Audition Notice - Cynosemma

Overview

Overtone Industries & By the Souls of Our Feet are seeking NON-UNION performers for their newest Opera Theater work Cynossema to premiere at The University of Southern California (USC), presented by Vision and Voices, in Los Angeles, CA in April 2023. 

More info on the performance HERE

Mystical sound storyteller and opera composer O-Lan Jones and her multidisciplinary company Overtone Industries are joining forces with the theatre company By The Souls Of Our Feet to create a brand-new immersive theatre experience that explores the roots of the Hecuba myth that is personified by the iconic 20-foot statue of the Queen of Troy in University Village.

Incorporating live music using the ancient Greek Olympos’ pentatonic scale and exploring a mother’s grief-stricken revenge, Cynossema: A Dirge from the Dog’s Tomb tells a story of rage, power, misogyny, immense grief, and, ultimately, catharsis and healing that vibrates with impactful relevance today. The unique, one-time event will begin at the statue of Hecuba and proceed to Cammilleri Hall on USC campus, for an unforgettable performance. 

Audition Submission Dates: 

• Submissions due by Sunday Jan 22nd
• Callbacks, January 2023 - Date/time TBD

All roles include singing, speaking, and movement work, which will be explored during callbacks.

Rehearsal / Performance dates*

• Rehearsals will take place in the month of March 2023 *Time and Location TBD
• One performance on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 7 p.m
• Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, Time TBD

*All Rehearsals will take place at: the Rachel Rosenthal Studio & University of Southern California (USC) campus. 

Tech and performance will be held at: Cammilleri Hall on the campus of The University of Southern California (USC). 

Creative Team Members

Cynossema is a one act, five station, ritualistic opera composed by O-Lan Jones with libretto by Megan Breen. Choreographer is Kristin Condon and directed by Nathan Singh & Sabina Zuniga Varela. 

Compensation

$1500.00 Stipend

Roles 

Note for all roles/singers:

• Needs to have vocal training and be able to read music and comfortably sing in harmony. We are specifically looking for performers with a unique, authentic sound comfortable singing in non-genre specific styles (we are not, for instance, looking for 'Broadway’ style singing).
•  Some, or all, of the cast will be playing the instruments for the opera (ie - Hand Drums, harmoniums, etc..) 
  We are particularly looking for performers with a familiarity with the following instruments:
  - Celtic harp
  - Harmonium
  - Hand drums
  - Guitar
  - Auxiliary percussion (Bells, etc)
• All cast must be proficient with choreography; excellent movers (dance experience a plus)

Characters

HECUBA – [Mezzo] 50s-60s,  Former Queen of Troy, now a slave to the Greek army - passionate, regal, full of love and rage 

KASSANDRA – [Mezzo] 20s-30s,   Hecuba’s daughter - a prophetess, ethereal, intuitive

POLYXENA – [Soprano] 20s-30s,   Hecuba’s youngest daughter - noble, courageous and empathetic princess

OYDSSEUS – [Baritone] 50s-60s,  Captain of the Greek army - strong, understanding, torn between duty and compassion

LEDA – [Soprano, Mezzo, or Alto] 30s-40s, Trojan woman taken captive by the Greek army - questioning, direct, no B.S.

AGATHE – [Soprano, Mezzo, or Alto] 30s-40s,  Trojan woman taken captive by the Greek army - thoughtful, open-hearted, a little fragile

PRAXIS – [Baritone] 30s-40s, Greek soldier - hot-tempered, aggressive, proud

ALEXIO – [Tenor] 30s-40s,  Greek soldier - discerning but easily offended

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDITION FORM