Upcoming Auditions in Nashville 7/23/15
By: Jeffrey Ellis Jul. 23, 2015
Directors and producers in the Nashville region are seeking actors for upcoming productions of The Mousetrap, Manuscript, Cheaper by The Dozen and First Baptist of Ivy Gap - and producers are seeking cast members for a touring production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. There's even a haunted house in Auburtown seeking performers for a paying gig. We've gathered the details together here to make your planning easier. So now you have no excuse!
July 26
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
Presented by Encore Theatre Company, Mt. Juliet
Directed by Jack Yatsko, produced by James Bealor and Kathleen Jaffe
ABOUT THE SHOW Setting: Monkswell Manor, during the 1950S; Synopsis: A newly-wed couple opens up a new boarding house. Their first day of business brings in four distinctively odd characters that take residence after a snow storm settles in. Without really knowing who their tenants are, suspicion and terror strikes the Monkswell Manor, especially when someone dies. Who did it? Can Detective Sergeant Trotter figure it out before it is too late? Will he stop the murderer, or will someone else fall into the mousetrap?
PERFORMANCES September 18-October 13
CHARACTER LIST Mollie Ralston - Proprietor of Monkswell Manor, and wife of Giles.
Giles Ralston - Husband of Mollie who runs Monkswell Manor with his wife. Christopher Wren - The first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man who acts in a very peculiar manner. He admits he is running away from something, but refuses to say what. Wren claims to have been named after the architect of the same name by his parents. Mrs Boyle - A critical older woman who is pleased by nothing she observes. Major Metcalf - Retired from the army, little is known about Major Metcalf. Miss Casewell - A strange, aloof, masculine woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood. Mr. Paravicini - A man of unknown provenance, who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He appears to be affecting a foreign accent and artificially aged with make-up.July 26 and 27
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Presented by The Center for The Arts, Murfreesboro
Directed by Dalton Reeves
ABOUT AUDITIONS Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. both days. Those auditioning should be prepared for a cold read from a few selected scenes. There are two female parts ranging in age from 18-35 and 45+, and two male parts ranging in age from 25-35. There is the possibility of call backs to test chemistry.
PERFORMANCES November 13-22
July 27
Manuscript by Paul Grellong
Presented by N&XT
Directed and produced by Lindsay Goranson
SEEKING Union and Non-Union actors. Manuscript will be performed under the Actors Equity Members Project Code as a three-performance pop-up installation as part of Nashville's First Saturdays Art Crawl. Submit Headshot/Resume for consideration: N&XT / Lindsay Goranson Attn: MANUSCRIPT at NandXT@gmail.com Submissions via email only. Must be local. No travel or accommodation considerations will be made.
CONTRACT Members Project Code; Stipend
CHARACTERS David Lewis (m/early 20s): slim, brainy, cagey
Chris Ferrando (m/early 20s): athletic, warm, trusting
Elizabeth Hawkins (f/early 20s): pretty, sharp, ambitious
ABOUT THE PLAY In the bedroom of a Brooklyn Heights brownstone, three ambitious artists confront the discovery of an unpublished manuscript that can guarantee success. It's winter break; the parents are out of town; and David is the host of this gathering. His best friend, Chris, is coming over with his new girlfriend from college, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a famous author and David an aspiring one. They've come to party before a fancy holiday ball. But when Chris makes a run to get their drugs for the evening it becomes clear that David and Elizabeth have a secret history. To make matters worse, Chris returns with shocking news and a stack of pages that will change their lives forever. It appears that their supplier, a famous and famously reclusive author, has died of a drug overdose. After discovering the body, Chris managed to salvage the only copy of his final work from the scene. As the bright young things scrap over what to do with the manuscript, their plotting is by turns hilarious and startlingly cruel. They spin out of control on their manipulative quest for fame and, ultimately, revenge. Little is what it seems, and no one can be trusted as plot twists pile up, and the play hurtles towards a surprise ending.
PERFORMANCES October 1-3
July 31
Want to make a little cash and have some fun? Auburntown Asylum will be holding auditions on July 31 for the 2015 haunted house season at 6:30 p.m. If you cannot make it, there will be open auditions at the Asylum on August 7 and at the Dead Land booth at the Wilson County Fair as well. We hope to see you there! Happy Haunting!
