Auditions

Directed by Ryan Dean Schoening and Caitlyn Davis

AUDITION DATES: Sunday, January 23, 2022 and Monday, January 24, 2022 (6:00 PM start both evenings)

CALLBACKS: Wednesday, January 26th, 2022 (6:00 PM start)

Director’s Notes:

• • Please prepare a song in the style of the show for your audition. Songs from Parade may not be used for your initial audition.
  • Songs from the show will be presented for use at callbacks.
  • Adult themes, racial slurs, and violence against children are present in this piece and will be worked through with the assistance and careful guidance of an Anti-Oppression Facilitator.
  • Starleisha Michelle Gingrich, founder of Disrupt Theatre Company, will serve as the Anti-Oppression Facilitator for the production of Parade. We believe that theatre is essential to understanding humanity. Oftentimes, that means actors take on characters with viewpoints, beliefs, and language that differ from the actors’ own. Throughout the rehearsal process, Starleisha will facilitate discussions as part of the rehearsal process and help us examine unconscious bias in our own lives and provide our cast, crew, and creative team with solutions for a safe working environment as we deal with racism and anti-Semitism in the world of the show.
  • Unless required by script or licensing agreements, casting decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Plot Summary: In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor’s false testimony seal Leo’s fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.

Character Breakdown:

Judge Roan: Serves as the Judge on the infamous trial. Motivated by bigotry and racism, he is dangerously committed to the ideals of the Confederacy. White Georgian.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 60 to 70
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: B2

Lucille Frank: Gentle and mousy, but resourceful and resilient. Despite her husband’s feelings, she is a true Southerner through and through but can see through the deception. A White Jew from Georgia.

Character Identity: Female
Age: 21 to 28
Vocal range top: G3
Vocal range bottom: E5

Leo Frank: Our story’s tragic protagonist accused of murder. As National Pencil Factory Superintendent, Leo is neurotic and a serial pessimist. Though married to Lucielle, he is physically and emotionally displaced. A White Jew from the North.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Gb2

Hugh Dorsey: Atlanta’s District Attorney. He is a devout Christian, who is brute and manipulative at times. Hungry for political success and recognition. White Georgian.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2

Gov. John Slaton: As the Governor of Georgia, he is highly concerned with public perception. Flirtatious and fun at times. Strives to maintain his values. White Southerner.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Frankie Epps: A charming and simple man, he is Mary’s devoted friend. Playful and flirtatious. White Georgian.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 14 to 17
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Mary Phagan: A factory worker at the National Pencil Factory who is murdered. She is very innocent but has moments of sassiness and playfulness. White Georgian

Character Identity: Female
Age: 13 to 15
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Eb4

Jim Conley: A cleaning supervisor at National Pencil Factory. Secretly, he is a convict on the run. Pompous showman with a strong build. This role will be cast with a Black male as originally intended by the creators of Parade and in accordance with historical accuracy.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: D3

Newt Lee: He is the night watchman at National Pencil Factory. A bit too old to possess the job. Physically intimidating, but a gentle giant. This role will be cast with a Black male as originally intended by the creators of Parade and in accordance with historical accuracy.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 50 to 60
Vocal range top: Db4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Britt Craig: A washed up reporter who can often be found three sheets to the wind. Weaselly and desperate for his ‘big break.’ White Georgian.

Character Identity: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Eb3

Ensemble

Chain Gang; Factory Girls (Essie, Iola Stover, Monteen); Guards/Policemen (Officer Ivey, Detective Starnes, Mr. Peavy); Residents Of Georgia (Angela, Judge Roan, Jurors, Luther Rosser, Minola Mcknight, Mrs. Phagan, Old Soldier, Reporters, Riley, Sally Slaton, Young Soldier)

Tom Watson

Directed by David Payne and Michael Hosler

AUDITION DATES: Sunday, March 20, 2022 and Monday, March 21, 2022

Director’s Notes

• Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script
• Audition monologues are welcome, but not necessary.
• Unless required by script or licensing agreements, casting decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Plot Summary

1939 Hollywood is abuzz. Legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, Gone with the Wind. The screenplay, you see, just doesn’t work. So what’s an all-powerful movie mogul to do? While fending off the film’s stars, gossip columnists and his own father-in-law, Selznick sends a car for famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming  from the set of The Wizard of Oz. Summoning both to his office, he locks the doors, closes the shades, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labor over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.

Character Breakdown

David Selznick (late 30’s – 50): Selznick Studios head and producer of GWTW. Son-in-law of Louis B. Mayer. 

Victor Fleming (late 40’s – 60): Legendary director of many famous Hollywood films of the 1930’s, such as GWTW and The Wizard of Oz. 

Ben Hecht (50’s – 60’s): Genius screenwriter for films such as Nothing Sacred, Gunga Din, Wuthering Heights, Spellbound and Notorious. 

