PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Xavier Cha <http://www.mocacleveland.org/exhibitions/xavier-chaabduct>’s performance-based works concern the body, self, and subjectivity within contemporary culture. She isolates elements of expression and communication, creating bare, abstract, and often illogical experiences. Cha’s new work *abduct*, consists of short films and live performances which present actors as they battle conflicting emotions. While outwardly (and non-linguistically) expressing an extreme emotion, such as livid rage, a more subtle emotion emerges from beneath the surface, like the corners of the actor's mouth distorting to suppress laughter. Both emotions function as foreign agents attempting to gain dominance, or hijack the vehicle of the actor's facial expression and body.

From January 29 – May 8, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland will present the film component of *abduct* <http://www.mocacleveland.org/exhibitions/xavier-chaabduct> in our second floor Toby Devan Lewis Gallery. The Museum will also facilitate live performances in line with the project over the course of the exhibition.

SEEKING TALENT: Actors able to express conflicting emotions, with no dialogue. Ages 18-75. All ethnicities. Approximately 5 actors will be selected. IN THE AUDITION: Express conflicting emotions simultaneously, one more extreme, the other subtly emerging from beneath the surface. For example (but not limited to), livid rage while the corners of the mouth suppress laughter, or ecstatic joy while the eyes well up in tears of sadness or frustration. The conflicting emotions are alienating to you, uncomfortable to wear, out of your control, like foreign agents battling for dominance over your facial expression. One emotion betrays the other. REHEARSAL AND PRODUCTION DATES: Deadline for submissions: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 Auditions: Sunday, November 22 and Monday, November 23, 2015 Final selection of actors: Monday, December 7, 2015 Rehearsals: Tuesday, January 26 – Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Performances: performances will be 10-15 minutes in length, and will take place several times over the course of each day. A final schedule will be determined in line with selected actors’ availability. Each actor must be available for a minimum of 2 performance dates. Potential performance dates include: Thursday, January 28, 2016 (exhibition opening night) Saturday, February 7, 2016 Saturday, March 6, 2016 Saturday, April 3, 2016 Saturday, May 7, 2016 + at least one late Thursday (6-9 pm) per month (February/March/April/May) COMPENSATION: Selected actors will receive a $200.00 stipend, Individual Plus membership to MOCA Cleveland (valued at $65.00), and a copy of the exhibition catalog TO APPLY: Please use the form at http://www.mocacleveland.org/casting-call-xavier-chas-abduct or submit a headshot, resume/CV, and link to a reel to abduct@mocacleveland.org by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Those selected for an audition will be notified by Monday, November 16, 2015. -- *Amiee Collier* Office Manager MOCA CLEVELAND 11400 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 T 216.658.6933 E acollier@mocacleveland.org W www.MOCAcleveland.org