August 3
Pulp Friction 2015 10-minute Play Festival - Audition Call
Directed by Lane Wright
ABOUT AUDITIONS We need 4 actors (1 male, 1 female, 20 to 30 years old AND 1 male, 1 female, 40 to 60+ years old) to perform four original 10-minute plays in repertory the afternoon of Saturday, Sept 26 (1P-5P), as part of the Proto-Pulp Book Show at the Idea Hatchery on Woodland Street near 5 Points in East Nashville. Outdoor stage, no tech, minimal sets, just words and action! We expect to perform each play 3 or 4 times in this time period. Each actor will be in two plays.
ABOUT AUDITIONS Auditions are Monday evening, August 3, at 7P. We'll go until 10P at the latest. The auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts with other auditioning actors. Please bring head shot and resume.
AUDITION LOCATION Bellevue Christian Church 7201 Old Harding Pike Nashville. Please contact Hugh Moffatt at hmmv2@outlook.com, or (615) 972-5654 to let us know you plan to come and/or for more information. For the audition, no preparation is necessary.
REHEARSALS Rehearsal Schedule: We will build a specific schedule based on actor and director availability. We expect rehearsals to happen twice a week starting 4 or 5 weeks before the Sept. 26 performance date. Since each actor is in 2 of the 4 plays, there will be times when not everyone is needed. We'll schedule rehearsals for weekday evenings and possibly Saturdays during the day. Tennessee theater veteran Lane Wright will direct the plays, which have been selected by open solicitation to Middle Tennessee playwrights this past spring. We have some compelling material with a wide range of tones and subjects. This is a volunteer project. Admission is free to the audience, who will come mostly from attendees of the book fair. No compensation is promised, though we will collect tips, which will be divided among director, actors, and playwrights according to a participation formula. This is our second year. Pulp Friction 2014 was very well received. Please join us in continuing this exciting new theater event for the Nashville Community!
August 6 and 7
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Produced and directed by David Payne
Tour presented by Rising Image Productions in association with David Payne Drama
ABOUT AUDITIONS: Please familiarize yourself. with the performance and travel schedule. If you cannot meet these schedule requirements then there is no point in requesting an audition appointment. http://www.lionontour.com/
AUDITION LOCATION: auditions will take place from 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, at a Nashville area location.
CALL BACKS: Call Backs will be on Saturday August 8th during the day and evening.
REHEARSALS: The rehearsals will take place in the evenings at a Nashville area location. Although it is unlikely any candidate will have to be at every rehearsal you will still be required to be available for ALL rehearsal dates.
PAY: Remuneration will be determined on the role offered and a guide to the remuneration will be given at the Call Back stage.
ROLES AVAILABLE: Peter, Susan, Lucy, Edmund, White Witch, Tumnus the Fawn, Mr. Beaver, Mrs. Beaver, Fenris Ulf (Wolf), Unicorn, Centaur. Two people will be required to operate the Aslan the Lion puppet and they will be trained by a professional puppeteer. A dance background would be a help. Complete the application form and we will contact you with an appointment Date.
QUESTIONS? Email nic@davidpaynedrama.com, or call (615) 477 1890
August 8 and 10
Cheaper by the Dozen adapted by Sherman Sergel; from the book by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Presented by The Renaissance Players, Dickson
ABOUT AUDITIONS Scheduled times are 9 a.m. on August 8 and 6:30 p.m. on August 10. Resume and headshot are not required but encouraged. Be prepared to list any conflicts from August 24t-October 18. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
PERFORMANCES October 9-18
ABOUT THE PLAY Based on a true story, Cheaper by the Dozen tells the story of the Gilbreth family. Their inventor father, who is well-known for bringing better efficiency to factories, keeps his family of twelve children running just as efficiently. This play is told from the point of view of two of his children reflecting on the last few months before his death. He was preparing the family for his imminent departure, but most of his children, like most of the young children in the audience, were unaware of the fact. It is an extremely funny, heart-warming, and family-friendly tale, and the tragic catharsis of the father's death is beautiful to the adults in the audience, who can understand the euphemisms.
