight as she picks up her new
dramatic project, Can You Ever
Forgive Me? The actor, who is
primarily known for her slapstick
features and fun character work, is
about to take on a film based on a
fallen writer. Lee Israel, who made
news
Check the Casting section for full details on upcoming stage and screen roles, or visit casting.backstage.com
RESOURCES
U N D R E Y/ S H U T T E R S T O C K . C O M
SPENCER ALEXANDER
BACKSTAGE
ATLANTA THEATRE-TO-GO
If you are looking to marry your
talents with benefiting your community, Atlanta-Theatre-to-Go is
offering a distinctly wonderful
opportunity. Its mission is to bring
live theatre to senior centers,
retirement communities, assisted
living facilities, community centers, churches and synagogues.
Contributors will have the opportunity to have their work performed
by professional actors in front of
seniors, enriching their quality of
life. What better way to give back
while also honing your craft?
STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT
THEATRE FESTIVAL
The Riant Theatre, based in
midtown NYCs Theatre at St.
Clements, is once again holding
its annual celebration of new stage
11
ACTOR 101
12 backstage 11.17.16
BACKSTAGE.COM
I L L U S T R AT I O N : H A N N A B A R C Z Y K ; C OX : J E N B EC H T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y
One scene on the bridge, specifically, showed Davis how far Pawars
craft had come: He runs across the
bridge, he has to stop on a mark,
and he has to look at the expanse
of the bridge that hes never seen in
his life, then turn over his shoulder
and hear the danger [of a train coming] and run to the other side of the
bridgethats four things going on
in a shot. Thats an actor.
For Patel, the preparation
process involved more sensory
mapping (Davis played sounds of
the village during certain scenes).
The Slumdog Millionaire actor
visited orphanages in Calcutta
to gather the sights, smells, and
sounds of the world, and met with
the real Saroo, while building a relationship with his onscreen mother
(Kidman) in rehearsal. While it
carries themes of identity and the
effects of poverty, Lion is at its
core a love story about mothers
and their sons.
It was like a poem to meit had
a shape to it, this poem that I could
craft, says Davis. With TV series,
its more meandering, like a novel;
this is more complete and I found
that exciting.
MARK ROGERS
actor 101
For more advice from industry professionals, visit backstage.com/advice-for-actors
MARK ROGERS
#IGOTCAST.
Timothy J. Cox
By Casey Mink
11.17.16 backstage
13
actor 101
Find representation at backstage.com/callsheet
The Ultimate
Agent Test
14 backstage 11.17.16
B. A suggestion
C. Not enough
2) President Lincoln was killed
by an actor. Thoughts?
A. Yes, thats truehis name was
John Wilkes Booth
B. See? Actors are all crazy! They
should be locked up
C. Actors will do anything to get
attention
3) Do you enjoy going to the
theater?
A. I love watching actors perform
onstage
B. No! Look how it turned out for
Lincoln!
C. As long as parking is provided
and the theater is close to my
office and the seats are comfortable and the play is over in less
than two hours
4) Who really books the job: the
actor or the agent?
A. The actorall we do is provide
SPOTLIGHT ON
BRITTAIN ASHFORD
By Benjamin Lindsay
As Natashas cousin
Sonya in War and
Peace riff Natasha,
Pierre & the Great
Comet of 1812,
Broadway newcomer
BRITTAIN ASHFORD
has been part of the
buzzy production
since day one. She chats about seeing it
through to the Great White Way.
On The Great Comet.
A lot of people hear War and Peace and
they kind of wonder how that is going to be
good fodder for a Broadway show, but it is
masterfully pieced together.... The show
is not a mirrored reflection of this stoic,
dark, Russian society. Theres definitely
some of that, but youre not coming to see
a period piece.
On being asked to do the show.
[Composer] Dave [Malloy] approached
me with the idea of the show, I wanna
say five years ago, over drinks. I knew
him as a friend. So when he approached
me with this idea of a show based on
War and Peace, I was like, Ha ha ha,
no, thanks. I initially said no because Id
never done theater outside of high school
and there I was.... I just continued doing
it because I really believed in the show. I
really believed in what Dave and [director]
Rachel Chavkin were putting together, and
fortunately for everyone, the show just
kept goingthere was always a next step.
On changes to the production.
In certain ways, [its] wildly different. But
in most ways, I think it still retains a lot of
the magic of the original production and
the subsequent productions.... Now we
have so much space to work with and so
many more people to make these larger
things develop.
FOR THE FULL Q&A,
visit backstage.com.
