Description:

UrbanTheater Company is now accepting submissions from Non-Equity actors for our Fall 2019 World Premiere of Back In The Day: An 80's House Music Dancesical.

BACK IN THE DAY: AN 80'S HOUSE MUSIC DANCESICAL
Written by Miranda Gonzalez
Based on the book, The Real Dance Fever, by Jose "Gringo" Echevarria
Directed by Raquel Torre

Set in the height of Chicago's street dancing and battle era of the 1980's. When juice-bars ruled the underage club-scene and DJ's created a movement. This house music immersive dancesical follows the northside dance crew the ALLSTARS and frenemies, the CULITOS and IMPORTED TASTE as they struggle, soar, and move through life making their own families and redefining for themselves gender norms within a community not yet ready for change.

Compensation: $550 for Rehearsal and performances + $25/per Student Matinee (10/10, 10/18, 10/25)

Characters:
JOSE "GRINGO" ECHEVERRIA - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) PUERTO RICAN, fluent Spanish. Queer, Founder of the AllStars Dance Crew. Born and raised in Humboldt Park Chicago. A go-getter. Serious about making street dance as professional as possible. Tough. Has no fear around telling people the truth. A father figure to the kids that he takes in. avoids vulnerability, will only let his guard down when it comes to Chalie.

CHALIE RIOS - ​pronounced sha-lee​ - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) AFRO-BORICUA, FLUENT SPANISH. Allstar dancer, Gringo's shadow. High-pitched voice, can come across as shy/introverted, but speaks her mind. Is a rule-follower that believes in Gringo's vision. Constantly practicing her dance moves. Focused. Wherever she went she was the AllStars ambassador.

FRANKIE DIAZ/DJ PERSONAS - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) PUERTO RICAN, loves music, thinks in rhythms and mixing beats, all about hyping the music and creating a rivalry between the dance crews.

GLADYS "MISS CHICAGO" RODRIGUEZ - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) PUERTO RICAN BLOND HAIR BLUE-EYED. Talked really really, loud. Allstar dancer, dainty, wears a lot of anything that exudes femininity ie. makeup and perfume. Understands the privilege of her complexion. Loyal, strong. Gets lost in every song she dances. Not afraid to tell it like it is.

BEATRICE "MISS B" SOTO - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) PUERTO RICAN. AllStar dancer, bold. not afraid of confrontation. Fantastic musicality. Fully expresses herself. Extrovert. Grew-up fighting her way through life.

CARLOS SMITH - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) - LATINX/AFRICAN AMERICAN. Flip Flops from being and All Star and a Culito. Hypersexual, always performing masculinity. Womanizer "Player" of the group. Thinks he is the best dancer, loves being the center of attention.

TROY CLARK - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) - AFRICAN AMERICAN - Queer, Leader of The Tastelful Dancers Crew, Witty, risk taker, confident and unapologetic. Doesn't mind taking center stage, comedian, friends with all dance crews and their leaders. Many of his moves mimic Debbie Allen's in Fame. Signature move is the high kick.

EDDIE "MISS LADEEDA TALLULAH SLOBISH" BETANCOURT - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) ANY AFROLATINX - AllStars dancer, larger than life, thick and curvy, loud talker and loud dresser, a celebutante, carries a handkerchief in his "man purse" that uses to say high or punctuate his opinion. Always wears clothes that are too tight.

LEACH SOLIS/OTHER DANCER - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) PUERTO RICAN, leader of the Culitos. Determined, makes sure his dancers wear the best costumes, above the law. Constantly trying and heckling rival dancers.

SHANE RUIZ/DRAG QUEEN 2 - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) LATINX/BLACK - Queer Culitos dancer, signature move was the Russian kick, oozes coolness, wears a mohawk half of the play, not afraid of showing his vulnerable side.

ALMA COUTEE - (EARLY 20s - EARLY 30s) LATINX/AFRICAN AMERICAN - Culitos dancer, stands-up for herself, not afraid of any of the rival dancers, provokes dance battles at the club.

GERALDO ALANIS - (LATE 20'S - LATE 40'S) LATINX - Club owner, businessman focused on keeping the club packed with the best DJ's playing and the best dance competitions. If it makes him money, then he is interested. A cross between Blagojevich and Geppetto. He always wears oversized suits.

Auditions will be held at 2620 W. Division

Time Commitment:
Previews: 10/8-10/10
Opening: 10/11
Closing: 11/02
Shows Run Thursday-Saturday 8PM and Sunday's at 3:00PM (Matinee schedule below)
Student Matinees: 10am -Thursday, 10/10, Friday 10/18 and 10/25.
Public Matinees: 3:00pm 10/26 and 11/02
Monday Industry Night: 10/21

Material To Prepare:
Auditions will consist of a quick dance combination, and some actors might be asked to do cold reads from the script. Please be able and ready to stay for at least 90 minutes, and remember a hard copy of your headshot and resume!