The search is underway in the Los Angeles area for Native American actors to star in a tribally-produced feature film, which shares the story of a trailblazing Native American entertainer. An open casting call for “Te Ata” will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 22 at Beverly Holloway Casting located at 5721 W. Slauson Ave., Suite 110 in Culver City.
Produced by the Chickasaw Nation, “Te Ata” is a full-length feature film based on the remarkable life and legacy of Chickasaw performer Mary Frances Thompson. Best known by her stage name, Te Ata, which means “bearer of the dawn,” she gained international fame presenting a unique one-woman show of American Indian heritage and culture to audiences across the United States, Canada and Europe.
Named Woman of the Year by the Ladies’ Home Journal in 1976, Te Ata’s creative performances delivered to kings, queens, presidents and everyday people helped inspire greater respect and understanding of American Indian culture and heritage.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1958 and the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame in 1990, she was awarded the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award in 1975 and declared Oklahoma’s first “State Treasure” in 1987.
“Te Ata” auditions will include a 2-minute reading audition before three judges. Auditions will end promptly at 2 p.m. Please arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. to have the best opportunity for an audition slot. It is estimated the first 150 people will have an opportunity to read for judges.
Individuals interested in auditioning for a role should bring an 8X10 portrait and a résumé to the casting call.
Auditions are open to everyone. Native Americans actors are encouraged to audition. An online casting call is also planned. For additional “Te Ata” casting information, including a list of available roles and audition scenes, email TeAtaOpenCasting@gmail.com or visit http://TeAtathemovie.com.
Follow Te Ata the movie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeAtaThompsonFisher.
With more than 50,000 citizens, the Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest federally recognized Indian tribe in the United States. The Chickasaw Nation had an economic impact of more than $2.4 billion in Oklahoma in 2011. The tribe is the seventh largest employer in Oklahoma with almost 13,000 employees. A democratic republic with executive, legislative and judicial departments, the tribe’s jurisdictional territory includes all or part of 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma.
