NEW YORK STAGE AND FILM 2011 SEASON Equity Principal Audition - New York Stage and Film Auditions
New York Stage and Film
New York Stage and Film 2011 Season
– Equity Principal Auditions
Poughkeepsie, NY SPT (approval/salary level pending; 2010 weekly minimums: $265-$517).
Artistic Dir: Johanna Pfaelzer
Assoc Producer: Kyle Frisina
GM: Robert A. Sherrill
Equity Principal Auditions:
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 – Accompanist provided. Chelsea Studios
10 AM - 6 PM 151 West 26th Street, 5th Floor
Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30. New York City
and
Thursday, May 12, 2011 – No accompanist. Actors' Equity Association Audition Center
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor
Lunch from 1 - 2. New York City
Accompanist provided May 11 only. On that date, prepare either a) A brief contemporary musical theatre, pop or rock song OR b) A brief, contemporary dramatic monologue OR C) 16 bars of a song and a one-minute monologue. If singing, bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.
No accompanist provided on May 12. On that date, please prepare a brief, contemporary dramatic monologue.
Please bring a picture and resume, stapled back-to-back.
All dates are in 2011. For roles listed as cast, auditioning performers will be considered as possible (emergency) replacements, should any become necessary.
Mainstage:
Ali:
Woman, mid 40s - early 50s. Parker’s mom. Beautiful, striking, warm, charismatic person who works as an actress. At a bit of a crossroads in her career. Also trying to find her place as the mother of a transgendered child. Learning to stand up for herself and her family. Has a big heart, and finds herself having to battle her domineering husband Clarence more and more to protect Parker.
Doctor Shelton:
Man, any ethnicity, 40s-60s. Parker’s therapist. Warm, funny. The only person Parker can really trust.
Parker:
CAST. Female-to-male transgendered, 20. College freshman transitioning from female to male. Has not yet begun hormone treatments, but is desperate to convince his therapist and parents that he is ready for this step. Very much in love with his girlfriend and, despite his delight at his newfound independence, still very much desiring the approval of his parents.
Lucy:
CAST. 18-25. Parker’s girlfriend. Intellectually curious. Very kind. Accepts Parker for who he is, even as she (Lucy) seeks to answer big questions about her own place in the world.
Clarence:
CAST. Mid 40s - early 50s. Parker’s dad. Movie producer and director. Alpha male. Unhappy about his daughter’s transition from female to male; willing to do anything to keep her from making what he feels is a huge mistake.
Linda Lou:
CAST. 40s. Small-town hairdresser. Lucy’s mother. Frazzled, funny, earthy. Doesn’t “get” this whole transgender business at first, but is open, accepting and warm.
A MAZE by Rob Handel. Dir: Sam Buntrock. 1st reh: 6/27. Runs 7/20-7/31. Seeking actress 18+ to play 17. Jessica is petite, with a lot of “pluck”. Kidnapped by Beeson, who raises her, teaches her how to cook and writes stories with her -- when she’s not locked in the basement. Extremely strong mind and spirit to survive her imprisoned life, and then the media blitz when she’s freed.
Angela / Queen / Hermione:
Late 30s - early 40s. Angela: Jessica’s mother. Uses an electric wheelchair. Never gives up believing that her kidnapped daughter might still be alive. Strong, though physically weak. Queen: The gentle, loving queen in Beeson’s novel. Imprisoned in a palace built by her husband and Galgalim. Lonely, sad; becomes desperate enough to leave her child behind to venture out into the unknown. Actress in this track must have good command of language skills; the King and Queen’s dialogue is in written in an elevated/classical tone of Beeson’s making. Hermione: Columnist for the “Los Angeles Times”. Aggressive, sharp. Publicly accuses Jessica of exaggerating her experience.
Kim / Tish:
Female, early - mid 30s. Kim: Typical network news reporter, covering Jessica’s abduction. Interviews Jessica about her ordeal. Attractive, conservative, capable and polished. Trying to catch a breakout story. Tish: Girlfriend of Jessica’s brother Alex. Well-meaning, and wants to make a good impression. Unwittingly uncovers a clue about Jessica’s abduction.
Paul:
Character ages from 22 - 32, but most of the play is late 20s - early 30s. Rock star, probably more indie. After rehab, he struggles to write songs and connect with his former girlfriend/writing partner Oksana. A real poet/artist at heart, he’s quiet and introspective, with star quality: the real deal. Upholds very high standards for himself.
