MANAHATTA – OPEN VIDEO CALL FOR NATIVE ACTORS
The Public Theater in New York City, which occupies the ancestral lands of the Lenape, is seeking Native actors for a Fall/Winter 2023 production of MANAHATTA, a play by Mary Kathryn Nagle, directed by Laurie Woolery.
Production dates
1st Rehearsal: 10/10/23
1st Performance: 11/16/23
Closing: 12/17/23
Extension Close: 1/8/24
Venue: LuEsther Theater
Rate: $1,061/week.
Synopsis
MANAHATTA tells the parallel stories of Jane, a Native woman from Oklahoma who travels to Manhattan to work on Wall Street on the brink of the financial crisis, and the displacement of the Lenape Indians from their home on the island of Manahatta in the 1600’s.
As each present-day role in MANAHATTA will double with a character from the 1600’s, we are seeking actors who are skilled in creating multiple characters and can communicate both a contemporary and period sensibility.
Roles Seeking
LE-LE-WA’-YOU/JANE: Mid to late 20’s. Female presenting. Native.
To play LE-LE-WA’-YOU: A young Lenape woman living in Manahatta in the 1600’s. Adventurous, independent, outspoken. She doesn’t pay very much attention to rules, or what people tell her she can’t do or can’t have. This role will double with JANE: A modern day Lenape woman, citizen of the Delaware Nation in Anadarko, who leaves her home in Oklahoma to work on Wall Street. Extremely gifted in math, she thinks in numbers, which allows her to excel in the fast-paced world of trading.
TOOSH-KI-PA-KWIS-I /DEBRA: Early to mid 30’s. Female presenting. Native.
To play TOOSH-KI-PA-KWIS-I: A Lenape woman living in Manahatta in the 1600’s. Le-le-wa’-you’s older sister. Sensible, down to earth, protective. She sees and recognizes the threat the settlers pose and is aware of the danger that her family and her community is facing. Doubles as DEBRA: Lenape, citizen of the Delaware Nation in Anadarko, Jane’s older sister. A realist with both feet on the ground, she wants a lot of things for her family and for herself but doesn’t waste time dreaming.
SE-KET-TU-MAY-QUA/LUKE: Late 20’s to early 30’s. Male presenting. Native.
To play SE-KET-TU-MAY-QUA: A Lenape warrior. Loyal, selfless, brave. He draws criticism from the community for continuing to trade with the White settlers, and for adopting some of their ways. This role will also double with LUKE: Lenape, citizen of the Delaware Nation in Anadarko. Jane’s childhood friend, who still carries a torch for her. He was forcibly removed from his home as a small child and was placed by the State in a non-Indian home, raised by white parents. A young man who is comfortable matriculating between two worlds.
Seeking Understudy Only
MOTHER/BOBBIE: 50’s to 60’s. Female presenting. Native.
To play MOTHER: A Lenape elder, living in Manahatta in the 1600’s. Wise, even tempered, humble. She desires to live in peace with the settlers, and to share with them the abundant resources that her people enjoy. A leader of a people who live communally, valuing relationships over property, she has no understanding of the settlers’ ideas of ownership and commerce. This role will double with BOBBIE: A Delaware Lenape elder. Jane and Debra’s mother. Proud, stubborn, set in her ways. She still holds fast to her history and tradition, and is hesitant to try new things. She would never stoop to asking for help or charity from anyone—not even her family. A gifted storyteller, she loves to tell the stories that have been passed down by her ancestors.
Submission Instructions
Please tape the corresponding scene based on the role you are interested in auditioning for: LE-LE-WA’-YOU/JANE: click here for audition scene
TOOSH-KI-PA-KWIS-I /DEBRA: click here for audition scene
SE-KET-TU-MAY-QUA/LUKE: click here for audition scene
MOTHER/BOBBIE: click here for audition scene
Please submit your tape as a YouTube or Vimeo link at the following page:
