Violet Surprise Theatre seeks actor submissions for our 10-minute play festival, HystericalFest, produced by Paula Kamen, Allison Fradkin, Iris Sowlat, Terri Hudson, and Pearlie Leaf.

Our philosophy: For centuries, a way to diagnose women or people of marginalized genders for hysteria was if they were dramatic and seeking attention about their otherwise invisible illness. In this short comedy festival, we are turning the tables, embracing the forbidden, literally "acting out." Comedy reflects the absurdity of our experiences, and theatre provides a way to literally relieve isolation, build community, and confront stigma.

HystericalFest will consist of 10 short plays and monologues presented at Piven Theatre in Evanston on Friday, August 28th at 7 pm, Saturday August 29th at 3 pm and 7 pm (masked performances), and Sunday, August 30th at 2 pm. Rehearsals will take place from June 21st to August 27th. The rehearsal process will start with a full company read-through of the festival - date to be determined based on actor availability. After that, there will be 5 rehearsals scheduled for each play surrounding actor availability and set at each director's discretion. Tech week will be at Piven from Monday August 24th - Thursday August 27th.

Actors can be cast in one to two pieces each (no more than two) and will receive a stipend of $100.

PLAYS & PARTS AVAILABLE

"1900s Women Bonding" by Catherine Weingarten (play)
In this short comedy inspired by "The Yellow Wallpaper," two housewives in the 1900s bond over having hysteria and wonder if they have any control over their fates.

Cassandra - 20s, very friendly, likes needlepointing pics of her pet poodle Marie - 20s, regretful, constantly drinking bougie tea

"Heard Mentality" by Allison Fradkin (play)
This play takes a universal experience, in this case a first date, and allows the audience to experience it through the eyes (and ears) of someone who is hearing-impaired, showing how pre-date jitters and insecurities about making a good first impression, which everyone relates to, can be amplified if a person has a disability.

Ada - has a hearing impairment, female-identifying, open age, open ethnicity. This character should be played by an actor with a hearing impairment.
Left E - a hearing aid, any gender, open age, open ethnicity
Right E - a hearing aid, any gender, open age, open ethnicity

"Proud of My Name" by Bruce Karp (monologue)
With an unusual name, Beneatha is already subjected to rude comments by her contemporaries. During a police incident, because a woman of color is involved, she is treated badly, roughed up, and ultimately dismissed, with no apology once the truth of her disability is made known. A kind older black man comes to her rescue and helps her feel seen.

Beneatha - a young black woman, 25-30

***This performance will be pre-recorded and screened at the festival. Preference will be given to a disabled and/or chronically ill performer for whom performing in person is an access barrier.***

"My Friend Endo" by Emily Golden (play)
This is the story of a woman trying to establish care with a doctor. She's been assured many times that her stomach pain is nothing to worry about -- just an ordinary part of being a woman. But... finally...this doctor notices something that might explain her pain.

Hannah - 30s, f, has learned to deal with her constant debilitating pain with remarkable matter-of-factness
Dr. Stern - any age, any gender, attentive and caring

"The Body Play" by Madison Wetzell (play)
Something is very wrong with Amy's Body. One protagonist is played by two actors: a detached, neurotic Mind and her chaotic, screaming Body. A meditation on the absurdity of chronic illness and being alive.

Amy - Amy's mind, disembodied. Female, 20s-30s.
The Body - Amy's body. Just the body. Female, 20s-30s.

"The Side Effect" by Paula Kamen (play)
An absurd look at the desperation and isolation of invisible illness. A woman realizes her boyfriend, who she was just about to dump, can relieve her Crohn's symptoms with pills made from his unusually rich and premium-grade poop. All is well until she realizes one unfortunate -- and ridiculous -- side effect.

Nicole - F. Beleaguered and desperate.
Brian - M. Super-nice guy, almost too nice. Has very prominent acne and patchy baldness.

"Task Paralysis" by Pearlie Blue Leaf (play)
Sadie has always struggled with executive dysfunction, chalking it up to her just not trying hard enough, until an unexpected visitor appears and enlightens her.

Sadie - 20s-30s, woman or femme-presenting person of any race/ethnic origin who struggles with adhd and/or autism with some anxiety sprinkled in. Anyone femme-presenting or non-binary can play this role, but it's important that the adhd/audhd be portrayed as it presents in women+.

Demon - any age, gender, or race. Very physical -- must be able to move well and speak in a spooky voice. Pure chaos. A showman with an imaginary audience. Almost like a Disney sidekick or villain - think Hades, Genie from Aladdin, Dr. Facilier with a little Robot Devil from Futurama thrown in. Have FUN with this role!

"A Blind Lesbian" Walks into a Bar (monologue) Iris Sowlat's true story about the intersection of her visual impairment (achromatopsia) and being a lesbian.

Iris - F, any age 21+, any ethnicity. This character should be played by an actor with a visual impairment.

***This performance can be either pre-recorded and screened or performed live at the festival. Preference will be given to a disabled and/or chronically ill performer for whom performing in person is an access barrier.***

"Live a Little" by Allie Costa (play)
In this heartfelt examination of the way we judge others and ourselves, a hospital administrator trying to hide her chronic illness has an unexpected conversation with a bubbly young nurse that leaves a lasting impression on them both.

Vira - Female. 30s. A highly professional and efficient hospital administrator who helps others more than she helps herself. She takes great pains to hide her illness (chronic migraines), and normally she succeeds, but today has been rough and her mask is wearing thin. Any ethnicity. Pronounced Veer-ah.

Evie - Female. 24. Nurse. Vira's co-worker. Vibrant and bubbly. Genuinely kind. Elle Woods meets Keeley Jones. Any ethnicity.