Budding thespians looking for a role that has some teeth can look no further than New York Classical Theatre's summer production of "The Winter's Tale," in which a lucky raffle winner can play a bear.
Yes, a bear.
The theater group posted their wild casting call on Twitter recently:
Time is running out to enter our online raffle for your chance to play THE BEAR in "The Winter's Tale"! pic.twitter.com/zL4iCgJ9JB
— NY Classical Theatre (@NYClassical) July 5, 2016
According to Mary Fulwieler, New York Classical Theatre's development manager, the only requirements they ask of raffle participants is that they be over 5 feet tall in order to fit into the bear costume. She also emphasized that they'd appreciate someone who's able to roar loudly as they chase a character offstage.
The winner will be the bear for one night, and they get to decide which day between July 18 to Aug. 7 to be a bear, except for Thursday nights. According to Fulwieler, the theater may hold another raffle and have more winners if there's enough interest from people who want to don the furry costume.
Fulwieler reassured potential raffle winners that they would only have to be in the costume for a short amount of time, so there's no need to worry if you choose a hot day to bear it all. The winner will also have a chance to take photos with family, friends, and fans after the play.
The raffle runs until July 14 and the winner will be announced on July 15. Anyone who wants to enter can do so here for $10 per ticket or 12 tickets for $100.
Anyone who wants to witness the bear chasing someone off stage in all its hairy glory, can go see "The Winter's Tale" from July 18 to Aug. 14. Performances are free and will take place every night except for Thursdays.
The performances begin at 7 p.m. and will last around 120 minutes. Between July 18 to Aug. 7 performances will take place in Battery Park. Performances from Aug. 9 to Aug. 14 will be held in Brooklyn Bridge Park in Pier 1. For more information, go here.