CONVERSATIONS WITH AN AVERAGE JOE
Project Type: Theatre
Union Status: Non-Union
Pay Scale: No pay. Profit sharing from performance revenue.
PLEASE SUBMIT HEADSHOT AND VIDEO REEL TO jjcwriter@aol.com
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD AT BROOKFIELD PLACE/BATTERY PARK
READINGS WITH NEW CAST WILL BE AVAILABLE
ACTORS MUST BE NATURAL, VERY QUICKLY OFF-BOOK, AND ABLE TO BE ON-STAGE ASAP
Conversations With An Average Joe is a double-cast, open-ended political play about issues and personalities involved in political and corporate corruption and it's all true as it educates, exposes and entertains. Specifically seeking leads with real-life experiences as the characters in play to join with excellent cast. Just finished previews Off-Broadway, now seeking Broadway.
It is a timely provocative, controversial, factual, non-partisan play on life and politics from the musings of average Joes and Janes who seem to have no one representing their interests. It tells relevant stories, accurate news reports and exposes the dastardly deeds of those who have become in charge of our lives.
A non-partisan expose with some intellect, some history, some economic analysis, a few outside the box ideas and a lot of humor that may seem typical in a bar until you leave and realize those were some pretty well-traveled Average Joes and Janes talking about life. And unless you've walked in their shoes it may take a while to grasp the distance you've just experienced.
When an Environmental Protection Agency community meeting dealing with the Flint water crisis turns ugly with accusations about government and corporate corruption, the residents are forced to leave by the Feds and head over to Janes Bar for further discussion. Based on true stories and experiences the patrons and employees gather to reflect how that corruption and the greed are destroying their future while their insightful and amusing interactions transports the audience through the years, the personalities and issues bringing us to a place where hard decisions reflecting on our past provide the only hope for the next generation. And it's the next generation who needs to stake a claim and key interest in that hope. It's a play meant for the times and those who seek the truth and awareness, examining injustices at the hands of big government and a broken political system.
A living play growing with the issues and personalities that obviously will not have an absence of material forth-coming. Its solutions are about agreeing to disagree thus removing ourselves from the distractions brought on by the government and media that prevents us from recognizing and dealing with the deals that cause those we elect to sell out their honor integrity and commitment to those of us who they represent and unless we divert our all-consuming attention to a positive benefit to our general welfare we will continue to be doomed to a subservient existence of our government's making. It's the continued debate of issues ranging from gun control to climate change and involving race relations that can be resolved once we learn how to find a common ground in defense of our livelihoods and liberties and our children39;s future. These discussions in the familiar setting of our bar offer the comfort and confidence to speak out and to listen and finally to join together in our best interests.
This a non-profit, non-Equity play and we are offering roles of various characters that due to circumstances with increased performances that present scheduling of more actors and provide for double casting to sustain the longevity of play and allow flexibility for actors scheduling. This would require someone with excellent quick memorization skills to be off-book ASAP. It will be a highly publicized play and we need to have quality people to work with a great cast. Do not apply unless available immediately with ease of transportation and scheduling. Be interested in the subject to identify with the character you want to represent and have dedication to want to educate the public. And very important to have social media capability to help with marketing and after off-book will meet with other cast to assist in that effort.
NOTE to ACTORS: All should be character actors who can memorize lines quickly and attend rehearsals evenings and/or days to get up to speed with direction. Even though leads only entail approximately 15 minutes of dialogue, rehearsals are needed to learn cues and minimal blocking, since it's all in one setting. After learning part, rehearsals will only be on a need-be basis with cast. Read play before applying.
VETERAN | Male | Age: 35 - 80
The main character; angry at how corrupt politics have ruined our country; wants to organize to "Make America Ours Again"; preference given to those who look and sound like and maybe are the characters they represent. Note: Must be a character actor who can memorize lines quickly and attend rehearsals in the evenings and/or days to get up to speed with direction.
RESTAURANT OWNER | Female | Age: 40 - 75
One of the main characters, who is an owner of bar and talks about government's care for the poor and hungry and how economic solutions can solve problems for business and jobs; compassionate. Light personality. Must be character actor who can memorize lines very quickly and attend rehearsals evenings and/or days to get up to speed with direction; after learning part, rehearsals only on need-be basis. Note: Preference given to those with easy commute. Opening anticipated in a few weeks as double casting and additional performers are available for expanding schedule. Role may also be played by wheelchair-bound performer.
TEACHER | Male | Age: 35 - 50
Main lead; laid off from Wall Street, now teaching economics in high school; educates those in attendance at Bar about how money gets spent. Should be award winning role for right candidate with some knowledge of economics. Note: Must be a character actor who can memorize lines quickly and attend rehearsals evenings and/or days to get up to speed with other cast with direction. Would help with some understanding of economics. Preference given to those who look and sound like and maybe are characters they represent.
BARTENDER | Male | Age: 40 - 80
In charge of the bar and of promoting/directing conversation; dry sense of humor when picking on college student; preference given to those who look and sound like and maybe are characters they represent.
NURSE | Female | Age: 30 - 65
Very important, but shorter role that appears in the second act; a tough, confident nurse who deals with healthcare issues and personal tragedies with compassion to show to audience; preference given to those who look and sound like and maybe are characters they represent.
LAW STUDENT | Female | African-American | Age: 23 - 35
A young woman who expresses the background history of the country and the effects of law and our courts; confident and strong personality; preference given to those who look and sound like and maybe are the characters they represent which should be award winning performance.
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