PORTLAND CENTER STAGE 2011-12 SEASON Equity Principal Audition - Portland Center Stage Auditions

LORT

Portland Center Stage 2011-12 Season

– Equity Principal Auditions

(Portland, OR) LORT B and D; $765 and $566/week minimum

Artistic Director: Chris Coleman

Casting: Harriet Bass Casting

Equity Principal Auditions:

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the Actors' Equity Audition Center

9:30 AM — 5:30 PM 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor

Lunch from 1 - 2. New York, NY

Prepare EITHER: 1) a brief monologue, or 2) a brief song, or 3) a one-minute monologue and 16 bars of a song. If singing, bring sheet music in correct key; accompanist provided but may not transpose.

Bring picture and resume, stapled together.

2011-2012 season includes:

OKLAHOMA!:

Music by Richard Rodgers

Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs

Original dances by Agnes de Mille

Directed by Chris Coleman

Dates: August 23 - October 30, 2011

The entire cast (except Ali Hakim) is African American

Part charming love story, part stirring retelling of American history, and many parts beloved songs, stunning dance, and often darkly shaded humor, Oklahoma is the show that made its own history. This first collaboration by what became the legendary team of Rodgers and Hammerstein was a milestone in the development of American musical theater for its fusion of song, story and dance.

Curly:

African American, Late 20s-40ish He is a champion bronco buster: virile, sexy, cocky – a natural athlete. He also has a baritone voice that will melt butter. A good guy with an inborn sense of justice. Great sense of humor.

Laurey:

African American, 25 ish. A beautiful farm girl with aspirations of living a more refined, glamorous life. She is the prettiest girl in several counties, but also someone who knows her way around a barn. Strong spirit, argumentative, but with a natural vulnerability. Superb, bell-like soprano.

Aunt Eller:

African American, 50ish. A strong, energetic, resourceful business woman. Aunt Eller has built one of the most prosperous and popular farms in the area, and she has the cajones to prove it. Extremely down to earth, trustworthy, wily. Strong alto, belt.

Jud:

African American, 30-40ish. Aunt Eller’s farmhand. A thick, dark, brooding man. Extremely introverted, with an unsettling air of hostility. He is romantically obsessed with Laurey. Powerful bass voice.

Will Parker:

African American, 30ish. Earthy, cocky, and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I think he has to be attractive in some sense, but there is a slight goofiness about him (though don’t go all out for goofy). Good bari-tenor voice; excellent dancer.

Ado Annie:

African American, 30ish. Earthy, funny, sensual – and a bit daffy. Strong alto belt. Decent dancer.

Ali Hakim:

Middle Eastern, late 40s, early 50s. He says he’s from Persia and probably has a slight middle eastern accent. A smooth talking, slick, wily peddler. Baritone voice. Decent mover.

Carnes:

50s. Ado Annie’s father. A tough, stingy, suspicious bastard. Strong singer. Decent mover.

THE REAL AMERICANS:

Created and Perfomed by Dan Hoyle

Directed by Charlie Varon

Dates: August 30, 2011-November 6, 2011

(Solo 1 Man show: This role has been CAST)

A CHRISTMAS STORY:

By Phil Grecian

Based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown & Bob Clark

Directed by Rose Riordan

Dates: November 1 - December 24, 2011

Based on the beloved movie, this classic holiday comedy is a funny and sweet tale of growing up in the 1940s, by an American master storyteller, Jean Shepherd. Ralphie pines for an official Red Ryder Model Air Gun for Christmas, and his machinations to try and make sure Santa delivers, while his father obsesses over his “major award” (an abominable lamp), guarantee that nothing about the family Christmas will be filled with heavenly peace.

Ralphie Parker: Ralph at 9 years old

Randy: Ralphie’s little brother

Flick: Ralphie’s friend and classmate

Schwartz: Ralphie’s friend and classmate

Esther Jane: Classmate of Ralphie

Helen: Classmate of Ralphie

Scut Farkas: A Bully

The following roles have been CAST. Actors auditioning will be considered for possible

Ralph as an adult: CAST

Mother: CAST

The Old Man: CAST

Miss Shields: CAST

SANTALAND DIARIES:

By: David Sedaris

Directed by: TBA

Dates: November 8 - December 31, 2011

Based on the outlandish, and true, chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display, this hilarious cult classic features comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. PCS brings a holiday favorite back to Portland as a special Studio Theater presentation.

Seeking: 1 Man

THE NORTH PLAN:

By: Jason Wells

Directed by Rose Riordan

Dates: December 13, 2011-February 5, 2012

After a ruthless cabal seizes power in Washington, Carlton Berg, a bureaucrat for the State Department, runs off with the new regime’s top secret Enemies List. Unfortunately for Carlton, the chase has come to an end in a police station in the Ozark town of Lodus. With a pair of DHS agents on the way, Carlton’s last chance is in the people around him: an unsympathetic police chief, an ambivalent administrative assistant, and fellow prisoner Tanya Shepke, motor-mouthed recidivist and alcohol enthusiast, who appears to have an attention-deficit disorder and thinks Skynyrd should be on the new money. Let the revolution begin.

