Description:

5&DIME is a new musical written by Ashley Robinson, Dan G. Sells, and Shakina Nayfack, based on the popular play and subsequent cult film COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN by Ed Graczyk.

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University is seeking actor-singer submissions for a developmental reading of 5&DIME this fall, Directed by Amanda Dehnert. The creative team is seeking Chicago-local performers to join the undergraduate student cast.

The project will take place October 3 - 16, 2022, and all rehearsals and presentations will take place on Northwestern's Evanston campus. All in-person activity will adhere to the strictest national, state, and/or university COVID guidelines established at the time. While memorization won't necessarily be required, actors will be asked to learn music quickly and retain information in a short time. The current rate is $500/week. Equity and Non-Equity performers are eligible.

SYNOPSIS: In an old 5&Dime store in a dried-up West Texas town, the "Disciples of James Dean" gather for their twentieth reunion. In 1955 when they were just teenagers, the Hollywood masterpiece GIANT, starring James Dean, was filmed in the neighboring town of Marfa. Small town local Mona was cast as an extra in the movie, but shortly after his death, Mona has a child who she claims was conceived with Dean during the shoot. As the ladies reminisce about their youth, the arrival of a stunning-but-familiar stranger exposes bitter disappointments, delusions, and long-suppressed truths, unearthing bonds the disciples didn't know they had. With the trans character Joanne as the driving, vital force of the show, this new musical adaptation offers a realistic view at how women, despite their differences, fully accept themselves individually and collectively.

ROLES AVAILABLE:
Joanne (mid 20's to late 30's) - A sultry, worldly, and confident trans woman. She is the force of truth in the story. The only woman in the group who has really changed in twenty years.

Edna Louise (mid 20's to late 30's) - A bilingual Mexican American who was only allowed in the store and in the club with the other girls because she was light skinned and could "pass" for white, thus avoiding the Jim Crow Laws against the Mexican population of Texas. She is simple, shy, and has seven kids and a husband she adores.

All characters speak with various levels of a West Texas accent - please use one now if it's comfortable for you, but if not, we will be providing dialect coaching in the rehearsal process. Also note: these women are fast talkers, and frequently interrupt or talk over each other. The script does not dictate where this should happen; please feel free to play and make some choices.

Principal Pay Rate: $500/week for 2 Week Workshop