[CASTING CALL] SPEECH & DEBATE | Feature | Morgan Casting | JACKSON, MS| Shoots July 15 - August 8 

STORYLINE: SOLOMON, HOWIE and DIWATA, three misfit teenagers and unlikely friends, come together to form the Speech & Debate club at their Salem, Oregon high school. Frustrated by the conservative values at the school, tired of not being heard, they gather the confidence and strength to stand up to the powers that be - and they make their statement in a most unconventional way...

Morgan Casting will be seeking locals for both speaking roles and lots of extras as well. 

If you are interested in one of the below roles, please email speechanddebatecasting@gmail.com

Kindly send the following information:

 
1. two photos of yourself - one head and shoulders and one full length. No pro photos needed, just current images takes with a digital camera standing against a solid wall would be great. 

 2. Name
3. Age
4. Current city in which you live
5. Role/s for which you would like to be considered
6. Best contact number/s
7. Height 

Please title your email with "your name" for "character name"

If you would like to only be considered as an extra only, please title your email to us with "your name" for "extra only" Everyone will go into the Morgan Casting extra's database for the movie. 

Characters: 

[CASEY] Senior in high school. This is the sweet and talented girl who always get the parts in the school plays that Diwata auditions for and doesn't get. Casey must be able to sing very well, and have a natural and charming quality to her - she's not a mean girl. She's not a cheerleader or pageant girl. She has no idea she's Diwata's nemesis. Casey just happens to get cast instead of Diwata. Actress must be able to work as an adult for this role. Open to all ethnic backgrounds...1 speech, 2 scenes

[OKSANA] The older lunch lady at the high school; she speaks with a Russian accent. Open to any Eastern European Accent (Polish, Serbian, Bulgarian, etc.) She's worked at the high school for seven years. A real Eastern European actress would be great, but open to those who can do the accent believably. Please note if one is truly Russian or "other Eastern European" in the submission notes ...1 speech & 3 lines, 2 scenes 

[ARNETT] The school janitor; he's a friendly, affable guy who helps the kids out on occasion. He's someone who looks like he's worked at the school for a very long time. Open to all ethnic backgrounds. Think Janitor types...1 speech & 4 lines, 5 scenes 

[TED] An 80-something-year-old man who sits on the school board and has nothing to add but a word here and there. The older the better, but the actor must be able to deliver lines naturally and understand the comedic timing of the role, while not hamming up the role and intentionally playing up the comedy...3 lines, 4 scenes

[HOT DEBATER] A good looking high school senior; he's on the debate team. Must be able to spit out paragraphs of dialogue fast and confidently, and understand the cadence of debate. While in the end Hot Debater ends up on a date with Howie, we can't see any hint that he is gay until the very end. Must be able to work as an adult (legally 18 + but passes for high school senior) ...1 speech, 2 scenes 

[TINY WOMAN] This is a quirky role for someone who is charactery and has a unique look. She's an internet whiz and an advocate for the marginalized. Someone feisty and confident with a sense of comedic timing. Caucasian Female. Small in stature would be great....1 speech & 1 line, 2 scenes

[SUPER SHORT KID] This is a speech & debate champion who is short, and maybe looks younger for his/her age. Can be male or female, any race, so long as he or she is very short. Must have a skill and understanding of debate. Please indicate height in your email to us...1 speech, 1 scene 

[DI BOY] Slightly younger looking high schooler who is good at competing in the dramatic interpretation (DI) category, where actors perform all the roles. Looking for a baby-faced male. Preferably of Indian or Asian decent, who can perform a scene from SOPHIE'S CHOICE. Not wanting anyone to ham it up. Open to all East Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian backgrounds...3 speeches & 1 line, 1 scene

[SHORT JUDGE] A short, professional, humorless sort, he or she is a judge in the Persuasive Speaking part of the competition. Need a teacher who is very, very short. Open to all ethnic backgrounds. Please note your height in your email to us. 30s and up...2 speeches & 1 line, 1 scene 

[BOUNCER] He is an intimidating bouncer at a hip, gay club in Portland. Looking for a large, scary-looking bouncer. The joke is that this person looks like a thug, but is very articulate and well read...2 lines, 1 scene 

[GABE] An All-American, slightly blue collar, Caucasian male in his early to mid 40s to play the father of one of the leads (Howie). He shows his support of Howie at a board meeting...No lines, 2 scenes 

[GOTH GIRL] Cool teenage girl with an interesting, but All-American look to sit in detention with our three leads. Not looking for anyone scary goth, but alternative - someone who clearly marches to the beat of her own drum. Think Ally Sheedy in BREAKFAST CLUB...2 lines, 1 scene

[PLUMP BOY] This plump teen is thinking about joining the Speech & Debate club but changes his mind. He's a chubby boy in glasses with a dry wit and the ability to delivery sly glances and get a laugh without trying...1 speech, 1 scene 

[ANGRY CUSTOMER] This angry customer yells for service. This is very open. Could be anyone really. Seeking a variety of choices in terms of look and ethnicity. It's a customer at a pizza place who is tired of waiting on his/her pizza...2 lines, 1 scene

[GIRL IN MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR] This teenager is thinking about joining the Speech & Debate club but quickly changes her mind. She has a hard time exiting the classroom. Looking for a girl in a motorized wheelchair who, like the plump boy, has a dry wit and is able to deliver a look of disbelief naturally and get a laugh. Would love the "real deal," but open to all performers. Please note if one uses a motorized wheelchair...1 speech, 1 scene 

The film is set in Salem and Portland Oregon. No heavy southern accents. Middle America is fine as well. 

DEADLINE to have all suggestions in by no later than Friday, July 3rd. Those selected will be asked to self tape/do a video audition to send to Morgan Casting. They will give you detailed instructions if chosen. There is no open call casting session scheduled for this film. 

If you want to be an extra or audition for one of our speaking roles, just email speechanddebatecasting@gmail.com as per the instructions above. 

They are open to both actors and non-actors. Union or non union. 

www.morgancasting.com