Phoenix Theatre
AUDITION DATES
Fri, Apr 22, 2022
1:00 pm - 11:00 pm (MST)
Break 6:30-7:00 pm
Sat, Apr 23, 2022
10:00 am - 8:00 pm (MST)
Break 1:30-2:00 pm
Sun, Apr 24, 2022
10:00 am - 8:00 pm (MST)
Break 1:30-2:00 pm
APPOINTMENTS
Appointments are mandatory. Please schedule your appointment at: https://phoenixtheatre.com/about-us/audition-callback-and-casting-information
CONTRACT
LOA $739 weekly minimum (LOA ref LORT D)
SEEKING
Equity actors for principal, ensemble, understudy, and swing roles for The Phoenix Theatre Company's 103rd season! (See breakdown.) The mainstage season at The Phoenix Theatre Company includes the following shows: The Book of Will, Bandstand, A Chorus Line, Cinderella, An American in Paris, Constellations, Tiananmen, The Prom, and Dreamgirls.
PREPARATION
For Musical auditions you should prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo song; 16 bars of a ballad, and a 1 to 1-1/2 minute monologue. Your second song selection will be sung upon request only. For Non-Musical (straight play) auditions you should prepare 2 contrasting monologues, no more than 1-1/2 minutes
each.
LOCATION
Phoenix Theatre
1825 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Auditions: Hardes Theatre. Holding room: Bistro dining area
PERSONNEL
Expected to attend:
Michael Barnard (Producing Artistic Director)
Pasha Yamotahari (Associate Producing Director/Artistic Director of Partners That Heal)
Chelsea Anderson (Casting Director)
Other people may be present (e.g., music directors, directors & assistant directors for the season)
OTHER DATES
See production dates in breakdown.
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of audition.
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.
BREAKDOWN
Requirement for proof of vaccination/negative test.
Everyone entering the audition venue (i.e., venue employees, Equity members, non-members, casting personnel, creatives, producers, musicians, COVID Safety Managers, etc.) will be required to undergo a symptom check and provide proof of full vaccination prior to entry into the venue. “Fully vaccinated,” as defined by the CDC, is more than 14 calendar days following receipt of a final dose of an FDA or World Health Organization authorized or approved vaccine. Please note that The Phoenix Theatre Company is only casting fully vaccinated performers.
Two-ply cloth face masks, surgical masks, singer’s masks and respirators (N95, KN95 or KF94) will be allowed for face coverings. Single-ply face masks, gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable face coverings. Everyone in the holding room and audition room will always wear a face covering as described above, except for the actor when they are actively auditioning. The time spent unmasked should be as minimal as possible. Face coverings must be worn correctly (covering the nose and mouth). Singer’s masks can be found at www.broadwayreliefproject.com/singersmask.
If the risk level for Maricopa County is trending upwards and may rise to High (Red), we will contact members with appointments at least 24 hours before the first audition appointment time to let them know there is a chance that the auditions may need to be postponed or cancelled. All members with appointments will be notified if the auditions must be postponed or cancelled.
We encourage members to prepare for their audition at home, to the extent that they can (e.g., get dressed, hair/make-up, etc.) to avoid crowding in bathrooms and dressing rooms.
Holding/Audition room information:
The audition room is 1960 square feet and can accommodate no more than 18 individuals at a time.
The holding room is 1400 square feet and can accommodate no more than 38 individuals at a time.
Please visit The Phoenix Theatre Company's audition page on the website at https://phoenixtheatre.com/about-us/audition-callback-and-casting-information for a full show synopsis and character breakdown. We will be casting all roles, including understudies and swings, for all shows listed for the season.
THE BOOK OF WILL
rehearsals begin August 9, 2022;
performances August 31- September 25, 2022
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies/swings for all roles.)
Henry Condell: 40, feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men
John Heminges: 50, reasonable friend and financial manager of the King’s Men; owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man, a gentleman, if serious.
