Open Call – Understudy Opportunity at Florida Studio Theatre - Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre is seeking local actors for the upcoming production of The Cancellation of Lauren Fein. This audition is open to Sarasota/ Manatee/ Local non-union talent. These auditions will be held virtually through tape submissions.



SYNOPSIS: Lauren Fein is at the top of her game. Happily partnered with a foster son, she is a world-renowned scientist and tenured professor at an elite university. She’s on the verge of a breakthrough in her life’s work when she runs afoul of the university’s “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies. Suddenly, her groundbreaking research, her tenure, and even her family are all put in danger.



Production Dates:

Show opens – January 24, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #1 – January 29, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #2 – January 30, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #3 – January 31, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #4 – February 5, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #5 – February 6, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #6 – February 7, 2025

Understudy Rehearsal #7 – Based On Need



Seeking the following roles:



Lauren Fein - Late 40s to 60, White, female-presenting, lesbian. A biology professor specializing in the research of human genetic blood disorders. She is on the verge of finding a cure for sickle-cell anemia. Lauren has been the smartest person in almost every room she's ever walked into. She is deeply passionate about her work. While she is warm and loving, she can be awkward in large social situations due to her bluntness and minimal tolerance for bullshit. She is deeply principled and lives by her code with little compromise. However, she is a high-functioning alcoholic, a fact that is a source of deep shame and a matter she keeps secret from everyone but her partner, Paola.

Note: This role involves staged intimacy including close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



Paola Moreno - Late 30s to late 40s, Latina, female-presenting, lesbian. Paola is a professor of Theatre and Film Studies at the same university as Lauren. She is of Puerto Rican descent and is a native Spanish speaker. She has a slight accent and occasionally peppers her speech with Spanish. Paola is fiercely loyal to her partner, Lauren, and often tries to compensate for Lauren's social faux pas. What Lauren lacks in social savvy, Paola more than makes up for.

Note: This role involves staged intimacy. No nudity.



Dylan Fein-Moreno - 14 years old (to be played by 18+), Black, male-presenting. Lauren's and Paola's foster son who has lived with them since he was a toddler. He is smart, empathetic, and likeable but bears deep hurt from having suffered brutal neglect as a child at the hands of his biological mother. This hurt can manifest itself in unexpected bursts of irrationality and cruelty.



Chikezie "Chi" Nweze - Late 30s to 50, Nigerian, male-presenting. A visiting biologist who is collaborating with Lauren on sickle-cell research. Funny and voluble, Chi, is often befuddled by American social mores. His traditional, conservative Christian, Igbo background often puts him at odds with those in American academia on social issues. Chi is in awe of Lauren and, because of her dedication to curing sickle-cell disease, he would take a bullet for her.



Dean Marilyn Whitney - 30s to 40s, African American, female-presenting. Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Brilliant and politically astute.



Melanie Jones - 30s to 40s, White, female-presenting. A professor of Law and Gender Studies. The prosecutor of Lauren's faculty senate hearing, Melanie is to the University's DEI policies what Robespierre was to the enlightenment principles of The French Revolution.



Buddy McGovern - Late 60s to 70s, White, male-presenting. A voluble Southern gentleman and lawyer hired by Lauren for the academic proceeding.



Zoe - Mid 20s, female-presenting. Beautiful. The former graduate student and lover of Lauren Fein. She uses her sexuality as a form of power. Note: This role involves staged intimacy including close proximity and kissing. No nudity.

Note: In Act I, the actors playing Dylan, Chi, Melanie, Evan, and Zoe double as various secondary characters (texters, students, etc.) who appear in passing.



Salary

$250 flat rate; $50 per service*

( * = indicates replacing the principal actor in rehearsal or performance. )



If interested, please send a headshot and resume to casting@floridastudiotheatre.org


Salary: $250 flat rate