Open Auditions for theatre production: Jack The Ripper.

Just a reminder that we are currently casting for our steampunk production of Jack The Ripper, and we would love to hear from you. In line with current safety guidelines, we are casting via self-tapes, and will be holding rehearsals  via Zoom, a simple video conferencing platform that will not cost you anything to join. Before any possible physical rehearsals or shows, there will be a full risk assessment and safety/ distancing guidelines provided to all cast and crew which will have been checked by Equity and other professional bodies. 

Our casting and production process follows Equity policies, promoting fairness and excellence in running all our productions: Manifesto for Casting | Safe Places Policy | Cast It Here | Inclusive Casting Policy | Performance for All 

THE SHOW
The show is a researched drama based on a number of the historical theories, surrounding Jack The Ripper, a Victorian serial killer in Whitechapel, London. We never fully reveal who the Ripper is, therefore through the show he is played by different people, all masked the same. The principal main character is the detective Abberline, a brilliant, humanitarian but broken man, tracking down the killer.  The show design is stylish, steampunk, and daring. It does not involve any sexual scenes, beyond some of the ladies of the night soliciting on street corners.  Originally due to be performed in October 2020, it now looks likely to be moved to Jan/ Feb 2021, due to the Covid outbreak, and will probably be digital only. 

CASTING
We are casting for all roles, This spans all speaking roles; which are male and female roles, all ethnicities very welcome.  Actors should be aged over 18, but other than that we welcome (and require) actors of any age. ​We do not charge anyone to work with us - indeed we do our utmost to pay our cast and crew via equal profitshare from the ticket sales at the very minimum (with applications in to various funds with the aim of raising full union standard wages for all cast and crew). No roles are "precast". 

We require that all actors, regardless of experience, are able and willing to work to the standard consumate with those expectations. Actors must have the ability to attend required rehearsals and performances on time, note and follow directions/ production details, the literacy to read and learn scripts by deadlines without habitual paraphrasing/ improvising, are respectful of other cast and crew, are calm & focussed in rehearsals and shows, and maintain a positive, stress-free environment.

​In your self tape, which you can record on your phone, laptop, or any device, we are not looking for cinematic brilliance, or for you to second-guess "the right character".  We are looking for characterisation and those magical split-seconds where for a second the casting director forgets they are watching an actor, and completely believes that it is the character themselves. Bold choices with the audition material are also encouraged. 

You will hear back within the week following the closing date  as to the status of your application to the show, regardless of whether selected or otherwise. 

​If you have any questions, please email us on [email protected], or text the director and company owner, Laura Jury, on 07855 090589. 

CASTING DOCUMENTS

 This is the original audition pack, created before the Covid pandemic. It contains information about our company, our history, and also a full list of all characters open for casting. Please note that dates and times will be changing (Sunday afternoons, will take place as normal, noting the new usage of Zoom for online rehearsals and probably for performances.)

jack_the_ripper_show_audition_pack__original_.pdf
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This audition form, to be sent back with your self-tape, tells us a few things about you to help us with the casting process

audition_form.doc
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For those who have not self-taped before, this document should be helpful, as to what we are looking for. 

self-taping_notes.pdf
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And here is the link to the all-important audition sides. Please remember that these are all copyright material, and that the script copyright is registered to us at the Script Vault. When you have recorded your self-tape, please send it, with your audition form, to us at [email protected], marked "Jack The Ripper"
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vAkGRN5zn_xoswQ9rQJZsgsrVsR_QdAV?usp=sharing

PAYMENT
As professionals and aspiring professionals, we do our utmost to ensure that we do our utmost to reward the team members, each of whom recieves an equal share of the show profits, from ticket sales, less venue hire. (As soon as, and whenever, further funding can be found to upgrade everyone  to equity rates, this will happen, and supercede all profitshare agreements for the given production.)

​All actors and crew are involved on a self employed basis and will need to delclare any money they make to HMRC. 

As it stands, we fundraise to cover the costs of rehearsal hall, costumes, props, printing and other production expenses, so that we can pay the maximum possible to our team.

While full amounts can never be guaranteed as it is based on ticket sales numbers; the total amount, whatever it is, is equally shared among all actors and production crew, so that nobody is treated differently than any other. We have never finished a production in the "red".
At the time of payment (usually within 10 days of ticket sale monies being received from venues) we also provide the box-office sales reports from the venues, showing precise ticket sales, and how much the venue has deducted in hire for the space; to the cast and crew.

You will also receive portfolio photos of you performing or working in your crew role during the rehearsal and production process, backstage light refreshments, and anything else that we find we can offer.

We are actively applying for funding to increase our work, including a prioritised aim of being able to offer full rate payments, and at such time as we find such funding, everyone will be automatically upgraded on the spot (even if mid-way through a production).

The current profit share situation is because we are self-funded from market stalls, and sponsored activities to pay for a rehearsal room, costumes, and materials, so that we can then share the ticket takes, less show venue hire only, to all our cast and crew. We are committed to rewarding our cast and crew to the very maximum of our ability.

We have a strict equal opportunities policy