Short North Stage 2023-24 Season - Columbus, OH EPA
Short North Stage | Columbus, OH
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (E)
No break scheduled
To set up an audition appointment please email Dionysia Williams at dionysia@shortnorthstage.org. The deadline to request an audition appointment is Monday, September 4th at 12pm ET.
SPT
$488 weekly minimum (SPT 5)
$549 weekly minimum (SPT 6)
Equity actors for roles in Short North Stage's 2023-24 Season (See breakdown).
Short North Stage is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and invites artists of all gender and non-gender conforming identities, ethnicities, and ages to audition. Genders listed by roles is to denote how those
characters present themselves onstage and does not limit actors who identify differently to submit for one of these roles.
Please prepare 2 contrasting pieces either in the style of shows in the season OR you can use the materials provided on our website:
https://www.shortnorthstage.org/auditions. An accompanist will be provided, and they will
have the music for pieces from the show. Also, please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Short North Stage
1187 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43201
At the theater, parking is available next to
Brewdog’s.
Company Manager: Kyle McCandless
WHICH WAY TO THE STAGE: Director - Edward Carignan
ROCKY HORROR: Director - Edward Carignan
KINKY BOOTS: Director - Chari Arespacochaga
THE COLOR PURPLE: Director - Vasthy Mompoint
THE PROM: Co-Directors - Dionysia Williams/Edward Carignan
HAIR: Director - Edward Carginan
Expected to attend:
Artistic Director: Edward Carignan
Associate Artistic Director: Dionysia Williams
See breakdown for production specific dates.
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this 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.
Short North Stage 2023-24 Season
ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Directed/Choreographed by Edward Carignan
Rehearsals: September 23 - October 4, 2023
Show Run: October 5 - 29 (Thursday- Sundays)
SPT 5
SEEKING:
USHERETTE / MAGENTA - PRECAST: Female presenting, Age Flexible (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, Bb3-Eb5) She opens the production singing “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, with Usherette and phantom chorus and then reappears at the end to sing a reprise of that song. Magenta is a domestic from the planet Transsexual, in the galaxy Transylvania.
BRAD - PRECAST: Male presenting, 18-35 (Range: Bari Tenor, Bb2-G4) Quirky and overly optimistic at times. An All-American man who proposes to his girlfriend Janet Weiss.
JANET - PRECAST: Female presenting, 18-35 (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, A3-Eb5) Good, innocent girl who is madly in love with Brad. Always seems to be frightened of something. Keeps losing more of her clothes throughout the story.
NARRATOR - PRECAST: Male presenting, Age Flexible (Range: Non-Singing Role) Follows our two hero’s through the story by narrating directly to the audience.
RIFF RAFF - PRECAST: Male presenting, Age Flexible (Range: High Rock Tenor, D3-B4) Frank's personal butler, Riff Raff is a shady character who seems to be up to something. In the end, he kills Frank, Rocky, and Columbia before he and his sister Magenta return to their home planet of Transsexual, Transylvania.
COLUMBIA - PRECAST: Female presenting, Age Flexible (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, E4-E5) One of Frank’s servants. A groupie who is both Frank's and Eddie's ex-girlfriend. She starts off as being extremely loyal to Frank. Though, she quickly realizes that he's simply using her and turns on him. In the end, she's killed by Riff Raff. Tap Dancing skills are an asset.
FRANK 'N' FURTER - PRECAST: (Range: Baritone, D3-G4) Master of the castle and of seduction. Welcomes Janet and Brad with open arms. Frank is a Mad Scientist bent on creating the perfect man, which he succeeds in doing so by creating Rocky. He's something of the antagonist, causing all sorts of trouble for Brad and Janet. In the end, he's killed by Riff Raff.
ROCKY - PRECAST: Male 18-35, Very Fit, (Range: Tenor, A3-G4) Frank's beloved creation, Rocky is supposed to be the perfect man. However, things don't go well when Janet seduces him causing Frank to go into a jealous rage. In the end, he's killed by Riff Raff while mourning the loss of Frank and trying to escape.
