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ACT – A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE/DIGITAL SEASON 2021
VIDEO AUDITIONS – HISTORY OF THEATRE

ACT is currently accepting AEA and non-union video submissions for available roles in the World Premiere digital production of Reginald André Jackson’s play History of Theatre, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton and produced in partnership with The Hansberry Project.

History of Theatre is a guided tour through many of the high – and low – lights of African American theatre, beginning 200 years ago with the intrepid founding members of The African Company, who in the days of slavery went toe to toe with the largest professional theatres in the United States. Then we’ll take a brief trip through vaudeville, with its many trappings. Broadway’s first Black stars will share a tale or two. Seattle takes center stage in the 1930s when President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal brings the Emerald City a federally funded Black theatre, in the form of the Negro Repertory Company. How will the city’s new crop of theatres respond to the Civil Rights Movement? What was it like heading a Black run theatre in Seattle through the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s? This tour aims to breathe life into these oft forgotten figures; it also speaks to living theatre artists about their experiences, what they’ve learned from those experiences and how Black Theatre moves forward from the current moment.

The play will be rehearsed and filmed remotely using actor webcams (ACT will provide additional equipment for lighting etc if needed) and recorded via Zoom.  The edited production will be released to stream on demand via ACT’s website later this spring.

Rehearsal/filming:  March 22 – April 2, 2021    Monday – Friday    10 AM – 4 PM
Distribution:  May 14 – June 6, 2021

Submissions Accepted:  February 8 – February 22, 2021
Callbacks (Via Zoom):  February 24 – February 28, 2021 (to be scheduled)
You will be contacted if you receive a callback to schedule a Zoom appointment

This is an ensemble piece in which all actors will play multiple roles, specific characters to be assigned once casting is complete.

All actors will be compensated in accordance with AEA COVID-specific media project guidelines.

Actor tracks available are:

Male, Black, 30-50
Male, Black, 60+
Female, White, 25-40
….to play multiple roles of potentially all ages and genders

To be considered, please self-tape two contrasting contemporary monologues and upload your video with your headshot/resume at the following secure link:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/Jg8ga4StnGb9NCAZ4tPF

Please use this file-naming convention for your uploads:  Lastname-Video-Date, Lastname-Headshot-Date, etc

THIS IS A SECURE AND PRIVATE UPLOAD PORTAL.  ONLY ACT THEATRE PERSONNEL ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT WILL HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION.

If you have any questions, please email to: laynem@acttheatre.org

ACT welcomes submissions from actors of all races and ethnicities, neuro-diversities, and disabilities, for available roles.  Gender non-conforming, gender-queer, transgender, and non-binary actors are invited to submit for the roles they most identify with.  Race/ethnicity is indicated only when specified by the playwright as integral to character and/or narrative. 

Submit your own work for consideration in our programming lineup

ACT accepts script submissions from Literary Agents and/or theatre professionals with a letter of introduction/recommendation. Northwest playwrights (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho) are welcome to submit up to a 15-page script sample, with a cover letter and play synopsis.

Average response time is six months.

Please mail work to:
ACT Theatre
ATTN: Submissions
700 Union St.
Seattle, WA 98101