Description:

"7 Minutes to Live"
World premiere of a wickedly funny drama
Directed by Andrea J. Dymond
Written by Richard Lyons Conlon

A co-production of Unexpected Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, and Prop Thtr

Synopsis: No metaphor. No joke. Child of privilege Henry Crawford has exactly seven minutes to live and he's dying to tell us all the whole sad, twisted tale of how he ended up handcuffed to a dumpster in his underwear - with broken nose and bloodied shirt and 420 seconds left of life. We see how his wild-child girlfriend Vanessa and her erratic, fast-talking brother Luke - along with nonbinary, weed-farming neighbor Eddy - expose his prejudices and insecurities during a bewildering evening of physical, mental, sexual, and literary intimidation, setting into motion the forces which now leave Henry with mere minutes to live.

History: This play has been workshopped in festivals across the country and the U.K. and has placed as finalist or semi-finalist in several competitions, including the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference.

Seeking:
HENRY (White, late 20s/early 30s) - Urban professional, child of privilege, conservative background. Fairly new to the "big city," where he moved to "make his own way". Rather sheltered, naïve, has difficulty swearing. Vanessa's boyfriend.

LUKE (Black, late 20s/early 30s) - Eloquent, charismatic, intense - physically and intellectually intimidating. A man of mystery, we don't know if he's an undercover agent of some sort, or a homeless wanderer grifter. In control of every situation. Until he isn't. Vanessa's adopted brother.

VANESSA (Any race, any ethnicity, late 20s/early 30s) - A free spirit, something of a wild child. Could be punky, could be goth. Mercurial and mysterious, like her adopted brother Luke, she's also in control of every situation, in ever shifting ways. Henry's girlfriend.

EDDY (Non-binary, any race, any ethnicity, late 20s/early 30s) - A bit unkempt, a gamer, a stoner. A bit of a slob. Henry's next door neighbor, they may be his only friend. Maintains an urban farm of unsanctioned weed in their apartment.

Combat/Intimacy Requirements: 3 scenes involving kissing: 1 is light, 1 is unreturned passionate, and 1 is quick simulated mutual passion on a couch (no nudity). None last long. There are a few moments of physical struggle and two very quick fights with a simulated nose-breaking (and later, a simulated snapping back in place). A fight and intimacy director has been hired and will oversee those scenes.

Audition Date and Time:
The Athenaeum, Room 309
2936 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
Saturday morning, May 18, 9:00-12:00am
Callbacks Date and Time:
Chicago Dramatists, Theatre Entrance:
798 North Aberdeen
Chicago, IL 60642, Sunday evening, May 19, 6:00-9:00pm

Pay Rate: $1,000 stipend