EDDIE/DR. SCOTT - PRECAST: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, E3-F#4) A former delivery boy who was Columbia's ex-boyfriend. Half of his brain was used to create Rocky. After escaping from the freezer (and singing a song), Eddie is promptly killed by Frank. Dr. Scott is Brad’s former science teacher and close friend. He ends up at the castle while looking for his nephew, Eddie.
PHANTOMS - PRECAST: strong singer/dancers to cover roles.
WHICH WAY TO THE STAGE
Directed by Edward Carignan
Rehearsals: Oct 3 - Oct 18, 2023
Show Run: October 19 - November 12, 2023 (Thursday - Sunday)
SPT 5
SEEKING:
JUDY: PRECAST 30s, Female presenting. Funny, intelligent, has bigger dreams than she can admit to herself. She is Jeff's best friend. Sometimes gets in her own way. Judy is real. She is not unattractive, but she is not the female ideal. She's just a real woman trying to make it in a business that thrives on a fantasy.
JEFF: PRECAST 30s, Male presenting. Passionate, talented. Has a great sense of humor, but deep down takes it all very seriously. He is Judy's best friend. Jeff is also real. Anything about him that might come off as a typical Queen is extremely authentic. He is who he is and is not apologizing for it.
MARK: PRECAST 30s, Male presenting. Robert Redford's character from The Way We Were if instead of being a novelist he was a musical theater performer. Good looking. Complacent. Things come easily to him. One minute you're sure you know everything about him, the next he is surprising you in the most wonderful ways.
ACTRESS/BACHELORETTE/CASTING DIRECTOR: PRECAST 30s, Female presenting. A beautiful young actress who seems to have it all/A drunk Bachelorette/An exhausted casting director.
MALE ROLE SWING COVER - PRECAST
FEMALE ROLE SWING COVER - PRECAST
KINKY BOOTS
Directed by Chari Arespacochaga
Rehearsals: October 31 - November 22, 2023 (no rehearsal Thanksgiving Day)
Show Run: November 24 - December 31, 2023 (Wednesday - Sunday)
SPT 6
Please note that the entire cast should be comfortable with a pop/rock style of singing and a British accent.
SEEKING:
CHARLIE PRICE: Male presenting Late 20s – early 30s. Sings C3–B4. A leading man, just out of university. He is privileged, but likable — his father owns the shoe factory. He is handsome and loveable but there is a temper right under the skin. Has a great rock voice and the ability to move.
LOLA: 30s–40s. Sings C3–B4 (with one top C). 5’8” and above is preferable. An emotionally and physically challenging role that requires the body of a boxer with the soul of a Diva, a la Whitney Houston. Has star presence and feels comfortable wearing everything from full glamor as a scene stealing drag performer to nothing but boxing trunks. Has a killer voice with power blues and gospel chops. Comedic. This is the Tony Award®-winning role originated by Billy Porter on Broadway, written for a non-Caucasian (generally African heritage) male.
LAUREN - PRECAST (Female presenting) 20s. Sings B?3–F?5. Beautiful, but quirky (not glamourous like Nicola) working class girl who works in the shoe factory. Funny and smart but has had bad luck with men. Comedic.
NICOLA/COVER LAUREN (Female presenting) 20s. Sings B?3–F?5. Charlie’s girlfriend since school. Sophisticated looks. She is a social climber, driven and uncompromising. She knows what she wants and goes for it. Has a great pop voice.
DON (Male presenting) 30s–40s. Sings C3–F4 (has a strong falsetto to D5 for the Finale). Lola’s nemesis. Burly hyper-masculine bear of a factory worker. Has a menacing physicality. Least likely to be seen on a runway in kinky boots.
GEORGE (Male presenting) 40s–50s. Sings C3–F4. Factory Manager, keeping up traditions. Reserved and tightly wound.
