FALL MAIN STAGE AUDITIONS + ASSISTANTSHIPS

ABOUT THE SHOW

MAINSTAGE | Parentheses of Blood
by Sony Lab’ou Tansi
directed by Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe

Sony Lab’ou Tansi’s Parentheses of Blood is a darkly humorous satire set in a country with a brutal and authoritarian government, with a growing and threatening rebellion. On orders from the Capitol, soldiers set out to arrest and kill rebel leader, Libertashio. The only problem is that Libertashio is already dead! But that does not stop the Capitol and its minions from trying as they terrorize the citizens and Libertashio’s family. Deeply funny, this absurdist postcolonial farce from the Congo too readily reflects our own nation’s problems: where rumor betters facts and rebellion looms from many sides.

Course credit is available for those cast.

Content Notice: Parentheses of Blood deals with state-sponsored violence and moments of physical touch.

ABOUT THE REHEARSAL PROCESS

From The Director:

“The rehearsal process is the most important aspect of the production for me and is one of discovery. My process seeks to be organic, collaborative and inclusive. A play from the Congo, an African play, offers so many new avenues of expression. I am interested in the play’s theatricality, its language and how we can make the most of it. I am eager to see what the play can teach us about ourselves and the world we inhabit. Lastly, I hope to embody, in the process, African values of community, respect and celebration of life.”

In addition to its scheduled performances, this production may be live-streamed or recorded for public viewing.

Stanford TAPS seeks to build a diverse cast for this production and encourages members of any race, gender identity, and ability to audition. If any accessibility accommodations are needed please email tapsinformation@stanford.edu for assistance.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe is an award-winning director, actor and writer. Edris has directed at SF Playhouse, Exit Theatre, SF Mime Troupe, Z Space, Word for Word, Magic Theatre Trinity Rep, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks, WaterTower Theatre/Dallas, Mark Taper Forum, Southern Rep/New Orleans and Alabama Shakespeare. Edris has acted with the SF Mime Troupe, Aurora Theatre, SF Playhouse, Art Theatre Ibadan, Nigeria and for 11 years was a lead artist for Rhodessa Jones’s The Medea Project; Theatre for Incarcerated Women. Edris’s solo performances have been seen at Northwestern University, Penn Museum, University of Illinois, University of Florida, San Francisco’s Afro Solo Festival, Intersection for the Arts, Eastside Alliance and Brava Theater where she is a resident artist. Her play, Adventures of A Black Girl In Search of Academic Clarity and Inclusion is published in the anthology solo/black/women. In addition to her own company, Edris is a member of Campo Santo and Word for Word theater companies. Photo by Joan Osato.

ABOUT AUDITIONS

STEP #1 | SIGN UP FOR A TIME SLOT

These auditions have passed. For information on upcoming performer opportunities, visit our auditions page.

Be advised that you should arrive at least five minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out necessary paperwork. If you cannot make these audition dates but would like to audition, email TAPSinformation@stanford.edu. 

STEP #2 | WHAT TO PREPARE

We encourage auditioners to prepare something – a monologue, a poem, a song – the director is open to all presentation types. If you are unable to prepare something of your own, sides from the show are available here.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

This production aims to cast between 9-11 performers.

• Kalahashio: wife of Libertashio
• Ramana, Aleyo, Yavilla: Libertashio’s daughters
• Martial-Makaya: Libertashio’s nephew
• Le Fou: The Fool
• Five Soldiers (double as the following characters): Dr. Portes, Madam Portes, The Priest and other wedding guests.

ASSISTANT POSITIONS