MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE
INVITES LOCAL PERFORMERS
TO AUDITION FOR NEXT SEASON
Every stage production begins with auditions, and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre is encouraging local professional performers to try out.
The first of the Theatre’s auditions for the shows in its 2015/16 season, Another Op’nin’, Another Show, will take place in Jupiter on Wednesday, April 15, with auditions for all of the shows: Agatha Christie: The Mousetrap (October 25 – November 8), Billy Elliot The Musical (December 1 – 20), The Will Rogers Follies (January 12 – 31), Frost/Nixon (February 7 – 21) and Kiss Me, Kate (March 8 – 27). Performers auditioning for the season’s dramas should be ready to read passages from the script. Performers auditioning for the musicals should come prepared with two brief contrasting musical theatre songs (up-tempo and ballad) and a one-minute monologue, and are asked to bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. All auditioning should bring a headshot and résumé.
Other upcoming auditions in Jupiter include auditions specifically for the two dramas (The Mousetrapand Frost/Nixon) on Monday, April 20, as well as auditions specifically for the three musicals (Billy Elliot The Musical, The Will Rogers Follies, and Kiss Me, Kate) on Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22.
As the largest regional theatre in Florida, the Theatre is one of the area’s top employers of both onstage and backstage talent, including directors, choreographers, designers, musicians, performers and stage crew. To cast its professional shows, the Theatre draws from both local and national talent. Of 90 stage roles needed during the 2014/15 season, 36 performers were from Florida. The remaining 54 performers were from New York and elsewhere.
“People have the misconception that talent can only be found in New York or other big cities – but talent exists everywhere,” said Andrew Kato, the Theatre’s producing artistic director. “We’d like to encourage local performers to read the casting information on the Theatre’s website, find a role that interests them, make an appointment, show up to auditions and let their talents be known. Our first priority is to employ talented actors from this area.”
Between 400 and 700 people typically audition in New York for each of the Theatre’s large-scale musicals, and as many as 250 people audition for its plays. However, the Theatre’s leaders always give strong consideration to local performers due to their desire to support local talent. There are also financial incentives to hiring locally, since the Theatre is required to offer housing to any union performer outside a 50-mile radius. All directors are present at callbacks.
“There are so many opportunities to be seen at our Theatre,” said Rachel Blavatnik, the Theatre’s associate producer and company manager who coordinates casting. “Just like on Broadway, we follow Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) union requirements and host Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs), or union open calls. However, non-union actors can also attend these auditions and wait in line to be seen. All performers are encouraged to make an appointment.”
The theatre is also holding auditions for its season shows in two major cities outside of South Florida: Chicago (for Agatha Christie: The Mousetrap) and New York City. The Theatre is also a member of the Florida Professional Theatres Association (FPTA), which holds state-wide auditions every summer – this year in Vero Beach on May 17 and 18. Blavatnik attends each year.
“The opportunities abound each year, from comedy and drama to big, splashy musicals,” Blavatnik said. “The needs are often very specific to the particular shows we are doing. This season, we have a masterful whodunit and a riveting drama, as well as a contemporary new musical and two large-scale classic musicals. There are many opportunities for all types of talented performers.”
The Theatre’s New York musical auditions often take place over five days, including a day for an open casting call, two days for agent submissions, a day for dance calls and a day for callbacks.
Public student auditions will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the Theatre’s sixth annual First Step to Stardom audition day, with roles for dozens of students (ages 7 – 24). The day will feature casting for the Theatre’s professional productions Billy Elliot the Musical (about a boy who trades in his boxing gloves for ballet shoes), The Will Rogers Follies (a Tony Award®-winning musical extravaganza), Frost/Nixon (a fast-paced, riveting drama) and Kiss Me, Kate (a witty and delightful Cole Porter musical).
Full details of all of the Theatre’s casting sessions can be found by visiting
www.jupitertheatre.org and clicking on the “auditions” button on the side of the page. First Step to Stardom audition information can be found by visiting
www.jupitertheatre.org/fsts.
About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws nearly 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,626 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit
www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at
(561) 575-2223.
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