MCC Theater Announces Production of Charm and Seeks Transgender Artists for Cast
(© Allison Stock)
MCC Theater will present the New York City premiere of Charm in the fall of 2017 and has announced a casting search for transgender and gender-nonconforming performers to star. The work is written by Chicago-based dramatist Philip Dawkins and will be directed by trans-identified director and choreographer Will Davis. It will be seen at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
In Charm, "Mama Darleena Andrews, a 67-year-old, African-American transgender woman, takes it upon herself to teach an etiquette class at Chicago’s LGBTQ community center," according to press notes. "The idealistic teachings of Emily Post clash with the very real life challenges of identity, poverty, and prejudice faced by the center's students. Inspired by the true story of Miss Gloria Allen and her work at Center on Halsted, this new play asks, 'How do we lift each other up when the world wants to tear us down?'"
For this production, MCC has announced a casting search for transgender and gender-nonconforming performers. "MCC has been dedicated to provoking conversations for more than three decades. It’s more important than ever that the stories we tell represent the rich diversity of voices in our country," said MCC Theater co-artistic director Will Cantler. "We have looked forward to doing this remarkable play about the real life issues surrounding gender identity, poverty, and prejudice since discovering it during its celebrated run in Chicago in 2015. With Will Davis on board to direct our production we are thrilled to now bring this story to New York audiences under his direction and guidance. Together we are committed to engage as many transgender and gender-nonconforming artists as possible on this production."
If you'd like to be considered for the cast but expect to be unavailable for upcoming New York open calls in early 2017, please email your name, current location, picture, phone number, and email address to telseyplayscasting@gmail.com. More information and a casting breakdown can be viewed here.
