The Metal Shop Performance Lab & JunkHeart (Tatiana Pavela and Alex Mallory) are seeking video submissions from non-union actors based in the Chicago area for ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE by Alice Birch, directed by Alex Mallory.

Please submit 2 minutes of existing video material along with a headshot and resume by Monday, April 27 at noon. You may submit sides or monologues. You do not need to prepare anything new for this submission. No accents (other than your own), please. Thank you! bt` Callbacks will take place May 10-12. We will contact actors by May 1st to schedule individual callbacks and provide materials. Rehearsals will take place in Chicago. Performances will take place at Redtwist Theatre in Edgewater.

Pay
$500.00 stipend for main cast, $200.00 stipend for understudies.
50% paid at first rehearsal, 50% at closing.

Casting Note
Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and their descriptions are limiting. Our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. (Language adapted from Emily Tarquin and Kevin Kantor)

Actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, (dis)abilities and sizes are encouraged to submit.

Breakdown
BONNIE: 20's/30's. QPOC, bi-racial. An ER doctor, attempting the depression and compounded trauma of her mother and grandmother, struggles to return Jo's affection.

JO: 30's. Queer, any ethnicity. A fisherwoman who falls in love with Bonnie. Also plays LAURA (Carol's classmate), LOLA (a midwife), WOMAN.

CAROL: ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Seeking Understudy. 30's/40's. White or white-presenting. Holding on for her daughter's sake but can't find her own reasons to continue.

JOHN: 30's-50's. White or white-presenting. Carol's husband and Anna's father, a train conductor. Trying to be there for his wife and help her find solid ground, and attempting to reconnect with his adult daughter ten years later.

ANNA: ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Seeking Understudy. 20's/30's. White or white-presenting. Struggling with addiction, wants to have a baby.

JAMIE: 30's. POC. Anna's husband and Bonnie's father, a documentary filmmaker. Working to give Anna what she thinks she needs to build their life together, and struggling to help his daughter let go of the past.

ENSEMBLE 1, FEMALE-IDENTIFYING, AS CAST: 30's/40's. Any ethnicity. Roles include EMMA (John's sister), KAREN (a realtor), DAISY (John's niece), ESTHER (a one night stand), MAY (a nurse), DIANE (a doctor).

ENSEMBLE 2, FEMALE-IDENTIFYING, AS CAST: teens/20's. White or white-presenting. To play ages 6-16. Roles include YOUNG DAISY (John's niece), YOUNG ANNA, and CHILD.

ENSEMBLE 3, MALE-IDENTIFYING, AS CAST: 30's. Any ethnicity. Roles include DAN (Anna's friend), DAVE (a realtor), FELIX (a doctor), LUKE (a patient).

ENSEMBLE 4, MALE-IDENTIFYING, AS CAST: 30's/40's. Any ethnicity. Roles include TIM (Bonnie's coworker), TOBY (Emma's husband), MARK (a doctor).

SEEKING UNDERSTUDIES FOR ALL ROLES.

*Actors may also be asked to play additional non-speaking roles in other scenes.

*Seeking ensemble actors who can create recognizably different characters within a grounded, naturalistic performance.

Other
This play is written like a musical score, with three scenes happening simultaneously onstage for most of the play. A facility with rhythm and music will be an asset to all performers.

Disclosures
This play deals heavily with themes of suicide, depression, addiction and family trauma.
Intimacy will be staged in collaboration with a trained intimacy director.
Bonnie changes onstage from a swimsuit into dry clothing. This moment will be staged in collaboration with the intimacy director and designers to ensure the comfort of the actor.
Ensemble 2 smokes, drinks, and swears in the play. Any young person submitting should be aware of this content prior to accepting a role.