Triad Stage 2017-18 Season - Greensboro NC EPA
Triad Stage
AUDITION DATE
Jul 10, 2017
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (EDT)
Lunch 1:30 to 2:30
Jul 11, 2017
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (EDT)
Lunch 1:30 to 2:30
APPOINTMENTS
AEA members may request an appointment by contacting the Audition Hotline: 336-274-0067 x215 or email at sarah@triadstage.org. AEA members without appointments may be seen as time permits on the day of. Non-AEA actors may also be seen as time permits on the day of as long as no other AEA member is waiting.
CONTRACT
LOA $644/week
SEEKING
Equity actors for the 2017-18 Season.
PREPARATION
Prepare a 1-2 minute monologue appropriate for the season. Please bring a picture and resume.
LOCATION
Triad Stage
232 S Elm St
Greensboro, NC 27401-2605
Auditions will take place in Sloan Rehearsal Hall, located on the 3rd floor
PERSONNEL
Founding Artistic Director: Preston Lane
Associate Artistic Director: Sarah Hankins
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.
BREAKDOWN
BUYER & CELLAR
by Jonathan Tolins
Directed by Donna Baldwin Bradby
Location: Hanesbrands Theater in Winston - Salem
First Rehearsal: September 15, 2017
First Preview: October 11, 2017
Opening: October 14, 2017
Closing Performance: October 22, 2017
Available Roles:
Alex More
Caucasian, 30s. Alex is young, gay man at a crossroads in his career, who takes an unconventional job to cover the costs of being an out-of-work actor in L.A. He is equipped with the skills of a trained actor and a mouth that can get him in trouble. When he lands a position manning the mall in the basement of a Hollywood icon, he finds the job to be both weird and incredibly exciting. The odd relationship he develops with his new quirky boss leads the larger-than-life man down a strange and interesting path, which causes him to question his commitment to his boyfriend and to himself as an artist and as a person. Alex navigates the outrageous story of working for the diva from multiple points of view – taking on the voices of his opinionated boyfriend, his exacting supervisor, and the boss herself in turns of whimsy and truth. He has a great sense of humor, a compassionate nature and a flair for the dramatic.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens, adapted by Preston Lane
Directed by Sarah Hankins
Location: Hanesbrands Theater in Winston-Salem
First Rehearsal: November 3, 2017
First Preview: November 24, 2017
Opening: November 28, 2017
Closing Performance: December 24, 2017
Available Roles:
Ebenezer Scrooge
Caucasian 50s-60s. Ebenezer Scrooge is the miserly owner of a counting house. He has lived a selfish life and has isolated himself from everyone and everything. He is constantly angry by years of having his way and his old age has made it worse. While he finds himself funny, his humor is usually at the expense of other people’s feelings and tragedies. Scrooge is excitable, quick to judgment, strong willed, and powered by his greed. His stubbornness is only matched by his need to control those around him. However, somewhere in his dark soul lies the ability to feel love and joy if he could only look deep enough. He speaks with a standard British dialect.
The Ghost of Christmas Present (also plays Mrs. Fezziwig and Ensemble)
ROLE CAST. Any Ethnicity , 30s-50s, Mezzo Soprano. The Ghost of Christmas Present is the life of the party and has a joyous nature. Her jovial laugh is as big as her stature and voluminous robe. She is friendly, strong, compassionate, intelligent, and faithful. Filling a room with joy and life she loves playing a good joke, particularly on Scrooge. However, when pushed she can be demanding and forceful. She genuinely cares about the welfare of others and hopes to help them to see the error of their ways. She speaks with a standard British dialect and must be able to sing a big ballad. Must dance in a lively English country dance as Mrs. Fezziwig. Must not be afraid of heights, as Present is played in a tall rolling steel frame representing the bottom of her dress.