Oksana:
Mid 20s - mid 30s. Paul’s girlfriend, a co-writer in the band. Quirky, edgy, unlike Tish and Kim. Definitely in the same “world” as Paul: Striking, charismatic and full of talent. Tries to write without Paul, but is lost.
Tom / Alexander / Voice / Günter:
Male, late 20s - mid 30s. Tom: Friendly rehab counselor. Has worked there ten years or so, and feels he can truly help people. Spews propaganda at times. Alexander: Jessica’s older brother. Devoted to his mother Angela, but sees the toll that hope has taken: wishes she’d give up on bringing Jessica home. He also wears the damage from the ordeal. Wants his Mom to like his girlfriend Tish. Voice: Funny, wry, unnamed record producer/executive. British accent. Speaks to Paul and his band in the studio as they’re making their next record. Günter: Musician in the band with Paul and Oksana. Described as “Viking”-blond and bearded. Doesn’t say much. When Oksana reveals she’s tried to write a song with him while Paul was away, his presence as a rival threatens Paul.
Beeson / Galgalim:
Male, late 40s - late 50s. Beeson: Graphic novelist. Was once in rehab. Kidnaps a young girl (Jessica) to serve as the muse for his work. Not obviously threatening at first glance. A benign quality; anti-social, but with a sensitive soul. Lives in his writing. Extremely smart and complicated individual.Galgalim: The hero in the story Beeson writes with Jessica. He is a creature: part-human/part-dog. He is the architect of the maze, and servant to the King. Very deferential and kind to the Queen. Great physical skills needed: the actor playing both roles must be agile, or skilled in physical work.
King / Gareth:
Mid 50s - early 60s). Older than Beeson. King: Loves his queen, but abandons her for months at a time to fight wars and build a defensive maze. Grand and swaggering. Treats his queen and child like possessions, rather than like people with feelings. Gareth: British music producer. Great sense of humor, but isn’t about to waste time in the studio with a band that’s not serious. Good at telling jokes, and calls it as he sees it. Like Paul, he wants to make amazing records.
Play “Workshops”:
Margaret Gibson:
CAST. 30s-40s. Thin, frail, but strong. Best friend and beloved confidante of Craig. Author. Schizophrenic. Alternately vulnerable and strong.
CAST. 1970s female impersonator battling inner demons on his way to cult stardom.
HANDBALL by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld. Dir TBD. 1st reh: 7/5. Presentations: 7/15-7/17.
Irish American, 29. Originally from the Midwest. A bit flirty and a bit naïve. Working on bringing back the neighborhood park.
Christopher:
Caucasian, 44. Laurie's fiancé. Prep school background. Hotel/resort developer in the middle of a huge deal that is about to go bust unless he can get Orlando's help. African American/Hispanic, 19. One of the top ten handball players in the city. Charismatic, but with anger management issues, he is a boy who has had to grow up too fast. On the verge of becoming a man, he has the need to prove it to the world. African American/Hispanic male, 17. Javier’s best friend. Lives in a group home, but is trying to make plans for the future. Sweet-natured, sensitive. In love with Little Lucy. African American/Hispanic man, 59. Suave, handsome—an imposing, authoritative figure (“The Mayor” of the neighborhood). In his youth, he killed a man and went to prison for it. Well-connected, powerful. Sleeps with underage girls. Cuban American, 34. Very successful business man in Latin America. Old friend and business partner of Christopher's. Hip, immaculately dressed, sharp; grew up affluent on the Upper East Side. After too many years out of the country, he’s looking to come home.
Gee:
44. Dominoes player and local park denizen. Can no longer afford to live in the neighborhood, and is being forced to move upstate. 46. Local tee-shirt salesman and weed dealer. Landlord tried to buy him out; when he held out, he got busted, and faces jail time unless Panama can intervene on his behalf. Now something of a loner, he used to be close with long-dead revolutionaries and artists.
Caucasian girl, 15. Looks young, but is wise beyond her years. Lives with her grandmother. Although she is interested in being Ra-Ra’s girlfriend, she has been involved with the married/older Panama for a while.
Musical “Workshops”
THE NIGHTINGALE Music: Duncan Sheik. Book/Lyrics: Steven Sater. Dir: Moises Kaufman. 1st reh: 6/21. First rehearsal week will be in NYC. Presentations: 7/8-7/10.
Emperor:
40s-50’s. The Emperor of all China. Bowed with regret for being Emperor. Numbed from the years of ruling with a broken heart.
