In addition to submitting your headshot and resume, please submit three separate videos per performer that follow these guidelines:

1st video: Dance/Fight

• You must submit at least one video that shows a minimum of 90 seconds of continuous dancing and/or fighting (maximum 3 minutes)
• Instead of just one video, you have the option to send two videos of continuous dancing/fighting (minimum 90 seconds each; both videos must not exceed 3 minutes of total run time)
• If you have martial arts abilities, you can submit video from classes, tournaments, or other appropriate materials
• Different dance styles accepted
• We will not accept edited reels

2nd video: Singing

• One video demonstrating your singing ability; continuous and unedited; minimum 90 seconds (maximum 2 minutes)
• Accepted music: musical theatre, opera, jazz, Latin, pop/rock, or related styles
• Even if you don’t think you can sing, please submit a singing video (if unsure what to sing, “Happy Birthday” will do!)

3rd video: Acting

• One video demonstrating your acting ability, continuous and unedited, minimum 90 seconds (maximum 3 minutes)
• You must “slate” your video with the following info:
• Name
• Height
• Roles for which you would like to be considered (required if you would like to be considered for a lead; optional for Ensemble)
• You may submit a monologue of your choice, or
• You may select up to two sides from roles in the show linked at the bottom of this notice (sides are marked by character at the top of the page)
• Even if you don’t think you can act, please submit an acting video

Esperança (lead)

• Female, late teens, Brazilian, contemporary musical theatre or Latin-pop/jazz belt-mix vocalist
• Raised in Rio de Janeiro during the rise of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts in the early 1990s, Esperança possesses both physical grit–although physically small–and profound emotional sensitivity. She is instinctive, proud, stubborn, and deeply resilient, carrying within her the tension between survival and vulnerability.
• Esperança fights not only for recognition inside the gym and the ring, but also for autonomy, dignity, and the right to define herself on her own terms. Her journey traces the evolution of a young woman confronting systems of power, gender expectations, family loyalty, immigration, and identity. Though hardened by circumstance, she retains a magnetic humanity and an ability to connect deeply with others.
• The role demands a performer with exceptional emotional range, strong musical instincts, commanding stage presence, and significant physical storytelling ability. 
• Comfort with movement-based performance is essential; experience with dance, martial arts, stage combat, or athletic training is highly valued, especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, other grappling arts, or MMA.
• Portuguese and/or Spanish language familiarity is a plus but not required.
• Because the character’s smaller physical stature is central to the story, performers 5’5” and under are especially encouraged to submit.

Esperança (fight double)

• Female, Brazilian, Experienced MMA fighter
• This role is a doppelganger for the lead role. 
• Experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, wrestling, other grappling arts, or MMA is required.
• Candidates 5’5” and under will be considered.
• Singing and dancing are a plus, but not required

Guillermo (lead)

• Male, 20, Cuban, tenor or high-baritone with strong contemporary musical theatre and/or Latin-pop/jazz sensibility
• Guillermo is charismatic, disciplined, and sensitive. He’s a musician with a dream.
• Esperança both fascinates and threatens him because she possesses qualities he recognizes in himself: hunger, intelligence, instinct, and ambition. Their relationship becomes emotionally charged.
• Experience with movement and dance is highly valuable. 
• Strong Latin musicality and the ability to navigate intensity and sensuality. Marc Anthony/Luis Enrique type.
• Ability to play guitar is a plus.

Oswaldo (principal supporting role)

• Male, 50-70, Brazilian, bass-baritone
• Oswaldo is an old-school Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professor in Rio, proud and traditional.
• He becomes Esperança’s first martial arts mentor but ultimately betrays her. 
• Minimal dancing required.
• Martial arts and/or strong stage combat training is a plus.

Vinicio (principal supporting role)

• Male, 35-50, Brazilian, rock tenor/baritenor
• Vinicio is Esperança’s new coach in Miami and has a forward-thinking attitude about MMA and new ways of fighting.
• Dance background is a plus
• Martial arts ability is a plus.

Thiago (principal supporting role)

• Male, 20s, Brazilian, baritone
• Thiago is a friend and training partner, turned nemesis.
• Must be athletic and have martial arts training with strong preference for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and/or MMA.
• Must be comfortable with close physical interactions with men and women, including a choreographed assault. All such material will be rehearsed with appropriate direction and safety protocols.

Bernardo (principal supporting role)

• Male, 12-15, Brazilian, youth performer
• Performer must be local to the Phoenix metro area.
• Esperança’s younger brother, Bernardo is bright, loving, funny, and physically vulnerable due to a heart condition.
• Must have dance ability.
• The ability to sing is necessary.
• The ability to rap is a plus.

Ensemble

• We are seeking a company of dynamic singing actors, movers, and athlete-performers of all backgrounds, age range 18-50. 
• Performers with mixed martial arts experience a major plus, especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and/or MMA. 
• Dance styles that will be incorporated into the show are: Classical ballet, Modern, Latin Dance
• Singing is required.
• Must be comfortable with bodily contact with others in scenes depicting fighting and intimacy. All such material will be rehearsed with appropriate direction and safety protocols.
• The production is committed to inclusive casting and strongly encourages performers of diverse races, ethnicities, body types, heights, and lived experiences to submit. Experience in movement, dance, martial arts, stage combat, or athletic performance is a plus, though not required for all roles.

Featured Ensemble Roles

The show contains various bit roles that will be cast out of the Ensemble. You may choose up to two sides provided at the bottom of this page for your acting video submission if you so choose. 

Tio João (m) Age range 30-50 – Esperança’s uncle

Tia Ana (f) Age range 30-50 – Esperança’s aunt

Princesa (f) Age range: 18-30 – A tall, athletic Brazilian volleyball player; confident and striking

Beatriz (f) Age range: 25-50 – A Brazilian volleyball coach

Doctor (m) Age range: 25-50 – Gives bad medical news to Esperança about her brother

Joe Slink (m) Age range: 25-50 – A fight promoter, a smooth operator

Antonia Matos (f) Age range: 18-35 – Non-speaking, non-singing role; Must have martial arts experience, with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and/or MMA experience strongly preferred; Seeking a physically powerful performer 5’8” or taller