New-York Neo-Futurist 2010 Auditions

The award-winning New York Neo-Futurists are holding auditions to diversify their ensemble. Hard-working and creative theater makers of all ethnic backgrounds as well as from the LGBTQ community are sought to join the open-ended run of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. Now in its 6th year, this ever-changing weekly performance of 30 plays in 60 minutes was dubbed “an entire fringe festival in one show” by the NY Times. Ensemble membership is a paid position.

Initial auditions will be held on Saturday, May 15 and in the evening of Tuesday, May 18. Auditions are by appointment only.

Note: In preparation for the Auditions, the New York Neo-Futurists are holding a FREE one-day-only salon on Sunday, May 2nd. Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this crash-course in creating your own work and using the tools of our non-illusory aesthetic. The mini-workshop will include writing exercises, performance assignments and ensemble feedback. You do not have to participate in the Salon to audition, but it is highly recommended for those less familiar with our work. Space is limited.

Artists applying for the Salon and/or an Audition time slot are asked to email a resume, a picture of themselves and a short cover letter to
auditions (at) nynf (dot) org by Friday, May 7th.

The 2-day call-back session will be held on May 22nd and 23rd.

More info below.
For questions fill out the form at the end of this page.

Audition Requirements

Read “Neo-Futurism in a Nutshell.”
Prepare an original two minute (or less) Neo-Futurist (see below for more on what that means) performance that gives us some sense of who you are and how you see the world around you. Your piece can be funny, tragic, personal, allegorical, abstract, political, movement-based, prop-heavy, musical, all or none of the above, but most of all it must be YOU. We want to see and hear your voice as an artist. We are casting people, not characters.
Bring a headshot (or photocopy of recent mug shot) & resume
Bring writing samples

Those called back will take part in a mandatory two-day Neo-Futurist workshop where additional pieces will be assigned to be prepared and presented. It is strongly recommended that you see Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind before auditioning to determine if this is right for you.

F.A.Q.

What exactly would I be auditioning for?
This is unlike most auditions in that we are not casting a show. If you are an actor looking for work, we wish you the best, but this is probably not the place for you. We are looking for artistic partners, people to be a part of the New York Neo-Futurists for the foreseeable future.

What are you looking for in an artist?
The celebration of artistic components that do not allow for complacency: chaos, constant change, planned obsolescence, submission to chance and events beyond your control, time, danger, and the possibility of failure, and the capacity to believe that, through the Neo-Futurist aesthetic, you have the capacity to change how people see theater, art in general, and even the world around them.

What exactly is Neo-Futurism?
While there are many components to Neo-Futurism, the one inviolable rule that we hold sacrosanct is that every aspect of a Neo-Futurist performance must be REAL:

Neo-Futurists do not play characters; they are called by their real names, relate true stories, and express honest feelings.
Neo-Futurists do not pretend to perform any action; all tasks are real. Failure is an option.
Neo-Futurists do not transport the audience or themselves to any other setting; the only ‘time’ and ‘place’ in a Neo-Futurist plays is ‘here’ and ‘now.’ There is no fourth wall in a Neo-Futurist performance. The audience is acknowledged, sometimes addressed, sometimes even involved.

For a more in-depth sense of how our aesthetic is defined, read Neo-Futurist founder Greg Allen’s short dictum, “Neo-Futurism in a Nutshell.”

What sort of commitment is required in being a Neo-Futurist?
As a Neo-Futurist you are expected to:

For a minimum of 23 weeks per year, take part in the writing, production, performance, and direction for the show we run every Friday & Saturday night in the village, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. Each week a company member is active in the show is occupied by three long nights of rehearsal & performance, plus any additional time required to memorize lines and write new plays.
Serve as co-artistic director in an egalitarian format with the rest of the NY Neo-Futurists.
Prepare for and attend monthly business meetings.
Prepare for and attend scheduled company functions (e.g. benefits, conferences, etc.)
Serve on at least one committee as an active producer of the company.
Producing Neo-Futurist projects (both artistic & non-artistic) outside of TMLMTBGB.

As you can see, this is quite a bit. This commitment is not just yours, either. Talk to your spouses/partners/children/needy pets before auditioning. The schedule can be punishing, and while you’ll get incredible satisfaction from all the art you’ll create, all they’ll get is punished. Make sure everybody who matters knows what you’d be getting into in advance.

So does this schedule mean that I can’t perform in other productions?
It means that you will find it difficult to do so, certainly in the first year as a Neo-Futurist. Many Neo-Futurists do find time to engage in projects outside of Neo-Futurism (as well as Neo-Futurist projects outside of T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B.). As you get acclimated to how being a Neo-Futurist impacts your day-to-day, you will learn how be more efficient with the other aspects of your life and be able to plan accordingly.

What will the audition space be like?
The actual room is a rehearsal studio housing chairs, tables, CD player, kitchen utensils, an out-of-tune baby grand, and large portrait of Colleen Dewhurst, any of which you may use (but not deface or destroy). Be warned: you will be auditioning for the entire artistic arm of the company, so there will be quite a few people watching you.

I have a monologue that I wrote in which I reveal to my sister...
Whoa - your sister’s coming to your audition?

Well, no.
You’re going to call your sister during your audition?

No.
Don’t do that monologue. What you’re proposing to do is completely anathema to the Neo-Futurist aesthetic; performing anything like this will make it difficult to assess your work.

Okay. Can I talk to the auditors during my piece?
Absolutely. A large part of Neo-Futurism is acknowledging the given circumstances which, in this case, is going to involve having a group of people watch and evaluate your work while they sit beneath a large portrait of Colleen Dewhurst. You have the option of not only acknowledging this situation, but using it. If you need someone to talk to - we’re there. Talk to us. Please don’t talk to an invisible character in the room.

I’m not an actor, so you don’t really want to see me, right?
We don’t act, so we couldn’t care less that you’re not an actor. Quite a few Neo-Futurists are not trained at all as actors. Primarily, we are writers. We are interested in performing our own writing and composing pieces for others to perform. Note that we ARE performers, and if you’re only interested in the writing element, this probably isn’t for you.

What sort of writing samples should I bring?
If you have writing that falls within the confines of the Neo-Futurist aesthetic, great! The actual audition piece that you present should be Neo-Futurist, but if you don’t have any other Neo-Futurist writing beyond your audition, that’s okay. Your writing samples should, above all, showcase your patently unique voice as a writer.

Gah! All of your appointments are taken! What do I do?
You will be given a slot on the waiting list. If you don’t have the luxury of sitting around all day waiting for an appointment, you may have to wait until next time. In the future, make sure to get yourself on our mailing list. With that comes the privilege of being among the first people to hear that we are holding auditions.

When will you hold auditions again?
We assess our company’s personnel needs every year around the same time, and, if needed, hold auditions in the late winter.

Do I need to quit my day job if I am cast?
NO! And I say that emphatically not to celebrate your current day-job, but to impress upon you that we do not pay a living wage. We don’t want you to starve. We encourage you to accrue great wealth, but we can neither facilitate nor enable your road to riches.

Would I get paid at all?
Yes, but a pittance. There is a modest weekly stipend for the toil ensemble members contribute to ‘Too Much Light...’ In addition, there are opportunities for paid performances outside the regular TML rotation, including main stage neo-futurist shows and various TML gigs.

I auditioned before and I wasn’t cast. Will I be wasting my time if I audition again?
Not at all. Many Neo-Futurists in the company’s history (in both NY and Chicago) have had to put their hat into the ring more than once before being cast. Maybe you had something to learn about how to better get our attention. Maybe we have something to learn about how to view your work. Give us another chance; we’ll give you one too. Feel free to solicit advice or feedback in advance of your audition if you need guidance.

I don’t know if I’m ready for this, but I really want to be involved. Is there any other way to wave the flag of Neo-Futurism without sacrificing my entire life right now?
You’re not alone! We have a wonderful network of support in the volunteers that so graciously and lovingly help us do what we do - house managers, tech associates, committee members, the board of directors, and so on. Even if you don’t think you have anything in particular to contribute, let us know that you’d like to be on the team and we’ll make room!

If you’re student, we also have an internship program for which you can receive credit.