Stories from an Abandoned Warehouse (Crazy Child Productions)
Show Title: Stories from an Abandoned Warehouse
Content Warnings: death, gun violence, non-visual depiction of pornography, discussions of sex, fake blood, jump scare, flashing lights.
Venue/Dates of Show: (bidding) Pilch, Trinity Week 3 & 5
Deadline: 12/03/26
Audition Type: In-person and self-tape
The story takes place in a warehouse that’s become a residential location for people who are escaping some sort of unknown danger. 6 people arrive- a pair of teachers, a shoeshiner, a woman with a baby, an older, rich woman and a mysterious Water character. Once they think they found some peace, they are introduced to the Council- an elite group of people who run the place and abuse their power. They lead the residents to physical and mental exhaustion and treat them as personal entertainment, forcing them to participate in their performances. Characters reveal their pasts, tell stories and engage in vicious forms of entertainment. When things go out of hand, the Council remains without fault, and the residents suffer. The play recreates the societal interactions between various classes and occupations and the dictatorial regime itself, commenting on the heavy censorship, capitalistic indulgence, and manipulative and inconsequential behaviour of Pinochet’s far-right dictatorship in Chile.
Characters list:
Camilo: One of the warehouse residents and an ex-university professor, married to Carmen. He is more preoccupied with Victor, his pet rat, than himself or his wife.
Carmen: Camilo’s wife and also an ex-university professor. She loves to read and carries a small bedside lamp with her; she treats it as her most precious possession, together with her books. Tries to cling to the past.
Shoeshiner: Polite but firm. He believes he can read the future in people’s shoes. He’s especially caring towards Water.
Madame: Older, upper-class woman. Very posh, entitled and condescending. She considers herself better than the other guests and is loyal to the council. Tries to cling to her elite status.
The Woman: A woman with a baby waiting for her husband to come and find her. Constantly hopeful about her husband coming. Caring but a little bit weak.
Water: A symbolic character. Stands ominously in the corner and provides nourishment to the rest, but is being dried up by the Council. Very weak and can't defend themselves.
The Child: The receptionist of the place. She is the embodiment of child-like behaviour and innocence. She gullibly believes the Council. She has a very childlike physicality and is attached to her broken drum, hoping that the Council will fix it for her if she behaves well.
Don Carlos: Charismatic leader of the Council. Very patriotic, manipulative and subtly cruel. Admired by other Council members, Madame and Child.
Lady Carla: Opera singer and a very old-hollywood glam character. Obsessed with sex and partying. Forms a duo with Mr Fermin.
Mr Fermin: General Inspector. Almost like a sidekick to Lady Carla. Afraid but in full admiration of Don Carlos. Very nervous, paranoid and cowardly most of the time. Has a very jester-like quality.
Mendibez: Another Council member, jealous of the treatment Don Carlos gives to others. Tries to behave as if he were in charge. Obsessed with women.
The Old Man: An old man who comes back home and is looking for his wife. Very confused and does not know what has happened. Note: only appears at the beginning and the end of the play.
The Boy: a symbolic character. Note: only appears at the beginning of the play, singing and at the end of the play.
Link to Audition Pack: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1emCvMRmNSgqNQWi311KTYs0IKTTInLbD?usp=drive_link