Audition Notice: Back-Eye (The Bacchae)

Presented by Needs More Work Productions

Audition timeline:

Self-Tapes due by: April 2, 2025.

In-Person Audition: April 6, 2025.

Callbacks: April 13, 2025.

Needs More Works Productions is thrilled to present Back-Eye, a new site-specific, immersive adaptation of The Bacchae by Euripides. Directed by Sivan Raz, this production will explore boundaries and responsibility as they appear in theater, relationships and the global political landscape. This show is a direct sequel for Needs More Work Productions’ Anti-Gone, developed over the 2024-2025 season. While knowledge of the original is not mandatory to audition, we would love to send you materials or invite you to our showings if you desire any additional context.

This is an outdoor production, taking place in the public parks of NYC this summer. Outdoor rehearsals will be from Early May-Early July 3-4 times a week, schedule depending on cast availability (mostly evenings/weekend rehearsals).

Performances are planned for Mid-July.

This production will run with a profit share module. If any donations are received, they will be divided between all cast and crew personnel after covering production expenses. Please note that we are unable to guarantee that any sum of donations will be received.

We are seeking strong improvisers with experience working with classical texts, who are interested in exploring non-traditional theater as an ensemble. Actors may audition for any character they feel comfortable playing, we are actively seeking actors of various ages, genders, ethnicities, body types and abilities.

The casting breakdown is as follows:

(Any gender and ethnicity, 20s-30s) - The king of Thebes and cousin to Dionysus. Walking the fine line between puritanical and hungry for more. Also plays an actor who’d like to keep things professional.

(She/her, 40s-50s, any ethnicity) - Pentheus’ mother. A wise and respectable queen enchanted by Dionysus to become one of his wild worshippers. Also plays an actor who’s thrilled to have this many lines.

(Any gender and ethnicity, 50s-70s): A sage prophet, in direct connection with the Gods. Possess the wisdom of many generations. The voice of reason. Also plays an actor who’s very happy to play the good guy.

(Any gender and ethnicity, 50s-70s) - The former king of Thebes. A kind and wise ruler who knows what is good for his people, family and city. Also plays a stage manager who didn’t think they would need to act in this play.

(She/her/they/them, 20s-40s, any ethnicity) - Women from foreign lands, following Dionysus and his messengers in rituals of wild ecstasy. Great singers, capable of holding harmonies.

(THIS ROLE IS CAST) - The God of wine, theater, lust and madness. Disguises himself as a foreigner to enact revenge on his disrespectful human family. Also plays an actor who tries to live in the moment.

Please prepare either 2 contrasting monologues, at least one of them classical, or a classical monologue and a short folk song. All parts besides Pentheus will be required to sing during the show. In-person auditionees may either sing acapella or bring an accompaniment track (a speaker will be provided). Video auditionees should sing with accompaniment.

Please fill out this audition form to sign up for a slot or to submit your video audition. Make sure your video audition is NOT password protected and that we have the permission to view it (Youtube links are preferred). Video auditions are due April 2nd. For any questions or accommodations, please email needsmoreworkproductions@gmail.com.

Audition form: https://docs.google.com/forms/...

We look forward to seeing your auditions and bringing this powerful production to life!