More than 400 people turned up at the Harquail Theatre over the long weekend to audition for the upcoming feature film ‘Ivan’.
Some came in search of stardom, called by a love of acting or a desire to try something new, while others came to commemorate the event in Cayman’s history, which left not only destruction, but also stories of survival, unity and strength.
The auditions were run by Caymanian filmmaker and NYU Film School graduate Jazz Pitcairn who has already made a short film about Ivan.
Hundreds of hopefuls
Pitcairn was joined by actress, producer and casting professional Loryn Lopes to meet the hundreds of hopefuls who had waited patiently for the chance to appear in the film. After signing in and having their photos taken, the potential cast members were each asked to read some lines from a script.
“It’s part of my mid-life crisis,” joked Arthur McTaggart as he came out of his audition. “It’s instead of going out and getting a fast car.”
Since being signed up by his wife a few years ago to try out for Wha Happening, McTaggart has embraced life on stage, playing the Grinch and Buddy the Elf in recent productions.
“I’ve wanted to do this all my life and I’m 53 now and don’t care what people think anymore,” he added. “I’m going to do it and have fun. My daughter is really keen on musical theatre and dance and she’s really inspired me to give it a go.”
His daughter Delaney, 13, was auditioning with her friends Jessica and Emily and, like her father, had read two parts in the audition room.
“I’m definitely interested in acting as a career,” said Delaney. “I was thinking about what I’d like to do in college the other day and I’m considering studying theatre.”
Ivan remembered
As the McTaggarts headed out of the Harquail, others were patiently waiting their turn. Friends Frank Gallippi and Barbara and Brian Gee were here partly out of curiosity and partly to preserve the memories of Hurricane Ivan through the eyes of those people who lived it.
“I went through Ivan big time in the East End,” said Barbara, who did some singing and acting while at school. “We had three months without water or electricity and we had people up there with nowhere to go. Being part of the film would be like reliving the experience. I figured that you’ve got to have old people in the film too!”
At the other end of the row of seats were father and son pair Steven and Charles Sokohl. “I’m here to launch my career in Hollywood!” laughed Steven. “We’ve got no acting experience at all but we’re wannabee actors. To play a father and son role in the film would be great.”
Auditionee Eziethamae Bodden told Compass TV, “We are here because it is our story. We need to tell it to the world that Ivan came, did devastation, but we are still standing strong.”
Pitcairn, the creator of the project herself, said that the casting call process had gone really well. “The auditions were great!” she said. “The atmosphere was energetic. I’m excited and inspired by the people who showed up and the natural talent that arose.”
With 400 video auditions to sift through, it will be some time before Pitcairn is able to let people know if they have made the cut, so the hundreds of hopefuls will be experiencing what it’s like to be an actor already – waiting for the crucial callback.
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