THE HARDER THEY COME - Equity video submissions (chorus) New York Shakespeare Festival | New York, NY
Notice: Submission
Off Broadway
$1587 weekly minimum (Tier EE)
Equity actors for chorus parts in THE HARDER THEY COME (See breakdown).
All roles will be understudied.
All actors must have a strong facility with a Caribbean dialect.
All actors should be strong singers in the styles of Reggae, Pop, Rock, and R&B.
SEE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS IN BREAKDOWN. Please submit your headshot, resume and audition video at:
https://airtable.com/shrNqcNAKhr2X89ce.
Submission deadline is November 14th at 5:30pm ET.
Deadline: 11/14/2022
Book: Suzan-Lori Parks
Including Songs: Jimmy Cliff
Based upon the film, produced and directed: Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone
Music Supervision: Kenny Seymour Choreography: Edgar Godineaux
Co-Directed: Sergio Trujillo
Directed: Tony Taccone
Viewing auditions:
Jordan Thaler (Director of Casting)
Heidi Griffiths (Director of Casting)
Kate Murray (Casting Director)
Chalin Tulyathan (Casting Associate) Elizabeth Hay (Casting Assistant)
First rehearsal: on or about 1/3/23
First performance: on or about 2/21/23 Final performance: on or about 4/2/23 Possible extension: on or about 5/7/23
VACCINATION INFORMATION **PLEASE READ**: As a condition of employment, the Public will require all employees who report to work on site (either at the Public Theater or any other workspace or performing location) to confirm that they are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days have passed since the date of receiving the final vaccine dose in the COVID-19 vaccine series) and have received an additional dose/booster shot if eligible.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
A new musical, adapted from the groundbreaking classic film of the same name. Against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Kingston, THE HARDER THEY COME chronicles the rise & fall of Ivan, a young, ambitious and explosive aspiring reggae star. Based upon the film, produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone.
Please prepare either the MUSIC or the MOVEMENT for your audition.
Two options - select one:
(1) The following song from the show:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-NVO7w5xz5g_d0VexEb5VYI7S26kqJA-?usp=share_link
OR
(2) A reggae/R&B/pop/soul song that shows range and is sung with live or recorded accompaniment (NOT a cappella)
Please perform the movement combination (instructions included in link):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16gD0F0sVys1TP2VzOPEB_ByZn4mWi0tm?usp=share_link
MALE ENSEMBLE - 20s to 30s. Black males. Performers who are equally comfortable singing, dancing and acting, who can jump into brief scenes and create bold, vivid characterizations. Throughout the piece they will play a number of small roles including the people of Kingston, shopkeepers, police, club DJ’s, radio hosts, musicians, members of the Holy Redeemer congregation and Ivan’s chosen family. Strong singers in the styles of reggae, pop, rock and R&B with familiarity moving/dancing in the style of Dancehall/Soca.
UNDERSTUDY IVAN/JOSE/ENSEMBLE/AS CAST - 20s to 30 years old, Black male. IVAN: Charming, ambitious, proud, and extremely charismatic. A country boy who has come to Kingston, confident that he will find fame and fortune as a recording artist. He has big dreams of success, but soon finds himself confronted with the harsh realities of city life, where his talents are exploited by a ruthless record industry. Defiant in the face of many challenges, he is determined to be a success on his own terms. When one violent act gains him unexpected notoriety, a song he recorded becomes a runaway hit, transforming Ivan simultaneously into an outlaw and instant folk hero. JOSE: The head of the local ganja trade. A born entrepreneur, skilled at the art of manipulation, he has an easy way with people and a solid head for business. A self-made man, he begins as a small-time hustler in Kingston and becomes the head of his own crew. He looks out for Ivan, but only when it serves his own interests.
UNDERSTUDY ELSA/ENSEMBLE/AS CAST - 20s. Black female. Orphaned as a child, she has been raised by a strict and authoritarian Preacher who has taught her to fear God and man. A complicated spirit, she is graced with beauty, a strong moral center and a natural curiosity about the world. Despite her sheltered upbringing, she can’t fight the spark of rebelliousness that spurs her to explore all that life and love have to offer. When she meets Ivan her world inexorably changes as she takes a leap of faith to be with the man who is her one true love.
UNDERSTUDY DAISY/ENSEMBLE/AS CAST - 40 to 50 years old, Black female. Ivan’s mother. She has left her son to be raised in the countryside by relatives while she works in the city to support him. A woman of God, she has avoided the risks and temptations of urban life but is all too aware of their appeal, especially to an idealistic young man. She has seen a lot of suffering and is terrified when her son arrives on her doorstep, that she will lose him forever to the cruelty of the Kingston streets.
UNDERSTUDY PREACHER/HILTON/RAY/ENSEMBLE/AS CAST - 40 to 50 years old, Black male. PREACHER: The Pastor of the Holy Redeemer Church. Charismatic, commanding and imperious. Elsa’s domineering and controlling guardian.. He runs a tight ship and what he says goes. He is not used to being defied or challenged. He is a righteous man but, like many flawed men of faith, he is unable to adhere to his own strictures and cannot control his desire for Elsa, who he is determined to marry. HILTON: A music producer in Kingston who owns a recording studio and a chain of record stores. Freewheeling, charismatic, a big personality. A mover and a shaker in the industry. He is powerful, influential, and a maker of dreams, but always on his terms. For those who break Hilton’s rules, the retribution is swift and final. RAY: A crooked cop (in a crooked system) who is on the take. He keeps a close eye on the ever-expanding ganja trade and makes sure to get his cut. He is embedded in the system of bribes that keeps the drug industry afloat. The color of their money is the same.
UNDERSTUDY PEDRO/LYLE/ENSEMBLE/AS CAST - 30 to 40 years old, Black male. Has both comedic and dramatic skill. PEDRO: Ivan’s first and most loyal friend in Kingston. He believes the best of people and is looking to create family and community for himself and those he loves. LYLE: A Deacon at the Holy Redeemer Church. He is Preacher’s eyes and ears and he despises anyone who challenges his equilibrium. Ambitious and self-interested, he is in love with Elsa and is hoping that one day they will run the church together.
UNDERSTUDY FEMALE ENSEMBLE - 20s to 30s. Black female. Performers who are equally comfortable singing, dancing and acting, who can jump into brief scenes and create bold, vivid characterizations. Throughout the piece they will play a number of small roles including the people of Kingston, shopkeepers, police, club DJ’s, radio hosts, musicians, members of the Holy Redeemer congregation and Ivan’s chosen family. Strong singers in the styles of reggae, pop, rock and R&B and have familiarity moving/dancing in the style of Dancehall/Soca.
Videos