THE ANGELS (Male presenting drag performers) “This ain’t no job for wallflowers!” 20s–30s. These are the drag performers from The Blue Angel Nightclub who perform with Lola. Star quality and personality. Versatile and terrific singers (with a contemporary pop/rock/R & B belt) and dancers (required to dance in heels). Physical fitness is crucial. Tumbling and acro skills a plus (one angel will back handspring and another does a tour into splits). Any Angels required to cover Lola must be non Caucasian due to the specific nature of the role. Angels sing to C?5 to A4.
TRISH/NICOLA COVER (Female presenting) 40s–50s. Sings B?3–D5 and has a strong rock/pop belt. Factory worker who has been there longer than any of the other women. A lot of life experience and a lot of responsibility–this shows in her face. Comedy chops.
PAT (Female presenting) 30s. Sings B?3–F?5. Strong pop/rock soprano. Officious office manager who will let loose her wild side when allowed.
MR. PRICE / ENSEMBLE (Male presenting) 40s–50s. Sings B?2–G4. Has a good voice. Charlie’s father and owner of the shoe factory. Appears in the opening and closing sequence as well as playing a pub patron, factory worker etc. for the rest of the show.
HARRY / ENSEMBLE/ CHARLIE COVER (Male presenting) 20s–30s. Sings E3–C4. A contemporary of Charlie’s, but his opposite. Harry is successful, self-aware, confident and carefree. Has a great rock voice. Also plays a Factory Worker etc.
GEORGE BAILEY/ENSEMBLE/ COVER (Male presenting): Nicola’s boss
ENSEMBLE and SWINGS: 20s–50s. The men and women of the ensemble must be excellent pop/rock singers. They will cover Principal and Featured ensemble roles as well as play factory workers, pub patrons etc. Factory workers should look like real, everyday people and be able to move well. Females that cover the principal roles must be very strong singers — belters! Male swings must be terrific dancers, have great pop voices and be comfortable in drag in order to cover Angels. Lola covers are required to be non-Caucasian due to the specific nature of the role.
THE COLOR PURPLE
Directed by Vasthy Mompoint
Choreographed by Lisa Glover
Rehearsals January 2 - January 17, 2024
Show Run: January 18 - February 18, 2024 (Wednesday - Sundays)
SPT 6
The ages listed below are approximate. Performers should be able to play and appear at those ages on stage. Gender is provided as a guide to how the character will be presented on stage. Character Ethnicity: Black/African Descent for all roles.
SEEKING:
CELIE: Female, 20s-early 30s, a radiant survivor who triumphantly journeys through a life filled with soul-reckoning challenges and emotional/physical violence; she is buoyed by a rock-solid faith in God, love and devotion for her sister Nettie, as well as the intimacy-awakening bond that she develops with Shug Avery. Note: Character ages from 14 to 40s.
SHUG AVERY: Female, 30s-40s, a sultry siren and juke-joint performer who has seen better days; a former lover of Mister and a good-time girl, whose body, soul, and desire to love again is reawakened by Celie and the intimate bond they form with one another.
NETTIE: Female, 20s-early 30s, Celie’s sister, and her rock; smart, driven, and protected by circumstance; unwaveringly devoted to her sister, she is nonetheless torn apart from her, and goes on to realize a fulfilled life in Africa, which includes serving as caretaker to Celie’s “lost” children, ultimately reuniting them with their mother. Note: Character ages from 13 to 40s.
MISTER: Male, A deeply troubled man, as well as Celie’s husband and abuser; he is also the estranged love interest to Shug Avery for whom he still carries a torch; eventually he is redeemed by a self-reckoning and atoning for his transgressions. Note: Character ages from 30s to 50s.
HARPO: Male, Mister’s hapless son from his first marriage; well-intended, but often falls short due to exceedingly bad parenting by Mister; falls deeply in love with –and is dominated by his wife Sophia, then later by his girlfriend Squeak; he eventually finds his firm footing and manhood soon after Mister’s transformation and the return of his beloved Sofia. Note: Character ages from 18 to 40s.
