Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera RMTA 2023 Season - Pittsburgh, PA Open Call - Singers
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera | Pittsburgh, PA
Notice: Audition Call Type: Open Call
Friday, February 3, 2023
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM (E)
To make an audition appointment go to:
www.pittsburghclo.org/about/clo-auditions .
RMTA
$1240 weekly minimum
Equity actors for roles in Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's 2023 Season (See breakdown).
Please prepare 2 32-bar musical theater selections appropriate for the season. Also, bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Benedum Center Rehearsal Studios
719 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
THIS SPACE'S VENTILATION HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED BY ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION.
Mark Fleischer, Executive Producer
Billy Mason, Associate Producer
James Cunningham, Music Director
ANYTHING GOES
Director: Ameenah Kaplan
Choreographer: Mara Greer
INTO THE WOODS
Director: Scott Weinstein
Choreographer: William Carlos Angulo
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Director/Choreographer: Marc Robin
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
Director/Choreographer: Gerry McIntyre
GUYS AND DOLLS
Director: Darren lee
Choreographer: Mark Esposito
NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
Director: Dontee Kiehn
Season Rehearsals begin June 5, 2023 Season runs June 13 - Aug 27, 2023
Rehearsal and performance dates:
ANYTHING GOES: June 5th-18th
INTO THE WOODS: June 19th-July 2nd THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC: July 3rd-July 16th ONCE ON THIS ISLAND: July 19th-July 30th GUYS & DOLLS: July 31-August 13th NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812: August 14th-August 27th
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this 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.
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.
Holding/Audition room information:
The maximum capacity in the singer's holding room is: 25
The maximum capacity in the dancer's holding room is: 83
The maximum capacity in the audition room is: 83
The maximum number of dancers to dance at any one time is: 75
[RENO SWEENEY] She/Her, 30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Evangelist turned nightclub singer aboard the S. S. American. Old friend of Billy’s. Confident, comedic with a bold personality. Mezzo-soprano with strong Broadway belt. Strong dancer, especially tap a plus.
[MOONFACE MARTIN] he/him, 40s-50s. Any ethnicity. “Public Enemy #13;” a hapless, lovable gangster fleeing the law by pretending to be a priest. Character actor with strong comedic timing. Character tenor.
[BILLY CROCKER] he/him, 30s. Any ethnicity. An attractive, charming and charismatic leading man with great comedic timing. A young stockbroker who works for Elisha Whitney, he's in love with Hope and stows away to be with her. To avoid being caught he dons a variety of disguises and tries to keep everyone distracted. Tenor.
[HOPE HARCOURT] she/her, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. Beautiful American debutante in love with Billy even though she is engaged to the wealthy Sir Evelyn Oakleigh. Elegant but headstrong. Daughter of Evangeline Harcourt. Soprano. Strong mover/dancer.
[EVANGELINE HARCOURT] she/her, 50s-60s. Any ethnicity. Hope’s mother; a wealthy and overbearing widow. Concerned with money and social status; wants Hope to marry well to keep their place in high society. Comedic and a strong singer.
[ERMA] she/her, 30s. Any ethnicity. Moonface's attractive but not too bright girlfriend. A fun, brassy and innately likable gun moll, who can seduce a fleet of sailors and toss off one-liners without breaking a sweat. A good time gal. Comedic and a strong dancer. Mezzo belter. A triple threat.
[MRS. EVANGELINE HARCOURT] she/her, 50s-60s. Any ethnicity. Hope’s mother; a wealthy and overbearing widow. Concerned with money and social status; she wants Hope to marry well to keep their place in high society. Comedic and strong singer.
[EVELYN OAKLEIGH] he/him, 30s to early 40s. Any ethnicity. A bumbling English aristocrat who is engaged to Hope. Good natured and enamored with all things ‘American’, easily persuaded, confused, and duped. Proper and pretentious. Comedic, a good physical comedian. Baritone/tenor.