Beggar Woman
ROLE CAST. Any Ethnicity, 40s - 50s. The Beggar Woman narrates the story of Scrooge and his fantastical one night journey. She lives inside and outside the story, effortlessly weaving herself throughout the action. She is accompanied by a group of beggar children who she protects and loves. She is mystical, bold, passionate, thoughtful, encouraging, and loving. Despite her low standing in the world, she displays more compassion and strength than the affluent. There is power and dignity in her nature that commands respect from those around her. She speaks with a Cockney dialect.
Bob Cratchit (also plays Villager and Ensemble):
Any Ethnicity, 30 – 40s. Bob Cratchit is a clerk at Scrooge’s counting house and is paid very little. A diligent employee, he maintains a good face and allows Scrooge to take out his anger on him. He is a devoted husband and father and everything he does is for them. Barely being able to provide for them, it is his love and guidance that keeps them together. He is kind, hardworking, generous, resilient, thoughtful, and possesses a firm love for his fellow man. Bob sees the bright side of things and even in the darkest times his spirit is joyful. He speaks with a Cockney dialect and must have some singing ability.
Jacob Marley (also plays Old Joe and Ensemble)
Any Ethnicity, 50 – 60s. Jacob Marley was Scrooge’s partner before his death and like Scrooge he was selfish and miserly. However, in death he has seen the error of his ways and is paying for his sins. Shackled by the chains he created in life, he is determined to change the path of Scrooge. He is forceful, intimidating, pained, and in tremendous agony. There is a desperation that runs through his being and his heart is filled with grief and concern for his friend. He speaks with a standard British dialect and must have some singing ability. Must be under 6 feet.
Mr. Fezziwig (also plays Businessman, Villager, and Ensemble)
Any Ethnicity, 40s-50s. Mr. Fezziwig gave Scrooge his start as a young apprentice and was a father figure to him. A successful businessman, he created a workplace that was warm, inviting and nurturing to those that worked for him. He is loving, kind, compassionate, faithful and knows how to throw a fantastic party. His drive and integrity keeps the office open without needing to shout to get his way. A smile and a hand shake are his tools for a successful work place. He cares deeply for Scrooge and wants nothing but the best for him. He speaks with a standard British dialect and must have some singing ability. Must dance in a lively English country dance.
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BEAUTIFUL STAR: An Appalachian Nativity
by Preston Lane, Original Music by Laurelyn Dossett
Directed by Preston Lane
Location: The Pyrle Theater in Greensboro
First Rehearsal: November 14, 2017
First Preview: December 3, 2017
Opening: December 8, 2017
Closing Performance: December 24, 2017
Reverend Roy Ledbetter
ROLE CAST. Caucasian, 50s – A middle-aged man who has led the Open Heart Community Church for years. He is a warm and folksy guy, who knows how to pluck at the heart strings, but also how to strike the fear of God into his congregation. As part of the Christmas pageant he plays God and one of the wise men. He speaks with a North Carolina Appalachian dialect.
Vestina Ledbetter
Caucasian, 50s — Roy’s wife of 35 years. She is a very maternal woman whose friendliness shines through with every smile. She also believes in telling more than just the stories of the men in the Bible, and wants to emphasize the strength of the women, too. She tells the tale of the beginning of time and plays the wife of Abraham and Noah. She speaks with a North Carolina Appalachian dialect.
Tidence Ledbetter
Caucasian, 30s — Son of Roy and Vestina, has recently returned to church after not attending for years. He has had rough past and is trying to escape those demons. He has two daughters and wants to find a better community of people for him and his girls. He is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but enjoys his job at the local garage. He plays Lucifer and Herod in the Christmas pageant. As Lucifer, he is manipulative, greedy, and powerful. As Herod, he is dishonest and cunning. He speaks with a North Carolina Appalachian dialect.
Vernon Sparks
ROLE CAST. African-American, 50s — An older gentleman and a single father. His young son has just survived a battle with cancer and the two are very close. He loves his church and is very appreciative of the support that this community has given him. In the Church pageant he plays Abraham, An Angel of Lord, and a Shepherd. As Abraham, he is strong, loving, and resolved. Abraham is torn about sacrificing his son but knows he must follow God’s will. As the shepherd, he is very protective and untrusting. He speaks with a modern rural African American dialect.
