Sarasota, FL Open Call - Waitress and 59th Street Bridge at Florida Studio Theatre - Florida Studio Theatre

Open Call – Waitress and 59th Street Bridge at Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre is hosting auditions for talented singer/actor/movers for our upcoming production of Waitress and singer/musicians 59th Street Bridge.

Details:

Audition Dates:

Waitress Open Call: 9:30am-3pm (Lunch break from 1pm-2pm)

59th Street Bridge Open Call: 3pm-5:30pm

Location:

This open call will be hosted in the rehearsal studios on Florida Studio Theatre’s campus. We will be in Studio A. Signage will be posted on campus with directions to the studios.

Address: 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

Expected to attend:

Ben Liebert – Director/Choreographer, Waitress

Hershey Vazquez Millner – Casting & Hiring Coordinator

Jakob Harding – Artistic Fellow

Jim Prosser – Accompanist

Production Details:

WAITRESS

Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles

Book by Jessie Nelson

Based on the original screenplay by Adrienne Shelly

Directed and Choreographed by Ben Liebert



Synopsis: Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop…until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town's handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Supported by her quirky crew of fellow waitresses and loyal customers, Jenna summons the secret ingredient she's been missing all along — courage. (MTI)



Production Dates:

Rehearsals begin – October 15, 2024

Previews – November 6-7, 2024

Show opens – November 8, 2024

Show closes – December 22, 2024

Possible extension(s) through – January 12, 2025



Note from Director: The heart of this show is its humanity and in turn, I’m looking for you to bring yourself to the material. Yes, there are elevated moments and some characters are more energized than others but the pain and comedy come from grounded human emotion. These are complicated people who have been pushed to the brink by their circumstances and then make big, consequential decisions. The humanity you bring is what makes this story resonate.



Seeking the following roles:

JENNA – Female-presenting. Presents as 30s. Any race/ethnicity. A soulful waitress and expert pie baker. She’s lovely but has forgotten that. Her dreams were tucked on a shelf years ago. (Vocal Range: F#3-F5)

Note: This role involves staged intimacy including close proximity and kissing. No nudity. This role is on the receiving end of staged violence: grabbing, shoving.



BECKY – Female-presenting. Presents as 30s-40s. Any race/ethnicity. The oldest, irreverent, irascible, been there, made it back, and somehow kept her sense of humor. (Vocal Range: Eb3-E5)

Note: This role engages in a scene of staged intimacy involving close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



DAWN – Female-presenting. Presents as 20s-30s. Any race/ethnicity. Socially awkward, a bit of a nerd, loves an ordered world, she has spent too much time alone watching The History Channel. (Vocal Range: G3-E5)

Note: This role involves staged intimacy including close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



DR. POMATTER – Male-presenting. Presents as 30s. Any race/ethnicity. Jenna’s new doctor who just moved into town. Genuinely warm, but clumsy. (Vocal Range: Bb2-Bb4)

Note: This role involves multiple scenes of staged intimacy including close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



EARL – Male-presenting. Presents as 30s. Any race/ethnicity. He is almost a talented musician and that “almost” has haunted him his whole life. Publicly Earl is all charm, but privately, Jenna gets the brunt of his unhappiness. He has a choice to deal with his disappointment and insecurity by facing his mistakes or through anger and blaming others. He chooses the latter because he does not have tools for introspection and growth. Ability to play guitar is a plus. (Vocal Range: Eb3-G4)

Note: This role involves staged intimacy including kissing and embracing. This role also initiates physical violence: grabbing, shoving.



CAL – Male-presenting. Presents as 40s-50s. Any race/ethnicity. A guy’s guy surrounded by gals – brusque, unsentimental, but somehow utterly charming. This actor may cover Earl or Joe. This role requires physical intimacy with other performers on stage. (Vocal Range: D3-F4)

Note: This role staged intimacy involving close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



OGIE – Male-presenting. Presents as 20s-30s. Any race/ethnicity. Dawn’s persistent suitor who falls head over heels for her after a 5-minute-long date. Odd, but charming. He’s a quirky and lovable goofball. (Vocal Range: C3-F4)

Note: This role involves staged intimacy involving close proximity and kissing. No nudity.



