HMT to Hold Open Auditions for “New Jerusalem” on April 18-19

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Home Made Theater will hold open auditions this month for their July/August production of New Jerusalem by David Ives, directed by Dianne O’Neill. 

Auditions will be held through Zoom on Sunday, April 18 and Monday, April 19 from 7-9 p.m. All roles are open to actors of all ethnicities and gender identifications.

Baruch de Spinoza is a young merchant and the heir apparent of Saul Mortera, the chief Rabbi of Amsterdam. When the city accuses Spinoza of atheism, he is summoned to the synagogue to defend himself. Spinoza’s best friend, his sister, and the woman he loves are all drawn into the controversy, a historical event that shook up not only the entire Jewish community of Amsterdam, but changed Spinoza’s and Mortera’s lives—and all of Western thought—irrevocably. The play is a re-imagining of the interrogation and eventual excommunication of the young philosopher on July 27, 1656. In this eloquent and masterful drama, David Ives attempts to open the temple doors and let us listen in on a dispute whose philosophical and political echoes still reverberate today.

Production dates are Sunday, July 25 at the Congregation Shaara Tfille in Saratoga Springs, and Sunday Aug. 1 at the Congregation Beth Shalom in Clifton Park. There will be two performances each day. Rehearsals will start on Sunday, June 13 and will run Sunday through Thursday evenings.

Appointments for the Zoom auditions will be required. Excerpts from the play for audition purposes will be provided upon sign-up for a time slot. For a detailed flyer with character descriptions, or to sign up for an audition time, visit Home Made Theater’s website, www.HomeMadeTheater.org. For questions call 518-587-4427.