SOFIA - PRECAST: (Considering for COVER ONLY) Female, Harpo’s wife and Celie’s friend for life; a full-figured woman who possesses a giant personality, along with an equally expansive lust for life, and a proud sense of justice; a domineering pacifist who suffers no fools. Note: Character ages from 20s to 40s.
DARLENE/SQUEAK/COVER NETTIE: Female, 20s, Harpo’s devoted and fiercely protective girlfriend who serves as his great motivator; she possesses a voice that matches her name with mathematical exactness.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE/COVERS: 16-50s any age; strong singers to portray several characters; Church Lady, Olivia and others. Will cover lead roles.
MALE ENSEMBLE/COVERS: 16-50s any age; strong singers to portray several characters; PA, Bobby/Guard, Buster/Grady, Adam and others. Will cover lead roles.
THE PROM
Co-Directed and Co-Choreographed by Dionysia Williams & Edward Carignan
Rehearsals February 20 - March 13, 2024
Show Run: March 14 - April 7 (Thursday- Sunday)
SPT 5
SEEKING:
EMMA: A high school senior. Forced into the spotlight after she asked her girlfriend to the prom. A reluctant poster child for LGBTQ+ youth. Very smart & a bit of a tomboy quality. Mix/belt up to a C#. Identification or familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community is an asset.
ALYSSA: A high school senior. Tries desperately to fit in. A cheerleader. Secretly Emma’s girlfriend, but afraid to come out. Afraid to stand up to her mother. Mix/belt up to a D. Identification or familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community is an asset.
BARRY: 30s – 50s. Self-involved Broadway actor eager for celebrity activism to promote his career. Finds a kindred spirit in Emma and guides her to be true and proud of herself. High Baritone/Low Tenor. Identification or familiarity with the LGBTQ+ community is an asset.
DEE DEE: 30s – 60s. A current Broadway diva. A huge ego to match her huge talent. No filter. Hilariously self-involved but yearns to do something good for someone other than herself. Alto belter.
ANGIE: 30s – 40s. An ensemble member in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. Jaded Fosse girl with a heart of gold who champions Emma’s cause and teaches her how to live life with Zazz! Alto with a belt.
TRENT: 20s – 40s. A pretentious, “Julliard Trained,” yet struggling, Broadway actor who loves the sound of his own voice. He utilizes his small TV celebrity to teach the students about tolerance. Baritone.
MR. HAWKINS: 30s – 60s. A small-town principal & star-struck Broadway fan. Easily flustered and sometimes strait-laced. An ally to and advocate for Emma. High Baritone.
MRS. GREENE: 30s – 60s. Alyssa’s Mother and the school board president. Very strong, controlling and intimidating. Loves her daughter very much but has a very specific view of what is right and wrong for her daughter and the school. Alto.
SHELDON: 20s – 40s. Charismatic and devoted Broadway publicist working his skills and connections to build his clients’ celebrity status and create an audience for Emma’s message.
HIGH SCHOOL ENSEMBLE/COVERS: Indiana high schoolers who struggle together to create a place for everyone at the dance. Actual high schoolers a plus.
ADULT ENSEMBLE/COVERS: Concerned parents swayed by Mrs. Greene’s traditional arguments yet ready to follow their children’s guidance.
HAIR
Directed/Choreographed by Edward Carignan
Rehearsals April 23-May 8, 2024
Show Run: May 9 - June 9, 2024 (Thursday thru Sunday - 5 shows)
SPT 5
Note: Nudity required for all characters
SEEKING:
THE TRIBE: Chorus / Ensemble, All Genders, 18-40 (Various vocal ranges); this is not a “chorus”, as the entire cast is a true ensemble. Tribe members sing many featured songs and play many roles in the show including Mother/Father, Tourist Couple, historical figures, and more. Energetic, creative performers with heart and passion. Strong improv skills a plus.
GEORGE BERGER: Male, 18-35 (Rock baritone/tenor), a social activist recently banished from high school. An unrestrained animal. He knows what is right and sticks to it no matter the consequence. The leader of the tribe. High energy, athletic, wild. Strong presence and is looked up to. Strong improv skills preferred.