BACKSTAGE.COM
H A B E L : C O U R T E SY M C L A R E N E N G I N E E R I N G G R O U P ; VA R G A S : D A N D R E M I C H A E L
the opportunity
B. Me, myself, and I
C. Its a team effort
I L L U S T R AT I O N : S P E N C E R A L E X A N D E R ; A S H FO R D : Z H E N YA A N D TA N YA P O S T E R N A K
actor 101
Find answers to your industry questions at backstage.com/resources
[Inside Job]
Andrew Habel
MCLAREN ENGINEERING GROUP
BY MOLLY EICHEL
ART AND SCIENCE COLLIDE AT MCLAREN ENGINEERING GROUP.
The international firm has an entertainment department that works with
groups like Cirque du Soleil to make sure that their equipment, sets,
props, and performers are safe. Andrew Habel, Florida regional director
at McLaren, recently headed up the adaptation of Cirques La Nouba
bamboo aerial act for an outdoor venue.
I L L U S T R AT I O N : S P E N C E R A L E X A N D E R ; A S H FO R D : Z H E N YA A N D TA N YA P O S T E R N A K
Andrew Habel
We get the industry. Many other firms would take a long time to get
caught up to speed; there are specific dynamics to this.
BACKSTAGE.COM
#IGOTCAST.
Rolando J. Vargas
By Casey Mink
Despite being
in and out
of auditions
for 25 years,
ROLANDO J.
VARGAS says
hes never had
one quite like
the audition
for the last project he booked
through Backstage: Nosferatu: A
Symphony in Terror.
The director, choreographer,
and producers wanted to see how I
brought physicality to various characters through dance, movement,
and direct expressionist acting
without any words or pantomime,
he explains. But Vargas must have
impressed the creative team; he
booked the gig and originated a role
onstage, a feat that was nothing
short of a dream come true.
Vargas is a devout Backstage
reader, and has been since 1994. I
still have a few old Backstage publications, circled and highlighted with
casting notices that I was interested
in from the mid-90s, he says.
As a working actor on both
coasts, Vargas believes Backstage
is one of the most useful resources
for any performer; it can provide a
needed jolt of positivity in a tough
business. There are lots of great,
legitimate casting opportunities to
take advantage of through Backstage, he says. Its an extremely
helpful resource for a proactive
actor like myself.
11.17.16 backstage
15
NAOMIE HARRIS
IS GETTING
MAJOR AWARDS
BUZZ FOR HER
PERFORMANCE
IN BARRY JENKINS
MOONLIGHT.
THIS IS HOW
SHE DID IT
By Benjamin Lindsay | Photographed by Matt Doyle
16 backstage 11.17.16
BACKSTAGE.COM
BACKSTAGE.COM
11.17.16 backstage
17
18 backstage 11.17.16
C O U R T E SY A 2 4
C O U R T E SY A 2 4
I THINK TO
PLAY THE
CHARACTER,
YOU HAVE TO
FALL IN LOVE
WITH THEM.
THREE
ACTS
IN
THREE
DAYS
19
AMERICAN CRIME
THE AMERICANS
DOWNTON ABBEY
20 backstage 11.17.16
FARGO
GAME OF THRONES
MR. ROBOT
QUEEN SUGAR
S T R A N G E R T H I N G S : C O U R T E SY N E T F L I X ; G A M E O F T H R O N E S : H E L E N S L OA N / H B O ; AT L A N TA: Q UA N T R E L L C O L B E R T/ F X
DRAMA
Game of Thrones
S T R A N G E R T H I N G S : C O U R T E SY N E T F L I X ; G A M E O F T H R O N E S : H E L E N S L OA N / H B O ; AT L A N TA: Q UA N T R E L L C O L B E R T/ F X
Atlanta
Stranger Things
female-directed, 13-episode order on Oprah
Winfreys OWN. Centered on Nova Bordelon
(Rutina Wesley), a journalist who unexpectedly inherits her familys sugar cane farm,
its a story of love and sacrifice under the
Louisiana sun. After the death of their father,
Nova and her estranged siblings, ex-con Ralph
Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and basketball player wife
Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner), reunite on their
homestead. Its not long before tensions flare,
giving the ensemble meaty material to work
with each episode. Queen Sugar dips into
the ripple effects of infidelity, drug addiction,
and poverty with supporting help from Bianca
Lawson, Dondre Whitfield, Nicholas L. Ashe,
Tina Lifford, and Omar J. Dorsey. Already
renewed for a second season, were intrigued
to see where the Bordelon familys story goes
next. Briana Rodriguez
STRANGER THINGS
THIS IS US
One of network televisions most highly anticipated new series of the fall, This Is Us lives
up to the hype. Starring The People v. O.J.
