ingemeng is a new play in development, to be written and directed by South African writer/ director Ameera Conrad, Associate Director of 20 Stories High.
Aimed at intergenerational audiences, it is a coming-of-age play, following the story of a young mixed race British woman in Liverpool as she tries to unpick her heritage and reconcile with her family’s complicated (and sometimes secret) history. With both her parents being of mixed heritage, she has struggled with understanding where she belongs, but through excavating her lineage and calling upon her ancestors, she finds power, beauty, and strength.
The show explores intergenerational trauma that women carry which has been passed on from slavery, using folklore and mythology as the vehicle for the story. A key theme in the piece is South Africa’s legacy of slavery and how it connects to Liverpool (and the rest of the UK), as well as how family histories can become more like myths and legends.
WHERE THE PROCESS IS AT:
We are casting for our second R&D week, which follows on from a successful R&D period in Spring 23, where the piece’s key themes and characters were developed, and sound palette was formed.
This second R&D week will include returning creatives Ameera Conrad (writer and director); Sudha Bhuchar (dramaturg); Matthew Xia (outside eye) and Eliyana Evans (composer). In this second R&D we will be exploring storytelling forms; testing the piece’s structure; and detail of the storyline.
We are seeking 3 female or non-binary performers who are comfortable playing female characters, with a playing age of 18-21. The role of the actors will be to perform newly generated material, and respond to the creative team’s direction in the space.
The use of the words ‘female’ or ‘women’ is inclusive of trans women.
We are particularly keen to hear from Merseyside/Northwest-based performers.
ROLES WE ARE CASTING FOR:
Leila
Young mixed race woman (18-21) from Liverpool. She left home to study, and has had to come back because she’s currently under investigation at the university. An activist with a strong sense of justice. Funny, clever, independent, socially conscious. She loves stories and mythology, has her head in the clouds, but was forced to grow up when her mother passed. She feels under a lot of pressure to succeed, a perfectionist, but at her core a big dreamer. She feels lost in the world, but is holding onto the idea that she’s doing “what she’s supposed to do”.
Performer should feel comfortable singing, but need not be a trained singer.
Accent – Scouse / North West
Fatima
Young Cape Malay* / Cape Coloured** woman (18-21). Fatima is one of Leila’s ancestors who is summoned. Fatima is an enslaved person who was born into slavery in the Cape, but whose parents originated from South East Asia (Malaysia/Indonesia/Java). She lives in the 1700s. She is sharp and hardened by her life, but believes in something better.
Performer should feel comfortable singing and moving, but need not be a trained singer or dancer.
Accent – South African, Cape Coloured / Cape Malay
*Cape Malay refers to a South African person from the Cape Muslim community.
**Cape Coloured refers to a South African person of mixed race African, Asian, and European descent.
Doris
Young Afro-Caribbean woman (18-21). Doris is one of Leila’s ancestors who is summoned. She is an activist who was prevalent in the uprisings in the UK during the 70s and 80s. She is strong, and rebellious, but hides her feelings behind her walls. She is funny and charming, a pillar of the community. She loves music, food, and dancing. Her parents were part of the Windrush Generation, but she was born in the UK.
Performer should feel comfortable singing and moving, but need not be a trained singer or dancer.
Accent – Scouse, comfortable with Caribbean dialects.
Content warnings/wellbeing: ingemeng will investigate themes including – Intergenerational trauma inherited from slavery, feminine rage and anger, migration and displacement.
We work with wellbeing in mind and provide access to an Artist Wellbeing Practitioner during the R&D.
Dates:
Research & Development week: Monday 15th of April- Friday 19th April
Fee: £572.25 per week (ITC Contract)
Travel and accommodation will be covered as required
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send one of the following submissions to roxy@20storieshigh.org.uk
- Written expression of interest
- Filmed or audio expression of interest
In your expression of interest please provide your Name, Location, and what about the work sparks an interest in you.
In addition to:
- A CV or online examples of your work (youtube, soundcloud etc)
Deadline: Friday 1st March, 12-noon.
ACCESSIBILITY:
The audition venue will be hosted in a wheelchair accessible building.
Please let us know if you have any access requirements and we will work together to meet them.
We will provide travel expenses to the audition venue if you require them.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
We welcome artists with all levels of experience.
To find out more visit 20storieshigh.org.uk/casting-ingemeng