The Kandake Dance Theatre for Social Change is a dance-theatre collective that combines social activism and philanthropy with folkloric, modern, theatrical and experimental movement.

We host various free and by-donation/low-cost events for the public and we find creative ways to support various humanitarian, earth and animal-friendly causes. Check us out here: www.TheKandake.com

We've worked with talented performers of every stripe and color and we're excited to do it again for our next production entitled 1001 Nights: A Rock Opera (Love Stories on Death Row)

About the Show:
Scheherazade is no longer a Queen staving off execution by her cruel husband but a woman condemned to death by the criminal justice system. 1001 Nights: A Rock Opera is a feast for all five senses featuring stories from the Middle East, North Africa, India, China and Greece and an original musical score consisting of Hip Hop, Rock and World Music. We will explore what it means to be the "minority" in terms of ethnicity, religion, sex and sexual orientation within society particularly as it relates to the American prison-industrial complex.

The show will take place on the last two weekends (Friday and Saturday evenings) in August and rehearsals are set to take place on most Monday, Wednesday and Sunday evenings with some Thursday evenings thrown in starting in May.

Pay is based off ticket sales (which we split with the theatre), the bar and in-house donations made by the audience. In addition we are waiting to hear back from various grants, putting up a kickstarter next month and hosting various fund-raising events for the production.

We usually do pretty well but this does mean that we expect anyone who is a part of the production to promote the show as much as they are able. THE MORE EFFORT YOU PUT IN, THE MORE YOU GET BACK!

We are looking for fearless, talented performers with tons of heart for our auditions which will take place APRIL 27, 2014 from 7pm to 11pm. Earlier audition slots are possible if you contact us in advance!

Please prepare a piece (minimum 1.5 minutes/maximum 3 minutes) that demonstrates your specialty (whether dance, acting, martial arts, etc.) and prepare to give a brief explanation of your commitment to The Kandake's mission statement which can be found on the "About Us" page on www.TheKandake.com.

If you are interested in an audition slot please reply to this ad with your bio or resume, 2 character or professional references and a picture if possible.

We are looking for leading roles, minor roles and understudies for all parts. All understudies will have the opportunity to perform at least one night. It is also possible that one person can take on multiple roles.

Must be 18 years old or older to apply. All ethnicities and genders will be considered for any role however the following character descriptions should be used as guidelines based on who/where the character is:

MAJOR ROLES:

Shezadi (Scheherazade)
Female: Middle Eastern or North African: A woman on death row
? This is a speaking role so you must be comfortable learning and delivering lots of lines.

Dina (Dinazade)
Female: African-American: A corrections officer
? This is a speaking role, so you must be comfortable learning and delivering a moderate amount of lines.

The Sirens
Females: Any Ethnicity
? Responsible for singing and various vocalizations throughout the show. Familiarity with Middle Eastern, African or South Asian vocal styles A+

Marjana
Female: Lightly Tanned to Very Dark Complexion: A beautiful slave girl who becomes wealthy through her intelligence and bravery
? Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) experience required. Martial Arts or Sword experience required.

Forty Thieves
Any Gender: Any Ethnicity: Cunning and Exciting Bandits!
? Martial Arts, Cirque (poi spinning, contortion, etc.) or belly dance experience required. 5-10 performers will portray all 40 thieves!

Zumurrud
Female/Androgynous: Lightly Tanned to Very Dark Complexion: A beautiful slave girl who eventually becomes a king through her intelligence and bravery
? Indian Dance experience required

Aziza
Female: Eurasian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern look/Dark Hair: Intelligent, Self-less, Tragic Wife-To-Be
? Must be comfortable enacting domestic violence scene

Aziz
Male: Eurasian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern look/Dark Hair: Clueless, Selfish Husband-To-Be
? Must be comfortable enacting domestic violence scene

Zaynab
Female: Mainstream East Asian look or Blonde: Intelligent, Fiery, Righteous, Seductive
? Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) experience required.

Lilith
Female: Any Ethnicity: Strong-Willed, Tortured 1st Wife of Adam
? Strong Dance Background Required. Must be comfortable in full body paint. Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) experience A+

MINOR ROLES

Ali Baba
Male: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion
? Middle Eastern/North African Dance experience required

Cassim
Male: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion

Ali Baba's Son
Male: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion

King of Thieves: Male: Any Ethnicity
? Martial Arts/Sword experience

Ali Shar
Male: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion. Mainstream East Asian look A+
? Must be able to pick up slight dance choreography

Reshideddin
Male: Blue Eyes required (He's known for his blue eyes in the original tale!)

Snake Charmer
Any Gender: Any Ethnicity

Snake
Female: Any Ethnicity
? Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) experience required. Must be comfortable in slight body paint.

Sea Goddess
Female: Any Ethnicity
? Middle Eastern/North African Dance (Belly Dance) experience required. Must be comfortable in moderate body paint

Sea Waves
Any Gender: Any Ethnicity
? Must be able to pick up light choreography. Must be comfortable in moderate body paint.

Adam
Male: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion. Long Hair A+
? Must be physically fit and comfortable in minimal clothing. Must be comfortable enacting domestic violence scene

Eve
Female: Lightly Tanned to Very Dark Complexion
? Must be comfortable in minimal clothing and implied topless-ness

Goddess Al Uzza
Female: Lightly Tanned to Medium Dark Complexion

Goddess Al Manat
Female: Any Ethnicity
? Must be comfortable with painted hands.

Servants, Family Members, Marketeers/Merchants, City/Townsfolk, Party-ers, Angels
Any Gender: Any Ethnicity