AUDITIONS
new works auditions
8 new plays by Los Angeles playwrights premiering July 18-20 and 25-27 at the Victory Theatre Center in Burbank!
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Our New Works Festival produces short plays by local writers and directors from marginalized communities. Each play should be themed around social justice issues that are currently present in our community. By producing these plays in Burbank, the objective is to amplify voices that are often unseen in this community. Each writer will be paid a stipend for the performance of their script thanks to funding from the City of Burbank Community Arts Grant.
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We are STILL looking for actors that fit the following characters
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"TUFF" By: Cris Blak
SYNOPSIS: A year after his son’s passing, KYLE ‘COACH’ DUNHAM meets his old friend GARY ‘GOOSE’ CRUZ at the bar. After Goose reveals information about Coach’s son, the two men confront each other over how their upbringings and societal expectations have shaped their worldviews. “Tuff” addresses what it means being a father as a black man and wanting a better life for your children.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
KYLE ‘COACH’ DUNHAM, late 30s-40s, Black male.
GARY ‘GOOSE’ CRUZ, late 30s-40s, Black/Latino/Afro-Latino male.
"THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL" By Christopher Lee Akens
SYNOPSIS: Last draft pick LA Rams player Bobby encounters Greg, a homeless man, outside of the grocery store. When Greg doesn’t ask him for money and they strike up a conversation, an interesting friendship sparks between the two. Greg’s past life isn’t what Bobby expected, leading Bobby to confront how he views homeless people.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
BOBBY JONES- Black man in his early twenties who is a rookie wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. Has a chip on his shoulder feels like he has a lot to prove.
SIMONE GRACE- Black woman in her early twenties who is engaged to Bobby. The two met in college. Simone likes the finer things in life. Her dream has always been to be a sports wife. With that said she loves Bobby deeply.
GREG WESLEY- Former stock trader turned homeless man. Greg is in his early thirties. There is a mystery to Greg, yet he possesses a lot of wisdom.
"STRIKEFORCE 1999" By: Hector Malgoza
SYNOPSIS: Struggling Mexican-American actor Miguel enters the audition room for Officer Leo in the next hit action movie “Strikeforce 1999”. When the executives ask him to read for Criminal 2 instead and “act more Mexican”, Miguel is determined to show them he can play any role he is right for in a surprising twist.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Miguel: Mexican-American from Brentwood. An actor. Auditioning for the role of Officer Leo in the next hit action movie “Strikeforce 1999”, but is asked to read for Criminal 2 instead. He insists that he can play any role that is right for him.
"COCONUT" by Bedjou Jean
SYNOPSIS: In the near future where race change therapy is a reality, two patients meet in a waiting room and discuss why they are getting the operation. Walter, a black man, wishes to become a white Norwegian man. Maisha, an Indian Jewish woman changing into a Korean woman, questions why Walter would want to be separated from his community. A sci-fi analysis of racial stereotypes and what it truly means to “be yourself”.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
WALTER ELLISON - African-American male, 30's
DOCTOR - A Caucasian male or female, Old enough to be a practicing doctor. (30-60)
MAISHA - Indian and jewish. Looks South Asian/Middle Eastern/Hispanic. female, 30's
"THE ACCIDENT" By April Littlejohn
SYNOPSIS: The Accident is a short play about a girl coming home late from hanging with her friends to find that her absent mother is home early from her date and catches her. They get into a fight that reveals secrets about the daughter’s past and defines her place in the family.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Mother: Female late 30s. Any ethnicity. Sexy, voluptuous, wears clothes to impress men. A brooding anger over her daughter’s constant reminder of her dead father.
"SEEKER X TRIAL" By Mario Vega
SYNOPSIS: In a world like our own, Seeker tries to plead her case in seeking asylum inside of a Burger King that has been converted into a courtroom due to national budget cuts in the justice system.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
SEEKER - Played by a Non white-passing Latina actor. Guatamalan. They’re seeking asylum. 15.
JUDGE - Played by a male Caucasian-looking actor. They gotta do a funny judge-dude voice. In his 50’s. “Deep ass voice and a cool mustache”. Burger King Assistant Manager by day, judge by....also day.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will take place June through July. Rehearsal schedules are up to the director and cast availability.
Rehearsals will take place at the First Christian Church, 221 S 6th St, Burbank, CA 91501 OR at a location of the director's choosing. Not all actors will be called to every rehearsal or for the entire duration of a rehearsal.
Tech at the Victory Theatre Center:
July 13: 10am-6pm for Tech
July 16: 6pm-10pm for Dress Rehearsals
July 17: 6pm-10pm for Dress Rehearsals
*Not all actors will be called the entire time for tech and dress
Performances at the Victory Theatre Center:
July 18-20: Performances at 7pm on Friday, Saturday; 2pm on Sunday
July 25-27: Performances at 7pm on Friday, Saturday; 2pm on Sunday
*Not all actors will be called the entire time for performances. Performance schedules will be based on director/cast availability and which shows pair best together.
Audition Information:
Please upload a self tape of a 30 second - 1 minute contemporary dramatic or comedic monologue.
All conflicts must be presented in advance. Conflicts presented after the first rehearsal will not be honored.
Show disclaimers:
This is a volunteer non-equity opportunity. There is no pay.
Casting statement:
Conundrum Theatre Company is committed to the practice of color-conscious casting, in which we intentionally consider the importance of race and ethnicity in the stories we tell. We recognize that theater has an exclusionary history and that many roles that have traditionally been played by cisgendered white performers could be played by BIPOC, trans, or gender-nonconforming performers. There are also roles for which the character’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity are vital to the story. Casting actors who share those identities is particularly important in protecting stories that center on characters with historically marginalized identities. In our casting notices, we indicate which parts of a character’s identity are relevant and seek to fill those roles with actors who share those identities. We celebrate diversity and welcome actors of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression or ability status to audition for any role that is not reserved for individuals with particular identities relevant to that character.
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Any questions? Email auditions@conundrumtheatreco.com