JOE – Male-presenting. Presents as 50s-70s. Any race/ethnicity. A lovable grump. Sarcastic and no-nonsense, with an ability get a read on people. Should have strong comedic skills. (Vocal Range: B2-G#4)



ENSEMBLE – Any gender identity. Presents as 20s-40s. Will double as smaller roles and understudies for principal roles.

Ensemble breakdown:

ENSEMBLE #1 – Female-presenting, Presents as 30s, to cover Jenna.

ENSEMBLE #2 – Female-presenting, Presents as 30s-40s, to cover Becky. Also plays Nurse Norma.

ENSEMBLE #3 ¬– Female-presenting, Presents as 20s-30s, to cover Dawn.

ENSEMBLE #4 – Male-presenting, Presents as 30s, to cover Dr. Pomatter. Plays Nurse or Minister.

ENSEMBLE #5 – Male-presenting, Presents as 30s, to cover Earl or Cal. Plays Nurse or Minister.

All roles will be understudied.

SALARY

LORT Non-Rep

$807 weekly minimum (LORT D)

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59th STREET BRIDGE

Written by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins

Directed by Catherine Randazzo



AGVA Contract*, a sister union of Actor’s Equity



Rehearsals begin – October 29, 2024

Previews – November 20, 2024, November 21, 2024

Show opens – November 22, 2024

Show closes – March 30, 2025

Possible extension through April 13, 2025



SYNOPSIS

Led by artists like John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Harry Chapin, and Joni Mitchell, this new musical revue celebrates the importance of this era of music, woven through the fabric of America, as portrayed by the lyric poets of our time. Featuring beloved classics like "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," 59th Street Bridge offers a nostalgic journey through a pivotal era in American music history.



Musical Revues at Florida Studio Theatre

All actors must have the ability to connect genuinely with the audience as themselves and should be excellent singers and movers. Musical revues for Florida Studio Theatre develop and change as they rehearse, so actors must be flexible in rehearsal and treat the show like a new musical workshop.



PLEASE NOTE: We are seeking performers who are excellent singers and excellent instrumentalists (acoustic/electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, keyboards, cello, bass etc.). Must be able to accompany themselves on songs as well as back-up others. The cast will function as their own band.



MAN 1 – Male-Presenting. Any race/ethnicity. Leading man. May sing songs like “Take Me Home Country Roads” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”



MAN 2 – Male-Presenting. Any race/ethnicity. Older character man. May sing songs like “Mrs. Robinson” and “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.”



MAN 3 –Male-Presenting. Any race/ethnicity. Young character man. May sing songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Love Someone Like Me.”



MAN 4 – Male-Presenting. Any race/ethnicity. Bass player. May sing songs like “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”



WOMAN 1 – Female-Presenting. Any race/ethnicity. Character woman or leading lady. May sing songs like “Both Sides Now” and “Daddy’s Hands.”



*AEA members and Non-Union actors are encouraged to audition alongside AGVA members. You do not have to join AGVA to take this contract.



SALARY

AGVA, $700-$1000/week, commensurate with experience and size of role.



Please prepare the following:

For WAITRESS:

• Please bring sheet music for a 32-bar cut, clearly marked and in the correct key, of either a song from the show or in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided.

o You may use one of the cuts from the show provided at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_mldA5sFkxvMrBy2Md5BZSVhGeVPKhOT?usp=sharing

• Please also prepare Side 1 for the role you are interested in auditioning for.

o Sides can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_mldA5sFkxvMrBy2Md5BZSVhGeVPKhOT?usp=sharing

• A hard copy headshot/resume stapled together

For 59th STREET BRIDGE:

• Please bring an instrument to accompany yourself on. A keyboard will be provided in the room.

o Please prepare two contrasting 32-bar cuts of music in the style of the show (60s-70s folk and rock)

• A hard copy headshot/resume stapled together.



If you would like to audition for both shows, please prepare the materials for both.



You may sign up for an appointment here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA8AE2AA4FCC16-50573595-waitress



If you have any questions, please contact us at casting@floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre is working towards becoming a more anti-racist and inclusive theatre. FST is thus committed to developing a work environment that is reflective of the diverse world that it serves. People who share this belief are encouraged to audition.


Salary: WAITRESS: LORT Non-Rep, $807 weekly minimum (LORT D) // 59TH STREET BRIDGE: $700-$1,000/week, depending on experience/size of role