Olney Theatre Corporation
AUDITION DATE
Mon, Jan 06, 2020
9:30 am - 5:30 pm (EST)
Lunch 1 to 2
APPOINTMENTS
Contact casting@olneytheatre.org for Appointments
CONTRACT
COST Tier 1: $733 Mainstage/Historic; $586.40 Dev Projects
SEEKING
Equity actors/singers for various roles in the upcoming 2020-21 Season
PREPARATION
A monologue no longer than two minutes OR a brief song from your book OR a one-minute monologue and 16 bars of a song OR two contrasting 16 bar cuts. Auditions should not exceed 2 minutes. An accompanist and ASL interpreter will be provided. Please bring picture and resume.
LOCATION
Philly Improv Theater Mainstage
2030 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
PERSONNEL
Expected In attendance at EPA: Jenna Duncan - Associate Artistic Director
Olney Artistic Staff:
Artistic Director: Jason Loewith
Sr. Associate Artistic Director: Jason King Jones
Associate Artistic Director/Director of Musical Theatre: Christopher Youstra
Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director: Jenna Duncan
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of audition.
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
2020-2021 AEA Breakdown - Olney Theater Center
SHOWS:
THE THANKSGIVING PLAY
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
A.D. 16
DANCE NATION
MUD ROW
MUSIC MAN
THE OKUNI PROJECT (workshop)
RAFIQ (workshop)
Olney Theatre Center is committed to hiring actors who reflect the diversity of our world; we are actively seeking actors of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.
THE THANKSGIVING PLAY
By: Larissa FastHorse
Performance Space: Historic
Director: Raymond O. Caldwell
Important Dates:
Rehearsals Begin: 8/4/20
Opening: 10/10/20
Closing: 11/8/20
Synopsis:
Four earnestly progressive theatre-makers want to create a politically correct Thanksgiving play that is historically accurate, avoids all possible stereotypes and doesn’t offend anyone. Everything quickly flies off the rails. This wickedly hilarious satire hurtles into glorious chaos, skewering both its characters’ pretensions and the traditional “Thanksgiving story.”
Character Breakdown:
LOGAN: Female, Caucasian looking, the high school drama teacher that’s always pushing the envelope in potentially inappropriate ways. Earnest about theater and proving herself.
JAXTON: Male, Caucasian looking, yoga practitioner/actor. Politically correct to a fault. He’s that confident guy that
everyone loves, but his logical PC thinking takes weird turns.
ALICIA: Female, brunette, Caucasian looking but has looks that would have been cast as ethnic in 1950’s movies. Without guile.
CADEN: Male, Caucasian looking, the academic. Awkward elementary school history teacher with dramatic
aspirations but no experience.
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Howard Ashman & Tim Rice
Book: Linda Woolverton
Director: Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Performance Space: Mainstage
Important Dates:
Rehearsals Begin: 10/6/20
Tech Begins: 10/31/20
Previews Begin: 11/6/20
Opening: 11/12/20
Closing: 1/3/21
Possible Extension Through: 1/10/21
Synopsis:
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST tells the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Character Breakdown:
BELLE: Vibrant. Intelligent. Wants more out of life than a typical existence. Optimistic, fun-loving, eager to experience life.
BEAST: A Prince transformed into a terrifying beast for his lack of compassion. He is hot-tempered and commanding, but has a warm, loving heart buried far beneath his gruff exterior.
GASTON: The egotistical, ultra-masculine villain determine to marry Belle. He is manipulative yet charming and earnest.
MAURICE: Belle’s loving, eccentric father. A child at heart and inventor in his own world.
COGSWORTH: A tightly-wound, enchanted mantle clock and the head of the Beast’s household. He is uptight, strict, and punctual but also hard-working, faithful, and thorough.
MRS. POTTS: A warm-hearted, maternal enchanted teapot. She is loyal, caring, and playful.
LUMIERE: A suave, debonair enchanted candelabra. He is a loyal and steadfast servant, and quite the flirt.
CHIP: An enchanted teacup and Mrs. Pott’s darling little boy. He is innocent, playful, and bright-eyed.
BABETTE: A saucy, enchanted feather-duster, and the object of Lumiere’s affections. A playful, seductive French maid.
MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE: A former opera diva-turned-enchanted wardrobe. She has a caring, refined, larger than life personality.
LEFOU: Gaston’s bumbling sidekick. He is loyal, energetic, and optimistic, but not quite the brightest guy.
MONSIEUR D’ARQUE: The scheming proprietor of the local insane asylum. He is a dark, sinister villain who aides Gaston in his plot to marry Belle.
