Theater Mu and Jungle Theater seek actors/musicians for Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band
AUDITION NOTICE!
director: Lily Tung Crystal
music Director: Mark Christine
casting Director: Sheena Janson Kelley
Lauren Yee’s award-winning play is equal parts comedy, history, mystery and rock concert. The story centers on the resilient bond of family and the enduring power of music which thrusts us into the life of a young woman trying to take down a Khmer Rouge war criminal thirty years after her father fled Cambodia.
Six actor/musicians make up the cast and perform a mix of contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies.
Please self-select what role you would like to be considered for and sign up for a time slot HERE.
WHO
Both Equity (AEA) and non-Equity
WHEN
Monday, December 16th, 2019: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday, December 17th, 2019: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
CALLBACKS: Wednesday, December 18th, 2019: Time TBD
WHERE
All auditions will take place at Theater Mu's studio
755 Prior Ave N, #107
Saint Paul, MN 55104
If you would like to submit a video, please send inquiries to sjanson@jungletheater.org
WHAT TO PREPARE
(Actors who play an instrument strongly, regardless of how the instrument lines up with a listed role, should still be seen for consideration.)
If you are sending a video audition, please note in your email your availability for a Skype, Zoom or Facetime audition on Wednesday, December 18.
All music and script sides (including the full script - please do not share) can be found HERE. You can hear examples of the music on the Spotify playlist called “Cambodian Rock Band.”
Neary: Please prepare music side + cut of a song of your own choosing in the musical world of the show (rock/pop preferred). Accompaniment will be provided for all NEARY vocal auditions. You can find a practice MP3, which video auditioners can also use to accompany any video auditions, in the Dropbox.
Drum: Please prepare music side + a song of your choosing and put both on tape (no vocals needed). All drum auditions need to be submitted via video (not in person). Please submit videos to sjanson@jungletheater.org
Keyboard: Please prepare music side + cut of a song of your choosing.
Guitar: Please prepare music side + cut of a song of your choosing (instrumental & vocal).
Bass: Please prepare music side + cut of a song of your choosing.
PRODUCTION DATES
1st Rehearsal: May 26, 2020
Tech Rehearsals: June 17 – June 27, 2020
Previews: June 24 – June 26, 2020
Opening: June 27, 2020
Closing: August 2, 2020
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
CHUM
Cambodian, 51 and 18 years old. Neary’s lovable, well-meaning, and wary father in 2008… full of charisma and dad jokes, purposefully withholding his history from Neary, and just trying to bring her back to safety in America. Unsettled by her interest in the dangerous Khmer Rouge. We also see him as a sincere, optimistic young man in the 1970s, caught between fleeing Cambodia and sticking with his beloved band The Cyclos. More of a fighter than we may initially expect. MUSIC: Guitar or Bass Guitar, vocals. Serves mainly as an actor but instrumental skill a necessity.
NEARY
Cambodian-American, 26, (also plays SOTHEA). Headstrong, intelligent, and ambitious. Grew up in Massachusetts, and has spent the past two years investigating war crimes in Cambodia. There is also a vulnerable quality about her—she’s a little lost, because she hasn’t figured out a part of her own history. She’s a strong young woman, but also a child wanting to connect with her father. MUSIC: Lead vocals (powerful belter who can let loose vocally, and with personality), may play tambourine. Serves as both an actor and a singer.
LENG
Cambodian, 20s, (also plays TED, Neary's supportive Thai-Canadian boyfriend). Chum’s best friend and bandmate in the 1970s, frontman for the band who focuses on the group's professional future as a way to avoid thinking about Cambodia's political turmoil and what it might mean for him. Will do anything to survive and can control the room, despite being conflicted by moral choices. Underneath his bravado, we find he's a bit of a coward. MUSIC: Guitar or Bass Guitar, vocals. Serves mainly as an actor but instrumental skill a necessity.
DUCH
Cambodian, 30s/40s/maybe 50s. The physicality and presence of a spirited emcee and trickster. Vivacious, funny, mischievous. A leader. Incredibly educated and charming… but with a darkness underneath it all. The ability to suddenly transform into a terrifying and sadistic monster. We’re seduced by him in Act 1, before finding out he’s a war criminal in Act 2. Justifies his actions by saying he’s only following orders, but we see that he is haunted. Hides his true passions in order to amass great destructive power. MUSIC: No musical skill necessary, but music background a plus.
ROM
Cambodian, can be of any gender identity, 20s-30s (also plays JOURNALIST). A bandmate in The Cyclos. MUSIC: Drums/percussion. Serves mainly as a musician.
POU
Cambodian, can be of any gender identity, 20s-30s (also plays S21 GUARD). A bandmate in The Cyclos. MUSIC: Keyboard, vocals. Serves mainly as a musician.