Deep Shadows Audio Drama
Project Overview
Eclectic Full Contact Theatre is accepting submissions for their upcoming serialized Audio Drama podcast—Deep Shadows, written by Aaron Mays and Colette Cullen, directed by Christina Casano.
DEEP SHADOWS follows Cook County, IL social worker Joelle as she gets drawn into the investigation surrounding the death and possible murder of a former client, running headlong into systemic racism, classism, and corruption in both law enforcement and her own industry, while trying to balance home life with her new wife, Irish émigré, Siobhan, and her relationship with her younger brother Michael, a Cook County Sheriff. (Drama)
Sides for the characters can be found at eclectic-theatre.com/audio-projects.html. Please choose which characters you would like to audition for and record the sides—one take per character (you can do multiple characters for the same series on the same track, but still only one take per character) one track per series. Please label the mp3 file TITLE OF SERIES_CHARACTER NAME_YOUR NAME and send mp3, a headshot/resumé and any demo track you may wish, to efctaudio @ gmail.com
Audition submissions are due November 15th. Rehearsals will be online November29.and December 4th, with recording being done remotely December 6th. There is pay.
Please read the character breakdowns carefully. EFCT is committed to casting a diverse group of artists and will be adhering to the descriptions below. Some roles may be doubled.
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Female, Mid 30’s, Irish, a photographer, intuitive, creative, a dreamer but with a practical side. When her ten year relationship broke down she took a sabbatical from her job as a university lecturer to take up an fellowship with a Chicago photographer. She also works part-time in a cafe and volunteers in a community college. She sublets a small photographic studio which also doubles as her home. She met Marian in the ER when she got bitten by a tic. They hit it off and she offered to take photos of Marian’s daughter’s First Holy Communion That’s where she met Joelle. They joke that they met at Church. Joelle took one of her photography courses at the community college and the rest is history as they say! Had a few casual relationships after her break up but is more interested in a stable committed relationship if she can find the right person and allow herself to trust again. Brought up a Catholic but is no-longer a Church-goer. Irish Accent.
I haven’t slept in weeks. I keep thinking to myself that something isn’t right. I just started to question if you really love me. I’m going to take this leap—and I may be wrong for saying this— but I get this growing sense that you don’t love me as much as I love you. Love is not emoji, Joelle. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to show up? To get your full attention. I told myself each time I lied down with you or by myself, saying maybe by morning, you will meet me where I am. It’s really quite hilarious how you can chase someone without making a single step. Not for you to love me but for you to be present. I chose you. I chose you, Joelle. We’re not playing Russian roulette. I'm not saying this so I can walk away but so we can walk together. That’s how this shit works. It’s hard fucking work and it takes two people to do it.
Female, Late 30’s/early 40’s BIPOC.
Senior Social Worker with Cook County.
Passionate, fearless, intelligent, totally committed to her job, sometimes shoots first and asks questions later. Can be stubborn but someone you’d want in your corner. Professionally competent but a mess when it comes to romance. Has never had a live-in partner before. Grew up in a military family that moved all around the States and overseas which is why she’s probably so close to her younger brother Michael and is so bad at romantic relationships. Brought up a Baptist but is no longer a Church-goer.
Hiya Mandy, Joelle here. Look don’t hang up. Just hear me out. I know Michael’s been on to you. He thought I wanted your number to invite you over to meet Siobhan. Not that I wouldn’t like you and Hal to meet her but I need you to do something for me. It’s really important lest I wouldn’t be asking. And there’s no need for you to get into trouble or anything. It’s to do with this young woman I placed in foster care. Charmaine Smith. Was only two at the time, same as your little Harriet. Had just lost her mother and little baby brother. No-one knew who the Dad was and I couldn’t find anyone who wanted to take her in. So I had to place her in care and now she’s ended up dead. Imagine she lay dead in her studio apartment for over six months. That’s who I’m asking for Mandy. Not me but for poor little Charmaine Smith, the girl no-one even noticed was missing
Nearly two years younger than big sister Joelle. Is a Cook County sheriff’s officer married to Marian. They have two young girls.
He and Joelle are like chalk and cheese. He’s Steady Eddie. Someone you can always rely on. Always thinks before he acts in fact he can be somewhat of a procrastinator. A Church going family man but open minded and always wants to do right by everyone. Likes to play by the rules but can be persuaded to bend them occasionally especially by Joelle. Is a member of the Baptist church and sings in the choir.