[LUKE and JOHN] he/him, 20s - 30s, Asian. Luke and John are presumably reformed but mischievous gamblers, traveling with Reverend Henry T. Dobson aboard the ship. Strong comedic skills. Sings well.
[ELIJAH WHITNEY] he/him, 50s-60s. Any ethnicity. Billy's boss. A rich Wall Street tycoon; an Upper class blowhard, who's not as savvy as he thinks he is. Comedic who can sing.
[CAPTAIN] he/him, 40s-60s. Any ethnicity. Captain of the ship. Officious and authoritative. He operates with order and formality. Sings.
[PURSER] he/him, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. The captain’s nervous lackey. Sings/dances well.
[BAKER] (CAST) he/him, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Baritone/Bari-tenor. Well-meaning and neurotic, with a big heart. He loves his family but doesn’t know how to show it. He was abandoned as a child and struggles to connect with his community. He thinks he is alone in his battles but always has good intentions.
[WITCH] she/her, 40s—50s, any ethnicity. Mezzo/Belter. She has her own moral code and will do what it takes to get what she wants. She is unbothered by how society views her actions. She’s powerful but cannot accept the limitations of that power. More compassionate than she’ll ever let on.
[BAKER’S WIFE] she/her, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Mezzo with a strong mix/belt. She often puts the needs (and egos) of those around her before her own and is afraid her opportunities for excitement and adventure are long past. Struggles to balance the love she has for her family with that desire for something more. She’s hardworking and very perceptive.
[CINDERELLA] she/her, 20s, any ethnicity. Soprano. Nerdy and awkward but earnest and vulnerable. She’s been taken for granted long enough and is ready to stand up for herself. She longs for safety and a community of her own. Extremely capable and ultimately an adaptable survivor.
[NARRATOR/MYSTERIOUS MAN] he/him, 50s—60s, any ethnicity. Baritone. The NARRATOR is objective and impartial to the fairytale antics that surround him. Intellectual and good-natured. The MYSTERIOUS MAN has spent a lifetime running away from his mistakes. He’s whimsical and untouchable but hides a deep pain and many regrets.
[CINDERELLA’S PRINCE/WOLF] he/him, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Baritone. CINDERELLA’S PRINCE is in love with love...and himself. He only wants what he can’t have. He’s used his looks and wealth to coast through life and is terrible in a crisis. The WOLF is a predator. He beguiles his victims with his charm until it’s too late. Thinks he’s a rockstar.
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] she/her, 18+ to play younger, any ethnicity. Mezzo/Soprano. A curious and naive young girl. She ’s often too trusting of strangers and is quite fearless. Thinks she knows what she wants but has to grow up quicker than expected. Has strong comedic timing.
[JACK] (OFFER OUT) he/him, 18+ to play younger, any ethnicity. Tenor. A passionate dreamer with his head in the clouds whose only friend is a sickly cow. Eager to please he often misreads social situations. Forced to suddenly grow up quickly.
[JACK’S MOTHER] she/her, 40s—60s, any ethnicity. Soprano. A single mother left by her husband. She loves her son but is run ragged by the realities of life. She will defend him in the face of incredible odds. An excellent comedienne, capable of pathos in the face of adversity.
[RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE] he/him, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Baritone. The younger prince, constantly in competition with his elder. A hopeless romantic who’s in love with love. The women in his life are ultimately interchangeable and he is never content with what he has.
[RAPUNZEL] she/her, 20s, any ethnicity. Soprano. She’s spent her entire life being protected from the world. Restless and sheltered, until she loses the only family she’s ever known. Her newfound independence is unkind to her.
[GRANDMOTHER/CINDERELLA’S MOTHER] she/her, 40s—60s, any ethnicity. Soprano. GRANDMOTHER is the salt of the earth and deeply passionate about life. A surprising well equipped survivalist. CINDERELLA’S MOTHER is the ghostly figure of the kind mother that Cinderella knew when she was a child. Her spirit looks after her daughter.
[CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER] she/her, 40s—50s, any ethnicity. Mezzo/Soprano. The ultimate social climber, she views her children as extensions of herself. Cruel and materialistic. Tragically knowledgeable of her selfishness in the end.
