THE PERSIAN QUARTER Submission - Merrimack Repertory Theatre Auditions

LORT

THE PERSIAN QUARTER – Photo / Resume Request

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell, MA) LORT D; Theatre pays above LORT C minimum

Artistic Director: Charles Towers

Director: Kyle Fabel

Writer: Kathleen Cahil

Casting: Harriet Bass

1^st rehearsal: 8/23/11. Runs: 9/18/11 - 10/09/11

NYC auditions will be held July 11, 2011, by appointment only.

Seeking submissions from Actors' Equity Members only for these particular auditions.

For consideration, mail picture and resume to:

Harriet Bass Casting

648 Broadway #912

New York, NY 10012

Attn: The Persian Quarter NYC Appt / AEA Self Submission

About the play: The play is both a story told on a Persian carpet, and a piece of political history, set in 1979, 1981, and 2009, in the United States and Iran. “In a land rich with history, two women are thrown together by a diplomatic crisis. Thirty years later, a chance encounter by their daughters leads to revelations of a shared past. An invigorating drama about the power words have to reveal truths as well as hide them, and ultimately to bridge a cultural divide.”

Cast of four characters: two men and two women who all play multiple roles. The play is not a comedy – but smart, subtle humor is important for all the actors.

#1 Female:

Late 20s-Early 30s, Caucasian. A transformational Leading Woman, not character-y. Plays:

• Ann Gillies: Caucasian. American, 30; A teacher who says she works for the State Department. Unsentimental, athletic, smart. Ann is described as “attractive”, but not in a girly way. Fierceness is key. An edge is important for both characters. Must have great emotional range with a depth that is effortless, not put on.
• Emily Gillies: Caucasian. Her daughter, 27. A photographer in New York. Hip, ambitious.

#2 Female:

Late 20s-Early 30s. Actor must look believably Iranian/Middle Eastern. A transformational Leading Woman, not character-y. Great emotional range. Nuance is key. Plays:

• Shirin: Iranian, age about 30. A student revolutionary; Sophisticated, naïve, driven. Might seem vulnerable, but hardness sneaks out.
• Azadeh: her daughter, age about 30. A political refugee. Brave, demanding. Might seem sweet, but she’s crafty and self-assured.

#3 Male:

40s-60s. Actor must look believably Iranian/Middle Eastern. Must portray wisdom, charisma, and humor. He is the philosophical center of the play, semi-narrates at times, and has a direct relationship with the audience. Plays:

• Jelaluddin Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet.
• Iranian Pool Attendant
• A Persian Man

#4 Male:

30s–Early 40s. Masculinity, charm, and sexiness are key. Plays:

• Mike: Caucasian. American. An adventurer. Smoker, very masculine, like a bulldog (in spirit, and perhaps in physicality).
• Kermit Roosevelt: Caucasian. A political man of the 1950’s.