The groundbreaking, 24-hour-long, 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist musical A 24-Decade History of Popular Music is returning to San Francisco this September, and to that end the production is shooting a promo video all day Saturday for the play’s Bay Area run. The video shoot is looking for extras, and has put out a casting call allowing you yes, you! to show up Saturday, May 27 and perform alongside legendary actor, playwright, and performance artist Taylor Mac. The self-described “unique mash-up of music, history, performance, and art” is asking that extras come dressed in the American history period costume of their choice. You won’t be paid, but you will get to appear in promotional materials for the show that New York Times theater critic Wesley Morris called “one of the great experiences of my life,” and SFist theater critic Jay Barmann gave 240 stars when sections of it ran at The Curran in 2016.
The Curran theater tells SFist in a statement that “The premise is Taylor Mac (Bay Area native and award-winning artist) marching through SF with a small brass band and extras parading behind, all in celebration of the city that inspired his show which is coming to the Curran in September.”
You can be a part of it by signing up on the Taylor Mac Video Extras Google Doc. You are advised to sign up as soon as possible, considering that the shoot starts at 6 a.m. Saturday and goes until 7 p.m. There are four different slots for which you can apply, whose times and locations are listed below:
- 7:30am - 10:00am: Pac Heights (Broadway & Divisadero)
- 10:30am - 1:00pm: Civic Center (Golden Gate & Polk)
- 1:30pm - 4:00pm: Balmy Alley (24th & Treat)
- 4:30pm - 7:00pm: Castro (Noe & Market)
“Come dressed inspired by something from your favorite decade of American history (i.e. Abe Lincoln, a 20's flapper, Rosie the Riveter, Betsy Ross, a Suffragette, a 60's hippie, your favorite 80s punk),” the signup form advises. “We encourage creativity and taking liberties with what your favorite piece of American history means to you. Please avoid stripes and beige.”
'A 24-Decade History Of Popular Music', image courtesy Kevin Yatarola
“Once completed, you'll receive a final confirmation email with details regarding your participation on Saturday including call time, locations, and transportation information,” the production also notes.
SFist did sign up, and received the confirmation info and a call sheet within about 12 hours, but that response may vary for you. They were insistent that extras arrive on time, and they really encouraged performers to pack light as on-site storage will be exceedingly limited.
'A 24-Decade History Of Popular Music', image courtesy Vess Pitts
Yes, Taylor Mac will be there in person for the shoot! Should you actually get to encounter Taylor Mac in person, do be aware that the actor and playwright prefers “judy” a gender pronoun.
‘Taylor Mac: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music’ plays at the The Curran on September 15, 17, 22 and 24, with each performance a separate, six-hour chapter. The show will also stage an abbreviated three-hour version at Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall on September 27.
Related: Curran Theatre Breaks Off From SHN, Will Produce Its Own Edgier Shows