[LUCINDA] she/her, 20s, any ethnicity. Mezzo. Cinderella’s stepsister. Shallow and a bully. The world revolves around her.
[FLORINDA] she/her, 20s, any ethnicity. Mezzo. Cinderella’s stepsister. Shallow and a bully. Oblivious to her flaws.
[STEWARD] he/him, 30s-40s, any ethnicity. Loyal to a fault and has lofty aspirations of status. Loves order and wants to maintain it, even in absurd circumstances. Has strong comedic timing. No solo singing.
[CINDERELLA’S FATHER] he/him, 40s—50s, any ethnicity. Willfully ignorant. Prioritizes his new family over his first daughter. Strong comedian with an underlying sadness. No solo singing.
[MILKY WHITE] Any gender, 20s—60s, any ethnicity. An expressive physical performer and/or puppeteer to help embody Jack’s beloved cow. Loyal, naive and open hearted.
[CAPTAIN VON TRAPP] – he/him, Caucasian, late 30s - 50; commanding presence – retired naval officer and proud Austrian; some guitar ability a plus. Baritone.
[MARIA] – she/her, Caucasian, early 20s – early 30s; filled with self-doubt, yet spirited, caring and committed. Chest mix with strong head voice.
[ELSA SCHRADER] – she/her, Caucasian, mid 30s – early 40s wealthy, sophisticated, charming Legit-Mezzo.
[MAX DETWEILER] – he/him, Caucasian 40s – 50s; witty and rascally impresario, Strong character with good sense of comedy, Baritone.
[MOTHER ABBESS] – she/her, mid 40s – 50, Wise, kind and strong. Powerful Mezzo.
[HERR ZELLER] – he/him, Caucasian, late 20s – 40s; A staunch Nazi sympathizer and eventually a leader in the Nazi regime.
[FRAU SCHMIDT] – she/her, Caucasian, mid 30s to 50s; Efficient yet caring housekeeper, Legit voice. [FRANZ] – he/him, Caucasian, mid 30s to 50s; Distant and efficient butler.
[ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER] – he/him, Caucasian, 40s – 50s, A retired Admiral in the Austrian Navy and neighbor of Captain Von Trapp.
[LIESL VON TRAPP] – she/her; Caucasian; 18+ to play 16; girl on the verge of womanhood. Chest mix with a head voice - moves well.
[ROLF GRUBER] he/him; Caucasian; 18+ to play 17-years old; the epitome of clean-cut, athletic German youth – Lyric Baritone - moves well.
[KURT] he/him, Kurt is 10. He wants to be 11 and introduces himself as “11-almost.” He is the second boy and the middle of the children. He often tries to act manly and is outspoken against the previous governesses. He is gentle and a peacemaker. Countertenor. Yodeling. Moderate dance.
[LOUISA] she/her, Louisa is 13, clever, and full of mischief. She is the master of pranks and enjoys pulling them on others. She is quite a tomboy, has a rebellious attitude, and misses her mother a great deal. Mezzo soprano. Moderate dance.
[BRIGITTA] She/her, Brigitta is 9. She is smart as a whip, very perceptive and always tells the truth whether you like it or not. She’s an avid reader and suspicious of “Uncle Max”. Mezzo soprano. Moderate dance.
[MARTA] she/her, Marta is 7. She is one of the quietest Von Trapps. She loves the color pink, is very inquisitive, smart and gentle. Mezzo soprano. Moderate dance.
[GRETL] she/her, Gretl is 5. She is the youngest Von Trapp. She is very quiet when first introduced by her father. She is sweet, loving and wants attention. She has the cute, adorable and endearing factor. Mezzo-soprano. Moderate dance.
[FREDRICK] he/him, Frederich, is 14 and is proud to be a boy. He has a tough exterior and is very much trying to be “the man” of the family; desperately needs his father. Tenor. Moderate dance.
