Welcome to the Casting Couch
"please lock the door behind you and have a seat"

Nearly Naked Theatre
will be holding auditions for ALL ROLES in:

M. BUTTERFLY
by David Henry Hwang
directed by Damon Dering

A 20th Anniversary production of the Tony Award-winning drama M. BUTTERFLY, by David Henry Hwang. Based on a true story that stunned the world, M. Butterfly is one of the most compelling, explosive and slyly humorous works to ever light the Broadway stage. In this unique and provocative memory play a French diplomat recalls from his prison cell the story of his 20-year love affair with a Chinese opera singer. He will admit he deceived his wife and country. He will admit he willingly told her state secrets and asked for nothing back but her affection. He will admit that he loved her quite completely. What he will not admit... not even to himself, was that she... was a man. 20 years since it won the Tony Award for Best Play, M. Butterfly returns to Phoenix for only its second production.

NEEDED
are 3 women and 7 men between the ages of 18 and 55.
All acting is volunteer only and actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Actors will receive a small stipend
to help compensate for gas expenses.

AUDITIONS
will be held BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on Monday, Sept. 15th and Tuesday, Sept. 16th, in the evenings between 6:00pm and 10:30pm at The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre - 100 E. McDowell Rd. in the Phx Theatre/Phx Art Museum complex on Central & McDowell.

THESE AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR AUDITIONS FOR TIMES SQUARE ANGEL, WHICH RUNS "IN REP" WITH M. BUTTERFLY.

CALLBACKS (FOR M. BUTTERFLY ONLY)
are TBA, but most likely will be held on TUESDAY, Sept. 16th at 8:30pm -- BE PREPARED TO STAY LATE -- Callbacks will consist of cold reads from the script and movement.

CHARACTERS:

RENE GALLIMARD: (Caucasian male, 45-55) A French diplomat arrested for treason. Usually awkward with women, he is obsessed with Puccini's Madame Butterfly, and a woman he had loved for 20 years, who may have been a total fantasy.

SONG LILING: (Asian male, 25-35) In disguise as a female opera singer, Song seduces Rene and carries on an affair with him for 20 years, all the time stealing state secrets for the Chinese government... and all the time pretending to be a woman. He is a genius con-artist, witty, funny and yet very serious. (Note: This role requires nudity).

MARC: (Caucasian male, 25-35) Rene's best friend. Kind of a womanizer, he is everything Rene never was. Good looking, successful and good with the ladies. Doubles as Man #2 and Consul Sharpless.

RENEE: (Caucasian female, 20-30) An attractive young woman, who represents every attractive young woman Rene never had. Attracted to his newfound confidence, she "goes home" with him... only to further destroy his illusions with one of the best monologues about the male member ever written. Doubles as Woman at Party and Girl in Magazine. (This role requires nudity).

COMRADE CHIN: (Asian female, 20-40) A severe member of the Communist Party, and Song's liaison for his spying, Chin is incredulous at the "lengths" Song will go to in order to gather information. Requires great comic timing while playing the "straight man". Doubles as Suzuki and Shu-Fang.

AMBASSADOR TOULON: (non-Asian male, 45-65) The French Ambassador to China. He is impressed with Rene's new confidence and his "way" with the Chinese. He's important, and knows it. Doubles as Man #1 and the Judge.

HELGA: (non-Asian female, 40-55) Rene's wife. Plain and uninteresting (at least to Rene) she is comfortable being the wife of a low-level diplomat. She is everything "West" that Rene hates. She sparks no passion in his life, and is comfortable with that too.

Three male KUROGO DANCERS. These non-speaking roles dance in the martial arts sequence of the play, and double as party guests and others. GOOD MOVEMENT A MUST.

PREPARE
Cold reads from the script.

Resumes are optional but a headshot is required (although any picture of yourself, even a laser copy, will do).

REHEARSALS BEGIN
the week of October 13th

PERFORMANCE DATES
for M Butterfly are November 14th thru December 6th, 2008. THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE THANKSGIVING DAY.

APPOINTMENTS
are made by emailing us at castingcouch@nearlynakedtheatre.org Please include your FULL NAME and PHONE NUMBER in the email, as well as WHICH NIGHT you would prefer to audition. We will call or email back with confirmation. You may also call (602) 274-2432 and leave a message with the same information. Actors may also submit electronic headshots/resumes or any inquiries and questions to the same email address.

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