WHY, WHAT, & HOW

At the height of a wildly divisive historical epoch, amidst the unprecedented isolation of lockdowns and quarantines, “the Handless Maiden is a myth that speaks powerfully to our dark and confusing times. It’s a fairy tale that was collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, but its roots are much older. The story is about a maiden whose father sells her to the devil in exchange for wealth and convenience. Her hands are chopped off and she must wander alone in the forest in search of healing.” (1) In 2021, we can’t imagine a more timely, more culturally & psychically significant apologue through which to test the limits of virtual collaboration, community building, & accessibility in theatre.

Our virtually produced & pre-recorded musical adaptation: HERE, ALL DWELL FREE (OR, THE HANDLESS MAIDEN — A MODERN-ANCIENT EPIC) will feature a multi-disciplinary ensemble of 8-12 performers of all ages & identities, with the majority of the company comprised of actors across the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened (DDBDDHHLD) spectrum. Grounded in aesthetics of access, our world will be situated at the intersection of aptitude, artistry, & innovation, as we co-create a visual & gestural vernacular rooted in American Sign Language (ASL).

(1) Davidson, J. (2017, May 6). The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul. Jessica Davidson: Writing in the dark - looking for the light.

SEEKING:

• Non-Union DDBDDHHLD (Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened) and hearing actors with experience/interest in ASL

  • • • If you are union member and you are still interested in joining, please reach out to handlessmaiden2021@gmail.com to chat with us

• Non-Union actor/musicians who play drums, various percussion, acoustic guitar, upright bass, banjo, violin (fiddle), and/or mandolin

• Performers of all ethnicities/races/gender identities are encouraged to audition

• Performers of all signing skills are welcomed

• As a university production, this is an unpaid theatre experience, with potential for college credit for students where available. This is a volunteer opportunity.

WHERE/WHEN

• Produced by NYU, this production will rehearse virtually on Zoom. Actors will record in their own spaces using some personal and some procured equipment from NYU.

  • • • TIMELINE:

        • • AUDITION SUBMISSIONS DUE: Sunday, January 31st, by 5pm (EST)

• First ASL Boot Camp for non/beginning signers: Tuesday February 16, 2021. Boot camp will be mostly during the weeknights.

• First rehearsal with full company: Friday February 19, 2021. Rehearsals are mostly done on weekend.

• Remote filming begins: Wednesday March 10, 2021.

• Production Broadcasts and Talkbacks: Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 9.

AUDITIONS

• SUBMISSIONS DUE: Sunday, January 31st, by 5pm (EST)

• We encourage performers to submit audition material in the following modalities: signing, speaking, and music/movement.

  • • • If you are an actor/actress, the ASL/visual gestural communication (VGC) section is required, any and all additional audition materials (movement, speaking, music) are welcomed & encouraged.

      • If you are a vocal or instrumental musician SOLEY interested in playing with "the band" of the production, please email us at handlessmaiden2021@nyu.edu

• CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS

• CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDITION FORM

  • • • Be prepared to submit an updated resume and headshot.

      • You can submit the necessary videos in two ways; through an unlisted YouTube link or via video file uploaded directly to the form.

CALLBACKS:

• Callbacks will consist of live, group sessions online where you will be asked to collaborate with other performers to create original content based around sections of the story, so if called back, please familiarize yourself with THE HANDLESS MAIDEN (click for link to adaptations).

• Callback Schedule: February 5 - 7, 2021.

  • • • FRI, 02/05: 7PM - 10PM (EST)

      • SAT, 02/06: 12PM - 4PM (EST)

      • SUN, 02/07: 12PM - 4PM (EST)

ACCOMMODATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY

• There is a Director of Artistic Sign Language involved in all aspects of the production. There will be ASL interpreters at the callbacks as well as rehearsals, filming, and production broadcast run/talkbacks.

• Any request for accommodations, other than the ones mentioned above, in the audition process should be sent to handlessmaiden2021@gmail.com. These requests will be kept confidential.