Pulse Theatre Chicago is seeking actor and video submissions for its upcoming production of Beneath The Willow Tree (A World Premiere) by Isis Elizabeth, Directed by Aaron Reese Boseman. We are actively seeking Non-Equity, BIMPOC artists for this production. We are seeking principal actors and understudies. If you intend to audition, please send your headshot/resume to
pulsetheatrecasting@gmail.com.
Synopsis: Beneath The Willow Tree tells the story of three generations of black women in a Louisiana Bayou. When Willow Bordeaux returns home from NYU with a new love interest, unearthed family secrets unfold a story of trampled traditions and unpacked family trauma. The Bordeaux Family begrudgingly heads toward a path of acceptance, healing, and identity.
PREPARATION: We are currently seeking video submissions. Please prepare a selection from the play for the character(s) that you wish to submit for. Memorization is not required, but please be familiar with the material. Audition materials can be found here
AUDITION MATERIALS
Optional: If you would like to share an additional monologue from your repertoire or any acting reels, please feel free to do so.
Please fill out the following audition form here:
AUDITION FORM to submit materials, and Vimeo/YouTube link (only) of your audition. Please do not send any video files for download. The Google form does require you to be signed into a Google account to upload files.
If you have any issues with filling out the form please send all materials to
pulsetheatrecasting@gmail.com as an alternative. We are accepting headshots, resumes, and video submissions at this time. We encourage headshots to be submitted as a pdf or jpeg. Resumes should be submitted as a pdf, but not required.
All submissions are due by June 6, 2024 at 11:59pm.
In-Person Callbacks (invitation only) will be held the week of: June 10, 2024
Pulse Theatre Chicago’s Jeff Award and Black Excellence Award winning vagabond theatre. Our mission is to ambitiously tell stories with a unique outlook and visceral honesty to the human experience. Pulse seeks to break the barriers of archetypes and convention in American Theatre. We also seek to cultivate the next generation of artists with a specific focus on BIMPOC and Queer communities through innovative programming and creating a safe space, challenging audiences and collaborators alike. Beneath The Willow Tree is part of Pulse Theatre Chicago's New Play Initiative. Principal actors will be required to attend a workshop.
Production Timeline:
Workshop: July 14- July 27, 2024 (Tentative Dates/Flexible)
Rehearsals : July 29- September 1, 2024
(4-5 rehearsal per week; a mix of weekday evenings and weekend morning/afternoons)
Tech Rehearsals/ Previews : September 2- September 7, 2024
Press Opening/Marquee Night: September 8, 2024 , Runs through September 29, 2024
Performance Schedule: Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm, Saturdays, Sundays at 3pm.
All tech rehearsals/ previews/ performances will be held at The Den Theatre in Chicago. Rehearsal Venue TBD.
COMPENSATION:
$200 Workshop Stipend - Principal Adult Performers
$500 Production Stipend - Principal Adult Performers
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
GRANDMA BETTY/ GG: Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. Late 60's- 70’s. Character Breakdown: Matriarch of the family, orderly, pessimist. Spiritual. Widowed. Stuck in her ways and not willing to compromise. Recently suffered a heart attack. Willow's Grandmother. Haitian/Creole. Singing a plus. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
GLORIA: Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. Late 30's- 50’s. Character Breakdown: Willow’s Mother. People pleaser, insecure, principled, disconnected from the world around her. Divorced. Complacent. Jaded in more ways than one. Willow's Mother. Haitian/ Creole. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
WILLOW: Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. 20's, College Senior. Hardworking, charmer, responsible, recovering people pleaser. Indecisive. Struggles with anxiety. Learning and exploring life, she is coming of age. Haitian/Creole. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
ZURIE/REE: Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. Character Breakdown: 20's, College Senior. Openly queer, confident, liberated. Sarcastic when necessary, but compassionate above all. She is the definition of grace and strength. Willow's best friend/love interest. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
DANTE : Black man, 20's, handsome, 1st round NFL draft pick. Loving, determined and comical when he wants to be. Wears his heart on his sleeve. Willow's High school sweetheart. Doubles as Delivery Man. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
YOUNG WILLOW: Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. 8-12, Willow’s younger counterpart. Singing/ Rhythm a plus. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
YOUNG ZURIE : Black/ African Descent- Female-Identifying. 8-12, Zurie’s younger counterpart. Singing/ Rhythm a plus. Southern/Louisiana Dialect.
If you have any questions, please reach out:
Aaron Reese Boseman, Director/ Artistic Director
Isis Elizabeth, Playwright/ Artistic Associate Lewis Jones, Casting Associate
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