Casting Call: 'Body Awareness'

Circle Players will hold auditions for “Body Awareness,” a 2009 Drama Desk award-winning play written by Annie Baker.

It’s “Body Awareness Week” on a Vermont college campus and the organizer, Phyllis, and her partner, Joyce, are hosting one of the guest artists, Frank, in their home. Frank is a photographer famous for his portraits of female nudes. His presence in the home and his chosen subject create tension from the start. Phyllis is furious with his art, but Joyce is intrigued and considers posing for him.

As Joyce and Phyllis bicker, Joyce’s young adult son, Jared, who may or may not have Asperger syndrome, struggles to develop relationships with young women, with heartbreaking results.

The play will be directed by Ed Faver of Roselle, and produced by Elyse Halloran of Somerset.

Roles being cast are:

Phyllis (must be able to play 40-45): a psychology professor at the school who runs the Body Awareness program. She is feeling the stress of the project as well as the stress at home. She loves Joyce, but might be happier if Joyce’s son Jared was able to find his way in the world.

Joyce (45-55): a high school teacher who gave birth to Jared during an earlier marriage. She loves Phyllis and champions Jared as only a mother can for her son.

Frank (50-60): an artist who embraces the bohemian life. He becomes something of a mentor to Jared. Relaxed and happy in his life and lifestyle. NOTE: The actor who plays Frank must either know how to play the recorder or be willing to learn.

Jared (21): Joyce’s son. At the start of the play, he works in a fast-food restaurant and is obsessed with his Oxford English Dictionary. He insists he does not have Asperger’s. His behaviors seem to indicate otherwise. Has no sense of how to interact with females of his own age.

Sides from the script will be provided at auditions.

Auditions will be held Nov.17 and Nov. 19. Sign-in begins at 7 p.m. and readings at 7:30 p.m.

The theater is located at 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway.

Rehearsals will be 3-4 times weekly, including Sunday afternoons.

Performances run 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 16-31, with one 3 p.m. matinee Sunday, Feb. 1.