Theatre Arts & Performance Studies

Audition Notice: MUSES: A Story of Love and Magic

Muses: A Story of Love & Magic
Written by Gail Burton
Directed by Kym Moore

Performances: 
April 9th- April 19th (Thursday-Sunday)
Leeds Theatre

Gerty and Dee’s relationship is on the rocks when three Muses—drag king spirits inspired by West African Orisha, materialize in their apartment as a blues man and two 1970s R&B soul singers. Through humor, heart, musical alchemy, and a little pizzazz from nosy neighbor and bestie Fren, the Muses guide the couple through chaotic life adventures to an out-of-this-world breakthrough that reshapes their notions of love, family, and belonging. 

Please note that actors can receive half or full course credit.

Auditions:
Lyman Hall, The Cave (002)
Please use the Ashamu Dance Studio Accessible Ramp Entrance
Wednesday, February 11: 6:00 - 7PM
Thursday, February 12: 5:30 - 7:30PM

 

Audition Slots will be 10 minutes long. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your slot time and sign in.
Sign up for an audition slot here: MUSES AUDITION SIGN-UPS

For Auditions Please Prepare:

  • A comedic monologue
  • A short song or verse to be performed a capella.

OR

  • A side from this selection of sides. 

Casting Note

The West African Orisha referenced in these character descriptions are inspirational archetypes only. The Orisha are included as a cultural and symbolic framework to support actors who may be familiar with this 
cosmology, particularly through Santería and related spiritual traditions.

Character Descriptions

THE MORTALS

GERTY (32)
An artist and sculptor with a strong New Age spiritual sensibility. A romantic dreamer who believes in intuition, energy, and signs from the universe. She longs for commitment and is trying to convince her partner to marry her.
DEE (35)
A corporate music executive (A&R). Practical, pragmatic, and emotionally distant, she has taken her love for music into the corporate music industry, as a handler for rap artists. She values stability, logic, and control.
FREN Ageless and Femme
Gerty’s best friend and nosy upstairs neighbor. A Black Queer character (may be played by a cisgendered woman, trans woman or gender nonconforming femme-presenting performer). Owns a weave shop and is in a relationship with Tyrone, who is rumored to be a cisgender, hyper-masculine man. But who knows? Fren embodies beauty, desire, sweetness, and emotional intelligence. She is perceptive, spiritually tuned-in, and always a few steps ahead of everyone else.

THE MUSES

The Muses are drag king spirits—performers embodying heightened masculine personas—who support and nurture the inner emotional and spiritual lives of Gerty, Dee, and Fren, the chosen family at the center of the play. The Muses are inspired by three Orisha from the Santería tradition —Elegba/Esu, Obatala, and Shango—and guide Gerty, Dee and Fren toward connection, healing, and the creation of family.

The Muses combine mythic archetypes with blues, R & B and soul music. Music is a primary tool used for transformation in the play.

SAGE (Obatala/ Blues Singer)
Embodies peace, clarity, and higher consciousness. Calm, cool, and smooth. The spirit of the mind and wisdom. When Sage sings, others become hypnotized—drawn into a state of calmness, joy and well being.
GAMBLER (Shango/ R &B and Soul Singer) 
A charismatic ladies’ man—stylish, masculine, and seductive. A risk-taker who uses dice as a form of divination, reading fate through chance. Confident, flashy, and driven by desire, impulse, and fire.
TRICKSTER (Elegba/Esu/ Reluctant R &B and Soul Singer)
The spirit of communication and technology. Sly, witty, and manipulative with an edgy sense of humor. Uses cell phones and digital tools to move the action of the play. A master of persuasion with the gift of gab and a golden tongue.

About the Director

Kym Moore (she/her) returns to directing at Brown following a recent hiatus. She co-directed Machinal with Richard Waterhouse last semester. This production of Muses marks a long-awaited return to a play she originally directed in Boston more than 30 years ago. Reuniting with playwright Gail Burton to revive the work for a new generation is a dream come true. Together, they are thrilled to bring this Black Queer romantic comedy to the Brown community at a moment when warmth, joy, and collective healing feel especially vital.

Moore’s previous Brown productions include Pippin, Gross Indecency, The Other Shore, and Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise. Kym has taught acting and directing at Brown since 2008 and is the co-artistic director of Antigravity Performance Project.

For any questions, please contact Production Director, B Reo, barbara_reo@brown.edu