Let me ask you a question: Why is it everytime I invite you over, you always say you’ll make it the next time? I just want to spend time with my sister. I can’t remember the last time you stopped by. It’s a surprise the kids remember that you’re their auntie. I’m not sure if I should take it personally or not. And to be honest, I actually do. What’s the point of being a family if we don’t stick together? If we don’t make time for one another? Anytime you need something, I answer. I just can’t figure out why you can’t do the same. (sighs) You really make it hard for me to love you sometimes, sis. When you’re ready to stop by, the door will be open.
Female, 30’s, mixed race.
Born and bred in Chicago. Is a nurse although now only works part-time since she had the girls. Met Michael in their final year of high school. Is a very bubbly, happy person who loves life and believes in living it to the full. Is a hard worker but also likes to party. Wishes that Michael was more adventurous and less of a procrastinator. She’s the initiator and decision maker in their relationship. She has a very warm open heart but is no fool. Brought up a Catholic. Is a Church-goes mainly for cultural reasons and because her children go to Catholic schools and are being brought up as Catholic.
Ever hear the story of how Michael proposed? We were in a long queue in a McDonalds drive thru just after he was made permanent. He was rattling on about his pay, shift allowances, overtime, benefits and the Lord knows what else. Was only half listening to be honest. Was trying to decide whether to have a BigMac or a Quarter Pounder with cheese when he came out with it. Said so you see it makes perfect sense. Then he just blurts it out. I’d be entitled to the death in service benefit. If we were married. Turned out that was him proposing. That family have no form in the romance department. Must be the military upbringing. Put all their oddities down to that.
Male Caucasian, 30’s.
Assigned to Joelle after being promoted from an administrative job as part of an internal promotion and development initiative championed by Joelle.
Is very loyal to Joelle, has great numeracy and research skills but hasn’t much street sense or people skills. Decided to go through the files in the conference room of Tony’s law firm dressed in his usual streetwear which made him stand out like a sore thumb and got him arrested for burglary. Joelle told him to dress appropriately which he interpreted as wearing his newest sneakers.
I should probably wait until Rita gets here. I don’t know all of the facts but if what I overheard is right, this is going to be a cluster. The police think they may have found one of our cases. Burned alive. They’re trying to make a positive ID but the need to use her dental records. It makes me stick to my stomach just thinking about it. I think I’m going to vomit. I don’t think I’m cut out for this part of the job.
Female, 40’s Joelle’s highly ambitious boss. Joined the service after Joelle but has climbed the greasy pole in record time. Has principles but is a politician first. Justifies this by convincing herself that she can do greater good the more power she has. Admires Joelle but also finds it frustrating that she often fails to see “the bigger picture” as she calls it i.e. doesn’t consider the enemies she makes along the way or cultivate friends in the right places.
Sounds more Sheriff's Office than Budget and Management Services. Back off. Trust me, you don’t want to mess with those guys. They’ll gobble you up and spit you out before breakfast. I’m serious. It’s no secret I’m in line to replace Carney when he retires. My intention is to recommend you as my replacement but you gotta keep your nose clean. Both our noses clean. That way we can prevent another Charmaine Smith happening. Look, I’m sure we can rustle up the funds to give her a good send off. Poor kid. Least she deserves. The bigger picture. That’s what you have to focus on Joelle the bigger picture. Are we clear?
Male, late 30’s/early 40’s.
An ex of Joelle’s from their college days.
Has recently returned to Chicago from New York after his divorce. His Asian American ex-wife has taken their daughter on a year-long sabbatical to South East Asia to connect her to her South East Asian heritage. Is in the partner fastrack at a downtown law firm. Still has the hots for Joelle.
It’s still all very hush hush but I was headhunted to set up an environmental department. Defending Underdogs. Class action lawsuits. In a small firm well nigh impossible. Most of these cases go on for years, decades even. That’s how they get away with it. Drag everything out as long as possible. Force the small firms to reduce their resources so they settle too early or pull out altogether and in the worst cases bankrupt themselves. Happens all the time.
So a bigger firm with deeper pockets can play them at their own game. The long one. Bigger settlements. More billable hours. A win win situation all ‘round
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