Greetings!

Thank you for your time and peace be upon you.

We are currently casting the next big epic on the most influential figure in history, Jesus Christ. There have been a plethora of inventive attempts, but each has come with its set of identity politics and relative political correctness. 

We want to embrace the 21st century, and not pigeonhole our depictions to classical standards -- we are all made in His image, after all. So we are looking for an essence, rather than a look.

  • Find self tape sides below, as well as submission instructions.

  • Please keep your video to 3-5minutes max, beginning with your slate and ending with your sides.

Note: To even the playing field, our one requirement is that the auditions are done partially in Aramaic (transliterated/scribed for your convenience).

  • Please read only Jesus’ Aramaic lines (right column).

  • Use the English only for emotional reference (parentheses).

Your servility to these instructions will affect consideration for the role.
You may edit your self tape as you see fit.

SLATE (2-3mins max):
English

  • Please slate your name, height, union status, and location;

  • Please provide a personal statement on your background, and why you believe you have the essence to uniquely portray Jesus on screen.

  • e.g.: You may relate your essence though a particular Parable to which you relate, such as the Workers in the Vineyard, the Ten Virgins, or the Two Debtors. Find crowdsourced list of parables here.

HERE ARE YOUR SIDES (2-3mins max):
Aramaic

For your reference, here are some links to the sound of the language:
Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 | Example 4 | Example 5

DISCIPLE
Haq’qun aa’taiton, Mar! 
(Give us truth, oh Lord!)



JESUS
Ihtiwa’un laisa khair itmi. 
(The whole need not a physician; but the sick. I came not to call the righteous.)

JESUS
Qad ‘hasana fee ramyini.
(He without sin may cast any stone.)

DISCIPLE 
Akha, Mar! Lakin kaifa, tavatan na’fisoon?
(Yes, my Lord! We have repented. But how can we better ourselves?)

JESUS
Kamalon roo: laisa. Ha-baqash. 
(Seek perfection: go, sell possessions and give to the poor. Treasure awaits.)

DISCIPLE
Anakh’nu mafhu’mun, Mar! Lakin
khowrin as’haboo, wo ahlin.
(We understand, my Lord! But we wish not to disengage our neighbors, nor families.)

JESUS
Qawlin haqq, imtihanna ma’lin ila shamawatin.
(Truly, it is hard for rich men to enter the kingdom of heaven.) 

DISCIPLE
Qawlin nafas, ‘Mari’ hayati
kollin, Elaha qawlin.
(You said yourself, ‘Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by the Word of God.’)

JESUS
(crying)
Fa-Yahweh yaqudu binyanon waheedun.
([Sacrifice, my child.] For God so loved the world He gave His one Son, that everyone who believes in Him… may have eternal life.) 

DISCIPLE 
Anakh’nu ru’yatu imti-hanna…
(We see now that life is a test…)

JESUS
Mithli aa-baa rasu-lin! Anni, risalitkon.
(Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I send you.)

(The Disciple doesn’t say anything.)

JESUS
Hobbo ba’din mithlima: ‘habaitkon!
(A new command: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love!)

FIN.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please upload a 3-5 minute Unlisted YouTube Video and send us the URL by completing the form linked in the button below. Uploading unlisted video instructions here.

Note: Please do not forget to start your video by slating your name, height, union status, and location; as well as a personal statement on your background, and why you believe you have the essence to uniquely portray Jesus on screen. Instructions above.