WHO * WHY * WHAT * WHEN

AsOne is an established ‘not for profit’, regional touring theatre company.  We tell stories gathered from real people and places; and then dust them with AsOne’s theatrical magic woven into new plays – sometimes for all the family, and sometimes grittier pieces for teens and adults that shock, asks questions, inform but our work always surprises, affects, engages and – yes – entertains. AsOne likes it when people go out affected, uplifted or even moved to make changes in theirs or others worlds.

To do this we surround ourselves and work with the most talented theatre practitioners that Dorset can offer – or further afield if needs be to get just the right people for the project in hand. We take on new graduates, mentor and give them a wonderful opportunity to spread their wings  with our experienced team – as a springboard into the profession and their future career. In return we gain the most talented, passionate and inspiring of practitioners to develop our own practice. But most importantly AsOne prides itself in creating exciting, surprising contemporary, multi-media theatre as an ensemble but never labelling or constricting our style because we are forever evolving, adapting and responding to new audiences and new practice.

We tour theatres, arts centres, community venues and schools covering nine counties  in the South, South West, and West Country.

The company draws upon the experience of its founding Artistic Director, producer, and performer, Jane McKell and her work with projects in theatre, education, the community, and on both commercial and BBC radio. She specialises in making theatre out of community storytelling workshops; working with memory and verbatim. Jane set up AsOne Theatre Productions in 2004 to employ Dorset based professional theatre practitioners who refused to live in cities wanting to bring up families in this beautiful area. She was determined to shake hands with the community whilst taking a flavour of Wessex and Jurassic Coast people and places in universal stories on tour.

After eleven years of touring new writing-theatre and educational workshops Award Winning AsOne has established itself as probably Dorset’s most experienced touring theatre company. Theatre and educational audiences have always enjoyed the company’s work and – after some hard work garnering business investment – AsOne was given a prestigious SW Arts and Business Award for Heightened Branding with Hey Baby (theatre touring play)and Hey Baby-Baby (teenage pregnancy prevention touring project) both Surestart commissions.

AsOne have also been championed by hard won public funding awards from Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery, and both Borough, Regional and County Councils – AsOne is very proud of its creative achievements and business partnerships. We were one of three finalists out of 50 companies entered for Dorset Business Awards most Creative Company of the Year 2009/10. From WW2 memories of women and children, to five contemporary Portland parent’s experience of having a baby; from Dorset’s famous writing son, Thomas Hardy and his real and fictional women, to Hans Christian Andersen’s story about a magical Tinderbox given a Jurassic Coast twist; from British combatants and their families of WW1, and the more recent Afghanistan Conflict to Dorset’s famous unsung palaeontologist daughter, Mary Anning of Lyme Regis – AsOne has told incredible stories through very intimate, live theatre.

  Our aim as a company is to tour our work both nationally, and internationally.
CASTING CALL
We are looking for a ​Dorset based ​versatile actress to play the part of SUSAN in our production of “Mary Anning – The Mad Woman of Lyme”. The play will tour from the 25th March till 2nd May with a run at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London between the 6th and 9th of April.
About the Company (see above)
AsOne Theatre is a Dorset based company that has toured theatres, arts centres, community venues and schools covering nine counties in the South, South West, West of England ​including London, Bath and Bristol. O​ver the last 15 years w​e have been awarded several ACE and Heritage Lottery grants as well as being Arts and Business award winners.
About the Show
It is 1846, and the little town of Lyme Regis is battered by howling winter-gales. Dying and increasingly dependent on laudanum, Mary Anning reflects on her life. By challenging the status quo and making remarkable strides in a male dominated scientific world, her work threatens to disprove the very foundations she was raised on. Haunted by hallucinations of friends, enemies and even the creatures she spent her life hacking out of the living rock, Anning tries to make sense of her existence in her last moments. AsOne bring their signature blend of narrative, movement, music and striking visuals to tell this story about memory and coming to terms with the past.
Writer – Peter John Cooper Director – Marta Vella
Casting
SUSAN is a larger than life character who is caring for a dying Mary Anning. Whilst she may get frustrated at times and this ordeal is challenging to deal with, she manages to find ways to keep Mary entertained and helps alleviate a tough situation.
Any ethnicity. Playing age from 20 years to 55 years. Strong physical, movement and devising skilled.
Accents: RP, Dorset and other accents
Please send CV and photo to ​asonecasting@gmail.com AUDITION DATE Monday 6th January in Weymouth, Dorset.

Production Details
R&D dates: 22nd – 24th January
Rehearsal dates: 9th – 24th March (will not be required on all days) Production dates:
25th March – Corn Exchange Dorchester
26th March – Shelley Theatre, Bournemouth

31st March – Atlantic Academy
6th – 9th April – Tristan Bates, London
24th April – The Discovery Centre, Winchester
25th April – The Athenaeum, Warminster
29th April – The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington
30th April – Weymouth Pavilion Theatre
2nd May – The Marine Theatre (Lyme Regis)
Exeter – Date TBC
More dates may be added to the tour
The play will tour to theatres and some schools in W, SW, London and beyond as we are still adding dates.
We are based in Weymouth, Dorset which will be our rehearsal and touring base, so you must be based locally for at least the rehearsal period. You will be expected to tour using company transport. We tend to return to base at night if possible. A clean driving license is preferred to share driving if required. Tour accommodation will be covered by the company.
Pay Equity Fringe Contract, with guaranteed £70 a rehearsal day (meal provided) and £81 per performance.
This is an Equity Fringe Contract https://www.equity.org.uk/documents/fringe-agreement-for-performers- and-stage-management-2011/
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER MIDNIGHT