THE BLUEST EYE: Call for Performers

Theater Alliance is requesting submissions for our upcoming production of Lydia R Diamond’s The Bluest Eye, directed by Otis Cortez Ramsey-Zöe. Performers interested in this production should be fully vaccinated, non-Equity, and have local housing in the DC area. 

To submit for The Bluest Eye, please fill out this submission form by no later than Friday, February 24th. You will need to prepare one monologue or poem of your choice.  The piece you select should be no longer than 2 minutes and showcase your ability to activate poetic material. Above all else, choose something that you make sense out of and, in doing so, have it make sense to the people reviewing audition material. 

Check out these free resources for inspiration for your material:

https://poems.com/

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/

AUDITION INFORMATION


Characters

CLAUDIA (20s-30s): Precocious, sensitive teenage girl. She must be able to move gracefully between the innocence of youth and the wisdom of the narrator who has lived through it all. Dexterity with direct address is a must.

FREIDA/DARLENE (20s-30s): Claudia’s older sister. Somewhat more practical than Claudia. Possibly more stern, slightly less personable.

PECOLA BREEDLOVE (20s-30s): Darker complexion, prays for blue eyes. A shy, quiet, resigned and somewhat pained presence. She should be completely innocent.

MAMA (40s-50s): She possesses an imposing presence. She loves her children and this should be evident despite her stern manner.

PAULINE BREEDLOVE (40s-50s): Darker complexion. An older version of Pecola. Painfully shy and insecure, but still very adept at addressing the audience.

SOAPHEAD CHURCH (40s-50s): Charismatic, odd, charming, mature. A known neighborhood figure.

CHOLLY BREEDLOVE (40s-50s): Darker complexion, Mrs. Breedlove’s age. The shell of a man who may have been physically impressive at one time.

MAUREEN PEAL (20s-30s): Light skinned, has the money to dress and look very pretty. More complicated than merely “snotty.” She is a real person, as complicated as the other characters.

Rehearsal and Production Dates

First Rehearsal: April 16th

First Preview: May 31st

Opening: June 2nd

Closing: June 25th

Synopsis

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye is a story about a young Black girl in 1940s Ohio. Eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove wants nothing more than to be loved by her family and schoolmates. Instead, she faces constant ridicule and abuse. She blames her dark skin and prays for blue eyes, sure that love will follow. Enthralling, gorgeously written, and incredibly emotional, The Bluest Eye is an American touchstone.

*We at Theater Alliance seek to make our submission process as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you have a headshot and resume to send us, that’s great. If you prefer to send a different type of media to represent your work, in lieu of a resume, we look forward to seeing it. We invite you to show us who you are as an artist, in whatever way you choose. And if you prefer to speak with someone on our staff about submitting your materials in a non-digital format, please reach out with a message to our Producer-in-Residence Alissa Klusky at alissa@theateralliance.com

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