Ethel Green
Any Ethnicity, 20s – A young woman in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. She is a member of the National Guard recently returned from Iraq and has joined an evangelical church to find community. As part of their Christmas pageant, she performs the role of Eve and Mary. As Eve she is naïve and innocent. As Mary she has humility, beauty, as well as enormous courage while she sings about responsibility for the care of her child. She speaks with a North Carolina Appalachian dialect. The actress must be an excellent singer with an ability to adapt to a folk/mountain vernacular style.
Franklin Duncan
Any Ethnicity, 30s — He works at the post office in town, a quiet, unassuming man, but a fixture in the community. Franklin plays Noah and Joseph in the Christmas Pageant. As Noah, he is honest, hardworking, trusting, and a bit dim at times. As Joseph, he is prideful, loving, nurturing and a real salt of the earth type guy. Joseph loves his wife deeply and stands by her. He speaks with a North Carolina Appalachian dialect.
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A RAISIN IN THE SUN
by Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene
Location: The Pyrle Theater in Greensboro
First Rehearsal: January 3, 2018
First Preview: January 28, 2018
Opening: February 2, 2018
Closing Performance: February 18, 2018
Ruth Younger
African American, about 30. Calm, settled, reasonable, and beautiful Ruth has married into a family of expressive dreamers and has become the stabilizing hand in the Younger household. She has a keen ability to look at the present and accept it for what it is – allowing for the unpleasant to be unpleasant, the sad to be sad and the good to be good. Where she may have once been more upbeat and optimistic, she has traded those notions for realism and stoicism. She works hard for the family and is willing to go to extreme measures to keep them afloat – even if takes personal sacrifices. She has deep affection for her son and mother-in-law and hopes with love to guide her sister-in-law and husband to a more settled place. She is kind and loving, but also tired and reserved. When she at last allows herself to hope for more and those dreams are dashed away, she clings to the possibility of freedom with a great sense of self-determination.
Walter Lee Younger
African American, 35. An ambitious dreamer who is determined to rise above his current station, Walter Younger is a well-meaning man who fights desperately to shake the limitations placed on him as a Black man living in de-facto segregation. His ambition, however, is not always marked by hope but instead by self-pity, as he constantly feels that the world and his family – especially his wife – are against him. He turns to his friends – whom his wife disapproves of – jazz and drinking to combat the pressures of living. While he is capable of great fits of joy and kindness and is a good friend, he is also capable of a deep, unforgiving sorrow. Characterized by energetic speech and movements and a penchant for performative expression, Walter is a big man who is constantly fighting the world’s need to make him smaller and this need sometimes leads him to make poor decisions in family, business, and friendship.
Beneatha Younger
African American, about 20. A strong-willed, high minded young woman, Beneatha is just as ambitious as her brother. Like Walter, she has dreams of escaping the limitations placed on her by prejudice and is in school to become a doctor. She is smart and intense and interested in many things. Beneatha is a young woman trying to find her way and is grappling with defining her identity and heritage. This sometimes results in indecisiveness and flitting from one thing to another – including men. She fights against the traditional roles for women and the sometimes conservative views on religion and gender roles of her family. She is energetic, argumentative, loud, opinionated and full of both incredible joy and deep anger. Where her brother feels as if change will happen in an instant flash of luck, Beneatha is willing to work her way out of her current state – even if that challenges those around her.
Lena Younger
African American, early 60s. The matriarch of the Younger family, Lena Younger is a hardworking, loving, strong woman who balances humility and nobility with ease and grace. She cares deeply for her family and wants what’s best for them – even if it comes with personal sacrifice. Like her children she has strong opinions, especially about her religious beliefs, but she also has the wisdom of an elder and navigates the world in an unobtrusive way. The loss of her husband endowed her with a new sense of responsibility and she tries to use this responsibility to support her children. She has an incredible sense of hope and optimism despite her present situation. She possess a deep affection towards her grandson and spoils him, even though Ruth’s daughter-in-law wishes she would not.
