Ford's Theatre 2017-18 Season - NYC EPA
Ford's Theatre Society
AUDITION DATE
Dec 19, 2016
9:30 am - 5:30 pm (EST)
Lunch 1 to 2
CONTRACT
LORT Non-RepLORT A; $992/week current min plus housing and r/t transportation. (note: theatre intends to pay above min)
SEEKING
Equity actors and actors/singers for various roles in the 2017-18 Season. see breakdown
PREPARATION
Prepare either:
1) Prepare a brief monologue; OR
2) Prepare a brief song; OR
3) Prepare a one-minute monologue and 16 bars of a song.
(total audition time under 2 minutes)
See suggestions under each show in breakdown for type of monologue/song to prepare according to show you are most interested in auditioning for.
If singing, bring sheet music; accompanist provided.
Bring picture and resume.
LOCATION
Pearl Studios NYC (500)
500 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10018-6504
4th floor
PERSONNEL
Artistic Director: Paul R. Tetreault
Casting Representatives expected to be in attendance at the EPA: Patrick Pearson, Stephanie Klapper, Alexa Magnotto, and Ari Rudess
OTHER
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity monitor will be provided.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
BREAKDOWN
DEATH OF A SALESMAN:
Director: Stephen Rayne
Playwright: Arthur Miller
Casting: Stephanie Klapper Casting
1st Rehearsal: August 22nd, 2017
1st Preview: September 29th, 2017
Opening: October 4th, 2017
Closing: October 29th, 2017
**Audition Preparation suggestion: Please prepare a one minute long 20th century classic American monologue (Miller, Williams, Hellman, Odets, Hansberry, etc).
The following roles have been cast; seeking understudies and replacements for:
WILLY
CAST. (60s) The titular Salesman. The world has continued to move forward, leaving him further and further behind. Unstable, insecure and self-deluded.
LINDA
CAST. (50s) Willy’s loving and supportive wife. She is his harbor is a world of rough seas. Knows much more about what is happening that she initially lets on.
BIFF
CAST. (34) (17 in flashbacks). Tall, handsome. Bears a worn air and seems less self-assured than Happy. Was the star quarterback in high school. Needs great emotional range and vulnerability.
HAPPY
CAST. (32) (15 in flashbacks). Tall, powerfully built. Sexuality is a visible color on him. Hard-skinned, and seemingly more content than Biff. Masculine, handsome.
CHARLEY
CAST. (50s-60s) A self-made business man. Slow in speech, laconic, immovable. In contrast to Willy, he is stable, secure and a strong presence.
BERNARD
CAST. (34) (17 in flashbacks). The non-sporty neighbor of the Loman’s. A clear contrast to Biff and Happy. He turns into a quiet, earnest, self-assured young man and a very successful lawyer.
UNCLE BEN
CAST. (50s-60s) Willy’s older brother. Has an authoritative air and is utterly certain of his destiny. Presented as an ideal memory of Willy’s.
HOWARD
CAST. (36) Willy’s employer, and the son of Willy’s former boss who inherited the business and continues to make it a success. Affluent, polished and self satisfied family man.
JENNY CAST. (40s/50s) The long lasting secretary to Charley.
THE WOMAN
CAST. (40s and older) An office worker/secretary with whom Willy had an affair. She appears only in flashbacks. Comfortable in her skin.
MISS FORSYTHE
CAST. (20s) A beautiful young woman who meets Happy and Biff at Frank’s Chop House.
LETTA
CAST. (20s) A beautiful young woman who meets Happy and Biff at Frank’s Chop House.
STANLEY
CAST. (20s-30s) A New Yorker with wit. An acquaintance of Happy.
WAITER
CAST. (20s-40s) A New Yorker with wit.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL:
Director: Michael Baron
Playwright: Charles Dicksons
Adapted by: Michael Wilson
Casting: Stephanie Klapper Casting
1st Rehearsal: October 30th, 2017
1st Preview: November 16th, 2017
Opening: November 24th, 2017
Closing: December 31st, 2017
**Audition Preparation suggestion: Please prepare a one minute long 20th century classic American monologue (Miller, Williams, Hellman, Odets, Hansberry, etc).
