HANDS ON A HARBODY Submission - La Jolla Playhouse Auditions
La Jolla Playhouse
HANDS ON A HARDBODY
– Submit Photo /Resume for NYC Appointments
La Jolla Playhouse (La Jolla Playhouse) LORT B; $765/week minimum
Artistic Director: Christopher Ashley
Director: Neil Pepe
Choreographer: Benjamin Millepied
Book: Doug Wright
Music: Amanda Green & Trey Anastasio
Lyrics: Amanda Green
Casting: Telsey + Company, Rachel Hoffman
1st rehearsal: 3/20/12. Runs: 4/27/12 – 6/10/12
NYC auditions will be held sometime the week of December 19, by appointment only.
Seeking submissions from Actors' Equity Members only for these auditions.
For consideration, email picture and resume to:
PLEASE INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE CHARACTER FOR WHICH YOU’RE SUBMITTING YOURSELF IN THE SUBJECT OF THE E-MAIL.
If given an appointment, be prepared to sing a song in the style of the show (country/folk or country/rock)
HANDS ON A HARDBODY is a musical based on the documentary film of the same name, about a truck competition in rural East Texas. In the contest, hardscrabble contestants are invited to a local car dealership, to place their hands on a new Nissan truck. The contestant who can stand the longest without removing his or her hand from the vehicle gets to drive it off the lot. What initially seems like a frivolous, even kitschy stunt becomes a true test of wills.
Actors should have authentic, skilled country/folk voices and genuine acting chops. It is a strong ensemble piece. Seeking:
Benny Perkins:
Caucasian male, 35-45. Benny is the “ringmaster” of the piece, and a returning champ who won the contest a few years earlier. He’s a self-proclaimed expert on the contest, not to mention All Things Texas and most other matters besides. He can spin tall tales with the best of ‘em. In Benny’s hands a game of darts at the local dive bar can become a mythic story, a regular HIGH NOON. He’s always got a twinkle in his eye and a ready joke, but underneath his “good old boy” demeanor, he’s ferociously ambitious. He won the contest three years ago, and he’s back to triumph again. He’s recovering from a failed marriage, a non-existent career, an alcohol problem, and currently he lives in the garage apartment behind his Mama’s house. But if he can win, he’ll prove that he’s still got what it takes to compete in the world. In an ensemble show, Benny is our lead. Needs a lived-in, earthy Baritone voice. PRINCIPAL
J.D. Drew:
Caucasian male, 55-70. J.D. is the oldest contestant. He’s got a weathered, Gary Cooper handsomeness, and he’s a real man’s man. J.D. plays things close to the vest – he’s not a touchy-feely type, not at all – but can still win you over with a well-timed grin. An injury on an oil rig has forced him into early retirement. He’s a proud man who’s always pulled himself up by the bootstraps, and the loss of his job makes him secretly ache. Voice should have a lived-in, conversational, gritty, earthy singing quality. PRINCIPAL
Ronald Mccowan:
African-American male, 35-45. Ronald is from the Louisiana bayou, with an accent that’s as thick as gumbo. Ronald is compulsively good-natured, and a self-styled ladies’ man, with girlfriends in three states. He’s a big, expansive talker, with a touch of braggadocio, but sometimes undermines himself with fatalistic doubts; suppose there’s a thunderstorm? Suppose his knees give out? What if he wore the wrong shoes? Like the cowardly lion, Ronald can pivot from cocksure to crumbling with dizzying speed. Strong baritone or baritenor voice. PRINCIPAL
Virginia Drew:
Caucasian female, 50-65. Virginia is the aging but still very attractive wife of contestant J.D. Drew. After three decades of marriage, she’s more worried than ever about the future. She sees her beloved husband at losse ends, out of his job, his very purpose in life, frittering his evenings on the couch and his Saturdays out hunting, coming home distracted and empty-handed. More than anything, she wants him back. It’s her turn to see his well being for a change; but she fears his stubborn pride will cause him to turn on her instead, and that this contest will wreck his already fragile health. Alto/soprano vocal range. PRINCIPAL.
Greg Wilhote:
Caucasian male, 20-28. Greg is a sweet, lanky, freckle-faced kid whose counter-cultural, Beastie Boys instincts make him in outsider in this land of cowboys. He’s the only resident of Longview who drives a VW Bug…and it’s his mother’s used one at that. Underneath his “freak flag” façade, Greg would dearly love to fit in. Around town, he just feels like an oddball. Currently, Greg is unemployed. Sweet, pure Tenor voice. PRINCIPAL
Heather Stovall:
Caucasian female, 24-30. Heather still derives her glory – and her reputation – from her days as head varsity cheerleader at Spring Hill High. Heather is an unashamed “girly girl” and her biggest fear about the competition is her inability to shower and re-apply her makeup. Every man she meets is the Daddy she always wanted. Good singer comfortable singing in alto and soprano range. PRINCIPAL
