THE CHINESE LADY: NON-UNION THEATER

*Submission instructions found at the bottom of the page

**EXTENDED DEADLINE: 8am EST,  Thursday, 2/23/23

NON-UNION THEATER

Production: THE CHINESE LADY
Writer: Lloyd Suh
Production Company:  Southern Plains Productions
Artistic Director: Jackson Gifford (he/him)
Director:  Samantha Toy Ozeas (she/them)
Movement Director: Hui Cha Poos (she/her)
Costume Designer: Zhang Yu (he/him)
Casting Company: T Creatives Casting
Casting Assistant: Julianna Austin (she/her)
Casting Director:  Johanna Tacadena (she/her), CSA

Zoom Dramaturgical Rehearsal: Friday, 7/7/23
Talent arrival in OKC: Sunday, 7/9/23
First In-Person Rehearsal:  Monday, 7/10/23
End of Contract: Sunday, 7/23/23
RATE: $400 weekly, with a $10 per diem for time on site in Oklahoma City. Some group meals will be provided by local restaurants.
HOUSING & TRAVEL: In addition to the standard weekly rate and per diem, out-of-town actors will also be given a $350 travel reimbursement and premium housing accommodations in Oklahoma City near shops & restaurants.

Rehearsals take place six days a week from 10am – 5:30pm with evening commitments for tech and performances. Due to the short duration of this contract we are unable to accommodate any conflicts.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Samantha Toy Ozeas (she/they) is a Brooklyn-based director and playwright and recent graduate from the John Wells Directing Program at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. Directing credits include Athena (Carnegie Mellon University), One Day Down (SheNYC), Park Song (Frank-Ratchye Studio for Creative Inquiry Grant), Nannyville (Grassroots Artist Collective), r/TheRedPill (Back in Blacks), God Has Retired (Carnegie Mellon University), and Major Minor (The Complex). Most recently, they assisted Chay Yew on the world premiere of Good Enemy, presented by Audible Theatre.

SOUTHERN PLAINS PRODUCTIONS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, professional theatre company, was founded in Oklahoma City in 2020 with a vision for accessibility in the performing arts.

SYNOPSIS:
The Chinese Lady follows the true story of the first documented Chinese woman in America, Afong Moy, as she is toured around the United States as a museum piece. On display for nearly half a century during the 1800’s, Afong clings to the hope that her presence might spark empathy and understanding between cultures. As she slowly come to terms with her lack of autonomy, Afong turns critical of America’s imperialism, hypocrisy, and shallow understanding of a world outside their own. This wryly comedic, grimly honest story finally gives this widely forgotten historical figure a voice, leaving audiences to reexamine the current state of cultural dynamics in the modern world.

SEEKING:

[AFONG MOY]
Female identifying, 20 to 50 years old, only seeking Chinese talent. Based on Afong Moy, the first documented Chinese woman in America. She is sharp-witted, perceptive, with an optimistic but rebellious heart. Afong Moy ages nearly fifty years over the course of the play, becoming increasingly critical of America’s capitalist nature and objectification of Eastern culture.

[ATUNG]
Male identifying, 25 to 70 years old, only seeking Chinese talent. Atung serves as Afong Moy’s translator and companion. He feels timeless, protective of Afong Moy, and is far more accustomed to American culture. Atung hides his true, complex feelings beneath stoicism.