Casting "Fanna Fi Hayati: Love, Sex Work, And The Sacred," a play. Synopsis and cast list: "Fanna fi Hayati: Love, Sex Work, and the Sacred," is a full-length play based on a true story that follows the relationship between Dani and Farzin - a trans woman and an Iranian-Sufi academic - as the two endeavors to maintain an allowing and affirming relationship as Dani transitions into professional sex work. Their connection is tested as each strives to face their own limitations and to be self-honoring while honoring the other amidst their own internalized prejudices and stigma. Works by famous Sufi poets such as Rumi and Hafiz and original poetry drive the plot forward in a celebration of the sacredness of sex work and the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. The play breaks the 4th wall by requiring the audience to vote between two potential endings and to face their beliefs and fears about relationships and love. Production states: "Seeking local central Oregon talent and beyond for a recording reading. Reading would occur in the first week of June for submission to the Rogue Theater Festival in NYC, and air digitally starting June 30. This is an opportunity for personal exposure as well as bringing attention to our local theater community. As well, an additional intention is to generate funding interest for a local production of the play and beyond. Given the truncated time table, actors whose personal identities do not reflect the characters exactly will still be considered. Cast: Dani - trans feminine partner, an aspiring writer/artist who met Farzin while he was studying in the U.S. Farzin- Name is Farsi/Persian for "learned one"; post-fundamentalist Muslim who left Iran for university and met his now-partner Dani while in the U.S. Client 1- cis-gendered male BDSM sex work client. Client 2 cis-gendered male escort client. Ren- butch lesbian elder; Farzin's university colleague."
Dani: Female, Gender-Nonconforming, Non-Binary, Trans Female, 18+
trans feminine partner, an aspiring writer/artist turned professional sex worker who met Farzin while he was studying in the U.S.
Farzin: Lead, Male, Gender-Nonconforming, Trans Male, 18+
Farsi/Persian for "learned one"; post-fundamentalist Muslim who left Iran for university and met his now-partner Dani while in the U.S. Given the truncated timetable for this reading, the actor need not necessarily be Iranian and/or Muslim, but one of these identities is preferred.
Client 1: Supporting, Male, Trans Male, 18+
a cis-gendered male BDSM sex work client.
Client 2: Supporting, Male, Trans Male, 18+
a cis-gendered male escort client.
Ren: Supporting, Female, Gender-Nonconforming, Non-Binary, Trans Female, 30+
butch lesbian elder; Farzin's university colleague.
Additional: Pays $100/flat rate. Production states: "To be paid post-submission of the recorded reading to the Rogue Theater Festival. Potential conversion into the cast for full production, funding-dependent."
Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations
Rehearses TBD; final reading by June 7 in Bend, OR.
Bend, OR; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Ashland, OR
