THE PASSION PLAY **Updated** OPEN - Park Performing Arts Center Auditions

THE PASSION PLAY – OPEN Auditions by Appointment in NJ

Park Performing Arts Center Union City, NJ LOA (approval and salary level pending)**

expected salary: $15 per hour for rehearsal, $75 per performance, plus pension contribution.

Producer: John P. Lewis

Music/Lyrics: Jules Rotella, Jr., Marty Rotella, Ed Sansanelli

Additional Lyrics: Meryl Tanner

Book Contributors: James Maxwell, Frank Siano, Dave Crandall, Eric Hafen, Rev. Kevin P. Ashe

Musical Adaptation: Meryl Tanner and Maria Fricke

Director: Carl Gonzalez

Musical Director: TBD

1st rehearsal: On/about 2/4/12. Current rehearsal schedule calls for rehearsals Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday evenings (7 - 10) and Saturdays from 10:30 to 2:30, with additional days starting in March for tech rehearsals (nights and Saturdays). A full schedule will be available at the auditions.

Performances: 3/24, 3/25, 3/31, at 2 PM and 3/29 at 10 AM.

OPEN Auditions (Equity and Non-Equity actors) by APPOINTMENT:

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Park Performing Arts Center

12 PM – 3 PM 560 32nd Street

AND Union City, NJ 07087

Monday, January 30, 2012 See notes on directions below.

7 PM – 10 PM

For an appointment, call (201) 865-6980 x10 Monday – Friday from 10 – 4. If you cannot call during those times, please leave a message with your desired time slot and a contact method and the Theatre will accommodate you on a first come, first served basis. Equity Members without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day, as time permits. Please bring your resume.

Please prepare short classical or semi-classical monologue and a song (except for Pilate, who doesn’t sing). Best song choice would be a contemporary ballad or dramatic pop song. Bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided

Please bring a picture and resume. If unable to attend auditions please send picture and resume via email to
casting@parkpac.org

The Passion Play is the telling of the events of the life of Jesus Christ, focusing primarily on the last period from his entrance into Jerusalem to his trial and death. The show has been performed without break since 1915, making it the longest running passion play in America. Re-written in the 1980’s to purge any anti-Semitic dialogue or attitudes, the show is now a musical, with original music in an 80’s pop style.

Seeking

Two Equity Principal contracts available. Pending approval we will also be casting one AEA Chorus Singer who will play small roles and perform in the ensemble.

Looking to fill two of the following roles with an AEA Principal:

Jesus:

Mid 20s – mid 30s. Actor/singer. Charismatic leader in a time of occupation. Able to command attention without raising his voice. Actor must be able to bring a contemporary zeitgeist to the life of Jesus while remaining true to the scriptural readings on which much of the character is based. The Jesus of the play is a real man facing real choices. The Actor will be required to appear in the show clad only in a wrapped, loin cloth-like garment while on the cross. Physical stamina is important, as Jesus is in most scenes and must perform physical tasks such as carrying the cross and standing on the cross for protracted periods. Acting is the primary focus of casting, actor must sing. Baritone – mostly ballads. Music for the show is available in three keys, so a wide range of voices can be accommodated.

Judas:

Mid 20s – mid 40s. Actor/singer. A man of conviction, doing what he thinks his beliefs require of him. Actor must be believable in making the journey from conviction to questioning. The very real conflict between personal beliefs and personal loyalties plays out onstage. Sings in a rock musical style. Baritone/high baritone or tenor – music for the show is available in three keys, so a wide range of voices can be accommodated.

Pilate:

30s – 50s. Actor. No singing. The ultimate representative of Rome. A lifelong bureaucrat, stuck on the fringe of the Roman Empire, hoping to get through his tour of duty with minimum risk to his long-term career. While intellectually intrigued by Jesus, he makes decisions that are in his own best political interest despite being beset by events, the Pharisees and an aggressive wife.

Producer’s statement: “The Director and Producer are committed to non-traditional casting. All three of these roles are open to actors of any ethnic background.”

Audition location: Five minutes outside of the Lincoln Tunnel. See website for directions and public transportation options:
www.parkpac.org