DANCE NATION
By Clare Barron
Definitely Human Theatre
NEW AUDITION DATE:
Thursday, July 13th at 7pm.
If you are unable to attend this new audition day and can't film a self tape, please reach out to definitelyhumantheatre@gmail.com
Self tapes will also be accepted through the 13th until 11:59pm.
Follow the link below for guidelines on auditioning virtually.
https://forms.gle/2Xyw7EU9Jssmmegp8
The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Directors: Joey Taylor, Vanessa Baer
Choreographer: Brooke Wallace
Rehearsal Period: July 16 - September 7
Performance Dates: September 8 - 17, Fridays, Saturdays at 8p; Sundays at 3p
Project description:
Everyone is nice.
Everyone is vulnerable.
And everyone is trying their hardest.
Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they’ll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. An unorthodox play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all.
Cuteness is death. Pagan feral-ness and ferocity are key.
Winner! 2015 Relentless Award
Winner! 2017 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
Finalist 2018 Pulitzer prize
“A blazingly original play… marvel at how close what you see cuts to the bone.” – The New York Times
“I have seen the future, and it is Dance Nation.” – The Washington Post
“If you were ever a 13-year-old girl, Clare Barron’s daring, raw Dance Nation will probably hit you hard {...} It’s a brave, visceral, excitingly off-kilter barbaric yawp of a play. And it gets at something excruciatingly tender: the burden of modesty on young American women.” – New York Magazine
Audition Safety protocols:
In order to provide a safe, accessible space, masks will be required at auditions and throughout the rehearsal process. Masks will be available at auditions if needed
Please prepare: Nothing!
Sides will be available at auditions. Brownie points if you read the play. If you’d like to check out the sides in advance, email us @ definitelyhumantheatre@gmail.com Come prepared to participate in theatre games/movement activities and for learning choreography (Dress comfortably, stay hydrated! Knee pads are suggested.)
Content Transparency: This show contains coarse language, depictions of self-harm, simulated masturbation and descriptions of masturbation, sex and sexual violence.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
*Although the characters in the play, with the exception of Dance Teacher Pat and Luke, are women, all roles are open to 18+ actors of any gender.
Similarly, all roles are open to actors of any ethnicity with the exception of Connie, who must be played by an actor of South Asian descent.
**DANCE TEACHER PAT: The head of the dance studio.
AMINA: The star dancer.
*This role requires simulated masturbation.
ZUZU: Always second best.
CONNIE: A talented dancer who thinks she should play the role of Gandhi.
*This role requires a simulated kiss.
*Actor must be of South Asian descent
LUKE: The only male dancer on the competition team.
MAEVE: The oldest and least talented dancer on the team.
SOFIA: Knows what’s up.
ASHLEE: Future president of a post-apocalyptic USA.
*This role requires a simulated kiss.
CRUMPLED SAILOR aka VANESSA: Could’ve been a phenomenon
THE MOMS: Means well. Grown-up wendy. Also plays Vanessa.
**Role of DANCE TEACHER PAT has been fulfilled as of 6/1/23