Audition, performance, and rehearsal location: Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, 1650 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60640++ Stipend: $300 plus a portion of the ticket sales Performances: Friday and Saturday only- May 3rd- May 18th, 8 p.m. Auditions: January 20th: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call Backs: January 23: 6:00-10 p.m.
Rehearsals: March 12-April 27th- Tuesday and Wednesdays: 6:00-10:00 p.m. Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Tech: April 28 5:00- 10:00 April 29-May 1st 6:00-10:00
Prepare: One minute each: a contemporary monologue & a story of your choice. ++space at this time does not have a wheelchair lift
Cast of Characters: MOTHER-TOYA – 35-50-year-old Black woman; working class MAMI-SANDRA – 35-50-year-old Mexican woman; undocumented waitress NANAY-JACKIE – 35-50-year-old Filipino woman; caregiver/nanny MOMMA-WANDA – 35-50-year-old Black woman; adult student; working class EDDIE/YOUNG MAN 1 – 18-20-year-old Latino youth DAVID/YOUNG MAN 2 – 18-20 -year-old Asian-American youth JAMES/YOUNG MAN 3 – 18-20-year-old Black youth MICHAEL/YOUNG MAN 4 – 19-21-year-old Black youth
All cast members are expected to play more than one role. The young men, in particular, will be assigned adult male roles as politicians and Chicagoans.
Singing and movement experience, such as viewpoints, Laban, or dance, is preferred.
Must be comfortable with the topic of the play and open to post-show discussions.
More about the "Panther's Development: “Panther in the Sky” has had several readings at Howard Area Community Center, Insight Arts, and Malcolm X College. Excerpts of the play have also been performed at different venues, among them at visual artist Cesar Conde’s exhibit in 2016 called “The Bang Bang Project,” which was his response to the issues of police brutality and racism in the judicial and police system, and at Chicago Danztheatre’s “Art.Heals.” in May 2022. CIRCA-Pintig Executive Director Ginger Leopoldo noted, "At every reading and performance, the diverse audiences, many of whom impacted by gun violence, gave positive feedback and believed the play should be shared with a wider audience.” Lani T. Montreal is an educator, writer, performer, and community activist who wrote this play based on news reports and stories shared by families and friends of those who have lost children and young adults to gun violence. This documentary theater style aims to engage people in conversations about gun violence and its toll on the Chicago community. The production will also include a curated art exhibition.Montreal started writing “Panther in the Sky” in 2009 when there were recorded numbers of 290 shootings and 34 gun-related deaths of public school students in Chicago. At the time, she lived in Albany Park, also beset by gun violence, although perhaps not as frequent as in the south side. She’s also a writing professor at Malcolm X College, where students often share experiences of loss and trauma from gun violence. “As an educator and a writer, I felt compelled to respond to the issue by writing a play about it,” Montreal stated. “My choice to portray the stories of the mothers who lost their children to gun violence was also influenced by being an adoptive mother of two children of color.” She invites community members to be part of the production as artists, activists, and/or audience members. “I have always believed in the power of the arts as a way to build and galvanize marginalized communities towards meaningful change.” Among Montreal’s plays are, Sister Outlaw (Pintig), Nanay (Freestreet and CIRCA-Pintig), Alien Citizen (CIRCA-Pintig), and Looking for Darna (CIRCA-Pintig). Directed by Mignon McPherson Stewart, former Michael Maggio Directing Fellow whose directing credits include, Othello (Babes with Blades); Breath, Boom (Eclipse Theatre Company); Wine in the Wilderness/Florence, The Trip (ETA); Everything is Permitted (Collaboraction); Stage Black, MiLK and Fascia (MPAACT) Activism at performance events: For 23 years, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble has produced and created disciplinary social-justice theater with activism at our performances and events. At each event, there will be an art exhibition and postcard writing station for people to write pre-addressed cards to legislators and activists working to end gun violence. CIRCA-Pintig has been working in the immigrant and refugee community for over 30 years, sharing the stories of those in need. We are co-producing this event.