If Ever... Casting Call (Actors)
Scroll down for callouts for:
(1) Project Manager/Assistant Director/Senior Technical Supervisor
(2) Stage Manager/Technical Supervisor
(3) Lighting Technician/Maker/Technical Assistant
If Ever… is a
contemporary shadow theatre performance inspired by a true story that is
expressed through the medium of light and shadow…
…for this is the story of a family’s journey of endurance, love and compassion
through anger, frustration and pain when the youngest member of the family is
diagnosed with cancer.
The bravery and determination
that emerges from such an event is a lasting testament to the strength and
power of the human spirit which can transform something as simple as a letter
into a beacon of light, joy and hope that has gone on to inspire others to fill
a page or two with their story…
A ShadowStage / Lost Theatre Co-Production
The opportunity
This is a unique chance to take part in a production in an
under-represented medium on the UK theatre scene, add to your skills portfolio
and be part of an up and coming company, dedicated to the highest standards in
performance practice.
Successful candidates will need to be available on the
weekend of 10-11 March 2012, be able to rehearse between 12 March and 1 April
2012 (please state your availability over daytime, evenings and weekends).
A work-in-progress showing is scheduled for 3/4 April 2012.
Rehearsals will continue during May and June, with a
performance run set for 23 July to 12 August 2012.
ShadowStage Productions is currently seeking applicants for the following roles:
(1) Linda/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 42-48
(2) Sarah/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 20-25
(3) Andy/Lighting Manipulator - Male - playing age 10-12
(4) Doctor/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 40-50
(1) Linda/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 42-48
Mother to Sarah and Andy. Playing age: mid-late 40s. Lynda is a single mother with two children, Sarah (Young adult aged 21-22) and Andy (pre-teen).
Andy is diagnosed with blood cancer aged 10. This is the story of her journey from the diagnosis, through the treatment to his death and then on to setting up a charity that makes a positive difference in the world, sending out thousands of letters to children who are going through similar experiences.
Linda goes through several phases during this play, from disbelief to anger to grief to reconciliation. She is having to cope with the trauma and struggle of having her life flipped on its head, and the pain of seeing her son go through such an ordeal when he is so young.
There are two sides to her character… the side that deals with Andy: always being positive - smiles and joy and the other side: on her own or talking to Sarah, when her doubts and worries start to show, bouncing off her daughter in emotional juxtaposition for support.
This is the biggest role in the play with the character being in most scenes either interacting with the other characters or on her own.
Requirements: Clear speaking voice. For contemporary shadow theatre, outward appearance is not as important as profile features and physicality. The actress needs to be able to portray a wide range of physical and emotional states as experienced by this particular character and personality authentically and believably simply using their body, as well as show character development - and that, mainly in profile.
The successful candidate will also be involved in lighting manipulation in the contemporary shadow theatre medium during the performance.
Film and physical theatre experience, especially Lecoq, mime, Decroix, or Desmond Jones training are particularly useful for contemporary shadow theatre work.
(2) Sarah/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 20-25
Daughter to Lynda. Older sister to Andy. Playing age: Young Adult aged around 21-22.
Sarah is a young adult who has left home, and has her own life. She is both supported by and supports her mother and her brother in coping with his blood cancer and his death, while dealing with the need to find her own way of coping with grief and getting on with life.
This character is set up as a counterpart to the mother to help tease out the issues that surround this topic, each depending on the emotional state of the other at any given time during the play. It is through their interaction that we get the real understanding of the situation and the issues surrounding cancer and its effects on the family and on each of them in turn.
Throughout the play this character will help shoulder the emotional burdens of the mother, almost an agony aunt at times, but also a daughter who has her own needs, that come out later on in the play.
Out of all the roles in the play this one will be quite text based as this character will be involved in the majority of intense discussions and conversations about a range of topics and will need to portray a large range of emotional stages with clarity and distinctiveness.
Requirements: Clear speaking voice. For contemporary shadow theatre, outward appearance is not as important as profile features and physicality. Actress needs to be able to portray a wide range of physical and emotional states as experienced by this particular character and personality authentically and believably simply using their body - and that, mainly in profile.
The successful candidate will also be involved in lighting manipulation in the contemporary shadow theatre medium during the performance.
Film and physical theatre experience, especially Lecoq, mime, Decroix, or Desmond Jones training are particularly useful for contemporary shadow theatre work.
(3) Andy/Lighting Manipulator - Male - playing age 10-12
Son to Lynda. Younger brother to Sarah. Playing age: pre-teen.
Andy is a likeable young boy who loves life, stories, painting and drawing, and having fun. He is diagnosed with blood cancer, which is treated, goes into remission, but comes back and eventually he dies.
Andy's character starts off as a young child, but by the end he has started to think deeply about his situation and condition. He immediately starts off with a brave attitude and in many ways is the main provider of strength for his mother. He loves receiving and writing letters. It is, in many ways, the source of his strength. As the play progresses, we see Andy getting progressively worse, however his strength never fails him and he keeps getting up and keeping a positive attitude throughout there is only one moment when he starts to waver. Andy dies about two thirds of the way through the play, but he then becomes the inspiration for his mother to move on in the last third.
Requirements: Clear speaking voice. For contemporary shadow theatre, outward appearance is not as important as voice quality and use, profile features and physicality. The actor needs to be able to portray a wide range of physical and emotional states as experienced by this particular character and personality authentically and believably simply using their body - and that, mainly in profile.
The successful candidate will also be involved in lighting manipulation in the contemporary shadow theatre medium.
Film and physical theatre experience, especially Lecoq, mime, Decroix, or Desmond Jones training are particularly useful for contemporary shadow theatre work.
(4) Doctor/Lighting Manipulator - Female - playing age 40-50
The doctor diagnoses young Andy’s illness and gives Andy’s mother, Lynda, the news. There are only 2 scenes the doctor is involved in towards the begging of the play but they are intense and emotionally charged as it is the doctor who breaks the news to the mother that her child has cancer. This is the smallest role in the play in terms of character involvement but will have a large component of lighting manipulation. This actress may need to cover the role of Lynda.
Requirements: Clear speaking voice. For contemporary shadow theatre, outward appearance is not as important as voice quality and use, profile features and physicality. Actor needs to be able to portray a wide range of physical and emotional states as experienced by this particular character and personality authentically and believably simply using their body - and that, mainly in profile.
As stated above, the successful candidate for this role will also be heavily involved in lighting manipulation in the contemporary shadow theatre medium.
Film and physical theatre experience, especially Lecoq, mime, Decroix, or Desmond Jones training are particularly useful for contemporary shadow theatre work.
ShadowStage operates within the Open Book framework and suitable participants who are invited to attend will be asked to sign a contract of commitment which follows this framework.
To apply for one of these roles, please fill in this online application form:
If Ever... Technical and Directorial Call
(1) Project Manager/Assistant Director/Senior Technical Supervisor
(2) Stage Manager/Technical Supervisor
(3) Lighting Technician/Maker/Technical Assistant
(1) Project Manager/Assistant Director/Senior Technical Supervisor
We are looking for a person to join the team for this show
as Project Manager, Assistant Director and Senior Technical Supervisor, with
the following responsibilities:
Project Management during preparatory production phase.
Contemporary Shadow Theatre is a unique medium that demands a large amount of
preparatory work before rehearsals can take place. The Project Manager would be
responsible for sourcing materials, working to a limited budget, arranging
session diary and coordinating rehearsal schedules.
The successful candidate will need to be a good team player,
with excellent communication skills and work closely with other members of the
team.
In the rehearsal phase, the successful candidate for this
role will work as Assistant Director, supporting the Producer/Director and cast
to facilitate the realisation of a high level of professionalism in the production.
Responsibility will include design and management of rehearsal schedules to
ensure the successful realisation of the project.
In the performance stage, the successful candidate will be
required to be on hand to assist with technical operation as required for the
show, with responsibility for arranging rehearsal schedules, liaising with
performance venues and successfully managing the get-in, get-out arrangements.
This is a unique opportunity to work with ShadowStage
Productions, the UK's first professional company to specialise in contemporary
shadow theatre techniques.
The position would be ideally suited to someone with good
organisational and people management skills who takes a supportive and positive
approach to directing, has experience. Knowledge of physical theatre techniques
would be an advantage.
Before applying for this job, please visit www.shadowstage.co.uk
and check out the work we do.
In support of your application, please send in a CV citing
relevant experience and a covering letter or statement that outlines what it is
that has led you to pursue a career in theatre and what you would like to get
out of this position.
ShadowStage Productions is an equal opportunities employer.
(2) Stage Manager/Technical Supervisor
We are looking for a person to join the team for this show
as Stage Manager and Technical Supervisor.
Contemporary Shadow Theatre is a unique medium that demands
a large amount of preparatory work before rehearsals can take place. Many of
the effects unique to the genre are created through very simple means with
simple materials.