The following roles have been filled with returning actors; seeking understudies and replacements for:
EBENEZER SCROOGE
CAST. (50s or older) Transformed from jaded, pessimistic banker to joyful and appreciative philanthropist.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST/DOLL VENDOR
CAST. (30s or older) Illuminates the joys of Christmas to Scrooge.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT/FRUIT VENDOR
CAST. (40s or older) Towering physical presence. Joyful spirit.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE/CLOCK VENDOR
CAST. (40s or older) Sturdy physical frame. As ghost, communicates non-verbally.
JACOB MARLEY
CAST. (40s or older) Deceased business partner of Scrooge. Once bitter, he now cautions Scrooge against self serving practices.
BOB CRATCHIT
CAST. (30s-40s) Cheerful and devoted employee of Scrooge. Optimistic and caring father.
MRS. CRATCHIT
CAST. (30s-40s) Loving wife of Bob Cratchit. Worried mother, harbors ill will toward Scrooge.
FRED
CAST. (late 20s) Scrooge’s young nephew. Genial and appreciative of the Christmas Spirit.
MRS. FRED
CAST. (late 20s) Wife of Fred. Strong-willed, but with a generous spirit.
MRS. FRED’S SISTER
CAST. (20s) Sassy and opinionated.
TOPPER/YOUNG JACOB MARLEY
CAST. (20s) Bumbling with words, pleasant attitude, boyish charm.
SOLICITOR #1
CAST. (30s or older) Jovial lawyer with a hearty laugh and quick smile.
SOLICITOR #2
CAST. (30s or older) Generous lawyer, but a bit of a hothead.
FEZZIWIG
CAST. (40s or older) Jovial merchant, former business affiliate of Scrooge. An energetic dancer.
MRS. FEZZIWIG
CAST. (30s or older) Wife of Fezziwig. Spirited and joyful; a real firecracker.
BELLE
CAST. (20s) Love interest of young Scrooge. Beautiful, with a heart of gold.
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JEFFERSON’S GARDEN:
Director: Nataki Garrett
Playwright: Timberlake Wertenbaker
Casting: Stephanie Klapper Casting
1st Rehearsal: December 12th, 2017
1st Preview: January 19th, 2018
Opening: January 24th, 2018
Closing: February 11th, 2018
**Audition Preparation suggestion: Please prepare a one minute long 20th century classic American monologue (Miller, Williams, Hellman, Odets, Hansberry, etc).
Seeking
CHRISTIAN/CHORUS
(White Male, 20s) The son of Carl Christian who joins the revolutionary war to fight along side and follow Thomas Jefferson. Falls in love with Susannah. Later marries Betty.
JAMES/CHORUS
(African American/Biracial Black Male, 30s) Half brother of Sally Hemmings and a slave of Thomas Jefferson. Learns the trade of a chef in Paris. Is later granted his freedom.
DANIEL/MASON/PERRAULT/CHORUS
(White Male, 40s-50s) Plays several characters including a Quaker shoemaker who saves Carl Christian on the ship headed to America; American Revolutionary/Founding Father George Mason; Monsieur Perrault, James and Sally’s French Tutor.
JEFFERSON/CARL CHRISTIAN/CHORUS
(White Male, 40s) Thomas Jefferson during the American Revolution through penning the Declaration of Independence. Owner of Enslaved Africans. Also plays Carl Christian, Christian’s father, a Quaker and shoemaker who comes from European Nobility.
SUSANNAH/CHORUS
(African American, late 20s-early 30s) Enslaved black woman who escapes to freedom during the American Revolution. Falls in love with and is betrayed by Christian.
SALLY/BETTY/CHORUS
(Multi racial or White Female late 20s-early 30s) Enslaved mistress of Thomas Jefferson; The daughter of Virginia planters who marries Christian.
HARRY/MADISON/CHORUS
(White Male, 20s) A British Soldier who is assigned to live with the Quaker Family. Inspires Christian to fight in the Revolution.