Simpson Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown,
Milo Ventimiglia, Chrissy Metz, Chris Sullivan,
Jon Huertas, Justin Hartley, and Mandy Moore,
the NBC series follows a group of people who
all share the same birthday, and decide, upon
turning 36, to make big life changesfrom an
overweight woman choosing to get into shape
to a man seeking out his estranged biological
father. The show follows a nonlinear structure
that allows minute, seemingly insignificant
moments to set up walloping emotional
punches. Just how powerful they turn out to be
is a testament to the skills of the sprawling but
united This Is Us cast. BR
COMEDY
ATLANTA
career, which presents itself like a get-out-ofpoverty-free card. With crisp, languid scripts
that are unafraid to take their time in portraying a distinct and unexpected slice of lifeplus
an assortment of supporting roles (as Glovers
girlfriend and mother of his child, Zazie Beetz
walks away with one of the series most affecting episodes)Atlanta not only marks the
arrival of an exciting new creative voice in
Glover, but one of the best ensemble comedies
on TV. BL
BLACK-ISH
BOBS BURGERS
21
HIGH MAINTENANCE
22 backstage 11.17.16
Superstore
High Maintenance
commitment to the endearing caricature that
is Janes father, Rogelio De La Vega, and, of
course, Rodriguez as the titular virgin with your
heartstrings wrapped around her fingers, Jane
The Virgin remains a pure delight. BR
SUPERSTORE
TRANSPARENT
H I G H M A I N T E N A N C E : DAV I D R U S S E L L / H B O ; S U P E R S T O R E : K E L S E Y M C N E A L / N B C
T H E B I R T H O F A N AT I O N : C O U R T E SY FOX S E A R C H L I G H T; 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y W O M E N : C O U R T E SY A 2 4 ; B I L LY LY N N S L O N G H A L F T I M E WA L K : M A R Y CY B U L S K I / S O N Y
GETTING ON
T H E B I R T H O F A N AT I O N : C O U R T E SY FOX S E A R C H L I G H T; 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y W O M E N : C O U R T E SY A 2 4 ; B I L LY LY N N S L O N G H A L F T I M E WA L K : M A R Y CY B U L S K I / S O N Y
H I G H M A I N T E N A N C E : DAV I D R U S S E L L / H B O ; S U P E R S T O R E : K E L S E Y M C N E A L / N B C
Big Screens,
Big Ensembles
Some of the years biggest studio and indie films featured the most tightly knit casts. These 12 rose above the rest!
By Backstage Staff
STUDIO FEATURES
As the first Hollywood film depicting a successful slave rebellion, the stakes were already
high for actor Nate Parkers feature-length
directorial debut. But the Sundance hit relies
as heavily on its writer, director, producer,
and star as it does on the rest of its brilliant
ensemble cast. Set in the antebellum South,
The Birth of a Nation follows Nat Turner,
a preacher whose organized revolt led to the
death of dozens of slave owners in 1831. A slow
burn that stokes the coals of dissent, the film
ends with a fiery and well-deserved release.
Starring Aja Naomi King as Nats wife, Armie
Hammer as his slave master, and Colman
Domingo as his right-hand man in the rebellion, plus supporting turns from Jackie Earle
Haley, Penelope Ann Miller, Aunjanue Ellis,
Mark Boone Jr., Roger Guenveur Smith, and
Gabrielle Union, Birth provides no clear
FENCES
23
supportive parents, J.K. Simmons as a pompous lion mayor, and the particularly wonderful
Jenny Slate as his timid sheep assistant. Dont
discount the talking-animals flick: Zootopia
boasts real substance, thanks mostly to its
voiceover talent. JS
INDEPENDENT FEATURES
HACKSAW RIDGE
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
24 backstage 11.17.16
ZOOTOPIA
ALWAYS SHINE
2 0 1 6 D I S N E Y. A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D.
MARK ROGERS
Hacksaw Ridge
Zootopia
thingsfrom acting roles to men.
A collection of players, including Lawrence
Michael Levine, Khan Baykal, Alexander
Koch, and Michael Lowry, drift in and out
of their days, providing points of contention
for the women. But the films standout scene
sees Anna and Beth going over lines together
for a lackluster horror flick Beth has booked.
Accusing her of being weak in her read, Anna
shows her exactly how she would play the part.
Suddenly, the scripts fictional fury is lifted
off the page and focused on Beth, making for
an electric interaction that solidifies both the
characters talent and Davis and FitzGeralds
careers. BR
2 0 1 6 D I S N E Y. A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D.
MARK ROGERS
OTHER PEOPLE
THE WITCH
25
PLAYS
MUSICALS
FILM
TV & VIDEO
COMMERCIAL
MODELING
VARIETY
VOICEOVER
GIGS
EVENTS
PLAYS
CASTING
SUBMIT A NOTICE |
NEW YORK
TRISTATE
PLAYS
I Now Pronounce
26 backstage 11.17.16
SUBMIT YOUR CALLS FOR CAST AND CREW: Visit backstage.com/findtalent and click on Post a Notice.
Include all relevant project requirements, including any pay, fees, dues, costs, required ticket sales or nudity.
Senior, dir.; Elissa Myers Casting, casting office; Paul Fouquet, casting dir.;
Karie Koppel, casting assoc.
Rehearsals begin Mar. 28, 2017; previews begin Apr. 25; runs Apr. 29-May
21 in Rochester, NY.
SeekingGrace Rattigan: female,
27-33, Caucasian, Hispanic. Brenda
Kurtz: female, 33-37, all ethnicities.
PFC Lydia Walsh: female, 20-24,
African American, African Descent.
Hector Nunez: male, 30-34, Hispanic.
Alvina Croft: female, 50-63, all ethnicities. Gideon Kane: male, 45-49,
Caucasian. Billy Rattigan: male, 34-37,
all ethnicities.
Seeking submissions from NY.
NYC auditions to be held Dec. 7-9 by
appointment only. For consideration,
mail or messenger pix & resume to
Elissa Myers Casting; 250 W. 54th St.;
10th fl.; ATTN: Other Than Honorable,
Role of, New York, NY, 10019. Mark submissions: Other Than Honorable
[Role]/NYC Appointment Equity
Submission. Submissions deadline is
Nov. 21. Seeking submissions from
Equity members. Equity members must
submit themselves directly in order to
be considered via this posting (no agent
or third-party submissions).
Pays: $861/wk. Equity LORT B Non-Rep
Contract.
CASTING PICKS
OF THE WEEK
BY M I C H A E L C O U G H L I N
musicals
Chicago, Bway
Possible future principal
replacements sought in the
currently running production
film
Black Panther
Lupita Nyongo stars in the
upcoming Marvel Studios
feature seeking AfricanAmerican kids in Atlanta
musicals
Avenue Q
A group of 20-something puppets
make their way in the big city Off
Broadway at New World Stages
film
Jumanji
Sony Pictures Entertainment
is casting the feature starring
Dwayne The Rock Johnson,
Kevin Hart, and Jack Black
musicals
The Last Five Years
Jason Robert Browns semiautobiographical masterwork
runs early 2017 in SoCal
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Clara
Barton. Male 1 and 2 - They Built
America: male, 20-49, all ethnicities,
two physically adept actor/musicians
who will portray a variety of characters
ie: Politicians, Immigrant Workers,
Canal Engineers, etc. Good with
accents (Irish, German, Italian and
Norwegian), and can play the guitar,
banjo, or fiddle (violin). Harmonica and
melodica players a plus. Female 1 and 2
- They Built America: female, 20-49,
all ethnicities, two physically adept
Private Lives
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The Christians
27
PLAYS
MUSICALS
Seeking Equity actors for three available roles in The School for Lies.
Company: Shakespeare Theatre
Company. Staff: David Ives, writer;
Michael Kahn, dir.; Carter C. Wooddell,
resident casting dir.
Rehearsals begin Apr. 24, 2017; tech
May 23; opens June 5; closes July 2;
extension closing July 9 at the
Lansburgh Theatre, Washington, D.C.
SeekingCelimene: 18+, all ethnicities. Dubois/Basque: 18+, all ethnicities. Arsinoe: 18+, all ethnicities.
Equity Principal Auditions will be held
Dec. 19 from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (lunch
1-2 p.m.) at Actors Equity New York
Audition Center, 165 W. 46th St., 16th
fl., NYC, 10036. EPA Procedures are in
effect for this audition. An Equity
Monitor will be provided.
Prepare one classical monologue, preferably a comedic piece in rhyming
verse, not to exceed two minutes total.
Bring pix & resumes, stapled together.
Note: The Shakespeare Theatre
Company specializes in classic plays.
The theater is always seeking new classical actors of all age ranges and types
to add to its files. The Shakespeare
Theatre Company is a strong proponent
of non-traditional casting and actively
encourages actors of color, seniors,
women, and performers with disabilities to attend its auditions.
Pays: $861/wk. current min. Equity
LORT B Non-Rep Contract, Lansburgh
Theatre.
The Surrogate
28 backstage 11.17.16
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all
aspects of this audition.
For an audition appointment, Equity
members may call the office at (908)
979-0900. Equity members without
appointments will be seen as time permits. Actors may read from sides (provided at the audition) or prepare a brief
monologue. Bring pix & resumes, stapled together.
Pays: $352/wk. Equity SPT 4 Contract.
