Stupid Fucking Bird by Aaron Posner includes the following subject matter that those auditioning may wish to be aware of:

Mental illness, depression, suicidality (attempted suicide by gun, not shown on stage), infidelity/cheating, loss of a child, shooting an animal (not shown on stage), sexual harassment, sexual and romantic coercion, family trauma, abandonment

Any and all questions about the subject matter of the play are welcome. Please email jeremy@theatreextempore.com to discuss. Performers are encouraged to read the play before auditioning — besides, it's just a really enjoyable read.

The play also presents several moments of intimacy and levels of undress/nudity:

CON shares a kiss with Nina (p.14); discusses/attempts suicide with gun - the attempt is offstage (p.41)

NINA changes clothes onstage, down to undergarments, possibly backlit or behind a screen (p.13); kisses Con (p.14); talks about and offers her “perfect breasts” to Trigorin, he possibly touches them over her clothes (p.39-40); is “scantily clad” onstage in some kind of sleep wear (p.51-53), partially undresses for Trigorin (possibly takes off her top, but obscured) (p.53); shares some kind of physical intimacy or kiss with Trigorin (p.53)

TRIGORIN discusses Nina’s “perfect breasts”, possibly touching them through her clothes (p.39-40); Nina partially undresses in front of him, sharing some kind of physical intimacy or kiss (p.53); Emma undoes his robe leaving him standing in his underwear or possibly nude (p.55); Emma drops her own robe in front of him revealing herself in undergarments or possibly nude (p.55); shares a passionate kiss and stylized staged simulated sex with Emma (p.56) — it is passionate but not graphic or hyper-naturalistic, in underwear or possibly nude (p.56-58)

EMMA undoes Trigorin’s robe revealing him in his underwear or possibly nude (p.55); drops her own robe revealing herself in undergarments or possibly nude (p.55); shares a passionate kiss and stylized simulated sex with Trigorin (p.56) — it is passionate but not graphic or hyper-naturalistic, in underwear and possibly nude (p.56-58)

MASH & DEV share a stage kiss (p.60)

There will be NO kissing, undressing, or nudity at auditions or callbacks. Even for those auditioning who are comfortable with it. Those auditioning will be asked to confidentially fill out an intimacy disclosure form. Answers on the form will not preclude anyone from being cast in any role, but will be used to find actors whose comfort levels and processes are similar, to better ensure a positive working environment.