Upcoming Auditions in Nashville 7/15/15

Directors and producers in the Nashville region are seeking actors for upcoming productions of Harvey and Deathtrap - and producers are seeking cast members for a touring production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. We've gathered the details together here to make your planning easier. So now you have no excuse: Pursue that dream!

July 19 and 20

Harvey by Mary Chase

Directed by Bill Stewart

Presented by The Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro

ABOUT THE SHOW: Elwood P. Dowd is an affable man who claims to have an unseen (and presumably imaginary) friend Harvey - whom Elwood describes as a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall pooka resembling an anthropomorphic rabbit. Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets. His social-climbing sister, Veta, increasingly finds his eccentric behavior embarrassing. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her and her daughter Myrtle Mae from future embarrassment. When they arrive at the sanitarium, a comedy of errors ensues. The young, handsome, and very flirtatious Dr. Sanderson commits Veta instead of Elwood, but when the truth comes out, the search is on for Elwood and his invisible companion. When Elwood shows up at the sanitarium looking for his lost friend Harvey, it seems that the mild-mannered Elwood's delusion has had a strange influence on the staff, including sanitarium director Dr. Chumley. Only just before Elwood is to be given an injection that will make him into a "perfectly normal human being, and you know what bastards they are!" (in the words of a taxi cab driver who has become involved in the proceedings) does Veta realize that she would rather have Elwood the same as he has always been - carefree and kind - even if it means living with Harvey.

PERFORMANCES September 11-20; Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

July 19 and 20

Deathtrap by Ira Levin

Directed by Susan Cole

ABOUT THE SHOW: Seemingly comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a "dry" spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college-a thriller which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway hit. Sidney's plan, which he devises with his wife's help, is to offer collaboration to the student, an idea which the younger man quickly accepts. Thereafter suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness, and with such an abundance of thrills and laughter, that audiences will be held enthralled until the final, startling moments of the play.

ABOUT THE CHARACTERS: Cast is 3 males and 2 females ranging in age from 20s-60s: Sidney - 30s-60s - polished, professor-type; Myra - 30s-60s - also polished, sophisticated; Clifford - 20s-40s - college student; Helga - 30s-60s - gypsy-like; and Porter - 30s-60s - suit and tie guy.

ABOUT AUDITIONS: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and will take place on Sunday, July 19, from 2-6 p.m., and on Monday, July 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. Please bring a headshot - if you have one - and a resume.

AUDITION LOCATION: Tulip Street United Methodist Church, 522 Russell Street, Nashville.

PRODUCTION DATES: October 2-17 at the Darkhorse Theater

August 3

Oliver! by Lionel Bart

ABOUT AUDITIONS: Local youth will have the opportunity to work alongside professional actors when the Roxy Regional Theatre holds children's auditions for Lionel Bart's OLIVER! on Monday, August 3, at 5 p.m. Children ages 8 and up should come prepared with a song of their choice and be dressed to move in comfortable clothing and shoes. (Children interested in the roles of "Oliver" or "The Artful Dodger" should prepare a song by their character.) Please bring any sheet music, as piano accompaniment will be provided.

RUN DATES: OLIVER! runs September 25 through October 10 at the Roxy Regional Theatre, playing Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, and Saturdays at 2:00pm and8:00pm. (There is no performance on Wednesday, September 30.)

August 6 and 7

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Produced and directed by David Payne

Tour presented by Rising Image Productions in association with David Payne Drama

ABOUT AUDITIONS: Please familiarize yourself. with the performance and travel schedule. If you cannot meet these schedule requirements then there is no point in requesting an audition appointment. http://www.lionontour.com/

AUDITION LOCATION: auditions will take place from 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, at a Nashville area location.

CALL BACKS: Call Backs will be on Saturday August 8th during the day and evening.

REHEARSALS: The rehearsals will take place in the evenings at a Nashville area location. Although it is unlikely any candidate will have to be at every rehearsal you will still be required to be available for ALL rehearsal dates.

PAY: Remuneration will be determined on the role offered and a guide to the remuneration will be given at the Call Back stage.

ROLES AVAILABLE: Peter, Susan, Lucy, Edmund, White Witch, Tumnus the Fawn, Mr. Beaver, Mrs. Beaver, Fenris Ulf (Wolf), Unicorn, Centaur. Two people will be required to operate the Aslan the Lion puppet and they will be trained by a professional puppeteer. A dance background would be a help. Complete the application form and we will contact you with an appointment Date.

QUESTIONS? Email nic@davidpaynedrama.com, or call (615) 477 1890

August 16 and 17

Mary Poppins, music by Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and George Stiles; lyrics by Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and Anthony Drewe; book by Julian Fellowes

Presented by Arts Center of Cannon County, Woodbury

Directed by Allison Hall, with musical direction by Helen Ray

ABOUT AUDITIONS: Auditions for Mary Poppins will be held Sunday, August 16, at 6 p.m. and Monday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Please come prepared to perform 16 measures of a song that highlights your vocal ability. An accompanist will be provided. (Sheet music required. No CDs or acapella allowed)
You will be required to participate in a dance audition, vocal audition, and cold readings.

QUESTIONS? To receive an audition packet please send an email to allisonpaigebarnett@gmail.com with the following information: Your Name; Your Age; Dance Experience and special skills. Indicate which audition you plan to attend and list any roles you are interested in singing/reading for; headshots and theatrical resumes are welcomed but not required.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Bert The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
Male, 20-39 yrs old
Range: B2 - F#4

George Banks The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.
Male, 30-45 yrs old
Range: Bb2 - Eb4

Winifred Banks George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to obnly associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
Female, 25-40 yrs old
Range: A3 - D5

Jane The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Female, 8-15 yrs old
Range: A3 - F#5

Michael The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Male, 6-12 yrs old
Range: A3 - E5

Katie Nanna Jane and Micahel's nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Female, 20-40 yrs old
Speaking Role

Policeman A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Male, 20-50 yrs old
Speaking Role

Miss Lark The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.
Female, 30 - 40 yrs old
Speaking Role

Admiral Boom A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.
Male, 50 - 60 yrs old
Speaking Role

Mrs. Brill The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.
Female, 30-60 yrs old
Range: F#3 - D#5

Robertson Ay The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.
Male, 20 - 40yrs old
Range: F3 - G#4

Mary Poppins Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
Female, 20 - 40yrs old
Range: Gb3 - C6

Park Keeper Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Male, 40 - 60 yrs old
Speaking Role

Neleus The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
Male, 16 - 25yrs old

Queen Victoria A statue in the park.
Female, 40 - 60 yrs old

Bank Chairman The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
Male, 50-60 yrs old
Range: C3 - D4

Miss Smythe The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary.
Female, 40 - 50 yrs old
Speaking Role

Ensemble Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers.

Von Hussler A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.
Male, 30 - 50 yrs old
Speaking Role

John Northbrook An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England.
Male, 30 - 50 yrs old

Bird Woman Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that relfelcts the hardness of her life.
Female, 30-60 yrs old
Range: Gb3 - C5

Mrs. Corry Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic).
Female, 20-50 yrs old
Speaking Role

Miss Andrew George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
Female, 40 - 60 yrs old
Range: Gb3 - F5

EDITOR'S NOTE: Send your audition announcements to Jeffrey Ellis, BWW Nashville senior contributing editor, at jeffreyellis37215@att.net for inclusion in this column.

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