CLAUDE: Male, 18-30 (Rock baritone/tenor); the most beautiful beast in the forest. Smart, attractive male with a playful side; a lover of life and the picture of a young man next door of the 60’s. Berger’s best friend, recently drafted, whose only possession, other than his freedom, is his hair. A charismatic leader that women adore, boys emulate, and men follow into the breach. A man of conscience who struggles with the conflict of what his heart tells him is right and what the authorities around him lead him to believe. Strong improv skills preferred.
SHEILA: Female, 18-30 (Rock alto/belter); a second semester student and passionate protester from NYU who lives with Berger and Claude, aspires to spread love, loves Berger, but having Claude’s baby. The most intelligent of the tribe. Wants to change society through peaceful protest. Has a strong voice and presence. Strong improv skills a plus.
JEANIE: Female, 18-30 (Alto); a follower, not a leader. Incredibly sweet, understands Claude better than anyone. Wise, passionate, creative woman, who is pregnant with the tribe’s baby. She has taken every drug and takes care of the tribe. Has comedic and dramatic scenes. Strong improv skills preferred.
CRISSY - PRECAST: Female, 18-25 (Mezzo); a flower child mourning a lost love. The youngest female of the tribe. Sings “Frank Mills”. Strong improv skills a plus.
DIONNE - PRECAST: Female, 18-35 (Alto/mezzo belt); outspoken and lots of fun. Great with comedy and ad-lib vocals. Strong improv skills a plus. Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
HUD: Male, 18-30 (Soul/rock baritone/tenor); speaks his mind and hopes you can keep up with him. High energy, spiritual performer with a strong voice and presence. A true tone setter that is a natural on stage in any situation. Strong improv skills a plus. Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
WOOF: Male, 18-30 (Rock baritone); may not want to admit it, but he is gay. A young animal. High energy, versatile performer. A natural with comedy. Looks up to Berger and Mick Jagger in many ways. Strong improv skills a plus.
TOURIST/MARGARET MEADE: Male, 18-40 (Tenor); male in drag. Strong comic timing and improv skills preferred.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Directed by Edward Carignan
Adapted by Thom Christopher Warren
Rehearsals: November 7-22, 2023
Show Run: November 23-26, 2023
Note: This breakdown is subject to change. This adaptation calls for flexibility within the actor tracking and roles not yet assigned by the script may come into play during the rehearsal process. The character of THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE does not appear on this breakdown, but will take several forms and will utilize the talents of more than one of the actors during the final section of the play.
SEEKING:
TRACK 1 - SCROOGE: 45-65, male-presenting, any race/ethnicity. Facility for heightened language is helpful. Broken, angry, and with little patience for the world of ‘fools’ in which he lives. His lessons are cumulative and slowly lead to his understanding of human empathy.
TRACK 2 - BOB CRATCHIT, FEZZIWIG GUEST: PRECAST 30-45, male-presenting, any race/ethnicity. Hard-working, adoring of, and adored by his family, Bob holds his wife and children at the center of his world. He constantly preserves the possibility that all will be well.
TRACK 3 - JACOB MARLEY, MARINER 1, FRED’S GUEST, OLD JOE: PRECAST 30-45, male presenting, any race/ethnicity. A facility for heightened language is helpful. MARLEY is the first of the supernatural characters and sets up the tone of the ‘ghost’ story. Terrifying and High-stakes. OLD JOE is sly, conniving, and the eternal survivalist. He manages to thrive in a cut-throat world of thieves and miscreants.
TRACK 4 - SCHOOLMASTER, FRED, BELLE’S HUSBAND, J. MARLEY at 18: PRECAST 25-35, male-presenting, any race/ethnicity. SCHOOLMASTER; dark, authoritarian and carries secrets not necessarily revealed during the course of the play. FRED; the eternal optimist. Desperate to build a relationship with his Uncle, the only living tie to his deceased Mother. Never gives up the possibility that he might one day succeed. Lives life to the fullest.
