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Pratidhwani and Seattle Public Theater  are inviting self-tape auditions for their upcoming production of नेहा & Neel (Neha & Neel)  by Ankita Raturi, Directed by Agastya Kohli.

 

Rehearsals will begin in July/Aug 2026, and performances run Oct 16 - Nov 8th, at Seattle Public Theater.

 

Character Break Down:

 

We’re inviting self-tapes for the following roles:

 

NEHA  – Single mom, mid-forties to mid-fifties, Indian, Hindi speaking immigrant. Divorced from a Sri Lankan Sinhali speaking man. On a trip with her son to visit college campuses in the  Washington DC area. The actor playing this character needs to be able to speak Hindi (convincingly) fluently.

 

NEEL – Neha's son, seventeen, Indian-American/Sri Lankan-American. Born and raised in California. Travels internationally often to visit his father.

 

ACTOR3 - Plays every other character and voice in the play, including Arnav (Neel’s 20 y/o Indian cousin, a doctor on the plane, a motel proprietor, cab driver, nani’s voice, and many more. We are looking for a male presenting, fluent Hindi speaking actor  of south Asian descent for this role.

 

Actors will be paid a $1000 stipend.

 

How to submit audition:

 

Please fill out this form

(or copy/paste this URL in your browser: https://forms.gle/jtQTBAxhs9rmT6HDA )

with your contact information and any date conflicts or time preferences for rehearsals. 

 

Sides (script excerpts) are available here

(or copy/paste this URL into your browser: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12KWfkikVRgPod2rFSn5UggKrJKtO3bNV?usp=sharing ). 

 

Select the monologues for the character you're interested in auditioning for, record a performance of the scene, upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video, and include the link in the audition form. See more information about how to record and submit a self tape below. You may also email your theatre resume and/or a headshot to casting@pratidhwani.org. Audition submissions (form with YouTube link) are due by May 15th. Callbacks will be held late May or early June. 

 

For more information about Pratidhwani, please visit www.pratidhwani.org. For any questions regarding this production or about the company, please email casting@pratidhwani.org.

 

Thanks.

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What Is a Self-Tape?

 

A self-tape is an audition video that an actor records and films themselves. Typically, the performer will act out a scene or monologue, at the request of a casting director, in hopes of landing a role. Historically, casting directors have required actors to perform in-person auditions. However, it has become commonplace in the modern-day entertainment industry for actors to submit self-tapes for casting calls.

 

How to Make a Self-Tape

 

Follow these step-by-step instructions to record your self-tape at home. 

 

1. You do not have to memorize the text, but the more you’re able to look up from the page so that the camera can see you, the better it is.

 

2. Set up your self-tape studio. Set up a neutral backdrop. Mount your camera on an at-home tripod to arrange the correct frame, capturing the top half of your body (at least down to your waist). Record in Horizontal orientation - not vertical. Do NOT sit at a desk and record a ‘zoom’ version of your performance.

 

3. Eliminate background noise. Minimize background noise in your self-taping space to ensure the best possible sound quality. Shut any windows to prevent ambient noise from drifting in from off the street. 

 

4. Introduce yourself - your name and which character you're reading for, and then begin your performance.

 

5. Edit the video. You may edit the video so that the beginning and end seem smooth and seamless. However, don’t edit multiple takes together to create your submission. Include a single, full take.  

 

6. Submit the tape. Follow the instructions that the casting director provided to submit your taped audition (in our case - upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video, and include the link in the audition form).