Yangtze Repertory Theatre of American is currently casting the American Premiere of “The Empress of China”, following the popular and critically acclaimed world premiere commissioned and produced by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre in Hong Kong in January 2011. Show opens on June 3rd, 2011 and runs through June 26th, 2011 with 16 performances total at Theatre for the New City, 155 First Avenue, Manhattan.

“The Empress of China” is set in the year of 1784 during the 49th year of the reign of the Qing Emperor. It tells the legend of the first trading ship from the US to China. Blending significant historical figures and fictional characters, it examines the initial encounter for two peoples of drastically diverse experience and exceedingly different ways of looking at themselves and at the world. In the forbidden encounter between the dashing Supercargo of The Empress of China, Samuel Shaw, and the young beautiful Purple Lotus, daughter of a rich Chinese merchant, a common language was found in their belief in trust, honor, and integrity.

Open Audition at: April 3,4, 6, & 7 2011 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Callbacks on Sunday, April 10th, 2011.

First Reading and Rehearsal on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 5:45pm – 9:45pm starting April 11th, 2011 in Chinatown area.

Show opening on Friday, June 3rd and runs for 16 performances (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) with an additional performance on June 22nd, 2011.

Last show on June 26th, 2011.

Performance Location: Theater for the New City.

Compensation: $300 stipend at the end of the entire production, and 4 complimentary tickets to any of the shows.

Seeking Non-Equity Actors only. Please only come to the audition if you are available and comfortable with the production schedule.

Location:
Transfiguration Church lunchroom (right next to the auditorium) at 29 Mott Street in the heart of Chinatown, entering from the side door on Mosco Street. (The first door on your right when you walk down the gentle slope of Mosco Street. Over the door, you will see the sign that says: “Transfiguration Church.”)
For the audition, please prepare a short monologue. Please also bring a hardcopy of headshot & resume.
Actors auditioning for the role of “Father Pierre” and any of the Chinese characters, we will conduct a short interview in either Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese.

Character Breakdowns:
7 CAUCASIAN MALE ACTORS with one who must be able to speak Mandarin or Cantonese:
* Samuel Shaw – Caucasian Male. early 20s – 30s. A former officer of the Continental Army and aide-de-camp of Major
* General Henry Knox, who became the principal Supercargo (businessman afloat) of The Empress of China.
* Father Pierre – Caucasian Male. late 30s – 60s. A foreigner Missioner. Actor must be able to speak English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese)
* Robert Morris – Caucasian Male, late 30s – 40s. One of the investors in the voyage, he owned half interest in “The Empress of China.”
* Daniel Parker – Caucasian Male, late 30s – 40s. Owner of Daniel Parker & Company of New York. A major investor in the voyage.
* Captain Green – Caucasian Male, late 30s – 50s. A mariner with 20 years of experience through the stormy era of the Revolution.
* Doctor Johnston – Caucasian Male, mid 30s – 40s. The attending physician of “The Empress of China.”
* Thomas Randall – Caucasian Male, early 30s – 40s. A former officer of the continental army and a close friend of Samuel Shaw. second supercargo of “The Empress of China.”

14 CHINESE CHARACTERS (Mandarin or Cantonese speaking)
9 Chinese male actors:
* Master Pan- Chinese Male, age 40s – 60s. Father of Lotus and Wen-Da.Pan Wen-Da – Chinese Male, age 20s – 30s.
* Brother of Lotus. Martial Arts / Stage Combat Training a plus.
* Custom Chief Officer/Fan: Chinese male, age late 30s – 50s.
* Mayor Zhang of Canton: Chinese male, middle aged

Plus 5 Chinese males in multiple supporting roles.
5 Chinese actresses:
* Zi-Lian (Lotus) – Chinese Female, age 15. Sister of Wen-Da.
* Madame Pan – Chinese Female, middle aged. Mother of Lotus and Wen-Da.
* Mistress Pan – Chinese Female, age late 20s – 40s. Mistress of Master Pan.
* Ai-Ping – Chinese Female, age early 20s – 30s. Wife of Wen-Da.
* Su-Fen – Chinese Female, age 18 – late 20s. Lotus’s teenage maid.

This is a Non-Equity production; however all cast & crew will be covered by the Volunteer Insurance.