George Murchison
African American, 20s. One of Beneatha Younger’s suitors, George Murchison is the son of a rich businessman. He flaunts his wealth and power and sees his socioeconomic status as a badge of honor that makes him better than others. He treats every interaction as a sort of intellectual competition – one that he feels he always wins. He is superficial and pompous and feels that Black people should assimilate to advance in the world. He navigates society with a cool sort of indifference and judges the righteous anger of some African American people as unproductive bitterness. While he finds Beneatha beautiful, he holds strong to rigid gender roles and feels that Beneatha’s independence and strong opinions make her unattractive. He has a strict, factual nature and does not indulge in deep, philosophical conversations. He sees the pursuit of knowledge as only a stepping stone, rather than an enriching experience.
Joseph Asagai
Black/Nigerian, 20s. One of Beneatha Younger’s suitors, Asagai is a kind yet critical Nigerian man. A classmate of Beneatha’s, he has come to America to learn and hopes to return to Nigeria to make it a better nation. While he sees the injustices around him, he does not cling to pity or anger, but instead channels his energy into change and progression. He has a playful nature and navigates serious topics with grace and good humor. He has strong convictions about his heritage, identity and independence. He admires similar qualities in others and seeks to instill them in Beneatha. He is a man who always speaks his mind, but in a way that allows others to be at ease with him. He is charming, kind and smart.
Karl Lindner
Caucasian, 30s. As a delegate from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association sent to dissuade the Youngers from moving into his all-White neighborhood, Lindler at first appears to be a reasonable and thoughtful man looking out for the safety of others. When he does not get what he wants, however, there is an undercurrent of a threatening nature about him. He and his neighbors are working class people – just like the Youngers – but he still feels a sense of superiority to them, simply because he is White.
Bobo
African American, 30s. One of Walter Younger’s close friends. Ruth refers to him as a “crazy good for nothing clown” because he spends his time with Walter and the other guys drinking and scheming all night. He is a smallish man, who is just as desperate as Walter to rise above his station. His financial desperation led him to make the same bad deals that Walter has, and he had more to lose because he had less to give. He is a man who has seen his whole life washed away and is powerless to stop it.
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OUR TOWN
by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Carl Forsman
Location: Hanesbrands Theater in Winston-Salem
First Rehearsal: January 19, 2018
First Preview: February 14, 2018
Opening: February 17, 2018
Closing Performance: March 4, 2018
Dr. Gibbs
(Any ethnicity, Late 30s - early 40s) He’s the doctor of the town and does it all —births babies, heals ailments, performs surgeries, and fixes broken bones. He is the type of doctor who still makes house calls, and, because of that, sometimes has to work into the wee hours of the morning. He never seems to be able to catch a rest, but doesn’t complain. As a Civil War buff, he visits Civil War battlegrounds every couple of years, which is the closest thing to a vacation he has ever known. He is a matter-of-fact type that gives it to you straight. As a father, he is firm but loving in a quiet way.
Mrs. Gibbs
(Any ethnicity, 30s) Dr. Gibbs’ wife and the captain of the ship at their residence. She prepares every meal in the house and is the kind of mom who keeps things neat and tidy. She enjoys taking care of her garden, feeding her chickens, and going to choir practice. She dreams of taking her husband and herself on a nice vacation someday, perhaps even visiting Paris, France. She is conflicted about money and what to do with it. She came from a long line of Hersey’s, one of the oldest families in Grover’s Corners. Mrs. Gibbs is serious and determined, and wants the best for her family.
Mrs. Webb
(Any ethnicity, Late 30s - early 40s) Mrs. Webb is one of the Gibss’ family’s neighbors. She is a serious, crisp, and no-nonsense kind of lady. Mrs. Webb is the kind of mother who would rather have her kids eat every meal than to skip a meal to rush to school.
