BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Deaf actors for
Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT the Musical,
in collaboration with Center Theatre Group.
Director: Snehal Desai
Choreographer: TBD
ASL Lead: TBD
Music Director: David O
Deaf West Artistic Director: DJ Kurs
CTG Associate Artistic Director: Lindsay Allbaugh
Casting Director: Beth Lipari
Workshop: July 16 - 28, 2024 (CTG Annex)
1st rehearsal: August 27, 2024
Tech: September 25, 2024
Previews: October 2, 2024
Opening: October 9, 2024
Closing: November 10, 2024
Location: Los Angeles, California
We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, we are seeking performers, without regard to disability, race, age, color, national origin, ethnic origin or any other basis prohibited by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.
American Idiot will be a multilingual production integrating American Sign Language, English, and a rich visual language. The process will include a mixed creative team and an inclusive space of Deaf/hearing. This production will channel the raw energy and rebellious spirit of Green Day’s American Idiot, while introducing the unique and inclusive artistry of Deaf performers and sign language. At the heart of our approach is a layered exploration of staging that invites audiences to contemplate the intricate dynamics between performers and their characters. Through thoughtful portrayals, we aim to challenge stereotypes and illuminate the lived experiences of Deaf individuals—a community often overlooked and misunderstood. This narrative of self discovery and empowerment aligns seamlessly with the core themes of American Idiot, emphasizing the universal search for identity and authenticity in a world dominated by conformity. Our production will draw upon current social and political tensions to reflect contemporary issues of authority and dissent.
Storyline: Three young suburban friends try to make their way in post-9/11 America. Johnny finds a girl and a lot of drugs in the big city. Tunny goes off to war. Will struggles to support a wife and child. We watch as they navigate their complex relationships and their angst and understanding of where they fit in this society.
Submit a minute long video of you performing a song of your choosing in ASL in the style of the music of Green Day or a similar rock/punk band to casting@deafwest.org
EMAIL: casting@deafwest.org
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Friday, June 7th at 1PM PST / 4PM EST
The cast will be a mix of Deaf and hearing actors in the roles. All roles will have a combination of ASL and/or sung and spoken English.
Cast configurations will be determined at a later date.
[JOHNNY] 20's: The self-proclaimed "Jesus of Suburbia". Bored of his do-nothing, go-nowhere existence, he takes off for the city to get a new lease on life. He wages an inner war between a budding love for Whatsername and growing dependency on St. Jimmy and drugs. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
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[TUNNY] 20's: The guy who goes to the city and the Middle East. Johnny's friend who follows him to the city and eventually enlists in the army. He travels to the Middle East. A lost dreamer who is easily swayed, first by Johnny's ideas and then by patriotism and the American Dream. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
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[WILL] 20’s: The guy that stays home in suburbia. Johnny's friend. He ends up staying in Suburbia with his pregnant girlfriend Heather. The more he stays on the couch, the more he becomes slowly disconnected from the world and his own relationships. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
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[ST. JIMMY/ENSEMBLE] 20’s -30’s: A city badass. Johnny’s alter ego (androgynous/non-binary). Known as the city badass. An enigmatic and charismatic enabler who gets Johnny addicted to drugs and grows jealous of his relationship with Whatsername. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
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[HEATHER/ENSEMBLE] 20’s: A girl in suburbia. Will’s girlfriend. She discovers she is pregnant but has difficulty telling her boyfriend the news. Once she settles down with him, she struggles to maintain their relationship with his despondency and eventually leaves him. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
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[WHATSERNAME/ENSEMBLE] 20’s: A girl in the city. A rebel activist--fierce, strong, and capable--who falls for Johnny. She fights to have him embrace their authentic relationship rather than pursue his addiction. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
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[EXTRAORDINARY GIRL/ENSEMBLE] 20’s: A girl in the Middle East who appears as a hallucination to injured Tunny. Attractive and mysterious, she later appears as his nurse and accompanies him home after the war. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
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[ENSEMBLE] 20’s: Strong actors who can hold their own and act in featured roles. Looking for actors who move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Know anyone who may be interested? Feel free to pass along this notice.
We appreciate the word of mouth and friendship among our trusted community.