Audition Notices

If you are a musician in addition to being an actor, please also include a short musical performance that gives me an idea of your range and skill level. If you are a vocalist, a verse of a folk song or "happy birthday" will do. I am particularly looking for the following instruments, but all are welcome:

• Guitar
• Banjo
• Mandolin
• Upright bass
• Flute
• Violin or fiddle

If you are a dancer or mover in addition to being an actor, please include a short movement performance that showcases your mobility and your ability to physically embody a story. This can be something choreographed to a short piece of music, to the poem you performed, or dance-like interpretation of a feeling.

Callbacks will be held in a few segments:

Musician callbacks

I'll be meeting with each musician in small groups or one on one to suss out their musical ability by teaching a short segment of a piece I've written for the show. With instrumentalists this will look like 'jamming' with me for 5 min, for vocalists I will be teaching them some harmonies to see how quickly they pick things up and how well they are able to blend voices.

Actor callbacks

There are some very important monologues in this play, so I will be asking some folks to read a paragraph or a verse, then make adjustments in the moment to see how they take direction.

Group movement workshop, chemistry reads

On the final day of callbacks I would like to have my movement designer open the day with a warmup that explores physical storytelling, followed by chemistry reads.

Initial auditions may be submitted via self-tape, but I will hold an in-person day for those who wish to appear in person.

Actor callbacks and chemistry reads may be accomplished via a video call if the actor is unable to attend in person.

Albert Einstein (Male, 25-35): A brilliant patent clerk on the verge of publishing his theory of relativity. He embodies the scientific perspective in the play, engaging in philosophical discussions with Picasso about the value of their respective field.

Pablo Picasso (Male, 25-35): A charismatic, arrogant young artist representing the world of art, just discovering Cubism. He is depicted as passionate and creative, on the verge of creating his groundbreaking work, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon." His interactions with Einstein explore the nature of genius and creativity.

Freddy (Male, 30’s-50’s): The owner and bartender of the Lapin Agile. He is portrayed as simpleminded yet occasionally insightful, often breaking the fourth wall to engage with the audience. Freddy represents the everyday man amidst the genius of Picasso and Einstein.

Germaine (Female, 30’s-50’s): Freddy's mistress and a waitress at the bar. She is characterized as confident and assertive, providing a counterbalance to the male characters' discussions.

Sagot (Male or Female, 30’s-40’s):: Picasso's cynical, business-minded art dealer.

Suzanne (Female, 20’s-30’s): A young woman infatuated with Picasso.

The Countess (Female, 30’s-40’s): An extremely intelligent and attractive woman, with whom Einstein is infatuated. She thinks like he does, being the one person to really understand him in the play.

Gaston (Male, 40’s-50’s): An elderly, prostate-troubled French philosopher who provides comedic interludes. He often focuses on mundane topics, such as sex and drinking, providing humor and contrast to the intellectual discussions of Picasso and Einstein.

Charles Dabernow Schmendiman (Male, 30’s-40’s): An aspiring inventor who believes he is a genius but lacks true understanding. He serves as a comedic foil to Picasso and Einstein, representing commercialism and the misguided pursuit of fame.

The Mysterious Visitor (Male, 20’s-40’s): A mysterious, charismatic, dark-haired figure from the future (Elvis Presley) who appears to provide anachronistic pop-culture wisdom. He adds a layer of absurdity and represents the idea that genius can transcend time and academic understanding.