Auditions for LIVE "Big, Scary Animals", video and live options on Nov. 14th

Actors Ensemble is now accepting video auditions for our live production of BIG, SCARY ANIMALS, by Matt Lyle, directed by Gabriel A. Ross. This will be a fully staged live and in person performance produced by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley (AE). Performances will be at Berkeley's Live Oak Theatre, weekends, from Feb 04 - Feb 20 (or thereabouts).

Exact performance dates TBD but a combination of Thur - Sun. Rehearsals will begin in December, with a break for the holidays, then resume after the New Year. Rehearsals will take place weekday evenings and weekend mornings and afternoons. Rehearsals will mostly be in person with a few online rehearsals early in the process. All cast, crew, and staff must demonstrate proof of vaccination. Actors Ensemble is an all-volunteer company, but a small stipend will be provided actors and crew in accordance with AB5.

All interested actors are invited to audition on Sunday, 11/14/21, at 6:00pm. Auditions will consist of sides from the script. Actors attending the 11/14 audition are encouraged, though not required, to submit a video of 1-2 contemporary monologues of their choice. If you cannot submit a video, please plan to arrive at 5:00pm (one hour earlier) to present monologues in person. If you cannot attend the 11/14 audition, please complete the form and submit video monologues. Director Gabriel Ross will be in touch with you to schedule an online audition.



Anyone is welcome to submit and all submissions will be considered. The roles will be played as written.

Audition Form here (there are places to submit your audition
material, with some additional information):
https://cts.vresp.com/c/?ActorsEnsembleofBerk/ee0aae9f8d/TEST/7277b29ce1

Character breakdown

• Donald: 50's - 60's; Rural; Married to Rhonda; Conservative; Gun-enthusiast; Taciturn; Guilt-ridden
• Rhonda: 50's - 60's; Rural; Married to Donald; Conservative; Chipper; Positive; Talkative; Proper; Defensive
• Marcus: 40's - 50's; Black; Gay; Quadruple Consciousness; Urban; Married to Clark; Professor
• Clark: 40's - 50's; Urban; Gay; Married to Marcus; Stereotypical and proud; Entertaining; Protective
• Sophia: 19-20; Black; College student; Know-it-all; Confrontational; Gen-Z; Adopted daughter of Marcus & Clark
• Ronnie: 18; Mildly neurodiverse (probably?); Taciturn; Curious;Volatile; Son of Donald & Rhonda

Synopsis

BIG, SCARY ANIMALS by Matt Lyle

An older white couple from the country unknowingly move to the gayborhood to be closer to their granddaughter. What begins as polite dinner conversation with their gay, multi-ethnic neighbors careens out of control. A hilarious collision of race, sex, guns and sports, BIG, SCARY ANIMALS examines shifting generational beliefs and just how hard it is to raise a child regardless of who you are and where you live.

N.B. BIG, SCARY ANIMALS explores issues of contemporary race relations and cultural divisions. It is recommended that actors read the script the make sure they are comfortable with the material within. The script features some expressions and discussions of stereotypes, brandishing and firing of a gun, and a single explicit use of the n-word as a racial slur.

Actors Ensemble
P.O. Box 663
Berkeley, CA 94701
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