PinnWorth Productions have announced auditions for their Fall 2017 Kelsey Theatre production of “Memphis”, opening September 2017 at The Kelsey Theatre!
This is a non-union, non-paid production.
PLEASE NOTE: This production IS willing to work around summer conflicts.
Visit http://www.pinnworth.com to sign-up for a required audition slot.
About the Show:
From the seedy nightclubs, radio stations and recording studios of 1950s Memphis, comes this hot new musical filled with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, it tells the story of a young, white DJ named Huey Calhoun who falls in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer, Felicia Farrell. Experience the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever. This winner of 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock and roll.
Audition Dates:
Auditions and callbacks will be held in the Communications (CM) building adjacent to Kelsey Theatre. (On the campus of Mercer County Community College – 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ)
Monday, June 19th from 7pm-10pm
Wednesday, June 21st from 7pm-8pm
Invited Callbacks: Wednesday, June 21st from 8pm-10:30pm
Production Company & Creative Team
Presented by PinnWorth Productions
Directed by LouJ Stalsworth & Kyrus Keenan Westcott
Stage Managed by Dennis Tolentino
Music Directed by Francois Suhr
Choreographed by Robert Harris
Costume Design by Kate Pinner
Sound and Lighting Design by Robert Terrano
Set Design by Bryan Schendlinger
Performance Dates & Location
All performances will take place inside The Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College
Performance Dates:
Friday, September 8th at 8pm
Saturday, September 9th at 8pm
Sunday, September 10th at 2pm
Friday, September 15th at 8pm
Saturday, September 16th at 8pm
Sunday, September 17th at 2pm
Rehearsal Information
Willing to work around ALL summer conflicts.
The rehearsal schedule will be created after the show is cast. However, you can take note that we will be rehearsing 2-3 nights per week beginning in late-June.
How To Sign-up
If you are interested in auditioning, please visit pinnworth.com and sign up for an audition appointment.
Audition appointments are required. Walk-ins are welcome, but they will be seen after the scheduled appointments. Please sign-up for an appointment.
Audition Prep:
Please bring your headshot and resume with you to the audition.
Please prepare 16-32 bars from a song appropriate to the style of the show. Please bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist is provided.
Come prepared to participate in a dance and movement audition. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you can move and groove in.
Casting:
All roles are open. There are no pre-cast roles. Individuals of ALL ethnic and cultural backgrounds are needed and encouraged to audition for roles.
CHARACTERS:
HUEY CALHOUN – Caucasian, 20s-30s. Frenzied, bombastic, motor-mouth hero, who talks his way into becoming a DJ at a local white radio station. Ignores race barriers and eventually falls in love with Felicia, a talented black singer, which causes a whole new set of problems for Huey in a segregated 1950s Memphis. Tenor with a great feel for pop/rock/R&B style.
FELICIA – African American, 20s-30s. Beautiful, wide-eyed. Fiercely gifted singer. Follows her heart and falls in love with Huey, despite knowing deep down that a relationship between a white man and a black woman in prejudiced Memphis is doomed. High R&B belt.
DELRAY – African American man, 30s-40s. Felicia’s older brother. Owns the club on Beale Street where she sings. Realistic, cautious, protective, and aware of the realities of the segregation that exists in Memphis and the world beyond. Baritenor with great pop/rock/R&B voice.
GLADYS – Caucasian, 40s-60s. Huey’s stern, traditional blue-collar, Southern mother. Has worked her entire life to be able to support herself and her son, whom she loves, but about whom she constantly worries. Strong singer with alto-belt mix; excellent actor with comic skills.
GATOR – African American man, 20s-30s. Bartender at Delray’s. Hasn’t spoken since age 5 when he saw his father killed. As the story progresses, Gator finds his voice again. Requires and excellent actor and singer (great R&B baritenor); comic timing a plus.
BOBBY – African America, 30s-40s. Janitor at Mr. Simmon’s radio station. Full of personality and heart. Great gospel voice. Role requires an actor who is comfortable with physicality, as he has a dance break in his show-stopping number “Big Love”. Comic skills a plus.
SIMMONS – Caucasian, 40s-60s. Conservative owner of the radio station where Huey gets his start. The strong, Southern, commanding businessman becomes willing to take a chance on Huey when he realizes the audience Huey reaches and the money he can command. Great actor who is comfortable singing.
One of the most beautiful aspects of MEMPHIS is the choreography. The choreography blends styles of “black and white music” of the 1950s to integrate the races. This show requires diverse style of dancing. We will be casting a troupe of both white and black dancers. The choreography for this show will be high energy and very intense.
MALE ENSEMBLE – ALL ETHNICITIES. Male dancers who sing very well, to play various ensemble characters. Seeking excellent, athletic dancers who sing. Roles include Black DJ, Be Black Trio, Wailin’ Joe, Reverend Hobson, Buck Wiley, Martin Holton, Perry Como, Frank Dryer.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE – ALL ETHNICITIES. Female dancers who sing very well, to play various ensemble characters. Seeking excellent, athletic dancers who sing. Roles include Someday Backup Dancers, Double Dutch Girls, Clara, Mother.
How To Sign-up:
If you are interested in auditioning, please visit pinnworth.com and sign up for an audition appointment.
Audition appointments are required. Walk-ins are welcome, but they will be seen after the scheduled appointments. Please sign-up for an appointment.
