The Chatham Community Players will hold open auditions for the 30th annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival on Sunday, May 19th at 6pm and Monday, May 20th at 7pm at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham. Performers are asked to arrive and check in within the first hour of auditions. Performances will take place on July 26th, 27th, August 1st, 2nd and 3rd at 8pm and August 4th at 3pm. For directions, audition forms and sides, and more information, please visit www.chathamplayers.org.
The Chatham Community Players are committed to diverse and inclusive casting, and performers of all abilities, races, ethnicities, and gender identities are encouraged to audition. Questions may be sent to jerseyvoicesnj@gmail.com.
Presented One-Act Plays are:
“Sexpo 2051” by Alex Bernstein, Directed by Alyson Pemoulié Halter: The promise of a sex-fueled extravaganza takes a sharp turn when a wife informs her husband that she has other plans.
- Don (M/Male presenting, 40s – 50s)
- Peg (F/Female presenting, 40s – 50s)
“A Leap of Faith” by Susan Brown-Peitz, Directed by John A.C. Kennedy: In the middle of a tense family crisis, two adult siblings step into the backyard of the house they grew up in, to navigate a history of broken trust and personal failures, in an effort to determine whether there’s still a possibility for light at the end of the tunnel.
- William (M, 30s) has hit bottom again; he’s recovering now, but it’s not easy
- Beth (F, 30s – 40s) his sister, has been through this before; wants to be supportive, but has to be smart
“Negate the Gods” by Clinton Festa, Directed by Stephen Mennella: A Greek god and
goddess, in the midst of their eternal punishment by Zeus, are taught a lesson in the power of positive thinking by an unexpected source.
- Prometheus (M, 20s – 40s) the Greek god, now chained to his hillside where he is attacked by an eagle every day, frustrated with his predicament.
- Io (F, 20s – 40s) the Greek goddess, former consort of Zeus, now condemned to being tormented by a gadfly and being changed into a cow. As frustrated as Prometheus.
- Sisyphus (M, 20s – 40s) the Greek god, condemned to forever roll his rock up a hill. Totally cool with his predicament. Endearing, almost childlike. But has the right idea.
“Sundays in the Park with Will” by Ed Friedman, Directed by Cass Cochrane: A middle-aged man secretly meets with the daughter of his romantic partner. Things don’t turn out as either of them had planned.
- Garrett (M, 47)
- Gina (F, 19)
“Blow, Gabriel, Blow” by Jeanne Johnston, Directed by Ed Faver: Gabriel, an average guy with an average life, learns from an attorney, Luci, that he has inherited a large sum of money and a trumpet. To get the money, he must blow a single note on the horn. In comes a third party, Michael, who does his best to convince him to reject the offer. But why?
- Gabriel (M, 25-40) an everyman
- Luci (F, late 20s – mid 30s) a representative of a powerful organization, very persuasive
- Michael (m, 20s – mid 30s) from another powerful group, subtler than Luci, but persuasive in his own way
“Lillian Whistles Back” by Alexis Kozak, Directed by Michael Sasso: After his wife dies, a middle-aged ornithology enthusiast has continued to live with his mother-in-law. Tension between these housemates comes to an explosive (and uncomfortably humorous) head as they grapple with grief and their shared reality.
- Lillian (F, mid – late 60s) spry and youthful for her age; full of piss and vinegar. Says what’s on her mind.
- Walter (M, early 40s) a dreamer, a romantic, an Internet “research” enthusiast. Emotionally stuck.
“The Forgiven” by Alex Wilke, Directed by Julia Cassisi: Two women, one holding a grudge and the other at peace, debate past indiscretions.
- Helen (F, 60s – 80s) put together, calm, sensible
- Lois (F, 60s – 80s) disheveled, frenzied, righteous