Miss Poppenghul (20’s – 60’s): Selznick’s secretary/assistant.

Directed by Eric S. Mansilla

AUDITION DATES: Sunday, May 22, and Monday, May 23, 2022 (6:00 PM start both evenings) 

CALLBACKS (if needed): Thursday, May 26, 2022 (6:00PM start) 

Plot Summary (from MTI): “The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it […] BLOOD.”

Director’s Notes

• The story of Little Shop places ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. As such, we are searching for performers to bring sincerity and heart to their roles – no matter how outrageous or stylized their circumstances or surroundings. Performers should prepare a piece of music no longer than 32 measures. (No songs from Little Shop of Horrors, please.) Performers should also provide clearly-marked sheet music for the provided accompanist. 
• Unless required by script or licensing agreements, casting decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Character Breakdown

Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon: Three black female street urchins who function as participants in the action and a Greek Chorus outside it. They’re young, hip, smart, and the only people in the cast who really know what is going on.

Character Identities: Female

Stage Ages: 18 to 35

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: A-flat 3 

Seymour Krelborn: An insecure, put-upon florist’s clerk and eventual hero. He is a genuine, well-meaning man who is taken for granted because of his clumsy ways and poor social skills. 

Character Identity: Male
Stage Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2

Audrey: Secret love of Seymour’s life. She has poor self-worth and education, but incredibly good looks and a sweet and vulnerable demeanor.

Character Identity: Female
Stage Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G#3

Mr. Mushnik: The seasoned owner of the failing East Side flower shop and Seymour’s nosy boss. He is profit-driven, greedy, and manipulative.

Character Identity: Male
Stage Age: 55 to 65
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G2

Orin Scrivello: An egotistical dentist with a passion for leather and sadistic tendencies. Audrey’s abusive boyfriend, who is targeted by Seymour. (This performer, ideally, will also play the roles of Wino, Customer, Mr. Bernstein, Mrs. Luce, Skip Snip, and Patrick Martin.)

Character Identities: Various
Stage Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: G2

Voice Of The Plant: An actor/vocalist located offstage. The voice is that of a conniving, street-smart ‘villain’ — Rhythm and Blues’ answer to Richard the Third. This character, as written, should be voiced by a black performer.

Character Identity: Male
Stage Age: 20 to 50
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: G2

Directed by Michael Hosler

AUDITION DATES: Sunday, July 24, 2022 and Monday, July 25, 2022

Director’s Notes: 

• Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Audition monologues are welcome, but not necessary.
• Unless required by script or licensing agreements, casting decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Plot Summary

The Glass Menagerie is a memory play by Tennessee Williams, set in the St. Louis home of the Wingfields in the 1930’s. The events onstage take place in Tom Wingfield’s memory as he looks back on the life he left behind. Tom is the sole financial provider for his mother and sister. Amanda worries that Tom will abandon the family, just like his father did. Amanda has Tom invite his coworker, Jim, to dinner as a suitor for his sister. Laura is devastated when Jim reveals that he is engaged. Amanda vents her fury at Tom. Tom leaves to pursue his own dreams.

Character Breakdown

Amanda Wingfield (the mother 40’s-60’s):  A woman of great but confused vitality clinging frantically to another time and place. There is much to admire in Amanda, and as much to love and pity as there is to laugh at. Certainly she has endurance and a kind of heroism and though her foolishness makes her unwittingly cruel at times, there is tenderness in her slight person.

Laura Wingfield (her daughter 20’s):  A childhood illness has left her crippled. Stemming from this, Laura’s separation increases till she is like a piece of her own glass collection, too exquisitely fragile to move from the shelf.

Tom Wingfield (her son 20’s):  The narrator of the play. A poet with a job in a warehouse. His nature is not remorseless, but to escape from a trap he has to act without pity. 

Jim O’Connor (the gentleman caller 20’s):  A nice, ordinary, young man. He is Tom’s friend at the warehouse and a guest for dinner at the Wingfield home.

Directed by Lois Heagy

AUDITION DATES: Sunday, September 11, 2022 and Monday, September 12, 2022

Director’s Notes:

• This play is based on actual interviews done by the Tectonic Theater Company with members of the Laramie population and subsequent events. These are NOT caricatures, but real people and, as such, must be seen that way. Time will be spent prior to actual staging on book work to study the characters and the history of the piece. Auditionees are urged to become familiar with the events in the play prior to auditions.
• The cast will consist of 8-12 actors of various ages and ethnicities, portraying Laramie residents and others ranging from age 20 to 70. Casting will be based on the range the auditionee is able to display and not, necessarily, on gender and age.
• Unless required by script or licensing agreements, casting decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.
• The show is a black box piece, divided into “moments” which are the actual interviews.  Staging and costuming will be minimal.