AUDITION NOTICE (VIDEO SUBMISSIONS)
Venus in Fur by David Ives
VENUS IN FUR is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS CLOSE AUGUST 1st
Produced by The Other Road Theater Project
Directed by Jeremy Haig
Director of Artistic Process / Intimacy Director: Clove Love
Technical Direction: Andrew Russell
Marketing Consulting: Jonathan Scheppegrell, Page to Stage Consulting LLC
Production Photography: Cohagen Wilkinson
The Other Road Theater Project is seeking actors for an upcoming production of Venus in Fur by David Ives.
This production will be staged in an intimate black box environment at The Storyteller Theater in Aurora, Colorado, with audiences seated in proximity on three sides of the playing space.
We are seeking actors who are grounded in realism and deeply responsive to language. This is an actor-driven production built around tension, listening, psychological understanding, and active collaboration.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Other Road Theater Project is a newly founded, artist-led theater company focused on bold, intimate productions of psychologically rich plays. Built around a lean artistic structure and small-scale impact, the company prioritizes emotionally precise storytelling, collaborative process, and actor-driven work created in proximity to the audience.
Our work is intentionally intimate. We are interested in theater that asks audiences to lean in — work where silence matters, language matters, and the emotional architecture of the room is just as important as the physical one.
Our rehearsal rooms are designed to be exploratory, responsive, and deeply engaged with the text. Rather than approaching performance through rigid result-oriented staging, we are interested in building work through investigation, listening, tension, rhythm, and discovery in the room.
For actors who thrive on language, psychological complexity, and active collaboration, we hope this process feels less like fitting into a machine and more like building something alive together.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
This interpretation of Venus in Fur centers on the psychology of power, authorship, belief, and perception. While the play contains elements of sexuality and domination, this production is not focused on spectacle or shock value. Instead, we are interested in how control is constructed, negotiated, and destabilized through language, performance, vulnerability, and shifting perspective.
Sexuality in this production functions as a pressure point rather than the destination itself. The focus of the work is psychological, relational, and deeply human. This production will prioritize nuance, restraint, tension, humor, stillness, and emotional specificity over broad performance choices.
ROLES
WANDA (20s-40s, female presenting)
Brilliant, unpredictable, magnetic. An actress who arrives seeming chaotic and gradually reveals extraordinary intelligence, wit, sensuality, and control. (Utilizes RP or Transatlantic, and German dialects)
THOMAS (20’s-50’s, male presenting)
A playwright-director trapped between artistic ego, desire, shame, and obsession. Sharp, intellectual, guarded.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are especially interested in actors who:
Have a strong command of language and text
Approach text with shifting tactics and quickly evolving intentions
Are comfortable with intimacy, proximity, and tension
Approach the work with curiosity rather than fixed performance choices
Thrive in collaborative, actor-centered rehearsal environments
All ethnicities and gender identities are welcome and encouraged to submit!
DETAILS
Performance Location: The Storyteller Theater – Aurora, CO
Compensation: Non-Equity, 18+
Stipend: $500 for principal cast, $400 for understudies (4 comps per actor)
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: July 31st: 11:59 pm
CALLBACKS: August 10th: 6:30 pm to 9 pm- 1400 Dallas Arts Building
Rehearsals Begin: 1400 Dallas Arts Building
Monday- Thursday (November 2-5): 6-10 pm
Monday- Thursday (November 9-12): 6-10 pm
Wednesday-Friday (November 18-20)**: 6-10 pm (OFF BOOK)
Monday- Thursday (November 23-26): 6-10 pm
TECH WEEK- November 29: 11 am- 8 pm, November 30-December 3: 6-11 pm
Performance Dates:
Friday, December 4th- 7:30 pm OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, December 5th- 2:30 pm (UNDERSTUDY SHOW)
Saturday, December 5th- 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 6th- 2:30 pm
Monday, December 7th- 7:30 pm (INDUSTRY/DAF NIGHT)
Thursday, December 10th- 7:30 pm
Friday, December 11th- 7:30pm
Saturday, December 12th- 2:30 pm (UNDERSTUDY SHOW)
Saturday, December 12th- 7:30pm CLOSING NIGHT
CONTENT & COSTUME NOTE
This play includes themes of sexuality as a tactic, power dynamics, and psychological manipulation.
Costuming for this production may include:
Lingerie or similarly vulnerable costuming elements for Wanda
Possibility of partial nudity/shirtless performance for Thomas
Stylized costume accessories, such as dog collars as part of the production’s visual storytelling
Physical intimacy in the production will be approached collaboratively, thoughtfully, and professionally with clear communication and consent practices throughout the rehearsal process, and led by an experienced Intimacy Director
Please only submit if you are comfortable working within these parameters.
UNDERSTUDIES
In addition to the principal cast, this production will cast understudies for both roles.
The production will perform a total of 9 performances:
7 performances featuring the principal cast
2 guaranteed Saturday matinee performances featuring the understudy cast
Understudies will be fully integrated into the rehearsal process and treated as an essential part of the production’s artistic structure. Understudies will be called to all rehearsals and tech week, but not to all shows, except in the event of a cast dropout, which will be communicated at least 4 hours before curtain.
REHEARSAL & AVAILABILITY EXPECTATIONS
Because this is an intimate two-person play built around detailed psychological and relational work, rehearsal consistency is extremely important.
Actors should submit all known conflicts at the time of video submission. Conflicts will be carefully considered as part of the casting process, as even minor scheduling gaps can significantly impact rehearsal progress and scene work.
Outside of emergencies or unavoidable circumstances, additional conflicts after callbacks may not be able to be accommodated.
VIDEO SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit:
A 1–2 minute contemporary monologue that best displays your acting capabilities (can be longer if you feel it better represents your best work, but no more than 5 mins max)
Current headshot
Resume
A list of all known rehearsal/performance conflicts
For video submissions:
If uploading through Google Drive, please ensure viewing access is shared with: info@theotherroadtheater.com
If uploading through YouTube, unlisted links are absolutely welcome
Please email all materials to:
info@theotherroadtheater.com
Subject Line:
Venus in Fur Submission – [Your Name]
CALLBACKS
Selected actors will be invited to in-person callbacks on August 10th from 6:30 pm to 9 pm @ the 1400 Dallas Arts Building.
Final casting offers will be sent out via phone call/text/email by EOD on August 13th
COLORADO THEATRE STANDARDS & INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
The Other Road Theater Project adheres to and implements safety standards that align with the Colorado Theatre Guild. We welcome and encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, body types, and backgrounds to audition. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels respected, represented, and valued.