Young Emperor / Death:
Early 20s. Young Emperor: The same man, 25 years earlier in his life. A free and restless spirit, ever at odds with imperial responsibilities. Death: The wry, inevitable shadow. Seductive.
Feiyan:
Early 20s. Beautiful young serving girl with a proud, rebellious heart. Her nobility of spirit is remarkable in an unschooled fisherwoman’s daughter.
Fisherwoman:
40s-50s. Still beautiful, but no longer so trusting. Has been hardened by the blows of fortune.
Minister of State:
40s-50s. The duplicitous second-in-command. Guardian of the imperial tradition. Beneath his suave exterior, a dangerous man.
Empress Dowager:
The Emperor’s mother. The seemingly ageless, ruthless protectress of the status quo. Can wither entire villages with a single glance.
Princess Sumiko:
Early 20s. To the manner born and wears it. The exquisite spoiled princess of Japan.
Chief Eunuch:
30s-50s. Tireless functionary. The ever-dishing Constable to the Forbidden City.
Lieutenant Eunuch:
20s-40s. Ever ready at the Chief Eunuch’s side.
Nightingale:
A puppet, guided by an actor, who sings for it.
FEBRUARY HOUSE Score: Gabriel Kahane. Book: Seth Bockley. Dir: Davis McCallum. 1st reh: 6/27. Presentations: 7/14-7/16.
George Davis:
34. Radiant, slightly overweight New York personality.
Carson McCullers:
23. Precocious Southern novelist.
Wystan Hugh Auden:
33, the British poet. Tall, lithe, schoolmasterly.
Chester Kallman:
19. Jewish American student from Brooklyn.
Erika Mann:
34. Refugee intellectual and cabaret artist from Germany.
Benjamin Britten:
CAST. 27. British composer and musician.
Peter Pears:
CAST. 30. Britten’s partner— a rather broad-shouldered British tenor.
Reeves McCullers:
CAST. 27. Carson’s husband.
Gypsy Rose Lee:
CAST. 29. The celebrity stripper at the height of her powers.
PIECE OF MY HEART Score: Bert Berns. Book: Daniel Goldfarb, Brett Berns and Cassandra Berns
Dir: Leigh Silverman. 1st reh: 7/11/11. Presentations: 7/29-7/31.
Jessie:
Caucasian woman, 30-40. Bert’s daughter. Comes into her own as she learns about her father’s life while trying to keep control of his music and not let it be sold out from under her. Gains her strength and footing throughout the play. Mezzo/soprano.
Mom:
Caucasian woman, 50-60. Jessie’s mom and Bert’s widow. Hides the truth about her husband from her children, and is very interested in selling off his catalog of music. She’s dishonest, but we learn that it is because she is still mourning her husband. Mezzo/soprano.
Wazzel:
Caucasian Italian man, 55-70. Bert’s friend from childhood. Tells the “real” story to Jessie about her father. Intensely loyal by whatever means necessary. Non-singing.
Sloopy / Others:
Caucasian woman, 25-30. Go-go dancer who becomes Bert’s wife. Naïve, but street-smart. Soprano who belts Ds.
Hoagy / Others:
African American man, 25-30. Bert’s close friend, whom he hurts on his rise to fame. High tenor (can hit Cs).
Carlos / Others:
Latino, 25-35. Runs a nightclub in Havana and involves Bert and friends in some illegal activity. High baritone/flexible.
Young Wazzel / Others:
Caucasian Italian man, 25-35. Appears in flashback scenes with Bert during his rise to fame. Intensely loyal by whatever means necessary. Tenor.
Candy / Others:
African American woman, 30-35. Bert’s lover. Helps him develop his music in new ways. Very sexual and sensual. True mezzo with good range.
Gene Roth / Others:
Caucasian man, 35-45. Hard-nosed New York music producer. Guides Bert to fame, and then ends up getting control of his music. Baritone.
Bert:
CAST
F2M by Patricia Wettig. Dir: Maria Mileaf. 1st reh: Week of 6/6. 1st week of rehearsal will be in NYC. Runs 6/29-7/10.
Jessica:
MARGARET AND CRAIG by David Solomon. Dir: Sheryl Kaller. 1st reh: 6/20. Presentations: 7/1-7/3.
Craig Russell:
Laurie:
Javier:
Ra-Ra:
Panama:
Orlando:
Barry:
Little Lucy:
. Caucasian man, 25-35. Charismatic, soulful and empathetic. High tenor – must be able to sing Bs without much trouble.
