Tonight Strand Theater Company will hold auditions for its 2010 Friends and Neighbors Festival: Works by Women sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council. The mission of the Friends and Neighbors Festival is to provide local playwrights with space to showcase new works, while offering patrons affordable theater. Please prepare a 1- minute monologue. Actors may be asked to cold read.

Place: Strand Theater, 1823 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Date: TODAY, Monday, May 10, 2010
Time:  6:30-8 pm
Prepare: 1-minute monologue

CASTING FOR THE FOLLOWING PLAYS . . .

The XX Chromosome Genome Project
Written by S. Ann Johnson
Directed by Alvin E. Ford Jr.
The XX Chromosome Genome Project” is a multicultural choreopoem that explores the similarities and differences of American women through spoken word poetry, song and dance.
Production Dates: June 3, 4, 5, 2010 at 8pm
Cast: Six women of various races: 1 African American, 1 Caucasian, 1 Latina American, 1 Asian American, 1 Native American, 1 Mixed Heritage (half Black/half White).  Experience with spoken word and choreography encouraged.

How I Learned to Eat Pussy
Written by Kate Bishop
INSPIRATION: Carulli Boccadoro: “Human sexuality is not simply imposed by instinct or stereotypical conducts, as it happens in animals, but it is influenced both by superior mental activity and by social, cultural, educational and normative characteristics of those places where the subjects grow up and their personality develops. Consequently, analysis of the sexual sphere must be based on the convergence of several lines of development such as affectivity, emotions and relations”.
Production Dates:  June 10, 11, 12, 2010
Cast: Four Women, all mid-thirties

The Ladies of Libraryland
Written by Ronda Cooperstein
Midtown librarians Charlotte and Lillian find their work world threatened when an imposing new manager takes over the branch. 
Production Dates:  June 17, 18, 19, 2010
Cast:
CHARLOTTE MAGILL: The collection specialist at the Midtown Branch Library; mildly attractive and modestly dressed woman in her mid-fifties whose work in the back room of the library defines her.
LILLIAN LANE: The branch storyteller who serves as Charlotte’s liason to the staff. Lillian dresses in bold colors and styles, and has a gypsy-like appearance. She is also in her mid-fifties.
ALETHIA MERCER: Ms. Mercer is a properly attired professional who has a strained but determined appearance.

Maybe Limbo
Written by Jobie Watson
Maybe Limbo is a comedy about a woman (Lyla) learning to feel. As she is prodded forward by her alternate ego, Hermes, Lyla uncovers heart frustrations set in motion by her father and confront him one last time. Mata and Hermes prod Lyla to the point of ditching her denial. Despite Lyla’s charming evasion, Hermes is determined to hold the mirror to Lyla’s heart even if it breaks.
Production Dates: June 24, 25, 26, 2010
Cast:
HERMES: African American female mid 20’s to late 40’s
LYLA: Caucasian woman in her late 20’s to mid 30’s (some dance experience, comfortable expressing oneself to music)
RAMI: Either African American, Hispanic or Middle Eastern 20’s – 30’s (younger than Lyla), Mata’s “cousin”
MATA: mid 20’s to late 30’s – Hispanic or Middle Eastern descent, Rami’s “cousin”
MAN: Caucasian man 50’s and up (women encouraged to audition for this role)
STACY: mid 20’s, white or Hispanic