Seeking Queer People of Color - Stage Jewels NYC

Seeking an ensemble cast for Stage Jewels NYC’s new queer, magical realism play Nyad's Dream that will premiere August 25-27 at The Tank. We seek to cast in a way that is representative of the diversity of the city and encourage QTBiPOC people to apply.



Breakdown

Phoenix/Aiden- (The same actor plays Phoenix and Aiden). Phoenix is a non-binary environmentalist and mixed media artist who survives a near drowning experience. Phoenix is a highly reactive personality who delights in the energy of creation whereas Aiden is detached and introspective.



Devon- Phoenix’s roommate. An E.M.T. and animal activist. Devon is sincere, reliable, and often serious. They often forget to breathe when their friends hurt.



Owen- Phoenix’s roommate. A pro surfer and amateur chef. The most chill and joyful person, prone to fits of song while cooking.



Williams- Ryder’s significant other. A doctor and a perfectionist. Williams is single minded and magic scares them. Doubles as the voice of the reporter.



Ryder- Williams’ significant other. A radiologist and novice brujx/witch. Their magical views challenge Williams’ scientific perspective.



Production Schedule

The full production schedule can be viewed here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J7I3AQ-SMfTJAloiv5GO-acF3ZPgOaQXAux1lDF7qIY/edit



Synopsis

Nyad’s Dream takes place in modern day San Francisco Bay. Phoenix, a twenty seven year-old mixed media artist and nonbinary animal advocate, nearly drowns in a surfing accident. Though the ocean kindly washes them ashore, when their best friends (and chosen family) Owen and Devon discover them, Phoenix does not recognize them nor even remember their own name. Later, at the hospital, Doctor Ryder discovers irregularity in Phoenix’s brain scans. Strangely, during their appointment, Phoenix’s memory mostly returns with the exception of the time after their accident. Their friends celebrate as it seems Phoenix has recovered but ordinary things set them off like the sound of the tides or the touch of a shell. Even more startling, when Phoenix touches a wounded turtle, it heals. They keep this revelation to themself, yet this new power has a darker side…



Nyad’s Dream thematically resides at the intersection of queerness, identity, environmentalism, and magic. The inciting incident of the play, trauma induced amnesia, pivots attention toward the idea of consistency of self and how that relates to our memory. It poses the question of are we a collection of our pasts or maybe more? Identity is further explored in casting, as all characters are textually queer and represent the ordinary grace of the rainbow family, it showcases there are many valid answers to the question of how to live. Furthermore, the setting in a magical realist version of an oil spill in San Francisco Bay reveals the reciprocity of influence between the natural and the social.



To Apply

Please submit a self tape (no special set up required) by Saturday, June 17th by end of day. The sides below are preferred, but if you have a recent self tape or project you are particularly proud of feel free to submit it.



Sides: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ztjlcjAjNklaCYBFhSUadMjhZVzHuNIh6Za4QMjI-sU/edit



To Submit: Complete the linked Google Form and attach your headshot, resume, and self tape. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSYv7q0J0_tT_P5d7AYs7Ou4n-89jT0kH2HO522DMHjiDQqA/viewform



Production Team

Director: amani meliyah

Stage Manager: Grace Terdoslavich

Producer/Writer: Juliann Lavallee

Production Assistant: Caeden Musser
Salary: $150+ profit share