White Snake
MUSICALS
Avenue Q
Casting Equity actor/singers for possible future replacements in the currently running Off Broadway
production of Avenue Q, which
focuses on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city,
seeking their purpose in life, who find
themselves living on humble Avenue Q.
Chicago, Bway
American women but also other ethnicities; must have a valid passport that
does not expire before Sept. 1, 2017.
Auditions will be held Nov. 18 at 10
a.m. (females sign in, 9-11 a.m.) and at 2
p.m. (males sign in, 1-3 p.m.) at Pearl
Studios, 519 8th Ave., 11th fl.; Studios
D&F, NYC, 10018.
Typing may occur. Prepare a short
song (16 bars) in the style or from the
show. Note: Selected talent from this
day will be invited to a dance call Nov.
21. The roles of Dave and the
Sweethearts are not being cast from
these calls. Callbacks will be held the
week of Dec. 12. All talent must have a
valid passport that does not expire
before Sept. 1, 2017. All talent submitted must be available and interested in
performing in Korea.
Pays $1000/wk. (principals); 600/wk.
(ensemble). Travel, housing and per
diem will also be included for all. Single
housing will be negotiable for some
roles.
Frozen
AUDITION
HIGHLIGHT S
N E W YO R K T R IS TAT E
Fri. Nov. 18
Here Lies Love
The Detroit Project, Singers
Dreamgirls, Korean Tour
Sat. Nov. 19
Entertaining Strangers
Sun. Nov. 20
Royal Caribbean, Dancer/Aerialist
Mon. Nov. 21
The Detroit Project, Dancers
Dreamgirls, Korean Tour, Dancers
The Woman Who Shed Her Skin
Tues. Nov. 22
The Detroit Project
Frozen
Gotta Get A Girl
For the full auditions calendar,
visit backstage.com/auditions
CHORUS CALLS
Crazy For You, Dancers
Robert Lopez, including their Oscarwinning song, Let It Go, and a book
by Jennifer Lee, the Oscar-winning film
writer and director (with Chris Buck).
Company: Disney Theatrical
Productions. Staff: Michael Grandage,
dir.; Christopher Gattelli, choreo.;
Stephen Oremus, music supervisor;
Telsey + Company, casting.
Rehearsals begin on/about June 12,
2017; July 22 travel to Denver, CO; runs
mid August-Oct. 1 in Denver, CO.
SeekingElsa: female, 18+, all ethnicities. Anna: female, 18+, all ethnicities.
Olaf: 18+, all ethnicities. Kristoff: male,
18+, all ethnicities. Hans: male, 18+, all
ethnicities. Weselton: male, 50-59, all
ethnicities. Young Elsa: female, 11, all
ethnicities. Young Anna: female, 8, all
ethnicities.
Equity Principal Auditions will be held
Nov. 17 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov. 22
from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (lunch, 1:30-2:30
p.m.) at Pearl Studios NYC (519), 519 8th
Ave., 12th fl., New York City, NY, 10018.
And Nov. 29 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
(lunch, 1:30-2:30 p.m.) at Ripley-Grier
Studios (520), 520 8th Ave., 16th fl.,
NYC, 10018. EPA Procedures are in
effect for this audition. An Equity
Monitor will be provided.
Prepare a short, contemporary musical
theatre song. Bring sheet music; accompanist provided. Bring picture and
resume.
Equitys contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity encourages performers
of all ethnicities, gender identities, and
ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
29
MUSICALS
MUSICALS
TV & VIDEO
Frozen, Singers
VARIETY
30 backstage 11.17.16
Sweeney Todd
REALITY TV &
DOCUMENTARY
Skateboarding Documentary
CRUISE LINES
Disney Cruise Line, Dancers
Seeking participants for a 6-week, preprofessional, film and voice-over narration series of classes for ages 12-18,
focused on how to develop voice-over
narration and acting skills. Artistic
Director states: In this 6-week course,
students will work on film scripts and
develop their acting skills on-camera
one week and then address the
voiceover narration of the character in
a state of the art professional voiceover studio the next. The course culminates with actors showcasing their
individual talents in a presentation of
both mediums for industry agents.
Company: A Class Act NY. Staff: Jessica
Rofe, artistic dir.; voice-over and TV/
Film actor; industry guests.
Classes run Jan. 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12;
March 5, 12 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; final
presentation on Mar. 12 at Ripley-Grier
Studios, 520 8th Ave., NYC.
SeekingYoung Actor: males &
females, 8-11, all ethnicities.
Seeking submissions from NY.
Send submissions to info@aclassactny.com.
