CASTING NOTICE FOR SEASON 38 - Diversionary Theatre
Diversionary Theatre will be holding an open call for our upcoming 2023-2024 Season. We currently are seeking Equity and Non Equity actors of all identities, body types and backgrounds to be considered for principal roles in the season.
CONTRACT:
Non-union performers are paid an hourly rate of $16.30 for rehearsals through performances. Union performers are paid the SPT-2 $344 weekly minimum.
AUDITION PREPARATION:
Each actor will be given three minute slots. Please see breakdown for preparation for each production. An accompanist will be provided. Also, please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
To schedule an audition appointment please email: kian@diversionary.org. Please include your availability. If you are unable to attend, please fill out the following form.
AUDITION DATES:
Monday, June 26th, 2023
Tuesday, June 27th, 2023
1:00PM – 9:00PM
DINNER: 6:00PM-7:00PM
LOCATION:
Diversionary Theatre
4545 Park Blvd #101
San Diego, CA 92116
Please give yourself time to find parking as Diversionary is located in a busy neighborhood. There will be a sign-in area when you arrive.
PERSONNEL:
Expected to attend:
Artistic Producer, Kian Kline-Chilton
Artistic Fellow, Cambria Herrera
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Diversionary Theatre is an institution of integrity and respect. We intend to cast our productions as inclusive and open as possible. As a theatre that serves a minority group, intersectionality has been a priority in our work on stage and off. We are actively seeking actors of all ethnicities, abilities, body types, and gender identities. We invite actors to audition and submit for the roles with whom they most identify. In every decision we make, we commit to upholding the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and to create brave and safe artistic spaces.
PRODUCTION TITLE: DRAGON MAMA
San Diego Premiere
Written and Performed by Sara Porkalob
Directed by Andrew Russell
REHEARSALS:
August 22 – September 7, 2023
PERFORMANCES:
September 14 – October 8, 2023
OPENING NIGHT:
September 23, 2023
Maria yearns for a gayer, more diverse life in rural Washington state. When presented with an opportunity to make a quick fortune, she must make an important decision: leave her debt-ridden family and newborn daughter for the wild unknown of Alaska, or stay close to home, family, and intergenerational ghosts. Traversing 25 years, Dragon Mama is a one woman adventure filled with queer love in a barren land, Filipino gangsters, and a dope ’90s R&B soundtrack!
ROLES:
*MARIA PORKALOB JR.: A young, Filipino immigrant woman of many multitudes who is ready and willing to change the course of her life.
*The role of Maria has been cast.
PRODUCTION TITLE: THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Legacy Revival Production
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Lisa Berger
REHEARSALS:
October 24 – November 21, 2023
PERFORMANCES:
November 30 – December 23, 2023
OPENING NIGHT:
December 9, 2023
The mother of queer classics, this nostalgic story of love, regret, and letting go introduced a young Tennessee Williams to the world. Gripped by the guilt of abandoning his mother Amanda and sister Laura, Tom is forced to look back and investigate what led to the fracturing of his family and perhaps his soul. This poetic and compelling memory play comes to stirring life at Diversionary for the first time, posing the question: What is the cost of personal freedom?
AUDITION PREPARATION:
Please prepare a 1-3 minute monologue from Williams’ work.
ROLES:
*AMANDA WINGFIELD, THE MOTHER: An aging Southern belle clinging to her memories of a more genteel time and place. Deserted by her husband, she is left alone to care for her two children. She is a fierce survivor scraping by to make ends meet. Amanda is both sensitive and harsh. She is charming and displays a sense of humor yet she can succumb to bouts of manipulation and cruelty.
LAURA WINGFIELD. THE DAUGHTER: Sensitive and painfully shy. A childhood illness has left her physically impaired. She seeks refuge from reality in an imaginary world of glass animals and old records. She is a gentle and kind soul with a tender regard for her mother and brother.
TOM WINGFIELD, THE SON: The play’s narrator, he recounts memories of his family to the audience. Languishing in a dead end job in the shoe warehouse, Tom is a restless dreamer, torn between his responsibility to his family and chasing his desires. Explosive, mercurial, lonely, he is deeply devoted to his sister and constantly at odds with his mother.
THE GENTLEMAN CALLER: A co-worker of Tom’s from the warehouse and a former classmate of Laura’s. He is your average, everyday, nice guy. He has an easy going demeanor. His popularity and promise peaked in high school but he continues to approach the world with a positive outlook.
*The role of Amanda has been cast.
PRODUCTION TITLE: TL;DR: THELMA LOUISE;
DYKE REMIX
World Premiere Musical
Book and Lyrics by EllaRose Chary
Music and Lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn
Directed by Sherri Eden Barber
REHEARSALS:
April 2 – May 1, 2024
PERFORMANCES:
May 9 – June 2, 2024
OPENING NIGHT:
May 18, 2024
T and L drive their 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible off the edge of the Grand Canyon. Suspended in mid air, the two discover their authentic selves and embark on a queer odyssey that defies conventions and dares to ask: “Why do strong female characters always gotta die?” Aided by a kick-ass Riot Grrrl band, T and L attempt to sort out their new identities, how those identities impact their relationships with each other, and seek out the gay happy ending they’ve always deserved.
Winner of the 2021 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre Writing.
AUDITION PREPARATION:
Please prepare 32 bars of a rock song. Think Riot grrrl or female pop rock e.g. Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Deborah Harry, Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, etc. Songs that show range/unique vocal quality and tell a story are highly encouraged.
ROLES:
NOTE: This cast needs to defy the traditional cis, white, femme, skinny, able-bodied, male gaze inspired concept of queer women in media.
Generally, the vocal needs for the show require a pop and rock sensibility often with loud “belting” in the vocal range “sweet spots” for the humans playing the roles.
The band is guitar (electric and acoustic), bass, drums, and keys 2. We are seeking strong actors, vocalists and instrumentalists who can bring these vivid, passionate characters to life.
T: Sweet, naive, a little flighty. Believes in magic, signs from the universe, and that certain things are meant to be. Best friends with L, and willing to follow her lead. Strong rock vocals with belt: maybe a bit lighter/brighter and a bit of a higher tessitura than L.
L: Hardened by her experience, but has a good heart and is fiercely protective of her best friend T. Loyal. Has a good head on her shoulders, practical. Strong rock vocals with belt: maybe a bit darker and a bit of a lower tessitura than T.
The Kickass Band – A rock band made up of folks (who can sing rock music, act and play instruments) who are not cis men. Including:
BLAZER: The sarcastic member of the group. A bit more woke than the others. Funny, sarcastic, very tongue in cheek.
CUBBY: The peacemaker of the group. A bit more butch than the others. Very loyal and grounded.
HENRIETTA: The wise one of the group. An old school lesbian who’s a little square but remains open.
MARIE: The earthy one of the group. A bit more fluid than the clothes. A little bit hippie, a little bit witchy, a little bit queer femme.