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Auditions for 'Love and Information'

Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Durham Studio Theater (Dwinelle Hall)
The Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) invites current UC Berkeley students to audition for its Fall 2021 workshop/reading of "Love and Information" by Caryl Churchill, directed by Peter Glazer. Synopsis: Caryl Churchill is one of the most vital and renowned playwrights writing in English today, and has been for the last 50 years. "Love and Information" (2012) contains 37 scenes, almost all written for two actors. Each scene catches its characters in a moment of truth: a secret revealed, a relationship tested, a hard question asked, an assumption challenged. There are no stage directions, no character names are provided, and no gender identities are specified. Every scene creates its own world, and introduces us to people searching for meaning, clarity, understanding, and love. The content encompasses interpersonal relationships, social tensions, international politics, emotional distress, memory, and spirituality, among many other topics. No character in the play appears more than once, so every actor will play multiple roles. Called “an exhilarating theatrical kaleidoscope” by The Guardian, the play is as challenging as it is profound. By the end of "Love and Information," we may have learned more about the human condition, and the world we live in, than a single, more traditional play could offer. The workshop process will involve nine three-hour rehearsal blocks, culminating in a public sharing, all in the space of two weeks. The play will not be staged, and memorization will not be required. What will be required is an energetic commitment to the process, a collaborative spirit, and an interest in playing many different roles. Our purpose is to gain understanding of the play through reading and discussion; to delve into its world and see where it takes us. On first reading, you will likely find the play quite mysterious, even opaque. By the end of the workshop, I believe you will have experienced its magic. Trigger Warning: Some scenes in the play depict emotional or mental distress, describe the experience of natural disasters, or refer to incidents of violence. Casting: We are looking for a cast of 14 actors. Students of all racial, ethnic, gender, and dis/ability identities are invited to audition. All bodies, sizes, neuro-abilities, accents and dialects are also welcome. Commitment: Students cast in the show are committing to be available for all indicated calls on the Production Calendar and must enroll in Theater 98 for one unit. Visit the TDPS Callboard for schedules and syllabi. Open Call Auditions: Auditions will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 6pm–10pm PT. Audition sign ups will be posted on the TDPS Callboard on Monday, August 9, 2021. Please be prepared to perform a one- to two-minute contemporary monologue of your choosing. A memorized monologue is preferred. If you do not have one, we will provide script materials for a cold reading. You may also be asked to read script materials after you have performed your monologue. Additional Information: We are also seeking students interested in serving as assistant director, dramaturg, or stage manager. Please email Peter Glazer (prg@berkeley.edu) if any of these positions interests you. Students serving in these positions will register for the same class as the actors, receive the same credit, and have the same time commitment.