For consideration, submit a video
audition of yourself please perform a
one-minute, age-appropriate contemporary monologue. Submissions will be
accepted now through Dec. 1. Students
are accepted on a rolling admissions
basis. Classes are by audition only and
limited to 14 students.
No pay. $635 tuition fee required.
31
EVENTS
VISIT BACKSTAGE.COM/CASTING
for full character breakdowns, script
sides, and more casting notices
WORKSHOPS
GIGS
BACKSTAGE.COM
VARIETY
EVENTS
32 backstage 11.17.16
fessional teaching artists with the ability to cast participants; mock dance
audition with feedback; individualized
attention and support; 24 hours of
class; physical conditioning for movers;
classes specifically dedicated to picking up choreography quickly; basic tap,
jazz, hip-hop, partnering, and contemporary rep. classes; Q&A sessions with
instructors; lunch is included in the
registration fee. To learn more, visit
www.goodspeed.org/
movers-boot-camp.
No pay. Participation fee of $375 is
required.
Seeking participants, ages 7-20 to register for both workshops and save $50.
Workshops include TV workshop with
L.A. Casting Director Krisha Bullock of
Bullock/Snow Casting and On-Camera
Workshops with Liv and Maddie
director and On-Set Coach, Wendy
Faraone.
Company: A Class Act NY. Staff: Jessica
Rofe, artistic dir.; Krisha Bullock, casting dir.; Wendy Faraone, dir.
Krisha Bullock Workshops run Nov. 18
(ages 8-19, 5:30-9 p.m.); Nov. 19 (ages
711, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; ages 12-19,
25:30 p.m.); Nov. 20 (ages 8-19, 10 a.m.1:30 p.m.) in NYC.
Wendy Faraone Workshops run Dec. 3
(ages 7-11, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m; ages 12-20
2-5:30 p.m.); Dec. 4 (ages 7-11, 10 a.m.1:30 p.m; ages 12-20 2-5:30 p.m.) in NYC.
SeekingYoung Actors: males &
females, 8-19, all ethnicities.
Seeking submissions from NY.
Send submissions to info@aclassactny.com.
To register, visit AClassActNY.
Eventbrite.com.
$225 participation fee (Krisha
Bullock); or $195 participation fee
(Wendy Faraone) required. Register for
both workshops and save $50.
GROUPS &
MEMBERSHIP
COMPANIES
Archetypes!
Beyond Fiction!
CALIFORNIA casting
VISIT BACKSTAGE.COM/CASTING
for full character breakdowns, script
sides, and more casting notices
BACKSTAGE.COM
PLAYS
Betrayal by Poetry
Fringe Deaths
MUSICALS
Imaginary Tales!
SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
PLAYS
MUSICALS
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
CAST
YOUR
PROJECT
Find the best actors,
dancers, singers, models,
comedians, and more
with Backstage's state-ofthe-art casting system.
Visit Backstage.com/FindTalent
33
castingHouseAd.indd 5
4/21/15 11:03 AM
casting CALIFORNIA
sity and encourages all its employers to
engage in a policy of equal employment
opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such,
Equity encourages performers of all
ethnicities, gender identities, and ages,
as well as performers with disabilities,
to attend every audition.
Pays $361/wk. Equity Special
Appearance Level 2 Contract.
MUSICALS
FILM
FEATURE FILMS
Horror Feature, Evan Peters
Type
Phantom Punch
34 backstage 11.17.16
AUDITION
HIGHLIGHT S
Fri. Nov. 18
CA L I F O R N I A
Sat. Nov. 19
Betrayal by Poetry
Partners in Crime (also 11/20)
Sun. Nov. 20
Memoirs of a Geisha Reenactment
Salvador
L.A. Connection, Comedy Improv
Mon. Nov 21
The Promise (also 11/22)
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
For the full auditions calendar,
visit backstage.com/auditions
SHORT FILMS
Big MisUnderstanding
Remote Viewing
STUDENT FILMS
Auditory Malfunction
Evening Scene
VISIT BACKSTAGE.COM/CASTING
for full character breakdowns, script
sides, and more casting notices
Mansions
CALIFORNIA casting
Tomorrow
BACKSTAGE.COM
Seeking animated character performers who move well to bring to life the
classic characters you grew up with
aboard the Disney Magic and Disney
Wonder cruise ships. Performers
appear as fully costumed Disney
Characters in our mainstage musical
theatre productions, meet and greets,
events and production numbers on
board our fleet. Some Disney Costumed
Character performers also appear as
Disney Character Look-alikes, including some performers to step out into
ensemble dancer roles.
Company: Walt Disney Parks Talent
Casting.
There are multiple contract opportunities throughout 2017 for up to nine
months.
