Produced by Wendy Kaplan Directed by Stephen M. Genovese Equus is a Tony Awardwinning psychological thriller inspired by a true story. Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, is confronted with Alan Strang, a boy who has blinded six horses in a violent fit of passion. To the boy's parents it is a hideous mystery; Alan has always adored horses. Alan's very passion is as foreign to Dysart as the act itself, leaving Dysart to try to unravel the reason why - leading to his own crisis of selfdoubt. To Dysart it is a psychological puzzle that leads both doctor and patient to a complex and disturbingly dramatic confrontation. When revived in 2008 in London and on Broadway, this international success achieved renewed acclaim through its exploration of the relationships between devotion, myth and sexuality.
CHARACTER AND PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
As written, when not actively in a scene, all actors (except Alan and Dysart) remain on stage and are visible throughout the play; at select times they vocalize from sideline benches as "a Greek chorus" and produce the Equus sound. British accents are required for all roles. PLEASE NOTE: The characters of Alan and Jill require full nudity in one scene. We have always been and will continue to be very sensitive to the nature of such vulnerabilities. Our concern for the actors, and their wellbeing, is tantamount to an excellent production. The use of nudity will be limited to only that which is outlined in the rich text of the script by Peter Shaffer. Skokie Theatre is an equal opportunity venue.
Characters: (Note: all ages are approximate. You must be able to believably play the age listed, not necessarily be the age listed).
Martin Dysart (Lead): Male, 39-64 (to play 40-55) A psychiatrist, comes to doubt the value of his own work and perhaps as a result suffers nightmares, in these dreams he sees himself as a high priest killing children in ritual sacrifice rather than healing them.
Alan Strang (Lead): Male, 18-25 (to play 17) Lean, troubled, arrested after blinding six horses at Harry Dalton's stable where he works; full frontal nudity required. Requires Nudity: Yes
Hesther Salomon (Supporting): Female, 40-50 A magistrate and confidant of Dysart.
Dora Strang (Supporting): Female, 40-64 Alan's mother, former school teacher, very religious by nature.
Frank Strang (Supporting): Male, 40-60 Alan's father, a printer by trade, selfdeclared atheist, keeps his business very close to the vest, seems to be hiding something.
Harry Dalton (Supporting): Male, 30-50 The stable owner, affable man who is very bitter about Alan blinding his horses. Will also play one of the Horses.
Jill Mason (Supporting): Female, 1830 (to play 17) Pretty, privileged, sexually curious, middle class; full frontal nudity required. Requires Nudity: Yes
Nuggett (Supporting): Male, 18-30+ The central figure in the stable of horses, must be in good physical condition, a dance background is a plus. Must be able to carry the character of Alan on his back.
Nurse (Supporting): Female, 21-40+ Domineering nurse, doesn't like disorder. Will also play one of the Horses.
Horses (Supporting): Male and Female, 18-41 Must be in good physical condition, dance background is a plus; nonspeaking roles.
Rehearsals to begin Mid-February. Production Dates 4/21 - 5/8.
Two contrasting modern dramatic monologues, one of which shows a British dialect. Each monologue should be no more than two minutes in length. SPECIAL NOTE - Those interested in auditioning for one of the Horses will be asked to briefly exhibit movement skills these actors need not be dancers, but must possess a strong sense of body and physical self. Please dress accordingly for the audition.