Auditions for new “Dr. Frankenstein” by Selma Dimitrijevic

Auditions for the new Gothic drama “Dr. Frankenstein”

at Burien Actors Theatre

This is not your father’s Frankenstein.

In this startlingly fresh, lyrical and haunting contemporary adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Dr. Frankenstein is reimagined as a woman.

Victoria Frankenstein and her articulate Creature tell a thought-provoking story that follows Mary Shelley’s book more closely than other productions, but with wonderful new twists and an exploration of what happens when we don’t try to understand “the other”—and what happens when we do. This is a Northwest premiere.

Burien Actors Theatre is thrilled to be casting Selma Dimitrijevic’s Dr. Frankenstein

Performances are at BAT in Burien from Oct. 5 through Oct. 28, 2018. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Rehearsals begin Aug. 26 at BAT on Sunday afternoons or evenings plus Monday through Thursday evenings, exact times to be determined, until tech week. The focus during the Aug. 26 week of rehearsal will likely be on Victoria and the Creature. In addition, an early table read may be scheduled during the second half of August.

BAT has free on-site parking and is two blocks from the Burien Transit Center.

The directors are Beau Prichard and Barbara Cawley.

$200 stipend provided.

Auditions are at Burien Actors Theatre on Monday, June 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. and Tuesday, June 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. Callbacks will be at Burien Actors Theatre on Wednesday, June 27 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. If any of these dates is problematic for you, don’t let it stop you–please let us know.

Auditions will be in 10-minute slots. You will be provided a monologue from the show to prepare (you do not have to be off book, but please get familiar with it) and you will be asked to deliver it, likely more than once. You should bring your resume and headshot to the audition.

Please make audition appointment:  audition@burienactorstheatre.org, 206-242-5180. Auditions will be held at Burien Actors Theatre, 14501 Fourth Ave S.W., Burien. For directions, go to https://burienactorstheatre.org/about-bat/visit

Character Descriptions/Requirements

NOTE: Seeking actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, gender expressions and physical/mental ability for all roles. Actors do not have to be the ages indicated, but must be able to convincingly portray them. 

 NOTE: This play is set in 1831. Costuming, speech, etc. will be era-appropriate. British dialect is expected for everyone except perhaps the Creature.

Dr. Victoria Frankenstein (early 20s): A singularly driven person. She does not view herself as playing God, she views herself as trying to save mankind from its own mortality. It is the only thing that matters to her. In her culture and her education, her gender has been a constant obstacle to her achievements.

Creature (adult male): A drowning victim who has been brought back to life. We know nothing about the man he was before. He is not necessarily big, but he is very powerful. He cannot be harmed, but he does feel pain. His station in life has made him bitter and angry. Vocal and movement work will be *very* important for this character, so performers with strong grounding in those disciplines are highly encouraged.

Henry (early 20s): A peer of Victoria and Elizabeth. Grew up with the sisters, gets engaged to Elizabeth. Represents the ideals of the age. He has a dream he cannot pursue because of his obligations. It was probably inevitable he would marry into the Frankenstein family.

Elizabeth (early 20s): Victoria’s adopted sister. Also represents the ideas of the age. In the absence of their dead mother, Victoria should have become the “homemaker” to the Frankenstein family. Elizabeth filled this role instead. Strong sense of obligation and propriety.

Justine (late 20s): The caretaker for Dr. Frankenstein’s young son. Did some of her growing up alongside the Frankenstein girls, so is virtually family. She represents the voice and power of religion in this era. She has deeply-held beliefs that are very important to her.

Dr. Frankenstein Senior (40s-60s): A traditional and appropriate patriarch. Has successfully provided for a large family in the absence of his dead wife. Is a physician, has strong religious convictions. His faith in God is more important to him than his faith in science. He loved his wife and lives in the vacuum she left behind with two daughters and a young son.

Mary (40s-60s): The woman who runs the household along with Elizabeth. She has been with the family for many years and is as close as a servant can get to family. She has a quiet strength. She hears much more than she says.

 

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