Mayumana Holds Open Call Auditions on June 12

The internationally acclaimed performance troupe Mayumana is holding open call auditions on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at Off-Broadway's Union Square Theatre (100 E. 17th St.).

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mayumana co-creators Eylon Nuphar and Boaz Berman will conduct auditions for its various worldwide companies. The following breakdown has been issued:

"We are seeking men and women in their mid-20s to mid-30s to fill positions in the   Mayumana companies. We are looking for dancers, musicians, percussionists and actors with an excellent sense of rhythm, who can also perform gymnastic and aerobic works. Hip-hop, belly dancing, capoeira and flamenco specialties are a plus. Originality, rhythm/timing and a sense of fun are essential.

Come prepared with a one-minute performance piece that shows who you are and what you can do. No spoken words, please. Please bring a headshot and resume to the audition. A CD player will be provided for your use."

"We set out to find people who can move well, who can drum, who can dance and who have a good sense of humor," says Boaz Berman. "At these auditions, we learn a lot about prospective performers very quickly.  Mayumana performers are carefully selected by talent, versatility and personality make-up. We also have to determine whether they're nice people to be around, because we all spend a lot of time together – rehearsing, performing and traveling."

"The personalities of those performing on stage are absolutely real," adds Eylon Nuphar. "These are not performers who come in to the theatre, do their part, and leave. We are all closely connected and therefore must choose wisely when replacing cast members. Creativity and energy are our main themes. That's why we put an emphasis not only on the technical skills of the performers, but also on their ability to play both among themselves and to the audience."

 2007 Drama Desk Award nominee for Unique Theatrical Experience, Mayumana (my-'YOO-muh-nuh) is currently enjoying the American premiere of its newest stage extravaganza Be at Off-Broadway's Union Square Theatre (100 E. 17th St.).

Mayumana opened in New York on Tuesday, March 13, 2007.  "Throughout the past decade, more than four million people have experienced a Mayumana show, and to date, the Mayumana company has performed more than 5,000 shows in more than 30 countries across the globe.  Throughout the last six years, there has been a Mayumana show – usually two or more – performing somewhere in the world almost every evening," state press notes.

"Conceived and directed by Eylon Nuphar and Boaz Berman in Tel Aviv, Mayumana (from the Hebrew meaning skill) is a purely theatrical event that combines elements from various art disciplines based on music, movement, acting, dance and rhythm.  Mayumana is an ever-evolving performance piece that has experienced a constant re-creation in its eleven-year history, giving focus to the individual talents of its evolving roster of cast members, who come to the show from all parts of the globe."

The multinational Off-Broadway premiere cast of Mayumana's Be includes co-creator Boaz Berman, Sharon Ben Naim (Israel), Vicente de Andres (Madrid), Maria Platon Corchado (Spain), Michael Feigenbaum (Switzerland), Alba Bonal Garcia (Barcelona), Silvia Garcia de Ves (Palma de Mallorca), Ido Kagan (Israel), Yael Mahler (Israel), Eva Boucherite Martin (Spain), Reut Rotem (Israel), Ido Stadler (Israel), Aka Jean Claude Thiemele (Ivory Coast) and Hila Yaffe (Israel).

Be is presented Off-Broadway by Marc Routh, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Roy Ofer for Mayumana Ltd., Annette Niemtzow and Pamela Cooper.

For more information on the open call auditions, please call 646-205-3218.  Visit www.BeOffBroadway.com for tickets and more information.