She loves her children dearly and always wants them to give off a good impression. Mrs. Webb goes to choir practice to enjoy hearing the gossip of the town. She is warm and open-hearted, with an attachment to tradition.
Mr. Webb
(Any ethnicity, Late 30s - early 40s) Mr. Webb is the editor and publisher of the Grover’s Corners Sentinel Newspaper which prints twice a week. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about the town of Grover’s Corners, thanks to his work for the newspaper. He is a very intelligent, intellectual man, who loves his children and takes time to teach them about big ideas. He trusts his wife to take care of everything
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HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE
by Paula Vogel
Directed by Sarah Hankins
Location: Hanesbrands Theater in Winston-Salem
First Rehearsal: March 9, 2018
First Preview: April 4, 2018
Opening: April 7, 2018
Closing Performance: April 15, 2018
Li’l Bit
(Caucasian, mid 30s – mid 40s) Li’l Bit is a wry, funny, intelligent woman who takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. As the storyteller, she quickly and easily switches between various points of her life from age eleven to current day. Li’l Bit frankly and honestly explores the encounters she and Uncle Peck had throughout her adolescence. With humor and self-awareness, Li’l Bit delves into the forces that determined her choices and as well as her own self-doubts and failings to obey the social code. She moves easily between raucous comedy and subtle serious drama with skill and vulnerability.
Uncle Peck
(Caucasian, mid 40s) A former Marine, Peck is attractive, charming, sincere, and subtly manipulative. He is often placed in the role of peacemaker in the family and has a gentle, earnest demeanor. The proper manners and easy nature of a Southern gentleman conceals a deeply wounded and broken man, who finds solace in drink. Peck is a serial sexual abuser of young people and his past may include surviving sexual abuse himself. He deeply loves Li’l Bit and, until the last moment, fails to acknowledge that he has manipulated and wounded her. He convinces himself that they can marry when she is eighteen and the idea provides him an escape from his marriage, his pain, and his own responsibility for Li’l Bit’s emotional damage. Speaks with a Southern accent.
Female Greek Chorus
(Open Ethnicity, 30s – 50s) Plays Mother, Aunt Mary, assorted high school students, and other voices from Li’l Bit’s life. Li’l Bit’s mother, Lucy, struggles with the responsibilities and frustrations of being a single mom in the 1960s and tries to raise Lil Bit to be a strong and independent woman. She is suspicious of Uncle Peck’s attentions to Li’l Bit, but ultimately tells Li’l Bit that it will be her own fault if anything inappropriate happens. Lucy also has a bit of a scandalous past and once out-drank a regiment of British officers, all while behaving like a proper lady. Aunt Mary sees herself as a safe harbor and a gentle support for Peck. She defends his actions and knows about his inappropriate behavior with younger people, but accuses Li’l Bit of seducing Peck. Aunt Mary is self-righteous, controlled, and believes “domesticity is a balm for men.” Speaks with a Maryland accent. Actress must be able play multiple characters with ease and should be able to sing in harmony.
Male Greek Chorus
(Open Ethnicity, late 20s – early 40s) Plays Grandfather, Waiter, High School Boys, etc. Grandfather is a bull-headed man with firm and strident views on the roles of men and women. He is crass, rude, frank, and loud, but is also quite funny. He makes openly sexual comments and has contentious relationship with his family. The waiter is a long-suffering, experienced server, who will bend the rules for a large tip. Actor also plays various high-school students who shame and tease Li’l Bit, as well as a somewhat dorky boy who is infatuated with Li’l Bit’s physical charms. Some characters speak with a Maryland accent. Actors must be able play multiple characters with ease and should be able to sing in harmony.
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Note: Auditions for the world premiere of THE PASSION OF TERESA RAE KING by Preston Lane will be held at a later date. Auditions for South Pacific were held in May 2017
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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