CASTING FOR A STAGED READING

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • 7:30pm

Dramatists Guild Friday Night Footlights

Mary Rodgers Room • 1501 Broadway Suite 701

 

contact: rschaffer@randompoet.com

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When a turncoat Fortune Teller is caught red handed by a jealous King, he barters state secrets for his freedom, while the fate of the crown, and all Mankind, hang in the balance. 

 

SYNOPSIS

This is a modern telling of the Prometheus story in heightened lyrical language. How the god of foresight stole Fire for Mankind and was imprisoned, how he gambled for escape, and what happened then. Prometheus baits a trap with a secret, to save himself and his children from the tyranny of the gods. King Zeus must know, at any cost, what woman will bear him a son to seize his crown. Can they bargain? Will Prometheus get free and save us all? Everything goes to shit when Prometheus is betrayed, his friends can’t help, and Zeus and company choose cruelty over compromise. But then, with endurance, a crafty double-cross, self-serving teamwork, and a dose of luck, Prometheus turns many wrongs into a great right: freedom. Maybe. 

 

Commitment • Approximately 10 hours • $100 stipend

Rehearsal • Friday November 18, 2022, 1:30 to 5:30pm

Performance and Talk-Back • 6:30 to 9:30pm

Additional rehearsal TBA (Likely 3 hours via Zoom)

 

Prometheus, God of Foresight. (Male Person of Color, 35 to 45 years old) Prometheus is a powerful, edgy, and compelling man in the prime of life. He created mankind, was our mentor, and stole fire for us. He is heinously punished by Zeus and must bargain for his freedom.

 

Zeus, King Olympus / Oceanus, God of the Seas. (Two roles, Male Caucasian, 45 to 55 years old) King Zeus will use his thunderbolt, and any means necessary, to indulge his appetites and keep his crown. Oceanus is a mediator who won’t takes sides and always keeps himself safe.

 

Kratos, God of Strength. (Any gender identity, any race and ethnicity, 30 to 40 years old) Kratos is a cruel and ambitious mercenary of Zeus who loves hands-on “wet work.”

 

Hermes, The Messenger / Heracles, The Hero / Hephaestus, The Craftsman. (Three roles, Male, any race and ethnicity, 25 to 35 years old) A robust, striking, and chameleon-like young man, prone to grandiosity. Hermes is the King’s scheming magician and messenger; he feeds off power from Zeus to secure his greatness. Heracles is our favorite dashing rogue; he tends to make a mess and we love him anyway. Hephaestus is an abused genius with a deformed spine; he can make anything with his hands, but he can’t say “no” to his master.

 

Metis / Akaste, Daughters of Oceanus (Chorus). (Two roles, Female, any race and ethnicity, 30-40 years old) Metis is one Oceanus’ many daughters, oldest of the water nymphs. She is stern, has a lively humor, and is known for wisdom. Akaste is her younger sister, known for spontaneity, an earnest heart, and a reckless alter ego.

 

Io, Princess of Argos / Eudora, Daughter of Oceanus (Chorus) / Bia, God of Force.  (Three roles, Female, of any race and ethnicity, mid-20s) Io is a young woman of great charm and hidden strength, cursed to be a mad cow, and the crucial pawn for Prometheus in his gambit against Zeus. Eudora is the naïve younger sister of Metis and Akaste, known for her generosity. Bia is a non-speaking role, the God of Force, the Eagle of Zeus, and jailer to Prometheus.