Casting call for The Anointing, a graduate thesis film at Howard University written and directed by Rhonda Fleming. Challenging social and cultural gender roles, in the final week of Jesus’ life, Mary of Bethany is chosen by God to anoint Jesus for burial. Filming will take place around the D.C. Metro area. If interested, please submit a headshot, resume, and reel or short monologue to theanointingmovie@gmail.com with the subject line “The Anointing”, as well as the following information in the body of the email:

• Full Name
• Role Applying For
• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Height
• Weight
• Hair Color
• Eye Color
• Union or Non-Union
• Location
• Email Address
• Cell Phone #
• Availability on Rehearsal and Shoot Dates
• Ability to Travel
(Note: You must provide your own lodging and transportation)

Character BIOS

[MARY OF BETHANY] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 19-21] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: LEAD]
Mary is a biblical figure documented and identified in the books of John and Luke of the Christian New Testament. She comes from an affluent family and is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is from a village named Bethany, which is approximately one to two miles east of Jerusalem. Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus, and all of them were loved by Jesus. As an individualist, Mary believes in individuality in both thought and action. However, she is charismatic, influential, and a very emotional and passionate person. She is charmed by spiritual, internal thought.

[MARTHA] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 37-39] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
Martha is a biblical figure documented and identified in the books of John and Luke of the Christian New Testament. Martha comes from an affluent family with high social standing and is a pillar of the community. She is the older sibling of Mary and Lazarus. She is from a village named Bethany, which is approximately one to two miles east of Jerusalem. Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus, and all of them were loved by him. Martha is assertive, efficient, active, impulsive, direct, and to the point. She is a take charge type of person with a can-do attitude. She is a natural nurturer, and is genuinely concerned about the health and well-being of others. Martha will speak up when things aren’t going correctly. When Lazarus took ill, it was Martha who took action and sent for Jesus.

[JESUS] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 32-34] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
Jesus (the Messiah and son of God) is the central figure of Christianity. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, who was the wife of Joseph. From the Jewish tribe of Judah, he was born in Bethlehem to his biological parents, Joseph and Mary. His childhood home was Nazareth in Galilee. At the age of 33, Jesus was arrested and tried by Jewish authorities. He was turned over to the Roman government and crucified under the orders of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. After his death, he rose from the dead. Jesus founded “The New Church.” He is documented in the New Testament and prophesized in the Old Testament.

[JUDAS ISCARIOT] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 29-31] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
Judas was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He was the son of wealthy Jewish parents (who were Sadducees). His father was named Simon Iscariot. Because of his family’s wealth and business, Judas had a background in finance and was a good businessman. He was organized and faithful to his duties and the cause. However, he was very impatient and critical of others. He was deceitful and a manipulator. In public, he uttered words of grave concern about the poor, but in reality, he didn’t care about the poor. For example, Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive bottle of perfume Judas protested this apparent extravagance, suggesting that the money that was spent on it should have been given to the poor. However, he was a thief, as he often stole money out of the disciple’s money bag.

[ACHAR] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 54-56] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
AChar is a demon from the underworld. He is not married and has no family, so he seeks to destroy families and communities that are of no consequence to him. His overall mission is to distort the message of God. He is deceitful, and creates trouble and conflict wherever he goes. He loves attention and enjoys using the power of manipulation. He is the core of toxic behavior and has a complete lack of empathy. Through it all, he is jealous of Jesus and thinks he is the good guy. He is against God and is well aware that Jesus is the Messiah.

[LAZARUS] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 17-19] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
Lazarus is a biblical figure documented and identified in the book of John of the Christian New Testament. Lazarus comes from an affluent family and is the younger brother of Martha and Mary. He is from a village named Bethany, which is 1-2 miles east of Jerusalem. Lazarus loved and trusted his sisters. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus also loved Jesus, and all of them were loved by Jesus. In fact, Lazarus was a dear friend of both Jesus and the disciples.

[SADDUCEE] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 44-46] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
A member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ. Sadducees were mainly priests and aristocrats who flourished from the 1st century a.d. They denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition. They emphasized acceptance of the written Law alone and rejected the coming of the Messiah.

[PHARISEE] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 39-41] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
A member of a Jewish sect that flourished during the 1st century b. c. and the 1st century a. d. Pharisees maintained strict observance of religious ceremonies and practices, adherence to oral laws and traditions, and beliefs in an afterlife and the coming of the Messiah.

[SHIRA] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 7-8] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
A young orphan girl who visits the village of Bethany (the promised land) in search of Jesus and a new home.

[MELECH] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 6-7] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
A young orphan boy who visits the village of Bethany (the promised land) in search of Jesus and a new home.

[ARIE] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 9-10] [ETHNICITY: African-American] [ROLE TYPE: SUPPORTING]
A young orphan boy who visits the village of Bethany (the promised land) in search of Jesus and a new home.

[MOURNER] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 18-55] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
One of four women who try to comfort Mary of Bethany after the death of her brother, Lazarus.

[SERVANT] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 18-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A servant in Martha’s home.

[PERFUME SHOP OWNER – WIFE] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A middle-aged woman who owns/runs a perfume shop with her husband.

[PERFUME SHOP OWNER – HUSBAND] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A middle-aged man who owns/runs a perfume shop with his wife.

[JOANNA] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 34-36] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A follower of Jesus who visits Martha’s home for a gathering of his disciples/followers.

[SUSANNA] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 29-31] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A follower of Jesus who visits Martha’s home for a gathering of his disciples/followers.

[DISCIPLE] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-40] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
One of Jesus’ twelve (12) disciples (personal followers)

[PETER] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-40] [ETHNICITY: AFRICAN-AMERICAN] [ROLE TYPE: BIT PART]
One of Jesus’ 12 disciples.

[ROMAN SOLDIER] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A soldier in the village of Bethany.

[FEMALE VILLAGER] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A middle-aged woman who chastises Mary for openly speaking about Jesus in a quiet section of the village.

[PRODUCE OWNER] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A middle-aged woman who owns/runs a produce stand in the village of Bethany.

[POTTER] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A potter in the village of Bethany.

[BLACKSMITH] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 30-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A blacksmith in the village of Bethany.

[WOMAN IN VILLAGE] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 18-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A woman who is pickpocketed by Judas in the village of Bethany.

[STRANGLED MAN] [GENDER: MALE] [AGE: 18-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A man in one of Mary’s visions who is being strangled.

[CURIOUS VILLAGER] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 18-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A curious woman who listens as Judas announces to a crowd that he is looking for a missing child.

[WOMAN IN CHAINS] [GENDER: FEMALE] [AGE: 18-45] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A woman in one of Mary’s visions. She looks toward the sun, with her unchained arms spread out.

[VILLAGER] [GENDER: MALE OR FEMALE] [AGE: 7-65] [ETHNICITY: ALL] [ROLE TYPE: EXTRA/BACKGROUND]
A resident of the village of Bethany.

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