Description:

Akvavit Theatre seeks several actors for a staged reading of a new work, Transatlantic, by award-winning Danish playwright Rhea Leman, who will be visiting from Denmark to direct the a week-long development workshop culminating in a reading. For more information about the playwright, please visit her website: www.rhealeman.com/index.php/eng/.

Seeking to fill several roles of various types. Specifically seeking 1 Native American Actor and 2 Latinx performers, as well as several performers over 50. Please note when submitting if you play a musical instrument.

Rehearsals for the reading will take place from Monday September 9-Thursday September 12. Performance will be Friday, September 13 at the Swedish American Museum. A stipend of $50 will be given to each actor.

About the company:
Akvavit Theatre produces contemporary Nordic theatre in translation. Akvavit Theatre embraces inclusivity and diversity - the diversity of our home in the US and the diversity of the Nordic world (aka you do not need to look like a Viking to work with us). For more information about our company and to learn about past productions visit: www.chicagonordic.org

Character Descriptions for TRANSATLANTIC (subtitle: - trail of tears):

The characters in the play are fiction - some are inspired by real persons.

MATILDE JAKOBSEN: A Danish peasant woman from the island of Lolland who travels to America in the year 1890. She is gentle and shy when we meet her at the age of 20, but ages quickly as we follow her difficult journey from Denmark to U.S.A's Midwest, where she gives birth to her only child (Marius). Her story ends with her death at the age of 45.

CHRIS MADSEN: A Danish criminal who is sent to America in the year 1890, in exchange for a life-long prison term, is tough, stubborn and involuntarily comical. We meet him when he is 25, and leave him when he is 55.

KIRSTJEN NIELSEN: A white woman of Danish descent. Trumps x-secretary of homeland security. Also playing Matilde's mother. *This role has been precast*

CHIEF LITTLE JOHN: A ghost from the Cherokee past. And a female nurse from 1890 (Ellis Island/Castel Garden)

Chief Little John: (born October 3, 1790, died August 1, 1866, Washington, D.C., U.S.)

Cherokee chief who, after devoting his life to resisting U.S. seizure of his people's lands in Georgia, was forced to assume the painful task of shepherding the Cherokees in their removal to the Oklahoma Territory.

TED: (33) A white man of Danish descent. A borderline patrol officer. A great- grand son of Matilda's and Chris. Her inherited his great grand fathers gun and shares his passion for fire-arms. Also playing prison guard in Denmark.

CAMALA HARIS: (54) African American Senator from California. Also playing Tania Vanessa Avalos (22) Oscar's wife.

SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY: (79) an American politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Vermont. Also playing a Danish Ship Captain 1890. Also playing Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez (25) a migrant from El Salvador.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN: (75) is an American attorney and politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Illinois. Also playing a Journalist that can travel through time. He will be on the ship coming to America, he will also be in modern times questioning "fake news" etc.

Small Roles

Official at Ellis Island

The Steam Ship Agent