CORRECTION- Auditions- West Side Story - Artisan Center Theater

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CORRECTION: WEST SIDE STORY AUDITIONS



Book by Authur Laurents

Music by Leonard Bernstein | Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Based on a Conception by Jerome Robbins of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet



Combined Stage and Film Documentary Auditions





HURST, TEXAS Jan 10, 2023 Artisan Center Theater is pleased to announce auditions for our production of WEST SIDE STORY opening in late March. The musical will be featured on our Main Stage and directed by Chris Gallego Wong (Director of Film and Media) Tickets are on sale now at Artisanct.com



When the original West Side Story on Broadway opened in 1957, musical theatre changed forever. Composed by Leonard Bernstein and considered by many to be his finest work, it has been revived 3 times over the past six decades. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the mid-1950s in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, then a multiracial, blue-collar neighborhood. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

Director Chris Gallego Wong and his multi-award-winning production team are holding auditions January 30 & 31 (see below) and we encourage performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, body types, ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.

Chris Gallego Wong is also Director of Artisan Film Productions and Media and will be using WEST SIDE STORY as part of our new documentary on the process of creating a stage play. Auditioners will also be considered for working with Chris backstage and behind the scenes not only as a performer, but to help him capture the excitement and process of creating this iconic show for audiences.



AUDITION DATES:

Monday, January 30, 2023 and Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 7:00pm–10:00pm Callbacks (if requested by Director) - Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm

● Audition form and more information at: https://www.artisanct.com/auditions

● Auditions for WEST SIDE STORY will include ages 13 & older.

● Auditions will be held at Artisan Center Theater located at 444 East Pipeline Road, Hurst, TX 76053

● Rehearsals begin February 6, 2023 and are generally Mondays, Tuesdays, (no Wednesdays) Thursdays and Fridays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am – 2:00pm (Not everyone will be called to all rehearsals)





PRODUCTION DATES:

March 24th– May 6th, 2023 performances will be Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays at 3:30pm and 7:30pm.



AUDITIONS:

● Artisan will provide an accompanist but auditioners are welcome to bring an electronic device with their accompaniment. (32 bars or 30 to 60 seconds). No singing a cappella please.

● There will be a dance component to the audition at call-backs for ALL auditionees (bring appropriate footwear and dress to move)

● Actors will be doing readings from the script, so it is encouraged that everyone auditioning is familiar with the material. Audition sides will be posted on the ACT website.

● Please contact Chris Gallego Wong (CG@artisanct.com) to submit a video audition. You will still be required to complete all digital paperwork and come to callbacks in person if requested.

● Please see registration link for conflict calendar.



ROLES AVAILABLE:

SHARKS:

Bernardo: Handsome, proud, fluid leader of the Sharks, with a sardonic chip on his shoulder; baritone.

Chino: Shy, gentle, yet angry shark, who turns murderous and vengeful. The intended husband of Maria; Baritone.

Pepe: Lieutenant to Bernardo, typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone. Indio: Typically, proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

Luis: Typically, proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

Juano: Typically, proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

Toro: Typically, proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone

Maria: Lovely young and obedient immigrant Puerto Rican girl, excited and enthusiastic about her new life in America, but with stubborn inner strength that allows her to evolve into a strong woman; soprano.

Anita: Older (20’s) and wiser in the ways of the world, flashy, sharp-tongued, and with a knowing sexuality; Alto/mezzo-soprano.

Consuelo: Tough, young Puerto Rican girl with bleach blond hair and lots of baubles; Mezzo-soprano.

Rosalia: Young Puerto Rican girl, demure, not too bright; mezzo-soprano.



JETS:

Tony: A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets. He finds himself torn between friendship and love. Genuine and sincere; Tenor.

Riff: Glowing, driving, intelligent, slightly wacky leader of the Jets; tenor.

Baby John: Youngest member of the Jets, awed at everything, even being a Jet; tries to act like a big man, but is vulnerable; baritone.

Diesel: Lieutenant to Riff, big, slow, steady; baritone.

A-Rab: Small of stature, enjoys everything, takes nothing seriously, unaware, can be explosive; baritone.

Action: Most aggressive member of the Jets, a cat-like ball of fury; baritone.

Snowboy: Bespectacled, self-styled expert; baritone

Anybody’s: Scrawny teen-aged girl, pathetically dressed to imitate the Jets, and desperately wants to be taken seriously by them.

Velma: Riff’s girlfriend, young, slithery, sexy, lost in a world of jive.

Graziella: Girlfriend of Diesel, impressed with herself.



ADULTS:

Doc: Middle-aged drug store owner, tired and worn out.

Lieutenant Schrank: Plainclothes policeman used to be in charge, superficially pleasant to cover his venom, fear, and bigotry.

Officer Krupke: A not-too-bright street cop.

Glad Hand: Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-equipped social director at the local gym dance.

ABOUT THE THEATER:

Celebrating 20 years, Artisan Center Theater strives to provide hope, joy and optimism in the performing arts in a safe space for actors and patrons to know they can bring grandchildren or grandparents without having to apologize for content or appearance. Our intimate 200-seat theater-in-the-round Main Stage and 150 seat Second Stage welcome visitors and actors alike as children perform for children in Artisan Children’s Theater and the perfect venue for children learning the performing arts in The Artisan Academy. The Artisan Film Productions and Media department opened in 2021 and is now training youth of all ages to perform on stage and on camera. Artisan Center Theater is located at 444 E Pipeline Rd. in Hurst, Texas. The theater is closed on Sunday. For more information on Artisan visit www.ArtisanCT.com.





Artisan Center Theater

444 East Pipeline Road, Hurst, Texas 76053

817-284-1200 | ArtisanCT.com

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