Farmers Alley Theatre 2023-24 Season - Kalamazoo, MI EPA Farmers Alley Theatre | Kalamazoo, MI
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
KNAC Building
315 W. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
1st Floor. THIS SPACE'S VENTILATION HAS
NOT BEEN VERIFIED BY ACTORS' EQUITY
ASSOCIATION.
Expected to attend:
Jeremy Koch: Managing Artistic Director
Kathy Mulay: Director of WORKING THE
MUSICAL and SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM
May attend:
Rob Weiner: Executive Director of Farmers
Alley and Director of SPELLING BEE
See breakdown for production specific personnel.
EPA also on June 2 in Chicago.
See breakdown for production specific dates.
Rehearsals are usually Tues-Fri 4-9pm, Sat & Sun 12-5pm with Mondays off.
Performances are usually Thursday through Sunday with occasional weekday performances and sponsor shows.
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The
producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E)
Lunch 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
To schedule an audition appointment please go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948AFAC22A1F9CE9-2324
If you cannot attend either in-person audition, videos will be accepted. Please send all videos to submissions@farmersalleytheatre.com.
There are optional tracks available at:
farmersalleytheatre.com/auditions .
SPT
$394 weekly minimum (SPT 3)
Equity actors for roles in Farmers Alley Theatre's 2023-24 Season (See breakdown).
Farmers Alley Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Please prepare either two short contrasting songs (approximately 1 minute in length), two contrasting monologues (1 minute in length) or one short song and one short monologue. Bring music that is legible and clearly marked (and your book in case we want to hear more). An accompanist will be provided. Also please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Equity encourages everyone participating in the auditions to wear a two-ply cloth face mask, surgical mask, singer’s mask or respirator (N95, KN95 or KF94). Single-ply face masks, gaiters and bandanas are not recommended. Singer’s masks can be found at www.broadwayreliefproject.com/singersmask.
Equity encourages members to prepare for their audition prior to arriving at the audition venue, to the extent that they can (e.g., get dressed, hair/make-up, etc.) to avoid crowding in bathrooms and dressing rooms.
Localized Version; Adapted by Nina Faso & Stephen Schwartz from the book by Studs Terkel; Songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor & Others Rehearsals begin 8/28/23
Runs 9/21/23 - 10/8/23
All are diverse performers who are strong singers and who move well. Talented and engaging storytellers who are down to earth and can tell stories of working-class people.
TRACK 1: Female-Identifying Performer (alto to B4) to play Grace (a millworker) and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 2: Female-Identifying Performer (Mezzo/Belter F#3 – A4) to play Rose (schoolteacher; and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 3: Female-Identifying Performer to play Delores (food server; vocal range: A3 – C5) and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 4: Female-Identifying Performer to play Maggie (domestic worker; mix/belter; vocal range: Bb3 – Eb5) and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 5: Male-Identifying Performer (high tenor to high B4) to play Freddy Gomez (fast-food worker), Emilio Hernandez (a migrant worker) and other characters. Latine/Hispanic.
TRACK 6: Male-Identifying Performer (bass/baritone to F4) to play Joe (retiree), Mike (Ironworker), and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 7: Male-Identifying Performer (high baritone/tenor to high A4) to play Frank (a trucker) and other characters. Any ethnicity.
TRACK 8: Male-Identifying Performer (high baritone/tenor to high G4) to play Anthony (a Mason and other characters. Any ethnicity.
by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe
Rehearsals begin 11/13/23
Runs 11/30/23 - 12/17/23
There is a potential plan to cast two actors and to alternate each actor during the performance schedule.
1 performer: Open gender and ethnicity; age range: 30-55; very funny, emotional, and sensitive. Grounded, authentic, and a truthful storyteller. Present in real time and space in the room in which the play takes place. They are compassionate and smart. They bring a spontaneous sense of play and discovery to the storytelling, playing with the people and objects found in the room at any given performance. Comfortable with audience interaction, experienced at improvisation, skillful at reading the room, and highly emotionally intelligent.
