5 Plays in 5 Days (non-equity)
MBS Productions will be presenting 5 Plays in 5 Days from March 11 –March 17, 2019. 5 Plays in 5 Days is a mini-theatre festival in which every night a new world premiere will be presented. These are staged readings of brand new works from established, previously-produced playwrights from all over North America being helmed by some of DFWs most versatile directors. Each play will be presented twice during the festival week and are directed by various theatre directors throughout the Metroplex. Since we are casting a total of 5 plays we are looking for a wide variety of actor and ethnicities with ages ranging from 15 years of age to 65.
Please note that certain plays do require certain ethnicities while others do not. We’ve indicated the roles in the plays where race is a key factor in the script, otherwise the roles are open to all races. Actors may be cast in one or more of the plays.
Also, be aware that these are staged readings not fully mounted productions. Each play will only have a handful of rehearsals once casting is completed.
Audition dates:
Saturday February 23 from 1 to 5 PM
Monday February 25 from 7 to 10 PM.
Auditions will be held at the MBS Productions rehearsal space/office: 8204 Elmbrook, Suite #189, Dallas, TX 75247. To make an audition appointment contact Mark-Brian Sonna at 214-477-4942 or sign up via the website at www.MBSProductions.net and select a time.
The plays presented and the roles available are listed below:
THIS THING'S TO DO (A Romantic Comedy of Tragic Proportions)
By Martin Coren
Directed by Mike Hathaway
Daniel is an unsuccessful playwright; Valerie is a successful actress performing in Hamlet. After a fight, she storms out. Alone after she leaves, Daniel discovers her script that she accidentally left behind. Leafing through the play, he realizes that his self-doubt and inability to act on his love for Valerie is all too similar to Hamlet’s self-involved failure to take action. His insight prompts Daniel in desperation to cry out for the Prince of Denmark, who – the universe responding – magically appears. This event begins a process of mutual self-discovery, abetted by Valerie’s eventual return and the similarly magical arrival of Ophelia. Suddenly the four find themselves in a love quadrangle. The question then is: who ends up with whom and in which century?
All characters 20's-30's
Daniel
Valerie
Hamlet
Ophelia
THE BROAD STROKES
By Bretton B. Holmes
Directed by Mike Hathaway
Brice, a man in the middle of a divorce, come back to finish cleaning out the house he shared with his soon to be ex-wife and family. His new girlfriend Reba, a divorcee herself, comes along for reasons even she's not clear about. Full of amazingy snappy dialouge, the couple come to realizations about themselves, each other, and what it is to be in a realtionship.
Reba - Female, mid-thirties
Brice - Male, forties
TAMING THE LION
By Jack Rushen
Directed by Robin Daffinee Coulonge
1930. Hollywood. Louis B. Mayer is at the height of his power at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where he makes major life decisions for his stars, including arranged marriages for those who happen to be gay. His number one box office star, William Haines, is not ashamed of his sexuality. Mayer is, and pressures Haines to break up with his lover and live a lie with a sham marriage.
WILLIAM HAINES (M - White) Handsome, charming actor who happens to be openly gay in a time when it was impossible to be accepted. Kind, loving, and sensitive, he avoids any conflict until a violent reaction is inevitable.
LOUIS B. MAYER (M- Whie) Powerful man who can fire anyone with just a wave of his hand. Homophobic, but puts up with William Haines because of the money he brings into the box office. Mayer is nervous about the reputation of the studio, and wants to avoid rumors of gay stars at all costs. He often brokers "arranged marriages" to keep the press at bay.
JOAN CRAWFORD (F- White) Haines's best friend and confidant. They have made several pictures together and love each other very much. Mayer has power over her, and blackmails her into getting Haines to give up his lover and marry a woman.
IRVING THALBERG (M-white) Late 30's. His nickname is "The Boy Wonder" because of his youth and the ability to get things done. In his time at MGM, he produced over four hundred films. He is also an advisor to Mayer, and the two plot against Haines, and look forward to convincing him that marriage is the best road.
IDA KOVERMAN (F) Mayer's trusted secretary. Very colorful with a great sense of humor. She is closest to him. He trusts her implicitly, and she is an influence in many major decisions.
JIMMIE SHIELDS (M) Haines's lover. Very slight and effeminate. Sensitive and caring.
KILLING BLACK SUPERMAN
By Michael Oatman
Directed by LeeAnn Ducker
Former gang members struggle with putting their former life behind them and upholding the facade of their current life and success. Consumed by the death of Kisha at the hands of Black Superman, Niko and Treyshawn plan their revenge. In their final confrontation they face their past transgressions and their inability to move on.
All roles require actors of color.
Niko: former gang member who is now a real estate mogul and unable to move past the death of his girlfriend Kisha
Treyshawn: former gang member that owns a successful chain of ice cream shops and Kisha’s brother
Marie: Niko’s wife who knows very little about Niko’s ‘dark days’
Melvin: former gang member who is now a supervisor at an insurance company
Kisha: gang member killed by Black Superman, Niko’s girlfriend and Treyshawn’s sister
Dr. Wideman: Niko’s psychiatrist and a tenant in one of Niko’s buildings.
CONFESSIONS OF THE SLAVE NAT TURNER
By Mark-Brian Sonna
Directed by Mark-Brian Sonna
Nat Turner was the slave responsible for the first uprising against white slaveholders. Based on the court transcripts of the trial the play is a recreation of the Nat Turner’s harrowing story in his fight for freedom. All roles are cast except that of the Magistrate.
Magistrate – White Male 30 -60.
