ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS Equity Principal Actors - Signature Theatre Company Inc. Auditions

ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS - NYC EPA

Signature Theatre Company Inc. | New York, NY

AUDITION DATE

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
BREAK 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CONTRACT

Off Broadway
$1076 weekly minimum (BB)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (see breakdown). Signature Theatre is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages performers of all ethnicities, genders, abilities, ages, and other ways of identifying, to audition. Please note that unless otherwise specified in the breakdown, for all roles we are actively seeking and welcoming of actors of any ethnicity, race, gender/gender identification/gender expression, age, and physical and neurological ability.

PREPARATION

Prepare a short song. The music style can be anything EXCEPT traditional musical theater. Folk, opera, jazz, soul, sacred music, rock, pop are all acceptable. Please bring sheet music in the correct key. Please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.

LOCATION

Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036

PERSONNEL

Artistic Director: Emily Shooltz
Executive Director: Tim McClimon
General Manager: Kenneth Naanep
Written by Heather Christian
Directed by Lee Sunday Evans
Music Directed by Ben Moss

EXPECTED TO ATTEND:
Artistic Line Producer: Jeremy Ehlinger
Casting Director: Henry Russell Bergstein, CSA
Casting Associate: Serafina Tiranno-Cimisi

OTHER DATES

First Rehearsal: September 2, 2025
Previews begin: September 30, 2025
Opening: October 16, 2025
End of guaranteed run: November 16, 2025
Possible extension through: December 7, 2025

OTHER

Venue: Signature Theatre, The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

BREAKDOWN

ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS

SYNOPSIS: In this “profoundly strange and overwhelmingly beautiful” (New York Times) music-theater event, creator Heather Christian infuses a classical oratorio with a captivating blend of blues, gospel, jazz and soul. Both otherworldly and achingly intimate, the piece surrounds and uplifts audiences, peeling back complex layers of what it means to be alive on both a human and a cosmic scale.

Casting Note: First and foremost, we are seeking performers who are 100% singers first. This is intensely difficult music sung by virtuosic musicians. We are looking for trained singers who have multi-faceted instruments and are capable of carrying a wide range of styles comfortably. If classical singers, must be comfortable with straight tone and gospel sounds. if gospel singers, must be comfortable with legit sounds and straight tone. If musical theater singers, must be able to sing without affectation. Must have at least 3 octaves, read music well and learn quickly. Must be excited by a challenge! We are looking for folks who have distinctive timbres, but also have a capability to timbrally SHIFT. The cast is an assembly of unique individuals, each of whom will be featured as soloists, but who must also sing complex harmony with confidence. We are looking for virtuosic unicorns who know how to sing with their real hearts.

SEEKING:

ROLE ONE (ROLE IS ON OFFER) F3-G5: legit soprano or mezzo. Operatic lyrical soprano first and foremost. Effortless quality, floaty: must really be compelling as legit soprano — as Maria Callas was. Able to sing straight tone and willing to dip in and out of other styles.

ROLE TWO (ROLE IS ON OFFER) F3-A6: soprano or mezzo. Any style — ideally jazz/gospel forward. Effortless top notes and has capability to be pianissimo in upper ranges.

ROLE THREE (ROLE IS CAST) F3-F5: mezzo/alto. Any Style, but ideally classical forward. Comfortable singing straight tone and/or in a pop way.

ROLE FOUR (ROLE IS CAST) F3-F5: mezzo/alto. Any Style, but ideally classical forward. Comfortable singing straight tone and/or in a pop way.

ROLE FIVE (ROLE IS CAST) F3-A6: soprano or mezzo. Any Style, ideally jazz forward. Comfortable belting and also have a legit sound.

ROLE SIX (ROLE IS ON OFFER) F3-E5: mezzo or alto. Any Style, ideally jazz or gospel forward. Comfortable belting and also have a legit sound.

ROLE SEVEN (ROLE IS ON OFFER) D3-E5: mezzo or alto. Any Style, ideally gospel forward. Comfortable belting and also have a legit sound.

ROLE EIGHT (ROLE IS CAST) D3-E5: countertenor. Able to sing in the soprano range, ideally without operatic affectation, if requested. Able to also carry R & B type falsetto up high. And sound effortless (i.e.: not Frankie Valli).

ROLE NINE (ROLE IS CAST) F2-E5: operatic tenor. Style malleable and be game for singing straight tone but can carry operatic tenor effortlessly.

ROLE TEN (ROLE IS CAST) F2-E5: tenor/baritone. Any style, must have some high tenor notes, but lower baritone parts are appreciated. Style fluidity a must.

ROLE ELEVEN F2-E5: Tenor or baritone. Any style, must have some high tenor notes but should shine in his baritone. Someone with Classical/Legit singing experience and a rich operatic timbre, who is also comfortable shifting stylistically at times.

ROLE TWELVE (ROLE IS CAST) D3-E5: Tenor or baritone. Any style. Has high tenor notes, but baritone parts are appreciated.

SWING ONE: Covering Roles One, Two and Five

SWING TWO: Covering Roles Three, Four and Six

SWING THREE: Covering Role Seven, Eight and Nine

SWING FOUR: Covering Roles Ten, Eleven and Twelve