MCC Launches Search for Transgender Performers

The Off-Broadway company has announced a casting search for the New York premiere of Charm.

MCC Theater has announced a casting search for transgender and gender non-conforming performers in preparation for the New York premiere of Philip Dawkins' Charm, which will be directed by Helen Hayes winner Will Davis. The announcement from the Off-Broadway company—whose artistic team includes two casting directors—signifies an important development in the way producers and casting directors are approaching diverse casting.

Charm will officially open MCC’s 2017-18 Season in fall 2017, and will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, located at 121 Christopher Street, New York. Complete dates and additional information will be announced at a later date.

Those who would like to be considered but expect to be unavailable for upcoming New York open calls in early 2017 are encouraged to email their name, current location, picture, phone number, and email to telseyplayscasting@gmail.com. A full casting breakdown can be viewed at TelseyandCo.com/charm.

“MCC has been dedicated to provoking conversations for more than three decades. It’s more important than ever that the stories we tell represent the rich diversity of voices in our country,” said MCC Theater co-artistic director Will Cantler. “We have looked forward to doing this remarkable play about the real life issues surrounding gender identity, poverty, and prejudice since discovering it during its celebrated run in Chicago in 2015. With Will Davis on board to direct our production we are thrilled to now bring this story to New York audiences under his direction and guidance. Together we are committed to engage as many transgender and gender non-conforming artists as possible on this production.”

In Charm, Mama Darleena Andrews, a 67 year-old African-American transgender woman, decides to teach an etiquette class at Chicago’s LGBTQ community center. “The idealistic teachings of Emily Post clash with the very real life challenges of identity, poverty and prejudice faced by the center's students,“ read MCC production notes for Charm. “Inspired by the true story of Miss Gloria Allen and her work at Center on Halsted, this new play asks - how do we lift each other up when the world wants to tear us down?“

Support for this production is provided in part by the Venturous Theater Fund of Tides Foundation.

For more information on the upcoming 2017-18 season, visit MCCTheater.org.

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