CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:

For THE GREAT LEAP by Lauren Yee, seeking:

Manford: Male-presenting, 18-22, plays 17, male-identifying, Chinese-American; intense, scrappy, runs into trouble, attacks the rim with a ruthless crossover; not tall; more Allen Iverson than Jeremy Lin. Ethnicity: Asian (preferably Chinese).

Connie: Female-presenting, 20-29; plays 25, Chinese-American; Manford's cousin and UC Berkeley grad student; level-headed, big picture; a Chris Paul/Klay Thompson type. Ethnicity: Asian (preferably Chinese).

Wen Chang: Male-presenting, 35-49; plays 43, male-identifying, Chinese; coach of Beijing University's men's basketball team; observant, efficient; favors three pointers over aggressive inside shots; Tim Duncan would appreciate his energy; his English is formal, but relatively unaccented. Ethnicity: Asian (preferably Chinese).

Saul: Male-presenting, 45-59; plays 52, male-identifying, Jewish, coach of University of San Francisco's Men's Basketball Team; a trash-talking, shot-blocking, washed-up Larry Bird.

SYNOPSIS: When an American college basketball team travels to Beijing for a “friendship” game in the post-Cultural Revolution 1980s, both countries try to tease out the politics behind this newly popular sport. Cultures clash as the Chinese coach tries to pick up moves from the Americans and Chinese-American player Manford spies on his opponents. Inspired by events in her own father’s life, Yee “applies a devilishly keen satiric eye to…her generation (and its parents).”

For BECOMING DR. RUTH by Mark St. Germain seeking:

Dr. Ruth Westheimer: Female-presenting, 55-65; preferably approximately 5 ft. 3. Filled with an indomitable life force, boundless energy and a strength that carried her from escaping the Holocaust to becoming Dr. Ruth. Must be accomplished with accents, comedic and dramatic ability to portray many ages. This is a one-person play, therefore a tour-de-force performance for the actor selected. Ethnicity: Jewish, German-American.

SYNOPSIS: Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a sniper, to her struggle to succeed as a single mother newly-arrived in America, Mark St. Germain deftly illuminates this remarkable woman’s untold story. BECOMING DR. RUTH is filled with the humor, honesty, and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth,” America’s most famous sex therapist.

For CHICKEN & BISCUITS by Douglas Lyons seeking:

Baneatta Mabry: Female-presenting, 40-55; an upstanding and stern Christian woman. Mother to Kenny and Simone, and wife to Reginald. She’s overbearingly full of love, but quite uptight and stubborn in her religious ways. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Reginald Mabry: male-presenting, 40-55; Baneatta’s faithful husband and the new pastor of their home church. He’s the peacemaker of the family. Reginald is a ball of love, with a side of corny Dad jokes. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Kenny Mabry: male-presenting, 25-30; Baneatta and Reginald’s youngest child. He’s proudly queer but cowers in the presence of his mother. Kenny bites when he needs to, but at the end of the day he just wants to be loved. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Logan Leibowitz: male-presenting, 25-30; Kenny’s neurotic and dramatic Jewish boyfriend of 4 years. He often spins himself into a tizzy, but always wants to be there for Kenny. Logan's weed pen is his crutch for tough times. Ethnicity: Caucasian.

Beverly Jenkins: Female-presenting, 40-55; Baneatta’s younger sister. The “fun Aunt” who’s always in a push up bra catering to what the kids want, but never what they need. A single mother and the life of the party. She's a savage, classy, not so bougie, but definitely ratchet when necessary. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

La’Trice Franklin: Female-presenting, 16-19 (plays 16); Beverly’s daughter. She's nosy, loud and in everyone else's business but her own. She shows love, but in her own Gen Z manner. She's sarcastic to the bone. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Simone Mabry: Female-presenting, 30-40; Kenny’s older sister and Baneatta’s favorite. She followed the “right path." She’s pulled, slightly shady, and fierce on the exterior, but internally wounded from a recent failed engagement. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Brianna Jenkins: Female-presenting, 40-55; Baneatta and Beverly’s half-sister through an affair. She didn’t know her father but has come to his funeral to learn more about him. Sweet, open and collected. Ethnicity: Black/African-American.

