Call for Actors and Mentee Directors
Anahita’s Republic
Written and produced by AuTash Productions
Supervising Producer Kristi Hansen
Directed by Brian Dooley
Rehearsals will be held April 25 – May 14, 2023 in Edmonton, AB
Production scheduled May 16 – June 4, 2023 at the Backstage Theatre in Edmonton, AB
Call for Actors and Mentee Directors
The production has opportunities for Alberta-based actors and mentee directors. All are encouraged to submit. Preference will be given to those from Iran and all countries from that region (e.g, Iraq, Syria, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey).
About the Show:
Anahita’s Republic is a provocative thriller set in Tehran, Iran. Many strong, educated, and committed women work under the constant threat of harassment and imprisonment to advance their rights and the well-being of their countries. It is a struggle for which some women have sacrificed their lives. Anahita’s Republic is set in the wealthy compound of Anahita who refuses to wear the hijab and rules her own republic where she can be free to live, dress, and speak as she pleases. To deal with the world outside her gate, she controls the family business and the life of her brother Cyrus, whose freedom and happiness are sacrificed for her dreams. One night, on the eve of an important secret meeting between leaders of the women’s movement, a Muslim woman in a chador comes to Anahita’s compound, carrying explosive secrets that might destroy everything Anahita has tried to build.
About AuTash:
In Farsi, AuTash simply means “fire.” Fire, like words and ideas, can play many different roles. It can burn away stereotypes revealing the people behind them. It can also light the way to new understanding and appreciation for a part of the world rarely seen on Alberta stages. That’s what AuTash hopes their writing can do.
Development History:
Anahita’s Republic was developed with the support of (among others): Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre development program, Vern Thiessen, Brenley Charkow, Brian Dooley, Mūkonzi wa Mūsyoki, Mohammad Yaghoubi and Aida Keykhaii. The play has had professional readings at Workshop West and Script Salon in Edmonton, and at Tarragon Theatre and NOWADAYS (In-roozha) Theatre in Toronto.
Acting Roles to be Cast:
- Anahita: A woman in her mid-thirties, well educated and powerful
- Cyrus: Anahita’s younger brother, also in his thirties. Involved in politics at the instigation of his sister.
- Omid: A woman in her early twenties.
- Masood: Omid’s father, in his late fifties.
The producers will give preference to Alberta-based actors from Iran and all countries from that region. Submissions from out-of-province actors are welcome. Accents are welcome. Actors auditioning for the character of Anahita should be comfortable wearing a swimming suit on stage. Actors auditioning for the character of Omid should be comfortable wearing a chador on stage.
Director Mentees:
The producers will give preference to female or non-binary Alberta-based emerging or beginning directors from Iran and all countries from that region. Successful candidates will work closely with mentor Brian Dooley. Brian is an actor, director, dramaturg, and writer who has been active in Canadian theatre for over forty years, including posts as Director of New Play Development at the Citadel Theatre and Artistic Director at UniThéâtre, Alberta’s only professional francophone theatre. Brian currently teaches at the National Theatre School of Canada. He remains very proud and honoured to have participated as an international juror at the 28th Fajr International Theatre Festival in Tehran.
Submission Process:
ACTORS:
Please submit headshots and resumes. Selected artists will be contacted for further auditions and discussions. A full script is available upon request. Performers will be engaged under CAEA or CAEA-equivalent contracts for three weeks of rehearsal and three weeks of performance (including tech days). Per diems and accommodation will be provided for out-of-town actors.
DIRECTOR MENTEES:
Please submit resumes with references. Selected artists will be contacted for further discussions. A full script is available upon request. Mentees will be compensated with an honorarium.
Please email all submissions and/or questions to AuTashProductions@gmail.com
