When We Were gods
By Amara J. Brady
Directed by Zina Allen
Open Auditions: Video Audition and Form Due by January 21 to amarkiss555@gmail.com Rehearsal Timeframe: January 25th to February 25th
Evening Performances: February 26th at 7:30pm
Matinee Performances: February 27th at 2:30pm
Content Label: Mature Audiences (Slavery, Racism, Adult language, Sexual Content, Sexism, Sexual Harassment & Assault, Gaslighting)
The Majestic Theatre (a division of the City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation department) is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a safe place for performers of all backgrounds to explore their craft. We are particularly eager to work with artists of color and other artists from marginalized communities. All auditions are free and open to the public. This audition is for an amateur, volunteer production. The Majestic Theatre staff and volunteers do not discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race, gender, ethnic background, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any protected class.
All auditions for this show will be via a video submitted to the director via email. In addition to your audition video, please download, fill out, and attach our audition form located at tinyurl.com/MTAuditionForm
A headshot will be requested to be posted with the cast list.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Inspired by a wooden carving and a nefarious poem about how Black women were not as beautiful, but for some “inexplicable reason” really enticing, When We Were gods tells the story of the Sable Venus’ search for purpose and levity at the precipice of a massive shift in power on Olympus. Where were these gods during slavery and what do they owe to the humanity the sought to create? And also how the hell do we dethrone Zeus?
FROM THE DIRECTOR Zina Allen
I chose this play because it is a rich narrative that speaks to our time. It is a a BIPOC centered piece that also represents the LGBTQIA+ community from a Black and queer playwright. The play is a whimsical satire that deals with complex narratives that reflect strongly on things that are going on in our world today and especially issues that Black women and the LGBTQIA+ people face in our community. The story empowers decisions around love and choice and challenges the white supremacy represented by Zeus in the show in our world. It is important that this show was written by a Black woman which gives us a different perspective, a traditionally marginalized perspective, that hasn't typically been present at the Majestic. At the outset, the playwright comes out and literally says; "This isn't about white people; it's about us, not about servitude, it's about telling our story". Even though it is a performance, it is allowing Black people to show themselves in that way. We're not here to talk about white issues; we're here to talk about the intersectionality of our cultures and our existence. There is a high level of sexuality and intimacy in the show that our performers likely won't be comfortable with presenting literally. We will be using a narrator and other concepts to handle the stage directions so that the performers can be comfortable in presenting the show while still honoring what Amara Brady was wanting to show us.
PREPARATION NOTES
Here is a link to a PDF of the play so that you can review it before auditioning.
For your audition, film yourself with your phone or webcam reading lines from one of the characters in the show that you are interested in for a total of two minutes.
Email your video and audition form to Zina Allen at amarkiss555@gmail.com by 5:00 PM on January 21, 2022. Feel free to include what role you’re interested in within the body of the email. Also, if you have one, please attach a headshot image to your audition email. It doesn’t need to be a professional headshot; any clear image of your face will do wonderfully.
For your video, perform while seated, trying to frame yourself from the shoulders up.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Venus
Character Age: Ageless
Character Race: Black
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Non-binary Femme
Desired performer Race: Black
Desired performer Gender: Non-binary Femme
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: Goddess of Love; Caring; Sensitive;
Captain / Ares / Triton / Muse (One performer plays all)
Character Age: Varies by Character
Character Race: Black
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Non-binary Masc
Desired performer Race: Black
Desired performer Gender: Any
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: Ambitious; Eager.
Zeus / Thomas / Silas
Character Age: Varies by Character
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Male or Non-binary Masc
Desired performer Race: White
Desired performer Gender: Male or Non-binary Masc
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: King of the Gods; Controlling; Manipulative; Strong.
Aphrodite / Hera / Sarah
Character Age: Varies by Character
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Trans Woman or Non-binary femme
Desired performer Race: White
Desired performer Gender: Trans Woman or Non-binary femme
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: Queen of the Gods; Survivor; Sorceress; Chameleon.
Athena/Muse
Character Age: Varies by Character
Character Race: Black
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Desired performer Race: Black
Desired performer Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: Goddess of Wisdom; Strong; Loving; Brave; Bright.
Devotee/Human/Woman in War room /Muse /Slaver/Gwynfor /Messenger
Character Age: Varies by Character
Character Race: Black
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Desired performer Race: Black
Desired performer Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: A yes person.
Oracle-Devine/Josephine
Character Age: Ageless
Character Race: Black
Character Ethnicity: Not specified
Character Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Desired performer Race: Black
Desired performer Gender: Woman or Non-binary femme
Ability/movement: No specific ability requirements
Description: Ethereal; Mystical; Ageless.