Ford's Theatre Society
CONTRACT
LORT Non-Rep $1,008 weekly minimum (LORT B)
SEEKING
Equity actors for roles in Ford’s Theatre 2022-23 Season (see breakdown).
Ford’s Theatre Society has a mandatory vaccination policy for all artists and employees. The policy is designed to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
INSTRUCTIONS
SEE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS IN BREAKDOWN. Submit your recorded .mov file (not to exceed 2 minutes) audition via e-mail no later than Monday, January 31, 2022 at 5:00 P.M ET. In accordance with Equity protocols, recorded auditions will be destroyed once reviewed and considered.
Deadline: Mon, Jan 31, 2022
SUBMIT TO
PERSONNEL
Viewing auditions:
Jose Carrasquillo, Director of Artistic Programming
Erika Scott, Artistic Programming Manager
OTHER DATES
See production specific dates in breakdown.
OTHER
Please note: The Ford’s Theatre Society’s 2022-23 theatre season will not be formally announced until Spring of 2022. Although this notice will be posted by Equity and appear in various trade publications, we ask you to not post any related season information on social media. We appreciate your support and discretion.
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 submit.
BREAKDOWN
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:
For plays: Please prepare a classic or modern monologue from the canon of American drama that’s no more than 90 seconds.
For musical auditions: You may use the cut of Amazing Grace and music sheet provided in the link below: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gyszgdg97bwz3h2/AAD_w7SYK6HTs0dnyacH-Xhwa?dl=0 2) OR a selection (of your own choice) rooted in the gospel musical tradition for which you can provide your own accompaniment.
You may do both a monologue and a song. Please do not exceed 2 minutes. Please frame yourself so that we can clearly see your head and torso.
PROGRAMMING AND DATES BELOW ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
The Trip to Bountiful
By Horton Foote
Directed by Michael Wilson
1st Rehearsal: Friday, August 19, 2022
1st Performance: Friday, September 23, 2022
Opens: Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Closes: Sunday, October 16, 2022
THE FOLLOWING ROLES HAVE BEEN CAST. SEEKING UNDERSTUDIES FOR:
CARRIE WATTS: Lives with her busy, overprotective son, LUDIE WATTS, and pretentious daughter-in-law, JESSIE MAE. No longer able to drive and forbidden to travel alone, she wishes for freedom from the confines of the house and begs her son to take her on a visit to Bountiful. Late 60’s to mid 70’s.
LUDIE WATTS: Son of CARRIE WATTS. Husband to JESSIE MAE WATTS. Product of a loveless marriage, trapped by financial circumstances, unable to provide as a husband or son. Mid 40’s.
JESSIE MAE WATTS: Wife of LUDIE WATTS. Daughter in-law to CARRIE WATTS. Although territorial and small minded at times, she is a woman with great vitality. Late 30’s.
THELMA: A young woman that CARRIE WATTS encounters on the bus. Radiant, raised well, happy, pure and open. 20’s.
ROY, TICKET AGENT IN HARRISON: Male, 30-60 range.
HOUSTON TICKET #1 / SHERIFF: Small town law enforcement representative. Seasoned professional of the force. Male, 40s-60s range.
HOUSTON TICKET #2 / VOICE OF BUS DRIVER: Male, 30-60 range.
A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Michael Wilson
Original direction by Michael Baron
1st Rehearsal: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
1st Performance: Friday, November 18, 2022
Opens: Friday, November 18, 2022
Closes: Saturday, December 31, 2022
ALL ROLES OPEN TO ANY ETHNICITIES:
EBENEZER SCROOGE: Age range 50’s (or older). Transformed from jaded, pessimistic banker to joyful and appreciative philanthropist.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST/DOLL VENDOR: Age range 30’s (or older). Illuminates the joys of Christmas to Scrooge.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT/FRUIT VENDOR: Age range 40’s (or older). Towering physical presence. Joyful spirit.
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE/CLOCK VENDOR: Age range 40’s (or older). Sturdy physical frame. A scary presence communicates nonverbally.
MRS. DILBER/MRS/ FEZZIWIG: Age range 40’s (or older). Scrooge’s opinionated cook/housekeeper. Mrs. Fezziwig is spirited and joyful, a real firecracker.
JACOB MARLEY: Age range 40’s (or older). Deceased business partner of Scrooge. Once bitter, he now cautions Scrooge against self-serving practices.
BOB CRATCHIT: Age range 30’s-40’s. Cheerful and devoted employee of Scrooge. Optimistic and caring father.
MRS. CRATCHIT: Age range 30’s-40’s. Loving wife of Bob Cratchit. Worried mother, harbors ill will toward Scrooge.
FRED: Age range late 20’s. Scrooge’s young nephew. Genial and appreciative of the Christmas Spirit.
MRS. FRED: Age range late 20’s. Wife of Fred. Strong-willed, but with a generous spirit.
MRS. FRED’S SISTER: Age range 20’s. Sassy and opinionated.
TOPPER/YOUNG JACOB MARLEY: Age range 20’s. Bumbling with words, pleasant attitude, boyish charm.
SOLICITOR #1: Age range 30’s (or older). Jovial lawyer with a hearty laugh and quick smile.
SOLICITOR #2/UNDERTAKER: Age range 30’s (or older). Generous lawyer, but a bit of a hothead.
