Arvada Center Holds Auditions For BIG RIVER 3/16, 3/17

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will hold auditions for "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Arvada Center. This production will be directed and choreographed by Stephen Bourneuf. Musical Director is David Nehls. Producer is Rod A. Lansberry.

Denver auditions will be held on March 16 and March 17, 2009. Auditions are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling (720) 898-7200.

New York auditions will be held March 24, 25 and 26, 2009. New York casting by Gayle Seay at Wojcik and Seay Casting. Gayle@rwcast.com

Experienced performers with strong singing and acting abilities are needed. This is an Equity LORT B production, although non-equity actors may audition. Actors should prepare 16 to 32 bars of one up-tempo
"character" song and one ballad in a "country (or gospel)- meets-Broadway" style. You may choose a song from this show. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. No taped or acapella music allowed. Headshot and resume are required. Equity members please
bring your current ID card.

Rehearsals for "Big River" begin on June 24, 2009. The show opens July, 14, 2009 and runs through August 9, 2009, Tuesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for a total of eight shows per week.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is the metro area's seventh largest cultural attraction, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities
District (SCFD).

"Big River" Character Breakdown
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

HUCKLEBERRY FINN--Early 20's. Bari-tenor with strong acting and comedic skills. All-American country boy with the wonder, naiveté and adventurous spirit of a 14 year old combined with the Mark Twain wisdom of a 50-something. Searching for freedom from conventional societal structure in the 1840's.

JIM--Mid 30's to early 40's. Rich, soulful baritone with strong acting skills. African-American male with a childlike simplicity combined with a true strength of character and courage. Searching for freedom from
slavery in the 1840's.

TOM SAWYER--Early 20's. Bari-tenor with strong acting and comedic skills. All-American country boy with a matter-of-fact self assuredness who convinces all the other local boys that he is the chosen leader of their "gang." Searching for wild adventures in the midst of his ordinary, simple life.

THE KING--Late 40's to 60. Character man who sings, with strong acting and comedic skills. 1840's carpetbagger con artist passing himself off as aristocracy, claims to be a preacher and doctor, along with various scamming "jobs" along his journey searching for a quick buck and the easy life.

THE DUKE--Early 30's to 40. Character man who sings, with strong acting and comedic skills. 1840's carpetbagger con artist passing himself off as a Duke, claims to be an actor specializing in tragedy, along with
various scamming "jobs" along his journey searching for a quick buck and the easy life.

PAP FINN--Late 40's to mid 50's. Character man who sings, with strong acting and comedic skills. Huck's conniving, sly, drunken father who's always looking for the easy way out and a strong bottle of whiskey. Also
plays SHERIFF BELL.

JUDGE THATCHER/HARVEY WILKES/SILAS PHELPS--Late 40's to early 50's. Character man who sings, with strong acting skills. Also plays ENSEMBLE roles.

BEN ROGERS/HANK/YOUNG FOOL--Early 20's. Bari-tenor with strong acting and comedic skills. Sings ARKANSAS.

WIDOW DOUGLAS--Late 40's to mid 50's. Character woman who sings. Robust, appointed caretaker of Huck, determined to "civilize" him with a combination of old-fashioned Bible toting, strictness and compassion.
Also plays SALLY PHELPS.

MISS WATSON--Late 40's to mid 50's. Character woman who sings. Skinny old-maid spinster, sister to WIDOW DOUGLAS. Obsessed with religion, determined to keep Huck on the straight and narrow. Also plays STRANGE
WOMAN.

ALICE--Early 40's to early 50's. Singer with strong acting skills. African-American slave sold and separated from her daughter. Searching for consolation and justice.

ALICE'S DAUGHTER--Early to mid 20's. Rich, soulful Gospel-style singer with strong acting skills. African-American slave sold and separated from her mother, searching for consolation.

MARY JANE, JOANNA & SUSAN WILKES--Early 20's to 30. Eldest to youngest. Country-style singers with strong acting skills. Sisters who lose their father, searching for consolation and closure. Also play TARTS and ENSEMBLE roles.

ENSEMBLE--20's to early 50's. Singer/actor/basic stage movers used throughout the show in various roles which include--Mark Twain/DOCTOR, GANG BOYS, LAFE/COUNSELOR ROBINSON, DICK/ANDY, SLAVES and TOWNSPEOPLE. Will also understudy.