by Karen Zacarias
Rehearsals begin 1/8/24
Runs 1/25/24 - 2/4/24
Pablo del Valle: Male, 30-37; Smart, likable, ambitious, savvy young attorney. New homeowner, soon to be father and Tania's husband. Spanish speaking; Pablo is an ambitious and successful attorney trying to make partner by “fitting in” and hosting a BBQ for the entire firm in his unkempt backyard; Originally from Chile and educated in the U.S., he is smart, argumentative, generally tolerant and willing to overlook a lot until he is pushed over the edge by the Butleys. Ethnicity: Latine/Hispanic
Tania del Valle: Female, 31-37; Smart, likeable, positive, passionate, highly-energized, pregnant PhD candidate and gardener. New home-owner and wife of Pablo. Tania is a pregnant doctoral candidate who is determined to fix up her fixer-upper with a native garden; Bright, energetic, naturally optimistic, passionate, and highly energized, she wants to co-exist with the neighbors but is fiercely protective of her ideas and values. Ethnicity: Latine/Hispanic
Frank Butley: Male, 60-75; Smart, likable, excitable, caring, detail-oriented federal employee and gardener and homeowner. Husband to Virginia. A gentle and sensitive soul, likable, caring, and excitable, who has devoted himself to his pristine English garden in his retirement; he wants to get along with the neighbors but cannot embrace a native garden next door. Ethnicity: White / European Descent
Virginia Butley: Female, 60-75; Smart, likable, assertive, direct, no-nonsense engineer and homeowner. Wife to Frank. A female executive working for a large defense contractor in the DC area; smart, likable, friendly, civil, assertive, and direct, her opinions are well engrained and she will fight ruthlessly to protect her turf. Ethnicity: White / European Descent
by Dominique Morriseau
Rehearsals begin 2/19/24
Runs 3/7/24 - 3/17/24
Faye: (this role is cast) Female, 50-59; Working class, tough and a lifetime of dirt beneath her nails. Somewhere, deep compassion. Ethnicity: African American / Black
Dez: Male, 18-29; Working class, young hustler, playful, street-savvy, and flirtatious. Somewhere, deeply sensitive. Ethnicity: African American / Black
Shanita: Female, 18-29; Working class young woman, pretty but not ruled by it, hard-working, by-the books. Believes in the work she does. Also, pregnant. Somewhere, a beautiful dreamer. Ethnicity: African American / Black
Reggie: Male, 30-39; White collar, studious, dedicated, compassionate; the Foreman. Somewhere, a fire brims. Ethnicity: African American / Black
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Rehearsals begin: 4/1/24
Runs 4/25/24 - 5/12/24
8 dynamic singers who move well. Honest and engaging storytellers to bring the songs of Sondheim to life. Singers have amazing vocal control, impeccable diction and excellent ear for hearing and holding intricate harmonies.
Male Identifying performer #1: (originally played by Matthew Scott): Age range: 18-29; Hopeful, ambitious; tenor with high A; his songs include: “Multitudes of Amys,” “Something’s Coming,” “Happiness,” and “Franklin Shepard Inc.” Any Ethnicity.
Male Identifying performer #2: (originally played by Euan Morton): age range: 28-49; Conflicted, complex, driven; tenor/baritone with high G#; his songs include: “The Gun Song,” “Beautiful” and “The Best Thing That Ever Happened.” Any Ethnicity.
Male Identifying performer #3: (originally played by Norm Lewis): age range: 35-59; Intelligent, confident, charming; tenor/baritone with low G and high G; songs include: “So Many People”, “Is This What You Call Love?”, and “Being Alive.” Any Ethnicity.
Male Identifying performer #4: (originally played by Tom Wopat): Mature, has a dark side, but also has humor; tenor/baritone with low G and high F, age range: 45-69; baritone with low G and high F; songs include: “Happily Ever After”, “Is This What You Call Love?” and “Finishing the Hat.” Any Ethnicity.
Female Identifying performer #1: (originally played by Erin Mackey): age range: 18-29; Ingenue, sweet, ambitious, confident; soprano with Ab; her songs include: Do I Hear A Waltz, The Wedding Is Off, and Now You Know. Any Ethnicity.
Female Identifying performer #2: (originally played by Leslie Kritzer): age range: 28-49; Quirky, complex, headstrong, must move well; soprano/alto with low F; her songs include: Wedding Is Off, and Ah But Underneath. Any Ethnicity.
Female Identifying performer #3: (originally played by Vanessa Williams): age range: 35-59; Mature, sexy/smart, motherly; alto with low F3 to C5; her songs include: “Good Thing Going”, and “Losing My Mind”. Any Ethnicity.
Female Identifying performer #4: (originally played by Barbara Cook): age range: 45-69: Maternal, strong, wise, vulnerable, knowing, alto: Low A to D#5; songs include: “Loving You”, “In Buddy’s Eyes”, “Take Me to the World,” “Not A Day Goes By,” and “Send In the Clowns.” Any Ethnicity.
Music & Lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Rehearsals begin 5/21/24
Runs 6/12/24 - 6/23/24
Chip Tolentino: Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Male-identifying, contemporary tenor, strong mover. The reigning spelling champion of Putnam County, he expects things to come easily to him. Lately he’s been going through some changes and feels that things are slipping out of his control. Tenor C2-B4; sings high a lot. Also plays “Jesus”. Any ethnicity.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Schwartzy): Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Female identifying, contemporary mezzo-soprano, strong mover. Younger than most bee participants, she is driven by a desire to win to make her two fathers (from whom she takes her combined last name) proud. She lisps and is a little uncomfortable in her body, but still manages to strike a strong presence with her political awareness and keen sense of justice. Mezzo-soprano, A3- F5. Any ethnicity.
Leaf Coneybear: Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Male-identifying, contemporary baritone, strong mover. Homeschooled with his many siblings, Leaf may have Attention Deficit Disorder, but delights in his own wandering focus. He doesn’t expect to win, but everything about the spelling bee is an adventure for him, from meeting the other kids to showing off his homemade clothing. His mother has made him wear a protective helmet. Tenor, A2-A4 (Also plays “Carl's Dad”, Vocal Range: G2-D4). Any ethnicity.