FEZZIWIG: Age range 40’s (or older). Jovial merchant, former business affiliate of Scrooge. An energetic dancer.
BELLE: Age range 20’s. Love interest of young Scrooge. Beautiful, with a heart of gold.
Shout, Sister, Shout!
By Cheryl L. West (Inspired by Gayle Wald’s book, Shout, Sister, Shout!)
Directed by Kenneth L. Roberson
1st Rehearsal: Thursday, February 2, 2023
1st Performance: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Opens: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Closes: Saturday, May 20, 2023
THE FOLLOWING ROLES HAVE BEEN CAST. SEEKING UNDERSTUDIES FOR:
ROSETTA THARPE: Female, mid 30s – early 40s, Black. Various ages from 18 to 58. Very strong singer and guitarist. The “Godmother of Rock ‘N Roll”. Has the ability to organically sing and play gospel, rhythm & blues and rock ‘n roll. Plays live guitar. Guitar & piano experience –a plus. (Mezzo-Soprano. Early Gospel-Rock).
KATIE BELL NUBIN: Female, 50s – 60s, Black. Rosetta’s mother, a Pentecostal evangelist who loves her daughter, but questions her choices. Very strong singer – a church/gospel powerhouse. (Gospel Mezzo-Soprano. Classic Spiritual-Early Gospel).
SEEKING ALL ENSEMBLE ROLES AND UNDERSTUDIES
(Ensemble tracks are subject to change & contracted “as cast”)
ENSEMBLE / MARIE KNIGHT AND OTHERS: Female, late 20s – 30s, Black. Glamorous musical and romantic partner to Rosetta. Very strong singer with range. Able to sing gospel to rock. Plays piano. Piano experience - a plus. Excellent dancer. Tap – a plus. (Soprano-Alto. Rich Section voice).
ENSEMBLE / LEEANNIE AND OTHERS: Female, late 20s – 30s, Black. A very strong singer with range. A gossip and pious member of Reverend Tharpe’s congregation - with a secret. Excellent dancer. Tap dancer. (Voice type TBD).
ENSEMBLE / COMMERCIAL WOMAN/NURSE SOLOIST AND OTHERS: Female, late 20s- early 30s, Black. A very strong Gospel singer with range. Excellent dancer. Tap dancer. (Gospel Mix-Belt Soprano).
ENSEMBLE / MAHALIA JACKSON AND OTHERS: Female, 30s, Black. A very strong singer. Mahalia Jackson, the famous gospel singer. A church/gospel powerhouse. Excellent dancer. Tap – a plus. (Contralto/Mezzo with range. Classic Spiritual-Early Gospel).
ENSEMBLE / REVEREND THARPE AND OTHERS: Male, late 30s – early 40s, Black. Very strong singer to play Rosetta’s large and imposing husband, Reverend Tharpe - a charming and charismatic preacher who disapproves of Rosetta’s music. Actor/host Ernie “Bubbles” Whitman. Excellent dancer. Tap - a plus. (Possibly 2nd Tenor-Baritone. Charismatic Gospel Voice).
ENSEMBLE / CAB CALLOWAY AND OTHERS: Male, early to mid 30s, Black. A charismatic singer. Cotton Club bandleader Cab Calloway and church/gospel Praise Brother Bo Willie. Comfortable in engaging & exciting an audience. Excellent dancer. Tap – a plus. Conducting skills – a plus. (Possibly Charismatic gospel Tenor or Baritone-Tenor with range. Spiritual Call & Response Lead).
ENSEMBLE / LITTLE RICHARD AND OTHERS: Male, 18+ to portray a 16–18-year-old. Little Richard, Black. An excellent singer (from Gospel to Rock ‘n Roll), Nicholas Brother, and 20-something Cotton Club producer, Levi. Comfortable engaging an audience. Excellent dancer. Tap dancer. Plays piano. Piano experience – a plus. (1st Tenor. Charismatic Gospel & Early Rock ‘n Roll. Able to scream!).
ENSEMBLE / BLUES MAN AND OTHERS: Male, 30-40s, Black. An excellent singer to play street Blues Man and rhythm-and-blues/swing bandleader Lucky Millinder. Comfortable engaging an audience. Excellent dancer. Tap – a plus. Conducting skills – a plus. (Possibly Bass or Bass-Baritone. Charismatic Gospel).
ENSEMBLE / DIZZY GILLESPIE AND OTHERS: Male, early 30s, Black. A charming singer and excellent musician. Trumpet virtuoso Dizzy Gillespie. Plays live trumpet. Trumpet experience - a plus. Excellent dancer. Tap – a plus. Comfortable engaging & exciting an audience. (Possibly Rich Gospel baritone or 2nd Tenor).
ENSEMBLE / RUSSELL MORRISON AND OTHERS: Male, late 30s – 40s, Black. A versatile singer who can engage & excite an audience. Rosetta’s 3rd and final husband Russell; (in his late 50s/early 60s), a Nicholas Brother, a spirit-filled Pastor; and Decca Records producer. Excellent dancer. Tap dancer. (Possibly Bass or Rich Gospel baritone. Classic Gospel Lead).
ENSEMBLE / RICHIE – Male, late 30s-early 40s, White. A very strong singer. Rosetta’s agent, Richie and Cotton Club Stage Manager: Billy. Tap – a plus. (Baritone-Tenor with vocal flexibility. Versatile Southern Gospel Voice.
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 submit.
Videos
