SCS Committee on Ancient and Modern Performance (CAMP)
Call for Actors and Crew at the 2023 Annual Meeting (January 5 – 8, 2023)
Terence's Phormio: Directed by Christopher Bungard, Erin Moodie translator
The Committee on Ancient and Modern Performance presents a script-in-hand reading of a new translation by Erin Moodie of Terence’s Phormio. The African born Terence often gets short shrift when it comes to ancient drama, but he is tremendously influential in the history of western theatre.
On with the plot - Two young men, Phaedria and Antipho fall in love - Phaedria with a flute girl, mercilessly enslaved by a brothel keeper, Antipho with a poor, fatherless girl. Can Phaedria get the money he needs for the flute girl? What will happen when Antipho’s father discovers his son has married a girl without a dowry? (gasp!!!) What does a parasite named Phormio who’s skilled in clever arguments have to do with any of this? Why did he get to attach his name to the title?
Come help CAMP bring Terence’s Phormio to life in New Orleans. Actors from every background are welcome, and no previous experience is required! We are completely open to casting against gender. If you are interested in giving CAMP a first-time try, there is the opportunity for silent roles to be made available as well.
The following roles are up for grabs:
Davos: slave, also a friend of Geta
Geta: slave of Demipho
Antipho: young man and son of Demipho
Phaedria: young man and son of Chremes
Demipho: old man and father of Antipho
Phormio: parasite
Hegio, Cratinus, Crito: friends and advocates for Demipho
Dorio: brothel-keeper and owner of the unnamed lyre-player
Chremes: old man and father of Phaedria and (secretly) Phanium
Sophrona: nurse to Chremes’ family
Nausistrata: wife to Chremes and mother of Phaedria
Keeping in mind clear evidence that the world of Roman comedy is inhabited by a diversity of characters from across the Mediterranean, we would especially love to have any BIPoC members of our community interested in joining this production.
In addition to actors, we invite volunteers interested in contributing their time and talents behind the scenes! If you're interested in graphic design, costume assistance, props, sound design, stage management, etc., let us know.
Rehearsals will take place all day on Thursday, January 5 and Friday, January 6, with a readthrough on the evening of Wednesday the 4th for those already in New Orleans. The performance will be the evening of Friday, January 6, 2023. CAMP is planning to stream the performance for the benefit of remote conference attendees.
If you are interested, please contact Krishni (ksburns@uic.edu) or Christopher Bungard (cbungard@butler.edu) by October 1st 2022 and let us know what you are interested in doing!