CASTING LIVE PERFORMANCE COMTE DES CIERGES (THE KEEPER OF THE CANDLES)
Comte Des Cierges is a Live Performance commissioned by Montez Press Radio and The Kitchen. It is an in-situ performance which will simultaneously be broadcast as an audio play. The piece was written by Carlos Cotto, an NYC doorman at the time, as part of the Theaterworks! Program with the Working Theater. Theaterworks provides writing and performance classes for working people, to help combat the sense of alienation in the workplace brought about by modern life, and providing a non-threatening creative environment in which to explore the meaning of labor and people’s relationship to it.
Comte Des Cierges literally translates to The Keeper of the Candles, a servant responsible for maintaining the lighting and cleanliness of medieval palaces, and is the origin of the word Concierge. Part happening, part play, the story takes place in the lobby of a condo building, and the production will be staged in an actual functioning building lobby in NYC.
Comte des Cierges (The Keeper of the Candles)
Commissioners: Montez Press Radio, The Kitchen
Directors: Carlos Cotto, Salome Oggenfuss
Writer: Carlos Cotto
Casting: Geraldine Baron, Salome Oggenfuss
Performance Date: Feb/March ‘23 - 1 day TBD
Additional Dates: Table Read (Jan ‘23), Rehearsal (Feb ‘23).
Compensation: $150 flat rate
Location: NYC
HOW TO APPLY
Please click on the button below. If you have any questions please contact us: casting@castingdouble.com
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
For all the roles in the performance, we are considering both actors as well as people without any prior acting experience. The spirit of the production is to encourage experimentation, dialogue around the themes as well as foster creative collaboration. An interest in Performance Art, Epic Theater and Anarchist Theater a plus (but not necessary). We welcome anyone with an interest in collaborating on costuming, set, make-up and production.
[CONCIERGE]: Male, ages 40-60. Long-standing concierge at a NYC condo building. New Yorker, Brooklyn accent. Humorous and has a big personality. Union-type guy.
[DOORMAN]: Male, ages 25-45. POC. Works together with the concierge but is newer to the trade, and a bit more wide-eyed. Intelligent and socially adept, grew up without much access to resources.
[VISITOR]: Female, POC. All ages. Old soul. Enigmatic. Clever. Could be from another universe.
[RESIDENT #1]: Caucasian male, all ages. Well intentioned but in denial of his upper class status. This results in him thinking of himself as a kind of savior. Conspiracy-minded, likes talking about the Illuminati.
[RESIDENT#2]: Any age, gender or ethnicity. A nice guy but perhaps overly good-natured and leans towards toxic positivity. Has lived very comfortably throughout the years, somewhat self-important, and a bit of a know-it all.
[RESIDENT #3]: Any gender or ethnicity, ages 20-40. Wants to help but tends to make things worse. Grew up with privilege. Very confident.
[RESIDENT #4]: Any age, gender or ethnicity. Artist or creative type. Estranged from or fed up with social norms - takes liberties in the building and in life. In an act of rebellion, at one point in the performance they strip down to their underwear (the person playing this role must be comfortable stripping down to underwear).
[RESIDENT #5]: Female, any age or ethnicity. Her limited experience with people outside of her own circles has made her into a bit of a ‘Karen’. She can be bossy and resent people. Often thinks she’s being targeted.
[OLD LADY]: Female, all ethnicities, all ages. Likable, sympathetic. Please note: the role is a woman in her 60-80s but we are open to casting a person of any age (18+) to play her.
[DELIVERY GUY]: Male, ages 20-40, POC. Delivery worker for a shipping company.