SeekingFemale Character
Performers: female, 18+, all ethnicities,
48.5-50.5, 52-53, 55-57 Male
Character Performers: male, 18+, all
ethnicities, 55-58 with a youthful
look; 511-64
Auditions will be held Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.
(sign-in, 1:30 p.m.) at Screenland
Studios, 10501 Burbank Blvd., North
Hollywood, CA, 91601.
Late arrivals will not be accepted. Be
warmed up and ready to begin at time
listed. Wear form fitting attire to show
silhouette. Audition will consist of a
movement and animation exercise.
Provide a current headshot and rsum.
Note: Height ranges strictly adhered to;
no exceptions. Candidates will be measured at sign-in. We strongly encourage
performers from all cultural backgrounds to attend. Must be 18+. For
more info, visit www.disneyauditions.
com.
Competitive pay, travel, room and
board, guest sailing privileges, contract
completion bonus, additional benefits
package and no cruise staff duty. We
strongly encourage performers from all
cultural backgrounds to attend. EOE.
NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA
PLAYS
Kill the Editor
Casting for Kill the Editor, an original play. Project description: A filmmaker and a young editor have just one
week to completely re-edit their documentary film. Things get complicated
when the previous editor shows up,
demanding they use her cut.
Company: Quick Brown Fox Theatre.
Staff: Aren Haun, prod.
Rehearsals begin week of Feb. 13; runs
Mar. 23-Apr. 8, in San Francisco.
STUDENT FILMS
Chops
Casting Over the Handlebars, a student film for San Francisco State
University. Synopsis: This is a coming-of-age comedy set in the early
80s about a kid in high school who
seeks revenge on an ex-girlfriend by
TPing her house with his friends.
After his bike snaps, the main character is left behind to face his ex-girlfriend when she catches him outside
of her house.
Company: Forced Perspective. Staff:
Brittany Doyal, prod.
Reading on Nov. 18 at SFSU; shoots
Dec. 2-4 in San Francisco, CA.
SeekingJimmy: male, 15-19, all ethnicities. Trent: male, 15-19, all ethnicities. Cashier: female, 40-70, all
ethnicities.
Seeking submissions from CA.
Send submissions to badoyal@gmail.
com.
Full craft services will be provided on
set.
11.17.16 backstage
35
VOICEOVER
VARIETY
ANIMATION &
VIDEOGAME
VOICEOVER
CRUISE LINES
FILM
PLAYS
casting NATIONAL/REGIONAL
PLAYS
TV & VIDEO
NATIONAL/
REGIONAL
PLAYS
A Christmas Carol
36 backstage 11.17.16
Casting Equity actor/singers for various roles in Barter Theatres 2017 season. Season includes The Savannah
Sipping Society (runs May 12-Aug. 12,
2017), Footloose: The Musical (runs
May 20-Aug. 12, 2017), Aint
Misbehavin: the Fats Waller Musical
Show (runs Aug. 18-Sept. 9, 2017), TBA
show (runs Sept. 15-Nov. 11, 2017) and
The Santaland Diaries (runs Nov.
29-Dec. 29, 2017).
Company: Barter Theatre. Staff:
Richard Rose, producing artistic dir.;
Katy Brown & Nick Piper, assoc. artistic
dirs.; Lee Harris, resident music dir.
Season runs in Abingdon, VA
(Abingdon is approximately six hours
from Washington, D.C. and ten hours
from NYC by auto. The nearest airport
is Tri-Cities which is a forty minute
drive from Abingdon).
SeekingEquity Actor/Singers: males
& females, 18+, all ethnicities. Equity
Dancers: 18+, all ethnicities.
Equity Principal Auditions will be held
Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (acting/
singing) and from 3:30-6 p.m. (acting/
singing) and Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.-12:30
p.m. (acting/singing) and from 3:30-6
p.m. (acting/singing) at Barter Stage II,
110 W Main St., (off Exit 17 on I-81,
across street from Barter Theatre),
Abingdon, VA, 24212. And Dec. 4 from
1-3 p.m. (dancers) and Dec. 5 from 1-3
p.m. (dancers) at Barter Production
Building, 271 Barter Dr., Abingdon, VA,
24210.
For consideration, submit pix,
resumes, name, phone, email, time and
day you would like to audition, whether
you will be attending dance call, and
your union status to bartercastingasst@gmail.com; or call (276) 6195405 and leave the same info. Equity
members without appointments seen
as time permits. Bring three copies of
your picture and resume. For acting/
singing: prepare one or two contrasting
monologues, no more than 1 minutes
each. If you sing, in addition to a monologue, prepare one verse and one chorus of a song (or 16 bars of a song). Have
a contrasting piece ready. Bring sheet
music in correct key; no lead sheets or
vocal only music; accompanist provided but will not transpose. No
recorded accompaniment or a cappella
singing. For dancers: site will be open
1/2 hour before audition time each day
for warm-up and changing. Be prepared
to stay through the entire audition.
