STORI STRONG – SEASON ONE: A young girl has fun with friends – hosting a bake sale, dressing up as a pirate, gardening and going to summer camp – while also talking about how her family has two moms and how she was conceived with the help of an anonymous donor. Episodic video project for kids. 4 episodes (webisodes), 15 minutes each
ROLES:
STORI STRONG – SEASON ONE
Lead Roles:
⬜ STORI: Female, any ethnicity, 8-12, cheerful, outgoing, fun-loving, talkative, brave, creative. Protagonist. Stori has two moms (Mommy and Mom-O) and often talks about her family and her identity.
Supporting Roles:
⬜ MOM-O: Female, any ethnicity, 35-47, loving, imaginative parent. Loves building/constructing (treehouse, pulleys). Stori’s mom (non-biological) and Mommy’s wife. Name pronounced “Mom-Oh”
⬜ MOMMY: Female, any ethnicity, 35-47, patient, kind, worries about finances, meditates when anxious. Stori’s mom (biological) and Mom-O’s wife.
⬜ ZEE: Nonbinary, any ethnicity, 8-12, imaginative, shy, optimistic, kind. Stori’s best friend and neighbor
⬜ HARMONY: Female, any ethnicity, 10-14, effortlessly cool yet down to earth, kind, friendly, genuine, also a donor-conceived child with two moms. Stori’s friend (and low-key role model).
⬜ BOBBY: Male or nonbinary/transgender/gender nonconforming, any ethnicity, 8-12, kind, nervous, friendly. Stori’s friend.
⬜ MRS. PRITZBERRY: Female, any ethnicity, 30-65, rude, off-putting, an elementary school teacher who doesn’t like children. Antagonist. Character role with exaggerated humor.
⬜ DIRECTOR: Any gender, any ethnicity, 30-65, dramatic, demanding, theater camp instructor. Antagonist. Character role with exaggerated humor.
Extras and small roles:
⬜ KIDS: All genders, all ethnicities/cultures/races, ages 8-12. Garden day volunteers, campers at theater camp, bake sale patrons, birthday party guests, students in 4th grade class. (Dialog: 0-10 lines, depending on the specific role)
⬜ MELISSA: Female, any ethnicity, 8-13, cool girl who skateboards and/or rollerblades. Stori’s neighbor, Zee’s crush.
⬜ AMARA: Female, any ethnicity, 8-12. Stori’s neighbor. Amara has two dads (LGBTQ+ family)
⬜ MRS. OPULENT: Female, any ethnicity, 50-75, a wealthy woman who won’t stop at Stori’s bake sale. Antagonist. (No dialog)
⬜ AUNT BETHANY: Female, any ethnicity, 30-65, quirky, eccentric, horse enthusiast. Stori’s aunt.
⬜ ZEE’S MOM: Female, any ethnicity, 30-47, kind mother, heterosexual and an LGBTQ+ ally
⬜ ZEE’S DAD: Male, any ethnicity, 30-47, kind father, heterosexual and an LGBTQ+ ally (Minimal dialog)
⬜ AMARA’S DADS: Male or nonbinary/transgender/gender nonconforming, any ethnicity, 30-47. Stori’s neighbors. LGBTQ+ family. (Minimal dialog)
⬜ BOBBY’S STEPMOM: Female, any ethnicity, 30-47. Stori’s neighbor. (Minimal dialog)
⬜ STORI’S GRANDMOTHER: Female, any ethnicity, 55-85, kind, funny. (Minimal dialog)
⬜ STORI’S UNCLE: Male, any ethnicity, 30-65, kind, silly, tells cheesy jokes. (Minimal dialog)
Casting note:
This project is seeking a diverse cast. People of all ethnicities/cultures/races and gender identities are encouraged to apply!
To audition:
Please email Laura Zaylea at Laura.Zaylea@temple.edu for script sides and details about how to submit a videotaped audition. Thank you!
More about the project:
– Filming approximately 6 days between mid-March and mid-May, 2023
– Written/directed by Laura Zaylea, faculty member at Temple University (sabbatical project)
– More episodes may be scheduled if the first four go well!