Richard Burbage: 50s, seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud (doubles William Jaggard and Horatio)
Alice Heminges: 35, John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys (doubles Susannah Shakespeare)
Ben Jonson: Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy. (doubles Barman and Sir Edward Dering)
Elizabeth Condell: Henry’s wife, savvy and fun (doubles Emilia Bassano Lanier, Fruit Seller, and Marcellus)
Rebecca Heminges: John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much but loves her husband and sons and God (doubles Anne Hathaway Shakespeare)
Ed Knight: “Stage manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious & particular (doubles Isaac Jaggard)
Ralph Crane: Humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet (doubles Barman, Compositor, and Francisco)
William Jaggard: Successful if shady publisher of books, plays, and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants. Very experienced, very connected, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. An ass. (doubles Richard Burbage)
Isaac Jaggard: William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive, an artist at heart. (doubles Ed Knight)
Marcus: 20, printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest (doubles Boy Hamlet, Crier, and Bernardo)
Emilia Bassano Lanier: 50, fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life and Shakespeare (doubles Elizabeth Condell, Fruit Seller, and Marcellus)
Anne Hathaway Shakespeare: 60, Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor. (doubles Rebecca Heminges)
Susannah Shakespeare: 30, good girl and daughter of Shakespeare (doubles Alice Heminges)
BANDSTAND
rehearsals begin August 30, 2022;
performances September 21-October 23, 2022
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Donny Novitski: 20s, gifted pianist and crooner; confident, boarding on arrogant; energetic but restless, frustrated, impulsive. When performing for a crowd, his charm always wins out.
Julia Troy: 20s, smart, nurturing, bookish. Unassuming but becomes quite alluring when performing in front of a crowd. Hides her vulnerability and grief with sly humor and a strong resolve. Beautiful singer with a strong voice.
Mrs. June Adams: 50s, Julia’s mother. Natural mother with a wry sense of humor. A realist but extremely proud of her daughter. Pointed, wise, intuitive about people.
Jimmy Campbell: 20s, excellent saxophone player; a lawyer by trade who is analytical and calculating. Secretly attracted to Donny. Loyal but slow to trust. Quick wit and cautious.
Davy Zlatic: 20s-30s, excellent bass player. A big soul, boisterous, occasionally vulgar. An alcoholic by any other name, but a cheery one—a cheer that covers a deep-seated darkness. He has the size and command of a person who can do harm if he chose to.
Nick Radel: 20s-30s, excellent trumpet player. Generally irritated with the world and people. Sharp, cynical sense of humor. Channels his irritation into a fierce sense of self.
Wayne Wright: 20s-30s, excellent trombone player. Disciplined, precise, impatient—on his way to anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Loyal, lovable, caring but tries to disguise his need for connection.
Johny Simpson: 20s-30s, a talented drummer. A simple soul, but he is not stupid or foolish—just slow on the uptake occasionally. Extremely loyal and trustworthy.
Ensemble: dancers, soldiers, singers, radio personalities & hosts, other characters
A CHORUS LINE
rehearsals begin September 27, 2022;
performances October 19-December 18, 2022
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Zach: 40s, Director and choreographer of the show. Short and harsh on occasion but ultimately cares for the dancers. Non-singing role.
Larry: 20s-30s, Zach’s assistant. Strong dancer. Straightforward, working to get the job done. Not particularly sympathetic; he’s done this a lot.
Carrie Ferguson: 30s. A featured performer who is returning to the chorus line with younger and less experienced dancers. A bit desperate and willing to prove her worth to her ex, Zach.
Alan Deluca: 20s-30s. Straight, tough, full of machismo, proudly from the Bronx. Newlywed to Kristine
Kristine Urich: early 20s. Newlywed to Alan. Anxious when not dancing. Awkward and naïve.
Diana Morales: 20s. Sassy, tough, optimistic. Determined and athletic dancer from the Bronx. Latina.
Bobby Mills: 20s. A difficult childhood drove him to have a quick wit with a sharp tongue. Ostentatious.
Mark Anthony: late teens. Naïve and optimistic. Charming but inexperienced in this realm, even though he is a great dancer.
Judy Turner: 20s, Awkward when not dancing. Funny, nervous. Warm and genuine.
Mike Costa: 20s, Cocky but likeable. Flirty and experienced New Jersey tap dancer. Can be aggressive and determined.
Val Clark: 20s. Can be vulgar in speech but an excellent dancer. Brazen, direct, and newly “enhanced” with plastic surgery.
Bebe Benzenheimer: 20s. Insecure but covers it with her dance ability. Quiet, kind, vulnerable.
Richie Walters: 20s Enthusiastic and midwestern. Cool, funny, laid back and likable. Black identifying.
Paul San Marco: late teens-early 20s. Introverted and insecure. Just starting to feel comfortable as a gay man and earn his parents’ acceptance. From Spanish Harlem and friends with Diana.
Maggie Winslow: late teens-early 20s. A sweet, little sister from next door. A dreamer. Warm and kind.
