The Deal

Casting

WE ARE CASTING

OUR APPLICATIONS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

We are looking for talented physical performers, actor-musicians and musicians to join our exceptional ensemble.
We welcome performers of all backgrounds and nationalities.

We accept submissions for The Deal on a rolling basis throughout the year – you can apply at any time.

While we review applications year-round, we are especially keen to hear from performers who may be available for our main intake periods:

Spring intake – late March

Autumn intake – late September

If you feel your skills and experience are a strong fit for the world of The Deal, we encourage you to submit materials even if you are not immediately available. We regularly revisit past applications when casting future intakes.

Who We’re Looking For

We are casting dynamic, brave and emotionally intelligent performers with strong physical theatre or contemporary dance experience.

We are seeking high-level musicians (only violin, cello and accordion players) with strong improvisational instincts and a deep emotional range.

Contracts for performers and musicians typically run for 13 months and full-time availability is required.

Gecko residencies are also a key way we meet new performers. Check out Gecko below.

Discover Gecko

Casting Criteria

Dancers / Physical Performers

Minimum 3 years professional experience
Exceptional movers / dancers
Emotionally bold and physically expressive
Full availability

Musicians & Actor-Musicians

High-level violinists, cellists and accordionists, with a particular interest in performers who can sing.
Violin & Cello: Acting experience is desirable but not essential.
Accordion: Acting experience is required.
Strong stage presence and a collaborative, ensemble-focused approach are essential.
Physical engagement or movement experience is not required, but is considered a plus.

Life in Shenzhen

Get a glimpse into life onboard The Deal – living in one of Asia’s most exciting, forward-facing cities!

More info

How to Apply

We operate a rolling casting process. If you feel this project speaks to you, follow the steps below:

Physical Performers

Musicians

For physical performers

Submit three recordings:

1. Introduction

(1-2 minutes)

Tell us about you! Include your name and answer the following questions below. If you speak English – please use this language.

Things to cover:

Who you are.
Your background and experience.
Your experience with physical theatre.
What Gecko or Dream Awake work you’ve seen.
Why you would like to work with the company.

2. Speech

(1 minute)

Please record yourself performing the speech below.

These words were said by Sophie Scholl who was an extraordinarily brave young woman who was executed for her beliefs and for standing up to the Nazi’s in the 1940’s:

“Stand up for what you believe in even if you are standing alone!
The real damage is done by those who stay silent.
Those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe.
Safe?! From what? it’s all an illusion, because they die too.
Life is always on the edge of death;
a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does.
I choose my own way to burn.
Tomorrow this flower will grow… tomorrow this flower will grow
Such a fine sunny day, and I have to go.”

Things to think about:

Please do the speech in your NATIVE language. We are looking for great performers who can convey meaning/ emotion as they speak – so your strongest language will give you the best chance to do this.

Framing:

Ideally a close-up of the face.
As close to the camera as possible.
If outdoors, some variation is understandable, but indoors especially it should feel intimate and direct.

Guidance:

Think carefully about what is happening in the scene.
The stakes are ultimate — these are the final words before death.
You are about to lose your life for what you believe in.
Who are you speaking to? Your intention is to touch them, move them, anger them, shake them, inspire them etc.
Where are you and what is the immediate situation? Eg. Are you talking to one person in a prison cell before they take you away? Taking straight to camera as if being broadcasted? Or standing in front of a thousand people? Make a choice.

3. Movement – Show Choreography

Please record yourself doing 2 scenes of choreography from the show.

We expect the material to be replicated as precisely as possible.
Accuracy and detail matter.
Having both movement clips in one link is preferable.

There are 2 movement videos:
COAT REVEAL and PODIUM 1.

Videos

COAT REVEAL follows the swell of the music, but otherwise has no counts. In this part of the show – the coat is being presented to you for the first time. It’s a symbol of ‘that thing’ which would make your life so much better, if only it were yours. Focus on the detail and quality of the movement, but mainly (what isn’t given in the video) the feeling of reverence for the coat.

Please try to recreate the movement as accurately as you can.

PODIUM 1 is a sequence still connected to the coat, but much later in the show. Here it’s the day of the contest: the best worker will win the coat. Tension and stress is extremely high, but at the same time you are being watched/ assessed on your composure, skill, trying to prove that you are worthy of the coat above everyone else.

Please try to recreate the movement as accurately as you can.

There are counts, there is precision, while also showing your determination and how much this means to you.

You’ll see there are two 8’s of intro before the sequences starts. Use this time to arrive to your place, greet others, wish them good luck, being strategically diplomatic.

Filming note for all of the above: Please film yourself or have someone film you not too far away.

See our Filming Guide for help on how to film your videos.

Complete the Online Form

Click the button to submit your application. You’ll be asked to include:
Name, Email, Nationality, DOB

CV & Headshot
Link to your 3 short videos
Link to movement, dance, or music performance (if applicable)
Languages spoken
Prior experience with Gecko
Prior experience with current / previous cast members from The Deal / Gecko productions

Performers Apply here

For Musicians:

Complete the Online Form

Click the button to submit your application. You’ll be asked to include:
Name, Email, Nationality, DOB

CV & Headshot
Links to 2 videos of you playing your instrument
Link to a video of you singing or playing additional instrument (if applicable)
Languages spoken
Prior experience with Gecko
Prior experience with current / previous cast members from The Deal / Gecko productions

Musicians Apply Here

Filming Guide

We’re excited to see your work!

Please carefully follow the guidance below to help us view your filming clearly and easily.

Technical Guidelines

Orientation: Please film in landscape (horizontal) mode.
Framing: Your body should be clearly visible but not too far away. For the speech and intro, closer up of your face is preferred.
Length: Max 2 minutes long.
Quality: A clear phone camera is perfect – no need for professional equipment.
Sound & Lighting: Make sure we can see your facial expressions and hear you clearly. Natural light works great!
Language: If you speak another language (that’s not English), we encourage you to use it in your tape. Don’t worry if not.
Background: Find a quiet, neutral space – even a blank wall works well – but if you can’t find this, please don’t worry too much.

Performance Tips

Don’t overthink production quality: We’re looking for presence, truth, and connection.
Fellow performer: You’ll notice that some scenes work well with another performer and may be beneficial in accessing the scene – you can ask a friend to explore it with you. Alone or with a friend are both absolutely fine.
Movement videos: We expect the material to be replicated as precisely as possible. Accuracy and detail matter.

How to submit your videos

We must receive your video as a link that can be viewed online. Please try and submit your movement links as one if possible.

Here’s how to easily do this:

Option 1: YouTube (Unlisted) — Recommended

Upload your video to YouTube.
Set the video to “Unlisted” (so only people with the link can view it).
Copy the shareable link and paste it into the Google Form.

Option 2: Google Drive

Upload your video to Google Drive.
Right-click the file and select “Get link.”
Under “General access,” select “Anyone with the link” can view.
Copy the shareable link and paste it into the Google Form.

Option 3: Vimeo (Unlisted)

Upload your video to Vimeo.
Set the video to Unlisted or password-protected (include the password in your form if needed).
Copy the shareable link and paste it into the Google Form.