ENSEMBLE - Wolves, Enchanted Objects, Townspeople
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A.D. 16
Music & Lyrics: Cinco Paul
Book: Bekah Brunstetter
Director: Stephen Brackett
Performance Space: Mainstage
Important Dates
Rehearsals Begin: 1/5/21
Tech Begins: 1/30/21
Previews Begin: 2/5/21
Opening: 2/11/21
Closing: 3/7/21
Possible Extension Through: 3/14/21
Synopsis:
A world-premiere, A.D. 16 tells the story of what happens when teenage Mary Magdalene moves from Magdala to Nazareth with her father and falls in love with the boy next door: teenage Jesus. In a culture where women have little status, Mary’s efforts to win Jesus’ heart get her in trouble with her father, the local leper colony, and even the Sanhedrin. Which ultimately helps her discover the true meaning of love. Featuring an R&B score that evokes the best of TLC, En Vogue, Prince and more, this comedic coming-of-age story asks the question: what if your first crush was REALLY perfect?
Character Breakdown:
MARY MAGDALENE: A teenage girl new to Nazareth; defiant, refuses to follow tradition and wants to marry for love; bold and curious; blinded by what she thinks is love
JESUS: A teenage Nazarene boy not sure he wants to pursue carpentry, no bravado per se, if anything his is a bit awkward, but he is kind and calm; loves everyone
JACOB: Mary’s widower father, a smith; fiercely loves his daughter
SIMEON: Leader of the lepers
RUTH: Leader of the local group of popular teen girls
ESTHER: Ruth’s second
JESSICA: The third in the group, with low status because she’s barren
NICHOLAS: Head officer of the Sanhedrin
MARY CARPENTER (mother of Jesus) /MARY THE PROSTITUTE/SAPPHIRA THE LEPER
MATTHIAS (second in command officer /JOSEPH (father of Jesus) /THAD THE LEPER
BARTIMAEUS (third in command officer /LAZARUS (a wealthy merchant) /JUDGE
Other Ensemble TBA
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DANCE NATION
By: Clare Barron
Performance Space: Lab
Director: Paige Hernandez
Important Dates
Rehearsals Begin: 2/9/21
Tech Begins: 2/26/21
Previews Begin: 3/3/21
Opening: 3/6/21
Closing: 4/4/21
Synopsis:
Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they’ll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. A play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all.
Character Breakdown:
DANCE TEACHER PAT: The head of the dance studio
AMINA: The star dancer
ZUZU: Always second best
CONNIE: South Asian/Indian, a talented dancer who thinks she should play the role of Gandhi
LUKE: The only male dancer on the competition team
MAEVE: The oldest and least talented dancer on the team
SOFIA: Knows what’s up
ASHLEE: Future president of a post-apocalyptic USA
VANESSA: (aka THE CRUMPLED SAILOR) Could’ve been a phenomenon
THE MOMS: Means well. Grown up Wendy
All characters besides Dance Teacher Pat and The Moms are between the ages of 11 and 14 years old but played by adults with a diversity of ages
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MUD ROW
By: Dominique Morisseau
Performance Space: Lab
Important Dates:
Rehearsals Begin: 4/6/21
Tech Begins: 4/23/21
Previews Begin: 4/28/21
Opening: 5/1/21
Closing: 5/30/21
Possible Extension Through: 6/6/21
Synopsis:
Regine inherits a house she never wanted, while Toshi’s been squatting for three months. Elsie hopes to move up in the world; Frances fights to change it. Two generations of sisters protect and defy the legacy of their foremothers in this riveting, funny, and ultimately hopeful play set in West Chester, PA and written by one of the most sought-after voices in American theatre.
Character Breakdown:
ELSIE 20s; African American, poised; proper; soft; desperate to find a sense of belonging
FRANCES 20s; African American, tough; fighter; persistent; not easily contained, especially when she believes in something
REGINE 35-40; African American, reserved; guarded and worrisome; wife to Davin; sister to Toshi; somewhere a vulnerable and fragile soul
TOSHI 25-28; African American, feisty; impulsive; resistant; rough around the edges and a former drug addict; girlfriend to Tyriek; sister to Regine; somewhere a deep and wise soul.
DAVIN 35-40; African American, patient; supportive; optimistic; can be pushy in his positivity; husband to Regine
TYRIEK 28-30; African American, sharp; calculating; former thug looking for a second chance at life; boyfriend to Toshi
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THE MUSIC MAN*
Music and Lyrics by: Meredith Willson
Book: Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey
Co-Directed by: Alexandria Wailes and Michael Baron
Performance Space: Mainstage
*This is a co-production with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
Important Dates - Olney
Rehearsals Begin: 5/4/21
Tech Begins:
Previews Begin: 6/2 or 6/4/21
Opening: 6/5 or 6/10/21
Closing: 7/11/21
Important Dates - Oklahoma
Rehearsals Begin: 7/13/21
Opening: 7/20/21
Closing: 7/25/21
Synopsis
“THE MUSIC MAN follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize - this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.” This production is the culmination of last season’s workshop, and will include a cast made up of both deaf and hearing actors. Some of these have already been specified, and some roles may be played by either.
