Staged Reading with Music Casting Call
NYU PAA Students
New York, NY 10003
Deadline
Posted
“Mom’s dead” A brief phone call prompts a charismatic Korean shaman and her estranged Korean-American granddaughter to reunite in New York. In all of their differences (especially language), they have one thing in common: grief. With spirits and digital technology, ‘Saved by the Bell’ is a fantastical new horror play about the generational ways of celebrating life and death.
*Performance type: staged reading with music(non-profit)
*Compensation will be discussed after audition
PRODUCTION TIMELINE
● Studio Rehearsal: October 9-28, 2023 (Subject to change, location TBD)
● Tech/Dress Rehearsal: October 29, 2023
● Performance: October 29 & 30, 2023 (2 shows) @Playwrights Downtown Black Box
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
HALMONI (할머니): presentable early - mid 60s / Fluent in Korean (workable with 사투리), knowledgeable in English / An acclaimed mudang who guards herself with her elegance and charisma / Values discipline and independence but also enjoys an occasional dance breakout / vocals - leads most of the musical scenes, strong vocals alongside movement.
SONNYEO (손녀): mid 20s / Fluent in English, slight knowledge in Korean / Works at a corporate marketing firm, exudes professionalism with a hint of millennial / Raised in Long Island and never left New York / Fierce and independent; grew up under a single mom and is extremely proud of it / vocals - assists musical scenes, preferably strong vocals but not required.
MAMAGO: Any age but should be able to present various ages from child to senior / Fluent in both English and Korean / A shapeshifter, literal one from the app Papago, who generally holds an attitude of a hospitality / Translator between languages, generations, and souls / Vocals - assists musical scenes, preferably strong vocals but not required, strong movement preferred.
PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION
This non-profit production is created by Korean 2nd year NYU graduate students of Performing Arts Administration program. By using “Gut,” a Korean traditional shamanistic ritual, as the central theme, this production explores the Korean traditional form of performing arts not as a recreation of the art form, but as a mode of communication and creating an unexpected and refreshing experience for the audience through performance. It also investigates the possibility of transnational appeal of “Gut” not only as a musical genre, but also the cultural background, traits, and its transformative nature in the social contexts of the U.S.
This partially fulfills the requirements of an independent study for MA in Performance Arts Administration at NYU under the guidance of Dr. Richard Beasley Maloney, a head of NYU Performing Arts Administration program.
Written by Ariel Urim Chung
Synopsis by Sylvia Jong Eun Park
Directed by 김채송 Chaesong Kim
Produced by NYU Korean students of MA in Performing Arts Administration (class of 2024)
Requirements
AUDITION INFORMATION
● Candidates will submit:
o Contemporary monologue less than 1 minute (except HALMONI) o HALMONI candidates should tape the given Korean monologue (*Please follow this link -> https://tinyurl.com/halmonimono)
o Voice reel less than 1 minute (Korean traditional singing recommended but not required)
o Dance reel less than 1 minute (Optional)
o Resume/CV
o Head shot
o Please check your availability for call-backs
o Please write conflicts for rehearsals and performances
o Tell us whether you are union or non-union actor
● In-person call backs September 18-23, 2023
*If you have any questions, feel free to send us email gutinyc30@gmail.com