Don Kerr: 20s-30s. Flirtatious, married, typical “guys’ guy.” Cocky and a bit bullheaded. All American.
Sheila Bryant: 30s. Confident and brassy despite being the oldest dancer on the line. A bit of a brat but ultimately sophisticated. Wry wit.
Gregory Gardener: 20s. Sassy, Jewish, gay, a smart-ass. Owns his East Side New York vibe.
ENSEMBLE: A number of cut dancers are featured as well.
CINDERELLA
rehearsals begin October 25, 2022;
performances November 16, 2022-January 1, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Ella: 20s. Quiet and usually unnoticed, but opinionated, charismatic, passionate, beautiful, and funny. Idealistic and hopeful, sees the good in everyone. Blossoms into a confident woman.
Topher: 20s-30s. Misguided prince but wants to lead an important life. A brave and heroic man but lonely and unhappy. Lovely charm but not a flirt. Innocent and thoughtful if a bit goofy. Genuine, kindhearted, morally centered.
Jean-Michael: 20s-30s. Spirited, passionate, a peasant and an advocate for his class. Can be impetuous and fiery. Harbors a crush on Gabrielle even if they are of different social classes. Not taken seriously—though he should be.
Gabrielle: 20s-30s. Ella’s stepsister and Madame’s daughter. Though raised to love material goods and social status, she is much more interested in empathy, passion, wit, and advocacy. Completely aware that she doesn’t fit in to the world she is destined to be a part of.
Charlotte: 20s-30s. Ella’s stepsister and Madame’s daughter. Self-centered, brazen, materialistic, loud, and bratty. Holds an extremely high opinion of herself (though it is deeply unwarranted). Always finds a way to be the center of attention.
Marie: 40s-50s. Local eccentric and beggar woman. Secretly a fairy godmother. Wise, warm, otherworldly, charming. She makes dreams come true for those who deserve it.
Madame: 50s. Ella’s selfish stepmother. Epitome of vanity and fashion. A ravenous social climber who values wealth, status, and material wealth above all else. Unapologetically dismissive and sometimes cruel. Constantly scheming to climb the social ladder.
Sebastian: Lord Chancellor of the kingdom. He is a trusted advisor to Topher but devious and selfish. Using propaganda and dishonesty, he keeps Topher isolated and uninformed about his kingdom. Believes he deserves to rule the kingdom—but rules without regard for the lower class—or anyone but himself.
Lord Pinkleton: Lord Chancellor’s right-hand man. Announces royal balls, banquets, and even the weather to the villagers.
Ensemble: Knights, Peasants, Serfs, Townspeople, Ladies & Gentlemen of the Court, Servants,
etc.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
rehearsals begin January 3, 2023;
performances January 25-March 12, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Adam Hochberg: 20s-30s. American Jewish GI, wounded in the war, walks with a limp. Classically trained composer with great wit and an unassuming charm. Struggling to find his authentic voice as an artist. Ideally plays piano. Baritone D3-E4
Jerry Mulligan: 20s-30s. American GI who stays in Paris after the war to study painting and art. Spontaneous and playful, charming, and confident. Strong dance technique, including ballet, jazz, and tap. Baritone C3-E4.
Henri Baurel: 20s-30s. Handsome son of wealthy Parisians. Light-hearted but raised to take over the family social status and power. Secretly longs to be a song and dance man. Deeply in love with Lise. Baritenor C3-G4
Lise Dassin: 20s. Ethereal, elegant, expressive. Guarded after hiding during the Nazi occupation of France. Profound inner dignity, passionate, a dreamer. Strong ballet technique, including exquisite pointe work. Mezzo B3-B4
Milo Davenport: 30s. American heiress and art patron. Bold, a free spirit. Can be brazen. Used to getting what she wants. Mezzo G3-Dflat4
Madame Baurel: 50s. Dry & uptight mother to Henri. Obsessed with keeping up appearances, and can be self-righteous, but ultimately wants what’s best for her loved ones.
ENSEMBLE: Mr. Z, Olga, Monsieur Baurel, Soldiers, French Citizens, Bar Patrons, Dancers, Store Customers & Staff, Celebrities, Party Guests
CONSTELLATIONS
rehearsals begin February 7, 2023;
performances March 1-April 30, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles. )
Marianne: 20s-40s. A theoretical physicist. Analytical but with an inquisitive heart.
Roland: 20s-40s. A beekeeper. Romantic and curious.
TIANANMEN
rehearsals begin March 21, 2023;
performances April 12-May 14, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Protestors:
Fan Xirui: female, early 20s. Chinese-identifying. A student at Peking University and an eager newcomer to political activism.
