POTUSOr, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Play | Comedy
Written by Selina Fillinger
Directed by Amy DeTrempe-Williams
AUDITIONS:
Friday, January 8th: 6:00p - 7:00p (Dusty for Rap and Bitchbeats song)
Friday, January 8th: 7:00p - 9:00p (Everyone for short monologues and cold reads)
Saturday, January 9th: 1:00p - 2:00p (Dusty for Rap and Bitchbeats song)
Saturday, January 9th: 2:00p - 4:00p (Everyone for short monologues and cold reads)
Callbacks, if needed, will be Sunday, January 10th at 1:00p.
Location: Corn Stock Theatre Center
Show Dates: March 12-13 & 19-20 at 7:30PM and March 14 & 21 at 2:30PM
SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DAEA62DAAF5C70-67277264-potus#/
CONTENT NOTE: Violence, intimacy, lots of swearing, crass language, vomiting, some drug use, stage blood, and a lot of adult content. Must be 21 or older.
AUDITION STRUCTURE:
For all audition times/dates, please arrive on time and be prepared to remain until the end or until dismissed so that we can read different actors for the various roles. We are looking for a strong ensemble cast of seven performers working together with tight comedic timing.
As this is a complicated play with adult themes and language, we strongly suggest you read the entire play before auditioning.
When signing up for a date/time, please also provide an email address. Further instructions and monologues will be emailed in advance of the auditions.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals could take place on Saturday morning, Sunday evenings and during the evening (M-F), depending on conflicts. Please bring a complete list of conflicts to auditions because we will create the rehearsal schedule based on availability of the actors cast.
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Director: Amy DeTrempe-Williams
Stage Manager / Lights: Kathy Hauk
Production Assistant / Hair: Tasha Taylor
Costumer / Intimacy: Michelle Tipsword
Props / Backstage Manager: Cristin Robertson
Set Design/Construction: Christine Paternoga
Sound Design/Execution: Daisy Fritz
Stage Crew: Lauren Frawley
SYNOPSIS:
One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble.
Selina Fillinger’s brilliant, all-female farce took Broadway by storm in a star-studded production that earned three 2022 Tony nominations. This contemporary farce is packed with rapid-fire dialogue, physical comedy, outrageous situations, and a surprising amount of heart.
Seeking a diverse cast of strong comedic actors for seven dynamic female-presenting roles.
NEEDED: 7 Women
CASTING NOTE:
Ages listed are only a suggestion. I am more interested in casting the best actor for the role while keeping in mind the balance of an ensemble cast of seven performers working together with tight comedic timing and relationship in the show (i.e. Jean & Bernadette)
Each role requires strong physical stamina. There is fighting, biting, running, leaping and tackling in the show.
Roles for Bernadette, Chris, and Margaret have specific racial identities; all other roles are completely open to any ethnicity. Director is seeking a diverse cast of females (cis or trans).
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
In order of emotional proximity to POTUS (closest to furthest)
HARRIET – Chief of Staff (Late 40s-60s / Any Ethnicity):
A political bulldog who has chosen (sacrificed) every aspect of her life, appearance, and personality in service of her career. Brilliant, relentless, tightly wound, fierce. Dry wit, razor-sharp timing.
Intimacy: Her cheek is licked.
JEAN – Press Secretary (Late 30s–60s | Any Ethnicity):
A hawk in a turtleneck. High-strung, quick-witted, can handle any pressroom and sterilize any scandal. Equal parts strategist and spokesperson. Harriet’s more polished and more tactful counterpart. A character who weaponizes competence while quietly unraveling inside.
Intimacy: Kisses Bernadette
STEPHANIE – Presidential Secretary (30s–40s | Any Ethnicity):
An obedient and diminutive millennial, terrified of failure. She is the gatekeeper to the most powerful person in the world — and somehow still apologizes when other people bump into her. A deeply intelligent staffer trapped beneath layers of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and desperately wants to do everything right.
The character spends time on stage in rather unflattering underwear.
Intimacy: Licks Harriet’s cheek. She is undressed on stage.
General: She will sing – but doesn’t need to be good. It’s better if it is not.
DUSTY – The President's Dalliance (20s–30s | Any Ethnicity):
A glowing, young, sex-positive farm girl who also happens to be in STEM and a cheerleader. Charming, magnetic, and wildly uninhibited. She is far smarter than people initially assume. Loves civic duty! Loves democracy! Determined to make the world better!
Comfortable with suggestive costuming, dancing, and high-energy farce. Singing skills are a plus. Please be prepared to sing a small section of a BitchBeat song of choice. There will be no piano nor is this a musical, but the character does a small performance. She also raps (lyrics in script and will be provided prior to auditions)
BERNADETTE – The President's Sister (Late 30s–60s | White):
A charismatic, walking dumpster fire fresh out of prison and awaiting a presidential pardon. Strife and mayhem. Brash, rebellious, shameless, and utterly unpredictable with zero impulse control. A coked-up tornado with a fiery temper and fantastic sense of humor. Jean’s kryptonite.
Intimacy: Kissed by Chris, Kisses Jean.
CHRIS – White House Reporter (30s–40s | Black):
Fiercely ambitious but deeply human, she’s trying to prove she still belongs in an industry that constantly threatens to replace women the moment life gets complicated. Smart, relentless, and completely exhausted. A journalist chasing a career-making scoop while physically juggling a breast pump in the halls of power. A dogged reporter with much to gain and everything to lose. She also throws a vase and bust of a suffragette.
Intimacy: Kisses Bernadette
MARGARET – The First Lady (40s–70s | Black):
Elegant, regal, and fiercely intimidating. An impeccable combination of high fashion, corporate experience, and Ivy League legal savvy. She is fully aware she is the smartest person in the room—leaving everyone else wondering why she isn't the president. Brimming with calculated, pent-up rage, she handles damage control with terrifying precision. Wears Crocs because she is trying to be “earthy” after bad press for wearing high-fashioned stilettos to a homeless shelter.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In an effort to keep Corn Stock a safe space for minors, it is the theatre’s policy to conduct a background check for all volunteers. If you are cast in the production, Corn Stock will need your full legal name, email address, and phone number before rehearsals can proceed. An outside company (InquireHire) performs all background checks by sending you an email and/or text message with a link to fill out the necessary background check form. All information is sent through a secure server and CST sees none of your information. Background checks only flag crimes against children and no other records. Casting will be made official pending a successful background check.
Event venue
1700 N Park Rd, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61604
Tickets
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