Production and Audition Information for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
SOUTH PACIFIC
Director: Mary Nickles
Musical Director: Julie Florin, Choreographer: Katie Stewart
South Pacific will run for 3 weekends July 25 – August 10 at
the Historic Pelzer Auditorium
SYNOPSIS:
On a South Pacific island during World War II, Ensign Nellie Forbush, a spunky nurse from Arkansas,
falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and,
unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage. Meanwhile,
the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he’s fallen
in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that
claims Joe’s life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and
conquering her prejudices.
CASTING NOTE:
The story takes place in the South Pacific during World War II. The cast includes Americans and people native to the South Pacific. Those characters native to the area will be cast accordingly. We encourage those of Southeast Asian or Pacific Islander descent to audition or inquire about casting opportunities, which include a range of roles for those with both extensive performance experience and for those who are beginning.
AVAILABLE CHARACTERS:
E N S I G N N E L L I E F O RB U S H (Mezzo (a – d'', 19 - 35) A U.S. Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas. She is feisty, independent, optimistic, somewhat naïve and young. She is beloved by her fellow nurses and the Seabees. Much to her surprise, she falls in love with local Frenchman Emile de Becque. When Nellie realizes that her ingrained racial prejudices stand in the way of her relationship with Emile, she courageously conquers her biases, embracing a new life of compassion and empathy. Some dancing is required. Audition songs are “I’m In Love with a Wonderful Guy” and “Cock-eyed Optimist”
E M I L E D E B E C Q U E (Baritone, A – e', 40-60) A mature, sophisticated, wealthy French planter. He has lived on the island in exile for 16 years. He has two children, Jerome and Ngana, by his late Polynesian wife. Emile is an honorable man of great bravery. A good French accent is required. Audition songs are “Some Enchanted Evening“ and “This Nearly Was Mine.”
B L O O D Y M A R Y (g to f'', comedic) A beloved – and blunt – entrepreneurial Tonkinese woman, Bloody Mary is
clever, resourceful, unflappable and full of character. She runs her own business, selling souvenirs to the navy men while paying her native craftspeople generously. Above all, Bloody Mary wants the best possible life for her daughter, Liat.
Audition song is “Bali Ha’i”
L I A T (Non-singing, 16-20) Bloody Mary's young, beautiful and innocent Polynesian daughter, Liat speaks French but
manages to transcend the barriers of language by falling for American Lt. Joe Cable. Unlike her scheming, ambitious
mother, Liat has simple aspirations, valuing love over material possessions. Even though this part is non-singing, you may be apart of the ensemble and asked to sing “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair”
L U T H E R B I L L I S (Baritone, G - g', comic role, age is open) A crafty Seabee who desperately wants to visit the off-
limits island of Bali Ha'i. He is an enterprising, gregarious and loveable character who provides his fellow marines with
much-needed comic relief. He often gets himself into trouble and does not respect authority. He has a deep respect and
admiration for Nellie and is always looking out for his fellow Seabees. Audition song is “There is Nothing like a Dame”
L T . J O S E P H C A B L E (Tenor, e to g', 20-35) Graduated from Princeton, a lieutenant from outside Philadelphia, Cable
has come from a little island south of Marie Louise seeking Emile de Becque. He is charged with the order to execute a
mission to spy on Japanese encroachment from inside their territory. Formal and reserved at first, he falls in love with
Liat and must resolve his inner conflict concerning race. Audition song is “Younger Than Springtime”
N G A N A ( 1 1 ) A N D JE R O M E ( 8 ) (8 to 12) Emile’s son and daughter by his late Polynesian wife. They speak only French. Audition song is “Dites-Moi”
C A P T . G EO R G E B R AC K E T T : (Non-singing, 50-70) The highest-ranking commanding officer for the US Navy camp on the island. He is all business but not without a soft side.
C M D R . W I L L I A M H A R B I S O N : (Non-singing, 25 - 50) Second in command on the island, he is Capt. Brackett’s
right-hand man. He can be hotheaded, especially when Billis is concerned.
E N S E M B L E O F M E N A N D W O M E N , 18-50, good singers, for the following roles (may also play islanders,
Sailers, Seabees, Marines, pilots, nurses, nuns, French girls, etc) Audition song for men: “There is Nothing like a Dame.
”
Audition song for women: “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”
H E N R Y : (18-50, French dialect) - Emile's Polynesian house butler, He is a native of the island and speaks French.
S T E W P O T : (Baritone, 18-40) A sailor and cohort of Luther Billis, Stewpot helps Billis with running his homemade
washing machine. He is Carpenter's Mate Second Class George Watts. Requires dancing.
R A D I O O P E R A T O R R O B M C C A F F R E Y : A sailor and operator for the radio used to communicate during Lt.
Cable’s mission. Some dance.
P R O F E S S O R - part of Luther Billis Enterprises, went to college, some dance.
L T . B U Z Z A D A M S - Pilot, excellent storyteller, some dance.
Y E O M A N H E R B E R T Q U A L E – a sailor, does administrative and clerical work for Capt. Bracket and loves
collecting souvenirs, some dance.
A S H O R E P A T R O L M A N Shore Patrolman, some dance.
M A R I N E S E R G E A N T J O H N S O N - Marine, dancer, must be able to do a handstand.
T H O M A S H A S S I N G E R - Marine, weightlifter, doesn't take any flack, some dance.
E N S I G N D I N A H M U R P H Y - Nellie's best friend, down to earth, good dancer.
E N S I G N J A N E T M A C G R E G O R - Also Nellie's friend, classy and career-minded.
G E N E V I E V E M A R S H A L L - Lead nurse, husky, but physically fit.
S U E E L L I E Y E A G E R - Follower, naive, must be able to do a barrel roll.
C O R A M A C R A E - Shy, must be able to do a hitch kick and scissors.
B L O O D Y M A R Y ’ S A S S I S T A N T Bloody Mary’s daughter
AUDITION DATE & TIME:
Saturday, March 1, from 10am to 1pm at the Historic Pelzer Auditorium (214 Lebby Street, Pelzer). Time slots will be assigned to minimize waiting. Email cameron@milltownplayers.org to sign up. Callbacks will be held on Saturday, March 22, from 2pm to 5pm.
Please prepare 16 bars of a song from the character you are interested in playing. The audition songs are listed
with the character descriptions. If you are interested in being a part of the ensemble, men should prepare 16
bars from “There is Nothing Like a Dame” and women should prepare 16 bars from “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.”
You will be expected to perform a dance combination which will be taught the day of the audition. You will also be reading scenes from the play. Please provide a headshot/resume. You will also be asked to share your conflicts for the rehearsal period.
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES
Rehearsals will begin May 27 and run through opening. Most rehearsals are Monday-Saturday and built around conflicts.
Not all actors will be called for every rehearsal. Show dates are July 25-27, July 31–August 3, and August 7-10. Thursday and Friday shows are at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday shows are at 3pm (no Saturday night shows). Actors must be available for all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances to be cast. For additional questions please contact Will Ragland, Executive Artistic Director, at will@milltownplayers.org
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