Note From Director:
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND takes place on islands in the Caribbean Sea known as the French Antilles. The cast should represent the diverse population of that region. We are specifically interested in seeing performers who are Black / African Descent, Mixed, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latinx / Hispanic, Afro-latinx Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander. ALL CHARACTERS MUST DANCE
[TI MOUNE] She/her. 18-25. A beautifully spirited peasant girl full of restless energy and optimism. Tries to break social barriers to be with her love, Daniel. Moves well. High belt
[DANIEL] He/him. 18–25. Ti Moune's love interest. A handsome, aristocratic young man who struggles with crossing social barriers. Sensitive and poetic. Struggles with the privilege and burdens that his lighter skin and wealth afford him. Tenor
[MAMA EURALIE] She/her. 30s – 50s. Ti Moune's adoptive mother. Caring, over-protective, superstitious, fiercely loving, and strong-willed, her similarities often lead to clashes with Ti Moune. Alto
[ASAKA] She/her. 30s – 50s. Mother Earth. A mentor to Ti Moune. She is generous and good humored on the surface, but like all the gods, feared by the islanders; her motherly facade is not to be trusted. She is powerful, funny, and ironic. Mezzo/Soprano
[ERZULIE] She/her. late 20s – 50s. Goddess of Love. A mentor to Ti Moune and foil to Papa Ge. Loved by the people. Set out to prove that love is stronger than the fear of death—by love, she means the power of the human heart. Soprano
[TONTON JULIAN] He/him. 30s – 50s. Ti Moune's adoptive father. He teaches Ti Moune that love has no limits and he goes to great lengths to support her wishes. Caring, loving, and practical. Baritone
[AGWE] He/him. late 20s – 50s. God of Water. A mentor to Ti Moune. Larger than life, mysterious. Commanding voice and presence. Baritone
[PAPA GE] He/his. 30s – 50s. God of Death. Antagonist to the other gods. Cunning, sly, manipulative, seductive, cynical, and teasing, he is feared by the people because of what he represents: the unknown that is death. The other main instigator of the drama. Tenor
[Pierre] He/Him, 30-40, Bari-tenor. The illegitimate son of a Russian aristocratic family. Socially awkward with a melancholy streak, he is an outsider in society despite his wealth. He is a good friend of Andrey and keeps an eye on Natasha for him while he is away at war.
[Natasha] She/Her, 18-25, Belt/Soprano. A young ingenue who is innocent, precocious, doe-eyed, joy filled, romantic, head-strong, and strong-willed. Natasha is very opinionated and is expanding her awareness of the world. She is betrothed to Andrey and loves him dearly.
[Princess Mary] she/her, Mezzo-Soprano. Lonely, plain, spinster daughter of a wealthy price. She is cut off from the world in her father's grand old house and resigned to his cruelty. 20's to 30s. Has command of extended vocal techniques (e.g. glottal yodeling, ululation).
[Prince Andrey/Old Prince Bolkonsky] he/him, Bari-tenor. Early 30s to 40s. Doubles as father and son. Son, Prince Andrey, is the finest catch in all of Russia. A handsome, noble officer who carries a weight on his heart and mind. Left very serious after his years at war, a touch of bitterness undercuts his nobility. Father, Old Prince Bolkonsky, is a conservative, old-fashioned aristocrat whose dementia has caused him to be alternately nasty and incapacitated. Lives with his still unmarried daughter, whom he torments but also relies on to take care of him.
[Balaga] he/him, Baritone, Late 20s-40s. An absolutely mad Russian troika driver. Lower class. Bold. Dripping with energy and can drink incredible amounts. Ragged and raw but warm.
[Sonya] She/Her, 20-30, Mezzo-Soprano. She is fiercely dedicated to her cousin Natasha and will do anything and everything to keep her safe.
[Helene] She/Her, 30-40, Alto. Anatole's sister who married Pierre for money. She is highly sexualized, fiercely intelligent, and calculated. Devoted and dedicated to her brother.
[Dolokhov] He/Him, 20-30, Baritone. An extremely talented marksman. He is Anatole's closest friend and participates in his pleasure-loving lifestyle. He is having an alleged affair with Hélène.
