Dead Man’s Cell Phone
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Kali Kardas
Open Auditions: November 13th-14th, 7-9pm
Rehearsal Timeframe: November 27 - January 12 (Holiday weeks off)
Evening Performances: January 13 (7:30pm)
Matinee Performances: January 14 (2:30pm)
Content Label: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Theme of Death, Firearms
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 actors 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.
Auditions will be held in person at the Majestic Theatre.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Jean is sleepwalking through her life until she answers a dead man's cell phone. It turns out to be a wake-up call that sends her on a date with the dead man's brother, a drinking binge with his wife, and a mysterious rendezvous with his mistress. Not to mention trips to the afterlife and the black market. This play explores the theme of how cell phones both connect and isolate us, as well as the balance between going through the motions and really living.
FROM THE DIRECTOR Kali Kardas
Sarah Ruhl is a playwright with an abstract and wild imagination. Her writing is somehow both intellectual and deeply emotional. Her existential angst always shines through her pages. This play is dark, but also funny and bizarre. I love it because while the women in this play are brought together by their love and contempt for a dead man, they all have moments to shine through in their own personalities. Jean is a quiet but complicated lead that can be played with vulnerability and wit. If you want to explore themes of death, the afterlife, grief, and relationships in a way that both celebrates and pokes fun at the human condition- come play.
PREPARATION NOTES
Auditions will consist of warm ups and then cold reads. If you are not a confident cold reader and would like to prepare a monologue, please email the director at kalikardas@gmail.com to arrange it. If you cannot make audition time but still want to read, please reach out and we will make arrangements for a virtual audition.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
General Note Example: All characters do not have a specific race or ethnic background; we're excited to see a diverse pool of actors audition for all roles. Ages listed are the approximate ages of the characters themselves. We invite actors of any age to audition for any role.
Character Name: Jean
Character Age: 30s-40s
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Female
Desired Actor Gender: female, non-binary, gender fluid
Ability/movement: No special movement, but will kiss two actors
Character Description: Jean is somewhat disengaged with her life, but develops an obsession with Gordon after she witnesses his death. She assumes responsibility for the life he left behind, and lies easily to provide comfort to his family. She is people pleasing but also particular about how she interacts with the world. She is nervous, and a woman who is used to making an effort not to take up too much space.
Character Name: Gordon
Character Age: 40-50
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Male
Desired Actor Gender: Male
Ability/movement: No special movement, but will kiss an actor
Character Description: Gordon is the Golden Child who got away with anything. He cheated on his wife and was in the business of selling organs on the black market. He is more annoyed at his death than anything, but shares a tender moment with Jean in the afterlife.
Character Name: Mrs. Gottlieb
Character Age: 65+
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Female
Desired Actor Gender: Female
Ability/movement: Needs to sob obnoxiously and make strange crying sounds
Character Description: Gordon’s mother. She is a drama queen and an old school matriarch who favored Gordon and barely acknowledges her other son, Dwight.
Character Name: Hermia
Character Age: 30-50
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Female
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: No special movement, but needs to act drunk
Character Description: Gordon’s widow. She has contempt for Gordon, knowing he did her wrong, but still loved him and feels a mix of guilt and repulsion for her life with him. She knows what business he was in, and realized that he bought her off with jewelry. She confides in Jean, either as a way to scare Jean off or because Jean becomes the default vessel for everyone’s grief in the play.
Character Name: Dwight
Character Age: 30s-40s
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Male
Desired Actor Gender: male presenting or non-binary
Ability/movement: No special movement, but will kiss an actor
Character Description: Dwight is not as smart, strong, or charismatic as his older brother Gordon. He has spent most of his life in Gordon’s shadow. Deeply in love with Jean and she shows him affection but there is always the question of whether they are both trying to use each other to get love from Gordon. Dwight is loving to Jean and loyal to his mother, and has a fixation with stationary.
Character Name: Other Woman/Stranger
Character Age: 20s-50s
Character Race: Any
Character Ethnicity: Any
Character Gender: Female
Desired Actor Gender: female, non-binary, gender fluid
Ability/movement: No special movement, but will point a gun and “shoot”
Character Description: The mystery woman plays both Gordon’s mistress and business associate. In many ways this character represents fantasies in life, a sassy and smoky character reminiscent of the film noir genre.