In this preparatory phase, the Stage Manager will need to
work closely with the rest of the backstage team (Producer / Project Manager /
Technical Designer). The Stage Manager would be responsible for assisting the
Project Manager with sourcing materials, purchasing items where necessary and
helping out in making up basic set, props and scenic effects for use in the
production with responsibility for working with the Producer/Storyboarder and
Writer on the technical set-up of performance area, maintaining a detailed map
of the technical requirements for set up including managing start, transitions,
scenes and ending.
The successful candidate will need to be a good team player,
with excellent communication skills and work closely with other members of the
team.
In the rehearsal phase, the successful candidate for this
role will work as Technical Supervisor, supporting the Producer, Assistant
Director and cast to facilitate the realisation of a high level of
professionalism in the production. Responsibility will include liaising with
the Assistant Director to ensure that rehearsals are prepared with the correct
technical set-up for each session, keeping the production book up to date with
notes of any changes to the technical requirements, assisting in the
realisation of scenic effects where needed and assisting with the technical
aspects of planning for get-in and get-out at performance venues.
In the performance stage, the successful candidate will be
responsible for the practical aspects of the get-in, get-out arrangements,
set-up and take-down and be responsible for the smooth back stage management of
the technical aspects of the show, liaising closely with the Technical
Assistant in the event that any effects are being managed from a lighting box
position.
This is a unique opportunity to work with ShadowStage
Productions, the UK's first professional company to specialise in contemporary
shadow theatre techniques.
The position would be ideally suited to someone with good
organisational and people skills who enjoys taking a hands-on approach to
projects. A keen interest in the medium of contemporary shadow theatre always
helps.
Before applying for this job, please visit
www.shadowstage.co.uk and check out the
work we do.
In support of your application, please send in a CV citing
relevant experience and a covering letter or statement that outlines what it is
that has led you to pursue a career in theatre and what you would like to get
out of this position.
ShadowStage Productions is an equal opportunities employer.
(3) Lighting Technician/Maker/Technical Assistant
We are looking for a person to join the team for this show
as Lighting Technician, Maker and Technical Assistant.
It is important to note that lighting for contemporary
shadow theatre is VERY different to lighting for conventional theatre. As such,
this particular role may be more suited to someone with a product design or
model making background – particularly someone with experience in designing and
building electrical and lighting products – than someone whose primary
experience is in conventional theatre lighting design.
Contemporary Shadow Theatre is a unique medium that demands
a large amount of preparatory work before rehearsals can take place. Many of
the effects unique to the genre are created through very simple means with
simple materials, but require the construction of bespoke specialist low
voltage lighting equipment, typically geared specifically to the artistic
demands of a given production.
In this preparatory phase, the Lighting Technician will need
to work closely with the rest of the backstage team (Producer / Project Manager
/ Stage Manager / Writer / Storyboard Artist) with the responsibility for
sourcing and purchasing materials to create lighting solutions for the show and
making up basic set, props and scenic effects for use in the production,
liaising with the Stage Manager on the technical set-up of the performance area
and assisting them with building the set where necessary.
In the rehearsal phase, the successful candidate for this
role will need to be on hand to make any technical adjustments to equipment,
set and props used as required. This is likely to happen over a few intensive
sessions, rather than on an ongoing basis. The successful candidate will need
to maintain their drive and enthusiasm, whether working with the team or
remotely, to facilitate the realisation of a high level of professionalism in
the production. Responsibility will include remaining up to date with the
technical requirements of the show and being on hand to operate any offstage
effects during the run up to a performance where required.
In the performance stage, the successful candidate will be
responsible for assisting with the practical aspects of get-in, get-out, set-up
and take-down assist and liaise closely with the Stage Manager to manage and
operate any effects generated from a lighting box position should this be part
of the production.
This is a unique opportunity to work with ShadowStage
Productions, the UK's first professional company to specialise in contemporary
shadow theatre techniques.
The position would be ideally suited to someone who is a
good team player and has excellent making skills, excellent communication
skills, is able to work closely and cooperatively with other members of the
team and work within a restricted budget. A keen interest in the medium of
contemporary shadow theatre always helps.
Before applying for this job, please visit
www.shadowstage.co.uk and check out the
work we do.
In support of your application, please send in a CV citing
relevant experience and a covering letter or statement that outlines what it is
that has led you to pursue a career in theatre and what you would like to get
out of this position.
ShadowStage Productions is an equal opportunities employer.
ShadowStage operates within the Open Book framework and suitable participants who are invited to attend will be asked to sign a contract of commitment which follows this framework.
To apply for one of these roles, please fill in this online application form:
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