Wear shoes and clothing appropriate
for a dance audition. Teaching of the
first dance combination will begin
promptly at 1 p.m. Auditions will be
broken down into: 1) Choreographed
Movement/Dance - everyone will learn
combination and more experienced
dancers will stay & learn a second combination, and 2)Dance Combination for
Dancers - including Actor/Singers who
consider themselves dancers. Only
those requested to do the second combination will learn it. If you are a dancer
who plans to attend the movement/
NATIONAL/REGIONAL casting
MUSICALS
Million Dollar Quartet
37
MUSICALS
PLAYS
casting NATIONAL/REGIONAL
MUSICALS
FILM
TV & VIDEO
CHORUS CALLS
Roman Holiday, Dancers
VARIETY
38 backstage 11.17.16
FEATURE FILMS
After Her Smile
Casting After Her Smile, an independent feature-length drama/dark comedy about the life of a street musician.
Company: Gilman Content. Staff: Mort
Fotouhi, dir.; Paul Odgren, UPM;
Heather Miles Haggard, production
coord.
Rehearsal in Dec. in or near Boston,
MA; shoots in Dec. and Jan. 2017 in
Massachusetts and Vermont or Rhode
Island.
SeekingJustin: male, 18-25,
Caucasian, drifts through life trying to
make it as a street musician; he misses
his last train home after a failed pursuit
of a passenger he meets during a train
ride; a detour journey takes Justin
through a string of abuse and neglect,
from the array of colorful characters
that ultimately take him to where he
started.
Seeking submissions nationwide.
Apply on Backstage.com.
Be prepared to sing and play acoustic
guitar for the audition.
Pays: minimum $100/day, plus all production-related expenses, including
meals, travel, and accommodations.
The production has applied to become a
signatory to SAG-AFTRA (Ultra Low
Budget Agreement).
Black Panther
Hangman
Jumanji
The Domestics
REALITY TV &
DOCUMENTARY
CBS Live Action Candy Crush
Game Show
CRUISE LINES
Disney Cruise Line, Characters
Seeking animated character performers who move well to bring to life the
classic characters you grew up with
aboard the Disney Magic and Disney
Wonder cruise ships. Performers
appear as fully costumed Disney
Characters in our mainstage musical
theatre productions, meet and greets,
events and production numbers on
board our f leet. Some Disney
Costumed Character performers also
appear as Disney Character Lookalikes, including some performers to
step out into ensemble dancer roles.
BACKSTAGE.COM
NATIONAL/REGIONAL casting
Company: Walt Disney Parks Talent
Casting.
There are multiple contract opportunities throughout 2017 for up to nine
months.
SeekingFemale Character
Performers: female, 18+, all ethnicities,
48.5-50.5, 52-53, 55-57 Male
Character Performers: male, 18+, all
ethnicities, 55-58 with a youthful
look; 511-64
Auditions will be held Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.
(sign-in, 9 a.m.) at Pearl Studios, 519 8th
Ave., 12th fl., New York City, New York,
10018.
Late arrivals will not be accepted. Be
warmed up and ready to begin at time
listed. Wear form fitting attire to show
silhouette. Audition will consist of a
movement and animation exercise.
Provide a current headshot and rsum.
Note: Height ranges strictly adhered to;
no exceptions. Candidates will be measured at sign-in. We strongly encourage
performers from all cultural backgrounds to attend. Must be 18+. For
more info, visit www.disneyauditions.
com.
Competitive pay, travel, room and
board, guest sailing privileges, contract
completion bonus, additional benefits
package and no cruise staff duty. We
strongly encourage performers from all
cultural backgrounds to attend. EOE.
BACKSTAGE.COM
AUDITION
HIGHLIGHT S
Fri. Nov. 18
SOUTHEAST
Sat. Nov. 19
A Tempest
The Lost Son Returns
Untitled Documentary
Stories
Inevitable
I Am Jane Doe
Sun. Nov. 20
Shattered
Marilyn
For the full auditions calendar,
visit backstage.com/auditions
39
EVENTS
VISIT BACKSTAGE.COM/CASTING
for full character breakdowns, script
sides, and more casting notices
VOICEOVER
WORKSHOPS
40 backstage 11.17.16
JENNY GRAHAM
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
CASEY AFFLECK
BREAKOUT
PERFORMANCE
BY LUCAS HEDGES.
AmazonStudiosGuilds.com
AmazonStudiosGuilds.com
BACK COVER - C4