Description:

Point2Productions is casting for a workshop of "Jephthah's Daughter's Name"
Written by: Carina Kanzler
Directed by: Camryn Rose Pillay

Synopsis: In the nearly 1,000 pages of the Christian Old Testament, one story stands out. Jephthah's daughter, promised as a sacrifice to God by her father in exchange for a military win, asks for two months of freedom from a war-torn society with her friends as an impromptu funeral for her life. As they trek into the woods, free for the first time from an overbearing male gaze, this group of friends come face to face with their own relationships to womanhood and heteronormativity - inextricably linked to their relationships with God. They must reckon with the culture of violence that has led to the death of their fathers, brothers, and now best friend, and ask themselves whether they will question it or continue to buy in. Jephthah's Daughter's Name asks: What does it mean to be a sacrifice for something larger than yourself and in the end, is it worth it?

Though set in a distant era, this production will be strongly rooted in Evangelical Christianity and will utilize elements of mega-church worship. We will be using the story of Jephthah's daughter as a tool to explore the influence of modern, extremist Christianity on young women of different identities and backgrounds.

We are looking for actors to bring their unique creative voice to workshop this new play for the first time in the Chicagoland area. From start to finish, this will be a truly collaborative, non-hierarchical process where all actors and members of the creative team will work together to develop this piece to its fullest potential. This piece will have four performances, which will be staged, but not fully off book, culminating in audience talk-backs and community conversations about the material.

Compensation will be a $200 stipend.

Breakdown:
With the exception of Jephthah/Megachurch Pastor, all characters in this play are women. However, multiple characters struggle with their gender identity and presentation in a religious culture of heavily enforced gender norms and highly policed sexuality. All actors, whether women, non-binary, or gender non-conforming, are encouraged to submit for any roles.

Actor 1: Any ethnicity. Jephthah's daughter, unnamed in the original source material. Hopelessly in love with Actor 2. Coming to terms with her imminent death and mourning the choices her friends are making in the sake of survival. Has visions of grandeur for a life beyond their home but cannot shake her fate, written by everyone but her.

Actor 2: BIPOC. Engaged to a member of the military. In love with Actor 1, but conflicted by her intense pragmatism and disgust with her "same-sex attraction". Wants a quiet, stable life but doesn't know where to turn to find it amidst the violence around her. Born into the church.

Actor 3: Black. Intelligent and perceptive. Convert to the Evangelical church, drawn in by the promise of a prosperity gospel, when she realized all the ways her society was failing her. Voluntarily joined conversion therapy and considers herself ex-gay.

Actor 4: Any ethnicity. Born into the church. Models herself after "Godly womanhood," and pressures others to conform to stringent standards of appearance and attitude. She begins to question whether these standards are truly "godly," or if they're an extreme method of control exercised by the church, but she's already done lasting harm to those around her.

Actor 5: Any ethnicity. From a family struggling financially, with very little influence on church or town life. Has lost multiple family members to the war - victims of enlistment propaganda. Deeply questioning the morality of the violence the church encourages.

Jephthah/Megachurch Pastor: Any ethnicity. The Megachurch Pastor leads the opening and closing of the play, ushering us into the world of high-control Evangelical Christianity through high intensity worship scenes. Charismatic and conniving. Also plays Jephthah, father of Actor 1 and military leader, for one scene.

We are committed to prioritizing and celebrating diversity. We strongly encourage BIPOC and disabled artists to apply, and will adapt our processes to support the needs of all artists.