[Marya D] She/Her, 45-55, Alto. Natasha's godmother, an old friend of Pierre, and a very strict, but kind woman.
[Anatole] He/Him, 20-30, High Tenor. An aristocratic, seductive hedonist, who spends his money on women and wine, and sees no needs except his own. He is the brother of Hélène and friend of Dolokhov.
[NATHAN DETROIT] he/him, age 35-55. A charming, good-hearted gambler and organizer of floating craps game in New York City, who could never hit the big time. Engaged to Adelaide for 14 years, he is a neurotic but highly lovable friend to everyone - who is always just one step ahead of his debts – and promises to his longtime fiancé. His heart is torn between his gambling cronies and the woman he loves. Excellent comic who can carry a tune and sell a song.
[ADELAIDE] she/her, age 30s to 40s. Nathan's fiance and lead performer at the ‘Hot Box’ – a mid level cabaret burlesque house. Pretty, outspoken, stubborn and not always the brightest bulb, but she has a huge heart. Deeply in love with Nathan, she has held onto the prospect of their engagement for 14 years and she still believes it will happen. Has developed a stress-induced cold, which emerges at select moments. Excellent comic with very strong high belt voice to A.
[SKY MASTERSON] he/him, age 30s to 40s. The suave ‘Rat Pack’-like leading man, he is handsome, confident, cool, charismatic, smart, and charming. A high-stakes gambler whose luck never seems to run out, he naturally commands others’ respect and attention. Accustomed to getting what he wants; women love him and men want to be him. A wild card who surprises himself when he falls in love with the unlikeliest of women. Tremendous presence and power – and strong singing voice. Baritone to E.
[SARAH BROWN] she/her, age 20s to 30s. The pretty, bright-eyed, highly conservative and staid missionary in charge of the Salvation Army Times Square branch. Sarah is strong in her convictions – and hopeful that she can make a difference in converting gamblers and gangsters of the area from sinners into saints. Her cool response to Sky’s advances reveal the protective wall she has built around her heart. Excellent with humor, physicality, and an excellent legit soprano singing voice to high A.
[NICELY NICELY JOHNSON] he/him, age 30s to early 50s. Nathan’s close friend, Nicely is everybody’s pal. A good-natured optimist who likes to be liked, he likes food even more. Always upbeat and enthusiastic, he sings the showstopper ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat.’ Excellent spirit and comic timing – and a big rousing Broadway tenor voice – sings to high B flat.
[BIG JULIE] Any Gender, 30s-60s. An imposing, tough gangster from Chicago. He is intimidating, temperamental, and a very sore loser. A powerful, vivid personality and/or physical type (either large or small). Non-singing role.
[HARRY THE HORSE] he/him, Late 20s-late 30s. Vocal part: Can be baritone or tenor. Gambler; all talk and little action. Mouthpiece for Big Jule. May double in the ENSEMBLE.
[ARVIDE ABERNATHY] he/him, 60s-70s. Sarah’s grandfather-kind, loving, honest, nobody’s fool, wise to the ways of the world and the streets of New York, sings the ballad “More I Cannot Wish You” sweetly and simply.
[LT BRANNIGAN] he/him, 40s-50s. A hard-nosed detective working hard to stop the floating crap games. Wise to the gangsters' exploits and demands order and respect. Non-singing role, but both physically and vocally imposing.
[GENERAL CARTWRIGHT] she/her, 40-60. The battle ax, “by the book”, no-nonsense spinster who is in total charge of the Sav-a-Soul mission, a religious zealot and prude who makes an unexpected turnaround and surprises us with a powerful and rangy singing voice.
[BENNY SOUTHSTREET] he/him, late 20’s-30’s. Loyal to a fault, a bulldog on guard, comic gambler with his heart on his sleeve, terrific singer, dance a plus.
[ANGIE THE OX] he/him, 20s-40s. Baritone or tenor. A gambler. A bit of a bruiser. Likes a good dice game. May double in the ENSEMBLE. An excellent dancer.
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