CHARACTERS Mr. Gilbreth (Dad): Late 40s to mid 50s. Carries himself with the self-assurance of a successful man who is proud of his wife and family as well as his business accomplishments. Though a disciplinarian, he loves nothing so much as a good joke, preferably one on himself.Mrs. Gilbreth (Mother): Late 40s to mid 50s. A gracious, attractive women. She is also a psychologist. In her own way she is often able to get better results with her large family more so than her disciplinarian husband.
Anne: the oldest, about 17. Attractive, sweet natured, but stands up to her father.
Ernestine: about 15. Also the Co-Narrator. Martha: about 14. Speaks some German. Frank: about 16. Also the Co-Narrator. Bill, Lillian, Fred, Dan, Jackie: The younger children (ages variable from 13 - 5). Mrs. Fitzgerald: The housekeeper - a kind woman who is completely devoted to the family. Sometimes her patience is tried by the ongoing chaos of the large family (age 50 - 70). Dr. Burton: The family doctor - a plain spoken man (age 40 - 60). Joe Scales: Anne's age (about 17) - a very short, cocky cheerleader. Miss Brill: A teacher who has no love for the children and they have none for her (age 35 - 50). Larry: Anne's age (about 17), nice-looking, clean cut boy. Anne's "special friend."August 16 and 17
Mary Poppins, music by Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and George Stiles; lyrics by Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and Anthony Drewe; book by Julian Fellowes
Presented by Arts Center of Cannon County, Woodbury
Directed by Allison Hall, with musical direction by Helen Ray
ABOUT AUDITIONS: Auditions for Mary Poppins will be held Sunday, August 16, at 6 p.m. and Monday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Please come prepared to perform 16 measures of a song that highlights your vocal ability. An accompanist will be provided. (Sheet music required. No CDs or acapella allowed)
You will be required to participate in a dance audition, vocal audition, and cold readings.
CHARACTERS Bert The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
Male, 20-39 yrs old
Range: B2 - F#4
Male, 30-45 yrs old
Range: Bb2 - Eb4 Winifred Banks George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to obnly associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
Female, 25-40 yrs old
Range: A3 - D5Jane The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Female, 8-15 yrs old
Range: A3 - F#5Michael The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Male, 6-12 yrs old
Range: A3 - E5Katie Nanna Jane and Micahel's nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Female, 20-40 yrs old
Speaking RolePoliceman A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Male, 20-50 yrs old
Speaking RoleMiss Lark The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.
Female, 30 - 40 yrs old
Speaking RoleAdmiral Boom A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.
Male, 50 - 60 yrs old
Speaking RoleMrs. Brill The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.
Female, 30-60 yrs old
Range: F#3 - D#5Robertson Ay The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.
Male, 20 - 40yrs old
Range: F3 - G#4Mary Poppins Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
Female, 20 - 40yrs old
Range: Gb3 - C6Park Keeper Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Male, 40 - 60 yrs old
Speaking RoleNeleus The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
Male, 16 - 25yrs oldQueen Victoria A statue in the park.
Female, 40 - 60 yrs oldBank Chairman The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
Male, 50-60 yrs old
Range: C3 - D4Miss Smythe The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary.
Female, 40 - 50 yrs old
Speaking RoleEnsemble Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers. Von Hussler A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.
Male, 30 - 50 yrs old
Speaking RoleJohn Northbrook An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England.
Male, 30 - 50 yrs oldBird Woman Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that relfelcts the hardness of her life.
Female, 30-60 yrs old
Range: Gb3 - C5Mrs. Corry Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic).
Female, 20-50 yrs old
Speaking RoleMiss Andrew George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
Female, 40 - 60 yrs old
Range: Gb3 - F5
August 28 and 29
First Baptist of Ivy Gap by Ron Osborne
Presented by Robertson County Players
ABOUT AUDITIONS Scheduled for Friday, August 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, 726 South Main Street, Springfield
CHARACTERS Edith Ellington: age 40-45; Mae Ellen Rafferty: age mid-20's; Olene Wiffer: age mid-20's;
Luby Moore: age 45-55; Sammy Porter: age 16-20; Vera Reynolds: age 40-45
SPECIAL NOTE A perusal script is available at the Gorham McBane Library in Springfield.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Send your audition announcements to Jeffrey Ellis, BWW Nashville senior contributing editor, at jeffreyellis37215@att.net for inclusion in this column.
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