TRACK 5 - CHARITY MAN 1, ROBINSON CRUSOE, FEZZIWIG, BUSINESSMAN 2, ALBERT, SCROOGE’S FATHER, FRED’S GUEST: PRECAST 30-55, male-presenting, any race/ethnicity. FEZZIWIG; Boistrous, filled with Christmas cheer, unafraid to take up space in the world. CHARITY MAN; Jovial and generous of spirit and wallet BUSINESSMAN; Pragmatic and no-nonsense. Not unkind, but not overly generous either.
TRACK 6 - CHARITY MAN 2, FEZZIWIG FIDDLER, BUSINESSMAN 1,ALI BABA, UNDERTAKER, OLD MAN: PRECAST 30-55, male-presenting, non-white CHARITY MAN; Jovial and generous of spirit and wallet BUSINESSMAN; Like his colleagues, a pragmatist. UNDERTAKER; Like Old Joe, a survivalist and unbothered by much of a moral compass.
TRACK 7 - SCROOGE AT 18 & 23, TOPPER, BUSINESSMAN 3: 18-25; male-presenting, any race/ethnicity SCROOGE AT 18; Shaped by an abusive father but not yet burdened with grief and loss. He begins the play with great hope, but gradually shows signs of the broken and miserly older man of the present.
TRACK 8 - THE SINGER: PRECAST Any age. Female-presenting or non-binary. Non-white. An excellent vocalist. She appears throughout the narrative in both linear and non-linear ways; perhaps she functions as SCROOGE’s conscience, guiding the audience (with the aid of the SPIRITS) through his journey. Vocal style may range from liturgical to folk to jazz. No speaking lines, but ever-present and often underscoring the action of the play.
TRACK 9 - GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST, LILY, FUTURE: PRECAST 25-35. Female-presenting or non-binary. Any race/ethnicity. PAST; ethereal, and otherworldly. This spirit exists beyond age or gender. Both gentle and with a steely firmness when pushing SCROOGE to confront his past. LILY; FRED’S wife - kind, ebullient, enjoys a game and loves and supports her husband as his equal.
TRACK 10 - MRS. CRATCHIT, FEZZIWIG GUEST, FRED’S GUEST: PRECAST 30-45. Female presenting. Any race/ethnicity. MRS. CRATCHIT - the engine of the Cratchit family, MRS. CRATCHIT adores her family and works tirelessly To provide a home for them. A will of iron, she navigates the illness of her youngest child with ferocity and grace.
TRACK 11 - GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT, CHARWOMAN, FEZZIWIG
GUEST: PRECAST 30-50. Female-presenting. Any race/ethnicity. CHRISTMAS PRESENT; larger than life in both her embodiment of Christmas cheer and Charity but also in the severity with which she demands SCROOGE pay attention to the world around him. CHARWOMAN; not without a sense of (macabre) humor in her survivalist actions. She is merciless In her belief of tit for tat.
TRACK 12 - BELLE, CAROLINE, FAN AT 18, FRED’S GUEST: PRECAST 18-25. Female presenting. Any race/ethnicity. BELLE is lovely and in love with a man who shares her world view. When it becomes clear that his love has changed, she cannot (and does not) sit idly by, but rather fights to show him his own potential for goodness. Following her relationship with SCROOGE, she raises a family built with love and trust always wishing for the happiness of her first love.
TRACK 13 - MRS. FEZZIWIG, MRS. DILBER, OLD WOMAN, FRED’S GUEST: PRECAST 30-55. Female-presenting. Any race/ethnicity. MRS. FEZZIWIG; Gregarious and convivial. She and her husband are perfectly matched. MRS. DILBER; Like the Charwoman and Undertaker, she does what she must to survive a cruel world and does so with a sense of irony and humor.
2 ENSEMBLE TRACKS: male presenting, Versatile able to cover multiple roles.with a sense of irony and humor.
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