Progressive Theater - Casting Call - The View Up Stairs
Casting 'The View UpStairs' Alert
Presented by Progressive Theater
, dir.-choreo.; Diamond Vasquez, company mgr.
Production Description
Casting "The View UpStairs," a free to low cost outing of theater under the starts for Essex County, NJ. Production states: "As you know, the entertainment industry has been greatly affected by the pandemic, and theater goers have had a year without live entertainment. In lieu of Pride month, we present 'The View Upstairs,' which tells the story of the 1973 arson attack on the a gay bar in New Orleans. The show is a musical so there will be a little movement on the stage."
Roles
Wes (Lead): Male, Non-Binary, 21-28
20-something fashion designer from the current day. Self-consciously hip, prematurely jaded, and perpetually anxious. Wes wears a fabulous facade, but deep down harbors real insecurities and dissatisfaction with his life. Has never experienced real tragedy or love.
Ethnicity: Asian, Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial
Patrick (Supporting): 20-29
young, runaway hustler who projects innocence and fragility, but is a lot tougher than he appears. Patrick creates fantastic, imaginative stories to distract from the harsher realities of his life. Has the ability to see a vulnerability and sweetness in Wes.
Ethnicity: Asian, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic, Middle Eastern, South Asian / Indian, Southeast Asian / Pacific Islander, White / European Descent
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques
Buddy (Supporting): 40-60
the resident piano player of the UpStairs Lounge. Charismatic, but also very temperamental and somewhat bitter. Loves the attention he commands within the community, but also resents being stuck in it. Dreams of one day being a big star, but knows it will never happen. Closeted, with a wife.
Piano skills aren’t required
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Required Skills:
* Music/Musician: Piano/Keyboards Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques
Willie (Supporting): 34-50
holdover from another era of gay life with a more camp sensibility. Might know all the secrets of the universe, might be in the early stages of dementia.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques
Henri (Supporting): Female, 30-45
tough as nails, no-nonsense, old school butch. Henri is the bartender of the UpStairs Lounge and runs a tight ship. Although she comes across as a bit severe, she cares very deeply for the community within the bar.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques
Freddy (Supporting): Male, Non-Binary, 21-31
a construction worker by day, Freddy also doubles as the drag queen Aurora Whorealis by night. Big personality, energetic, and bright. A close friend to Willie and on good terms with everyone else in the bar.
Ethnicity: Latino / Hispanic
Required Skills:
* Acting Techniques Voice Style: Singing Dance: Movement
Inez/Realtor (Supporting): Female, 36-50
Freddy's mother and also occasionally a mother to the other men in the UpStairs Lounge. Born in Puerto Rico, she moved her family to America when Freddy was still young. Lovable, warm, and supportive, Inez assists with her son's drag performances. As realtor, she is smarmy, fake, smiles too much, etc.
Ethnicity: Latino / Hispanic
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques Dance: Movement
Richard/ Rita Mae: Female, Male, 39-50
priest of the Metropolitan Community Church. Perhaps more conservative than other patrons in the bar, but level-headed and warm. Richard can be played by a woman, in which case she will be referred to as Rita Mae.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques Dance: Movement
Dale (Supporting): Male, 18+
arsonist. Sensitive and more radical in his sexual politics. A raw nerve and someone who's experienced a good deal of hardship at society's hand.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Required Media: Headshot/Photo, Video Reel
Required Skills:
* Voice Style: Singing Acting Techniques
Cop (Supporting): 25-50
in the past the cop is a corrupt, homophobic, and violent. In the present, the cop is still stern, but has a sense of humor, and seems to be in service of justice. (non- singing role)
Ethnicity: White / European Descent
Required Skills:
* Acting Techniques
Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations
Rehearses June 13-24 (location based on casting); runs June 25-26 at 7:30 p.m. in Maplewood, NJ.
Compensation & Contract Details
Stipend: Pays $200 stipend and meals provided.
Additional Instructions:
For consideration, submit a video of your best 16/32 bar cut of pop/rock song in the style of the show to casting@progressivetheater.com subject: TVU auditions