Sheng Yingjie: male, early 20s. Chinese-identifying. A student at Peking University and a member of the Communist Youth League
Wu Guoxin: male, early 20s. Chinese-identifying. A student at Peking University, leader of the underground “Democracy Salons” on campus, and instigator of the protests
Tay Lee: female, 20s. Chinese-identifying. pop singer icon
Bystanders:
Young Fan Zhilan: female, 10, Chinese-identifying. sister to Xirui
Fan Zhilan: female, 40s (grown adult), Chinese-identifying. sister to Xirui
Hong Kong Reporter: female, 40s, Chinese-identifying.
Medic: female, 30s, Chinese-identifying.
Yingjie’s friend: male, early 30s, Chinese-identifying.
Party Leaders:
Deng Xiaoping: male, 85, Paramount Leader of China, Chinese-identifying.
Li Peng: male, 61, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, hardliner against the protests, Chinese-identifying.
Zhao Ziyang: male, 70, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, sympathetic to the protests, Chinese-identifying.
Ensemble: Students, hunger strikers, citizens of Beijing, People’s Liberation Army Soldiers, police.
THE PROM
rehearsals begin May 23, 2023;
performances June 7-July 9, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Alyssa: late teens. A high school senior & a cheerleader. Secretly Emma’s girlfriend but afraid to come out—especially to her overbearing mother. Pop mix/belt.
Emma: late teens. A high school senior forced into the spotlight for asking her girlfriend to the prom. Smart, wry, used to dealing with adversity but still a reluctant advocate in the spotlight. Pop mix/soprano.
Dee Dee Allen: 30s-50s. A Broadway diva. Enormous talent with an ego to match. Self-involved but humorous. Longs to do something meaningful and good for someone else. Strong alto/Broadway belt.
Barry Glickman: 30s-50s. Openly gay Broadway showman. Politically incorrect but unaware. Impulsive and tends to make a scene wherever he goes. High baritone/tenor with a Broadway belt.
Trent Oliver: 30s-40s. Pretentious Broadway veteran who is better known for infomercials. Loves the sound of his own voice and reminding everyone he attended Julliard. Strong pop/legit baritone.
Angie: 30s-40s. Perpetual ensemble member in Broadway’s Chicago pining away for her chance at the lead. Jaded and a traditional Fosse girl. Strong alto belt.
Sheldon: 30s-40s. A press agent with charisma and charge. Traditional musical theatre baritenor.
Marion Hawkins: 30s-50s. Small town principal of a high school. Can get flustered easily but has a heart of gold and a drive to do good. Broadway enthusiast. High baritone.
Mrs. Greene: 30s-40s. Alyssa’s mother. School board president. Strong, controlling, intimidating. Loves her daughter but forces a particular view of “right” and “wrong.” Strong alto.
Ensemble: Other students, faculty, news media, etc.
DREAMGIRLS
rehearsals begin July 11, 2023;
performances August 2-September 3, 2023
Character Descriptions (Also casting understudies for all principal roles and swings for ensemble roles.)
Effie Melody White: 20s-40s. Black-identifying. Confident & outspoken. Strong depth of emotion. Strong-willed and sure of herself, if insecure at times. Lead singer of the Dreamettes. Mezzo with a strong belt
Deena Jones: late teens-30s. Black-identifying. A “Diana Ross” type who starts a backup singer but later takes the lead of the Dreamettes. Accommodating and sweet but has a hidden strength. Mezzo.
Lorrell Robinson: late teens-30s. Black-identifying. Energetic, outspoken, young. Backup singer of the Dreamettes. Soprano.
Curtis Taylor, Jr.: 20s-40s. Black-identifying. Cadillac dealer and manager of the Dreams. Driven and full of life. Tenor/high baritone.
James “Thunder” Early: 30s-50s. Black-identifying. A soul singer known for his adaptability. Tenor with a strong falsetto
C.C. White: 20s-30s. Black-identifying. Composer by trade and Effie’s brother. Tenor.
Michelle Morris: late teens-40s. Black-identifying. A backup singer and a replacement for Effie. Mezzo-soprano.
Marty Madison: 40s-60s. Black-identifying. Theatrical agent for J.T. Early. Baritone.
Ensemble: producers, directors, press, singers. Ensemble is primarily Black-identifying with two roles for Caucasian-identifying women (the Sweethearts, back up singers, non-speaking) and some roles open to any ethnicity.
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 audition.
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