The Arvada Center announces auditions for “Trav’lin - The 1930s Harlem Musical”
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will hold auditions for Trav’lin - The 1930s Harlem Musical on November 27, 2018, and in New York City, on January 9, 2019. Denver Callbacks are scheduled for November 29, 2018. The Arvada Center production will be directed by Rod A. Lansberry and choreographed by Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck. Rod A. Lansberry is the Producing Artistic Director of Musical Theatre at the Arvada Center, which is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada, Colorado.
Adult Principal:
Colorado Principal auditions are on November 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only.
General Audition Requirements:
Experienced performers with strong acting and singing abilities are needed. Dancing abilities are required. Seeking principals and understudies. See the character breakdown (below) for specifics on available roles. Actors should prepare 16-32 bars from a song appropriate to the style of the show. Please bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Recorded music or a cappella audition will eliminate casting consideration. Audio and video submissions will not be considered. A current headshot and résumé are required. Equity members must have a current equity ID card. This is an Equity LORT B production; non-equity actors will be considered. Unless specifically noted, roles are not limited to any specific ethnicity, size or age. Please do not contact the production staff to schedule an appointment.
Visit
http://arvadacenter.org/on-stage/auditions to schedule an online appointment time. Actors who cannot access the website should call 720-898-7200 to schedule an audition time. Actors must be 18 years and older to audition.
New York Auditions:
Wojcik/Seay Casting will coordinate the New York City auditions, to be held on January 9, 2019. To be considered for a New York audition, mail a hard copy of your headshot and résumé and indicate the role you are interested in (if known) to the following address:
Wojcik/Seay Casting
Attn. Trav’lin Arvada CO production
247 West 38th Street 10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
NO CALLS PLEASE – qualified actors will be contacted to schedule an audition
Rehearsal and Performance Dates:
Rehearsals for Trav’lin - The 1930s Harlem Musical begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. The production opens Tuesday, April 9, 2019 and runs through Sunday, April 28, 2019. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for a total of eight shows per week.
Trav’lin – The 1930s Harlem Musical Character breakdown:
A world of love and jazz through the songs and music of an era of Romance. All characters are true to life with a lot of individual personalities. Definitely not caricatures but true to the time and setting of the piece. 1930s Harlem. The age of the Harlem Renaissance that produced influential music and style. Music by JC Johnson.
Please prepare 16 -32 bars of music with an emphasis on vocal styles of the period. Preferably up tempo blues or jazz with a strong approach of the 30’s style of music. Please have a contrasting second selection available if needed.
Cast:
George - African American male. 60’s. Retired Pullman porter, Church Deacon, and unofficial Mayor of 132nd street. An orderly gentleman with memories of a life and time passed that he revels in. Regrets parts of the past but embraces the present and the future. Revisits his previous relationship to Billie. Half of the experienced couple who doesn’t always get it right. Vocal Range; powerful, strong tenor / high baritone. G above middle C
Billie - African American female. 60’s. The sweetheart George left behind 40 years ago. Strong and direct with a mind of her own. A woman of experience and style but a street wise reality. Lives through her past and struggles with the present. Still has strong feelings and memories of George. Other half of the experienced couple that doesn’t always get it right. Vocal Range; big voiced Blues singer – alto / low mezzo. Belt up to D
Archie - African American male. 30’s. A numbers runner and a self-styled ladies’ man. A flirt but has a deep down love for Roz. Charismatic and self-assured and not willing to settle into a relationship, “yet”. Still likes the ladies but is a rascal not a scoundrel. Has assurance and bravado, often to his own detriment, covers his need to still play the game but remain safe. Roz’s long time main squeeze. The comic half with Roz. Vocal Range; smooth character type jazz voice, high baritone. G above middle C
Roz - African American female. 30’s. Beauty Shop owner of Roz’s House of Beauty. Archie’s long suffering woman. Strong willed and stubborn but truly wants her man, even with his faults. Stylish with an air of sophistication but realistic to every day matters. Definitely a brassy quality and open to adventure. Stylish with a sense of pride in herself and her appearance. A softy underneath. The comic half with Archie. Vocal Range; sassy high alto / mezzo. Strong belt / mix up to Eb
Nelson - African American male. 20’s. Traveling bible and hymnal salesman. Ella’s beau. Innocent and insecure, especially about romance. Strongly in love with Ella but confused and somewhat afraid of the ways of love. Willing to commit but afraid of the consequences. Easily swayed by outside influences. Definitely the ingénue partner to Ella. Vocal Range; sweet voiced ingénue tenor / high baritone. High note F# above middle C
Ella - African American female. 20’s. George’s young niece. Staying with him for nursing school. Sweet and innocent and the perfect match for Nelson but doesn’t know it. Has a backbone and shows it when needed. Not a pushover but definitely falls in love with the idea of love. Somewhat naïve and can be swayed by other opinions and her own ideals. Definitely the ingénue partner to Nelson. Vocal Range; sweet jazz –pop with a strong belt-mix up to D. Soprano up to F for ensemble
Videos