Author’s Note: "Chicken and Biscuits" works when 8 vibrant personalities collectively create a family before our very eyes. We’re seeking collaborative comedians who can throw shade and love through text. All gender identities are encouraged to submit.

SYNOPSIS: America’s dishiest family is coming together for Grandpa’s funeral – hopefully without killing each other! Rivaling sisters, Baneatta and Beverly, are burying their father—but it’s the non-stop family drama that might be the death of them. Beverly just wants to show the congregation what she’s been “blessed with.” Baneatta’s husband tries to keep the family peace while preparing the eulogy. Baneatta’s youngest son brings his very white, very Jewish boyfriend who is maybe, sort of, okay definitely afraid of Baneatta. Meanwhile, Beverly’s daughter couldn’t mind her own business if it was on a leash. But when a family secret reveals itself at the church altar, things really go crazy…and even Baneatta can’t deny the truth.

For RENT by Jonathan Larson seeking:

Mark: Male-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; a young filmmaker and video artist coming into his own and struggling to articulate his values and his place in the world. He has integrity, is clean cut, and perhaps a little nerdy, as well as articulate and smart. Mark guides the audience through the show. Should be mercurial, quick on his feet, dexterous, and physically expressive. Vocal range top: A2-G4. Any Ethnicity.

Roger: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; a haunting and unforgettable character with a sense of loneliness. He is traumatized and emotionally cut off due to his past experiences and struggles with being HIV-positive. A rugged and sexy leading man who needs to be sympathetic and not just self-pitying. Struggling musician and former drug addict; reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Rock tenor with authentic grittiness, resonance and emotion. The ability to play the guitar is preferred. Vocal range top: G2-A4. Any Ethnicity.

Mimi: Female-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; an HIV-positive stripper with drug addictions who lives each day to the fullest. She is fully comfortable in her own body and sexuality and shows vulnerability alongside ferocious charisma. A complicated and damaged young girl; must be emotional yet strong. Vocal range top: Eb3 - E5. Ethnicity: Latina / Hispanic / Latinx.

Maureen: Female-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; a diva - super confident, striking, bold and brash; also, a fearless performance artist. She is carefree and a source of high spirits and relentless energy. Must be a vocal powerhouse: huge healthy belt and mix; a big soulful sound that comes from the gut. Maureen oozes sexuality and used to live in the loft. She has recently dumped Mark for Joanne. Vocal range top: C4-F5. Any Ethnicity.

Tom Collins: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; a philosophizer, computer scientist/genius, liberal professor and anarchist who starts a tender, romantic relationship with Angel filled with unconditional love. Tom has an emotional openness and lack of self-conscience, with a generous heart and low-key sense of humor. He is a self-deprecating and wise free spirit. Vocals should be deep and warm - some bass moments with a high baritone. Vocal range top: F2-A4. Any Ethnicity.

Benny: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; the landlord of Mark and Roger's apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny traded in his personal morals for power and wealth. An important character with complex motives and a tangled history with other characters. Benny needs a solid actor with charm and charisma, who can be slick and intimidating to pose a credible threat but can allow the audience to see his conflicted feelings underneath. Vocal range top: Bb2 - F#4. Any Ethnicity.

Joanne Jefferson: Female-presenting, 25-40; strong actor and singer; a public interest lawyer and headstrong person. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a tumultuous relationship with Maureen. She's tough and no nonsense and unafraid to back down from a confrontation but good hearted. She prides herself on her self-discipline and organizational skills and might even be a bit compulsive. The actress needs to be deft and precise with text to put tricky lyrics across clearly in her song and vocals should be earthy and warm with a certain maturity and confidence. Vocal range top: G3 - E5. Any Ethnicity.

Angel Dumott Schunard: Gender fluid/non-binary human, 21-35; strong actor, singer and dancer; an eccentric HIV-positive street drummer. A fabulous human with an incredible gift of dance, rhythm; a magnetic personality who loves to get dressed up and party. Angel is all about kindness and generosity. Angel has had a tough life but is still full of high spirits and is a force of goodwill and peace. Vocally: requires a high and light tenor sound but needs to be powerful at times as well. Drumming skills are preferable. Angel needs to have star presence and exude sweetness and warmth. Vocal range top: C3 - A4. Any Ethnicity.

SYNOPSIS: Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon. with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

This is theatre at its best – exuberant, passionate and joyous.