Seeking:

Carlton:

Mid-level State Department functionary. Smart, highly verbal, abrasive, very anxious. 30s or 40s

Shonda:

Administrative clerk. Earnest; unsophisticated; fearful, but pushing through it. African American. 20-35

Swenson:

Chief of Police. Direct, measured, self-assured. 40 - 70

Pittman:

DHS agent. Arrogant, manipulative, articulate. 35 - 55

Lee:

DHS agent. An up-and-comer, eager to prove himself. [any ethnicity] 20s

The Role of Tonya has been CAST

SHAKESPEARE'S AMAZING CYMBELINE:

Dates: January 3 - April 8, 2012

World Premiere, New Adaptation by Chris Coleman

Directed by Chris Coleman

Based on legends about early Celtic kings, Cymbeline is one of Shakespeare’s most fantastical creations—familiar Shakespearean themes of jealousy and innocence wronged are joined with divine intervention from the gods. A lovely princess, an evil queen, a misguided king and a thoroughly rotten clown inhabit this fairy tale-like story of life, and love, renewed.

Imogen: 25, beautiful, smart, strong. The heir to the kingdom.

Posthumous/Cloten/Belarius: 30-35 - extremely versatile, masculine actor with
both deep emotional currents and strong language skills. (Must play from 25 to
55)

Queen/Iachimo/Guiderius: 35 extremely versatile actor, with a ruthless edge;
and a sweetness.

Cymbeline/Philario: Powerful, versatile actor. A politician - leader of a
Kingdom in turmoil.

Pisanio/Lucius/Arviargus: 30-40 - extremely versatile actor; wily, savvy, good
with language.

Pianist/Cornelius/et al: extremely adept pianist with good language skills; and
naturally grounded presence. (50s?)

RED:

By: John Logan

Directed by Rose Riordan

Dates: January 24 - March 18, 2012

Set in the 1950s, when Rothko was commissioned to create a series of large pieces of art for the new Four Seasons Restaurant, Red tackles big questions about art—what it takes to create it, and where it belongs in our world. But perhaps more importantly, the play invites us to experience a legendary artist through the lens of the assistant brought on to help him with a project Rothko is not so sure he can accept completing.

Seeking 2 men for:

Mark Rothko: American painter, 50s or older.

Ken: His new assistant, 20s

ANNA KARENINA:

Anna Karenina: World Premiere

Adapted from Tolstoy by Kevin McKeon

Directed by Chris Coleman

Dates: March 6 - April 29, 2012

When Anna’s husband refuses to release her from their marriage to pursue her love for Count Vronsky, the wheels are set in motion for the ultimate sacrifice. Anna Karenina isn't concerned with observing the minutiae of social etiquette, like Jane Austen, nor with righting social injustices, like Dickens. It's about uncontrollable passions, and emotional and sexual betrayal, set against one of the most romantic periods of world history.

Anna:

Tall, dark and beautiful. Deep. 30s

Alexei:

Nebbish type, weak chin, not Anna's match physically. 40s

Vronsky:

Dashing, well-built and handsome, shallow. 30s

Levin:

Unassuming, understated hero of the piece. Intellectual, good-looking. 30s

Kitty:

Blonde, petite, self-absorbed but maturing throughout the play into a real catch. 20s

Dolly:

Mother-of-the-year. Long-suffering with philandering husband. A rock. 30s

Stiva:

Perhaps a but portly, hedonistic, good-time Charlie. Loves life. 40s

Ensemble:

There are also 3 men and 3 women who play servants, townspeople, etc.

BLACK PEARL SINGS!:

Black Pearl Sings! (2 Women)

By Frank Higgins

Directed by Bill Fennelly

Dates: March 27 - June 17, 2012

In 1935 Texas, Susannah, an academic and song collector for the Library of Congress, visits a high-security prison where she meets Pearl, an African-American woman imprisoned for murder who longs to leave prison and find her lost daughter. Hoping to record the treasure trove of spirituals and folk songs that only Pearl knows—and make her reputation on the discoveries—Susannah bargains for Pearl’s parole and arranges for several public performances.

Alberta “Pearl? Johnson:

African-American. About 40.

Susannah Mullally:

White. About 40.

UNIVERSAL MIND:

World Premiere Conceived by Randy Johnson

Directed by Randy Johnson

Dates: April 25 - June 24, 2012

A world premiere “live theatrical event” showcasing two of the most brilliant and controversial artists of the second half of the 20th century. Poet Ginsburg’s work was a source of inspiration to Jim Morrison, storied lead singer of The Doors. This theatrical representation of how the incendiary voice of the Beats in the 1950s influenced the music of the man who invited us to light my fire in the 1960s promises to take us all on a trip in our culture's history

Seeking 1 Man, 3 Male Actor/Dancers and 3 Female Actor/Dancers to play:

Jim Morrison

6 principal aerial dancers:

3 Men and 3 Women, all actor/dancers.