Nationwide casting call for ‘Te Ata’ movie set; Native American actors encouraged to audition for ro


This article appeared in the July 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

ADA, Okla. - A nationwide search for Native American actors has been launched.

Actors will be chosen to appear in “Te Ata,” a tribally-produced feature film. “Te Ata” will tell the story of a trailblazing Chickasaw entertainer Te Ata.

Open casting calls for “Te Ata” were conducted last month in Dallas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Ada.

Casting calls in Albuquerque and Tulsa are set for July and August, respectively.

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Saturday, July 12
  • 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North
  • 5151 San Francisco Road NE
  • Albuquerque, NM  87109

  • Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Saturday, Aug. 2
  • 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
  • 777 West Cherokee Street
  • Catoosa, OK 74015

Produced by the Chickasaw Nation, “Te Ata” is a full-length feature film based on the remarkable life and legacy of Chickasaw performer Mary Frances Thompson.

Best known by her stage name Te Ata, which means “bearer of the dawn,” she gained international fame presenting a unique one-woman show of American Indian heritage and culture to audiences across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Named Woman of the Year by Ladies’ Home Journal in 1976, Te Ata’s creative performances delivered to kings, queens, presidents and everyday people helped inspire greater respect and understanding of American Indian culture and heritage.Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1958 and the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame in 1990, she was awarded the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award in 1975 and declared Oklahoma’s first “State Treasure” in 1987.

“Te Ata” auditions will include a 2-minute reading before a casting committee.

Auditions will end promptly at 2 p.m. Please arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. to have the best opportunity for an audition slot. It is estimated the first 150 people will have an opportunity to read for judges.

Individuals interested in auditioning for a role should bring an 8x10 portrait and a résumé to the casting call.

Auditions are open to everyone. Native American actors are encouraged to audition.

An online casting call is also available.

For additional “Te Ata” casting and audition information, including a list of available roles, audition scenes and online casting call, email TeAtaOpenCasting@gmail.com or visit http://TeAtathemovie.com.

Follow Te Ata the movie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeAtaThompsonFisher.