Open Call Auditions for iLLA!, A Hip Hop Musical
Location: NYC
Type: Theater
SEEKING excellent singers and rappers for a concert of the songs from the new musical, iLLA!, A Hip Hop Musical, presented as part of the 2016 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF).
Rehearsals: on/about July 18 – 28 in NYC
Performances: July 29 @ 5pm, July 31 @ 9pm & August 2 @ 9pm in NYC
SEEKING:
[PRINCE] African American male, early 20s. Our protagonist, Nerdy, socially awkward, but can be charming, articulate, and emotional. Attending community college for dance, but has dreams of leaving that life for a hip-hop career. A little corny but is capable of a “rougher” side if pushed too far. Not fully comfortable in his own skin. Very much influenced by hip-hop culture, but unsure if he fits in that world. Excellent rapper and R&B singer.
No dancing is required for this concert version.
[POP] African American male, late 40’s to early 50’s. Prince’s step-father. Worked at an automobile factory but was laid off when the factory was shut down. Good looking. Alpha male. Speaks his mind. Passionate. Prideful. Stubborn. R&B singer who can perform spoken word poetry.
[MOM] African American female, mid to late 40’s. Community college African-American studies professor who is trying to keep her family together through the 2008 Financial Crisis. Strong, assertive, great sense of humor, confident. R&B/Gospel singer.
[GARY] African American male, late 20’s to early 30’s. College Dropout with aspirations of being a self-made businessman. Takes Prince under his wing to take over the rap industry. Fun, energetic, carefree, slick, charismatic. A hustler. Does not take life too seriously. Talkative. Greedy. Selfish. Rapper and R&B singer.
[STACY] Caucasian female, early 20s. New dance student at community college. Was forced to transfer from bigger school because of financial hardships during the recession. Attractive, assertive, confident, trendy, impulsive, brash. Influenced by hip hop culture. R&B/Pop singer.
[BIG TREY] Caucasian male, early-mid 20s. Talented local battle rapper with an incredible buzz around the industry. On his way to signing a major deal. Tough, arrogant, aggressive, thug. A leader. Ability to freestyle. Can be rude. Rapper.
[MORGAN] African American female mid-late 20s. Running for City Council, very active community leader, charismatic, ambitious, the voice of reason. R&B singer.
[SLIM] Any ethnicity, late 20’s to early 30’s. Gary’s friend, works as a young executive for a major hip-hop record label. Had ties to the streets at one point, but since traded that life for the corporate life. Responsible, a bit of a push over – but a hard worker, thinks business first, nice guy, good looking, professional but has swagger. Rapper and singer.
[JORGE] Latino male, early 20s. Good looking, fun, athletic build. A ladies man. Only wants the best for his best friend Prince. Cool, suave, romantic swagger. Jokes around a lot but supports Prince with everything he does. Rapper and singer.
[LEONARD] Caucasian male, early 20s. A musical theatre fanatic, bubbly, happy, optimistic, accepting of all people, brings out Prince’s inner geek. Rapper and singer.
[CIPHERS] Males and Females; any ethnicities; lead narrators. Versatile actors who are strong singers and rappers to play a variety of roles, including corporate executives, college students, loan shark, etc.
iLLA!: adjective, slang – Exceedingly ill. Greater than. More superior.
Set against the challenges of the 2008 U.S. financial meltdown we meet Prince, a classically trained dancer who dreams of becoming a famous rap star. After suffering a humiliating defeat at a leading open mic competition, Prince struggles to redeem himself in the eyes of his friends and family. He falls hard for a girl named Stacy but his father’s prejudices threaten to tear them apart. Can Prince overcome his fears and trouble home life to achieve his Hip Hop dreams? It’s a journey of Swagger, Survival, and the Search for Self. Do you have what it takes to be iLLA?
Open to AEA and non-AEA performers
SALARY – $550/stipend
AUDITION INFORMATION
Tuesday, June 21st from 10:00am to 5:00pm (sign-up begins at 9:30am)
Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 8th Avenue, 16th fl
WHAT TO PREPARE
Please prepare a short pop/rock or rap song of choice and bring accompanying sheet music (accompanist will be provided) or track accompaniment.
Please bring a picture/resume, stapled, and book of music.
If you are unable to attend the audition, please send a picture/resume to: illasubmissions@gmail.com ASAP
Visit: www.illathemusical.com for more information.
Payment: Paid
City or Location of call: New York City
Please submit to: See above for details.
This casting notice was posted by: David Coffman