Character Breakdown:
HAROLD HILL: Hearing actor; Our story’s unsuspecting protagonist. A con man, traveling under the auspices of a salesman, he eventually falls in love with Marian Paroo. Charismatic and charming.
MARIAN PAROO: Deaf actor; The town librarian and music teacher. She is a young lady who eventually falls for Harold Hill. Stuck up. Curious.
MAYOR SHINN: A blustery politician who is all too “self-important”. Begrudgingly married to Eulalie, he is skeptical of the town rumor mill.
MRS PAROO: Hearing actor; cheerful and always plotting. An Irish widow and mother to Marian and Winthrop. She just wants what is best for her children.
EWART DUNLOP: A member of the quartet formed by Harold Hill with a tenor voice; married to Maude Dunlop
OLIVER HIX: a baritone in the quartet formed by Harold Hill; married to Alma Hix
JACEY SQUIRES: highest tenor in the quartet formed by Harold Hill; married to Mrs. Squires
OLIN BRITT: bass of the quartet formed by Harold Hill
MARCELLUS WASHBURN: Deaf actor; Harold’s chummy old friend and former con man, he now lives in River City Oland is trying to settle down.
TOMMY DJILAS: a young man from the wrong side of town. He is secretly courting Zaneeta.
AMARYLLIS: a slightly bratty piano student of Marian Paroo
WINTHROP PAROO: Marian’s baby brother, he is very shy because of his noticeable lisp. Embraces Harold Hill, looking up to him as the father figure he never had, and the marching band.
EULALIE MACKECKNIE SHINN: Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife. A serial gossip and snob, she has trouble keeping her opinions to herself
ZANEETA SHINN: The Mayor’s fresh-faced daughter who is in love with Tommy, and is secretly courting him despite her father’s disapproval. Sweet and outgoing. Appears to be daffy at times.
ALMA HIX: A “Pick-a-Little Lady” married to Oliver Hix
MAUD DUNLOP: a “Pick-a-Little Lady” married to Ewart Dunlop
ETHEL TOFFELMIER: a comical “Pick-a-Little Lady” and Marcellus Washburn’s girlfriend
MRS. SQUIRES: A “Pick-a-Little Lady” married to Jacey Squires
CHARLIE COWELL: A traveling salesman who is on to Harold Hill’s schemes. Tirelessly attempts to prove to everyone the true con man behind Harold Hill
ENSEMBLE - Constable Locke, Newspaper Readers, River City Townspeople, Traveling Salesman: a combination of deaf and hearing actors
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THE OKUNI PROJECT (development project)
Book by: Naomi Iizuka
Composer: Paul Hodge
Director: Lisa Portes
Rehearsals: April 13-19, 2020
Synopsis:
During a 6-day project we will continue to develop this musical story of the woman who founded Kabuki, Okuni. This workshop will not have a public performance.
Character Breakdown:
4 actors for female-identified or gender non-binary characters of Asian descent.
2 actors for male-identified characters of Asian descent.
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Rafiq (development project)
By: Joe Calarco
Director: Kholoud Sawaf
Rehearsals: June 15-21, 2020
Synopsis:
During a 6-day project we will work together with Mohamad Alrefai to discover a story to tell based on Mohamad’s experience of immigrating to the United States from Syria.
Character Breakdown:
4 ensemble members.
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ABOUT THE THEATER:
Located ten miles north of Washington, DC in arts-rich Montgomery County, Maryland, Olney Theatre Center is one of the Washington region's most critically-acclaimed large companies. Founded in 1938 as a summer stock company on the Straw Hat circuit, OTC is now an $8M/year professional regional theater offering nine member productions annually in four spaces on its fourteen-acre campus. Legendary performers Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Sir Ian McKellen, Tandy & Cronyn, and Olivia de Havilland trod the boards in the early days. With a more recent turn towards new work, creatives with Tony and Grammy Awards, OBIEs, and MacArthur Genius Grants have premiered their work here, like Moises Kaufman and Sergio Trujillo, among others. Along with Baltimore's Centerstage, Olney Theatre Center is one of Maryland's two state-designated theaters. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jason Loewith since 2013, the theater's artistic reinvigoration has been noted by The Washington Post, Washingtonian and many others; his first production at the theater, A Chorus Line, garnered the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Resident Musical in 2014, as did the theater's production of IN THE HEIGHTS in 2018; in the world of new plays, OTC's production of Andrew Hinderaker’s COLOSSAL won Best New Play in 2015. Loewith is best known as the Lucille Lortel Award-winning librettist of Adding Machine: A Musical.
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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