MARTHA/NELLY ROSE/CHORUS
(White Female, 30s-40s) Wife of Harry; Wife of Madison
LOUISA/IMOGEN/CHORUS
(White Female, 20s) Daughter of Harry; Christian’s sister.
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THE WIZ:
Director: Kent Gash
Musical Direction: Darius Smith
Choreography: Dell Howlett
Book by: William F. Brown
Music and Lyrics: Charlie Smalls
Casting: Stephanie Klapper Casting
1st Rehearsal: January 30th, 2018
1st Preview: March 9th, 2018
Opening: March 14th, 2018
Closing: May 12th, 2018
**Audition Preparation suggestion: One minute musical theatre selection appropriate to the show
Seeking: Seeking consummate triple threats
The following characters are people of color: i.e. African American, African, Afro Latino, Afro-Hispanic, Blatino, Bi-racial or Multicultural descent and cultural origin.
DOROTHY
(Female, Seeking someone 18+ who is believable as 13-17 years old) Mezzo Soprano. A force of nature from the heartland of Kansas who has a big and innocent heart, a huge, indomitable spirit and a miraculous one of a kind voice that’s bigger than all of that put together. A natural leader, without realizing it, quite sensitive and much stronger than she knows. Must be a star personality to anchor an entire production and a superb singer with a bright warm, soulful rich and facile voice that is equally adept at buttery velvet sounds, gospel infused power and with an unfailing sense of rhythmic funk and precision.
SCARECROW
(Male, 18-20s, Tenor) Excellent dancer with a warm and winning spirit. An energetic free-wheeling enthusiastic lovable young man who is tired of the prospect of not going anywhere. He is always game for an adventure and eager for new experiences. His energy and enthusiasm and passionate curiosity can send him into action without knowing what he’s doing or where he’s going, but he always knows what he wants.
LION
(Male, Age flexible. High bari-tenor) Tall, larger than life with consummate comic timing! Needs a huge, soulful Lion-like Roar of a voice. He is all bravado but he can only float like a butterfly... his bee has no sting! Coward state stems from deeper mother issues, and gets regular counseling from an owl.
THE WIZ
(Male, mid 20s-30s) Power rock, soul tenor. Giant, larger than life energy and persona. The Wiz is an amalgam of every great black mega-star throughout pop culture history. Dynamic, surprising, astonishing, mercurial, enigmatic, charismatic. He is magic. He hides his true nature behind the facade of a temperamental leader.
ADDAPERLE/ENSEMBLE
(Female, Mezzo Soprano) Good Witch of the North. A stylish funny jazz baby who must have superb comic timing and a larger than life old school entertainer's presence. Should have an unfailing ability to swing. Ability to tap dance a plus.
UNCLE HENRY/EMERALD CITY GATEKEEPER/LORD HIGH UNDERLING/ENSEMBLE
(Male, Age Flexible, Minimal singing) Strong character actor with a facile voice and a great sense of theatrical character and invention. UNCLE HENRY: Dorothy's Uncle. A strong man who works with his hands. Often acts as the calming voice of reason between Aunt Em and Dorothy. GATEKEEPER: Idiosyncratic, with haute style, wit and an indelible sense of class and grandeur. A cultural code-switcher. UNDERLING: The neurotic flunk Lieutenant of the Wicked Witch of the West.
TIN MAN
(Role already Cast) (Male, Age flexible, Baritone) Human at one time who lost all his limbs due to a cursed axe. Joins in the journey in hopes the Wiz will provide him a heart because “it isn’t enough to be good looking.”
AUNT EM
(Role already Cast) (Female, 30s) Mezzo Soprano. Dorothy's Aunt. A strong woman with a clear moral compass who loves Dorothy and her husband dearly. Life has not been easy for her. Harsh, but acts out of love.
EVILLENE
(Role already Cast) (Female, Age Flexible, Alto) Wicked Witch of the West. Low-down evil. Not a kind bone in her body nor kind thought in her rotten mind. An old school gospel shouter with a hint of funk.
GLINDA
(Role already Cast) (Female, Age Flexible, Alto)
Good Witch of the South. Prettiest of all the witches. Very wise in the way of show business.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
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