Steven Spielberg will be holding auditions for a lead role in his upcoming movie.
The Spielberg movie has been holding online auditions for some months now and has an open casting call scheduled for this weekend. Auditions are also being held in other cities in the US and Canada this weekend as well. The nationwide talent search is for a child actor to take on the lead role in the upcoming drama, “THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA.” The auditions are for the lead role of Edgardo, a Jewish boy living in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who finds himself kidnapped by the church to be raised as a Christian. “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” is based on a book of the same name which was written back in 1997 by Pulitzer Prize winner David Kertzer. “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara” is being adapted for the movie by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner.
and focuses on the struggle that his parents faced in trying to get their son back. His story and abduction turned into a large political battle between the Papacy and the forces of democracy in Italy.
Spielberg’s company, Amblin Entertainment is searching worldwide for a 6 to 9 year-old child actor who is able to take on the role. According to the casting directors on the project, they are seeking “someone truly special, gifted, curious and intelligent with a mischievous streak.” The child actor needs to be able to portray a Jewish Italian boy and the film is seeking a child that physically looks to be Italian.
The casting directors are considering children who do not have acting experience along with children who do. The movie will be filming in Europe beginning in April 2017.
Steven Spielberg is also holding open online auditions / video auditions for the lead, speaking role Edgardo Mortara. The casting search is open to English speaking children worldwide and online auditions will be closing soon.
Online auditions:
EDGARDO — BOY age 6-9 to play 6. This is a unique & very challenging part for a truly special boy. The story deals w/the complexity of an extremely intelligent & gifted child’s situation – his desire to return to his family & the faith of his ancestors, pitted against his ability to learn the Catechism & engage w/the Pope on a level far beyond his years. He should appear to be a Jewish Italian child. We are not looking for any kind of Italian accent. LEAD.
NOTE — Several CD’s are covering THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA, in partnership w/overall CD Ellen Lewis/ UK CD Nina Gold: We (Debbie DeLisi/DeLisi Creative) are covering talent that live in all regions in the US/Canada, EXCEPT for LA (CD Tannis Vallely) & NYC (Rori Bergman). If based in LA or NYC, please submit to Tannis or Rori. If talent is based in any other area — please submit to us below:
All submissions should go through the casting website: https://www.castittalent.com/TKOEM.
Toronto
Saturday, February 4th / 9am – 1pm
JP Studios
400 Eastern Avenue, Suite 201A
Toronto, Ontario M4M 2K9
Miami
Sunday, February 5th / 10am – 5pm
Dave & Mary Alper Jewish Community Center
11155 SW 112 Ave. Miami, FL 33176
Vancouver
Sunday, February 5th / 10am – 4pm
Shoreline Studios
1425 Charles St Vancouver, BC V5L 2S7
Chicago
Sunday, February 12 / 10am – 5pm
Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center
300 Revere Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062