William Barfee: Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Male-identifying, contemporary tenor, very strong mover. Tap dance skills a plus. Loud and combative as a defensive posture, William becomes a bully to avoid being picked on. He’s noticed on the spelling circuit for his remarkable technique: spelling words out on the floor with his foot. After being removed from the competition last year because of an ill-timed allergic reaction, he’s at the bee for vindication. Tenor G2 -B4. Any ethnicity.
Marcy Park: Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Female-identifying, contemporary mezzo-soprano, strong mover. Dance, tumbling, piano, violin, and any other special skills a plus. The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy comes from a family where excellence is expected, and she always delivers. As a parochial school student, she assumes that God, too, expects perfection. She keeps her personal problems to herself. Mezzo soprano C3-E5. Ethnicity: Performer of AANHPI Descent preferred.
Olive Ostrovsky: Age range: 18-28 to play middle school aged character. Female-identifying, contemporary mezzo-soprano, strong mover. An only child with often absent parents, Olive spends most of her time alone. The words of her dictionary bring her comfort, and she is fascinated by the vastness of the world the book contains. She often peers into the audience to see if her father, who is delayed at work, has made it yet. Olive starts the bee enormously shy, and slowly comes out of her shell. Mezzo soprano B3-F5. Any ethnicity.
Mitch Mahoney (Also Plays Dan's Dad, and Olive's Dad): Age range: 25-55. Male-identifying, contemporary baritone with tenor extension, strong mover. With a bouncer’s demeanor, Mitch appears an odd choice to be the bee’s “comfort counselor,” but it’s part of his community service assignment. The outsider, he wonders about the wisdom of putting the kids through this at all. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but increasingly finds himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better about losing. Any ethnicity.
Rona Lisa Perretti (this role is cast) - The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.Also plays Olive’s mom. B3–F5.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch (this role is cast) The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an incident at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in a better place now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections; seeking good improv ability. Does not sing.
Book by Julian Fellowes, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Rehearsals begin 6/24/24
Runs 7/17/24 - 7/28/24
Dewey Finn: Male identifying, 25-35; A wannabe rock star with big dreams. Great comic chops with improv ability. True Rock Tenor. Has some guitar skills or be ready to learn. Vocal Range: Rock Tenor B2-B4 (belted) and extension to A5 rock scream (like Steven Tyler).
Rosalie Mullins: Female identifying, 25-35; Proper and uptight headmistress of Horace Green School. She has a secret love of rock music. Soprano with a strong belt. Vocal Range: A3-D6. Any ethnicity.
Ned Schneebly: Male identifying, 25-35; Old friend of Dewey’s and former band mate. Still passionate about music but does anything Patty tells him. Vocal Range: Rock Baritone (C3-F#4). Any ethnicity.
Patty Di Marco: Female identifying, 25-35; Ned’s domineering girlfriend and she calls the shots. She doesn’t want Dewey in her life or Ned’s. Strong belt. Vocal Range: B3-E5. Any ethnicity.
Theo: All Genders, 25-35; Lead singer of Dewey’s Band “No Vacancy” - Too cool for school rocker. Strong rock voice. Doubles as other roles in ensemble. Vocal Range: Rock Tenor: G3-D5. Any ethnicity.
Summer Hathaway: Female identifying, 9-13 years old; A Manhattan princess. Confident, outspoken, ambitious and clever. The future band manager. A very good singer and dancer. Vocal Range: A3-D5. Any Ethnicity.
Zack Mooneyham: Male identifying, 9-13 years old; Desperately wants to impress his father. Seriously “shreds” the guitar, live on stage. A very good singer and dancer. Vocal Range: A3-D5. Any Ethnicity.
Lawrence: Male identifying, 9-13 years old; Lacking in confidence, he is hesitant to try something “cool”. Plays live rock keyboards on stage. A very good singer and dancer. Vocal Range: A3-D#5. Any Ethnicity.
Katie: Female identifying, 9-13 years old; Quiet and serious, she switches from cello to play rock bass for the band. Plays live cello and electric bass on stage. A very good singer and dancer. Vocal Range: A3-D#5. Any Ethnicity.
Freddie Hamilton: Male identifying, 9-13 years old; Loves rowdiness and noise, making him the ideal drummer. Plays killer live rock drums on stage. Lots of personality. A very good singer and dancer. Vocal Range: A3-D5. Any Ethnicity.
Youth Ensemble: male and female identifying performers, 9-13 years old for the roles of Tomika, Marcy, Shonelle, Billy Sandford, Sophie, Mason Ward, James, Madison plus other roles, for chorus and for understudies. Ensemble must be very good singers, actors and dancers. Vocal Range: A3-D5. Any Ethnicity.
Adult ensemble: seeking adults of all ages to play various teachers, parents, members of the band “No Vacancy” and other roles. Must be excellent actors, great singers of all vocal ranges, and good dancers. Any ethnicities.
Videos