Upcoming Audtions in Nashville 8/12/15

Directors and producers in the Nashville region are seeking actors for upcoming productions of Mary Poppins, Bat Boy, August: Osage County and First Baptist of Ivy Gap - and producers are seeking cast members for The Music Man at the Keeton Theatre. We've gathered the details together here to make your planning easier. So now you have no excuse!

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.

QUESTIONS? To receive an audition packet please send an email to allisonpaigebarnett@gmail.com with the following information: Your Name; Your Age; Dance Experience and special skills. Indicate which audition you plan to attend and list any roles you are interested in singing/reading for; headshots and theatrical resumes are welcomed but not required.

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

George Banks The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.
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 - D5

Jane 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#5

Michael 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 - E5

Katie 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 Role

Policeman A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Male, 20-50 yrs old
Speaking Role

Miss 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 Role

Admiral 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 Role

Mrs. 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#5

Robertson 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#4

Mary 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 - C6

Park 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 Role

Neleus 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 old

Queen Victoria A statue in the park.
Female, 40 - 60 yrs old

Bank 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 - D4

Miss Smythe The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary.
Female, 40 - 50 yrs old
Speaking Role

Ensemble 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 Role

John 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 old

Bird 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 - C5

Mrs. 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 Role

Miss 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 17 and 18

The Music Man by Meredith Willson

Presented by The Larry Keeton Theatre, Donelson

Directed and choreographed by Stephanie Jones-Benton

CALLBACKS August 19

ABOUT AUDITIONS Please bring 16 bars of a classical musical theatre piece that shows off your range. Please do not sing from the show...we will have time for that at callbacks. There will also be a movement/dance call on the 17th and 18th. So please bring comfortable clothes to dance in if we ask you to stay.

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

ABOUT THE PLAY During WWII, six women gather at the church to roll bandages and plan the church's 75th anniversary. Overseeing things is Edith, the pastor's wise-cracking wife who dispenses Red Cross smocks and witty repartee to Luby, whose son is fighting in the Pacific; Mae Ellen, the church's rebellious organist who wants to quit but hasn't the courage; Olene, who dreams of a career in Hollywood; Sammy, a shy newcomer with a secret; and Vera, an influential Baptist with a secret of her own. When Luby learns her son has been wounded, she confounds the others by blaming the vulnerable Sammy. Twenty-five years later, our "First Baptist Six" reunite. Back to reconcile with Luby - whose son died of his wounds - is Sammy, whose own son is now in Vietnam; and Olene, whose flashy show business career will set the town on its ear. There to welcome them are Vera, her secret still safe; Mae Ellen, still rebellious and still looking for an escape; and Edith, whose biggest challenge isn't the church's upcoming centennial but revelations that shake relationships formed over a quarter of a century. With humor and pathos, these six very different women find comfort, forgiveness and redemption in each other.

SPECIAL NOTE A perusal script is available at the Gorham McBane Library in Springfield.

September 5

Bat Boy, the Musical, by Brian Flemming and Keythe Farley

Presented by Street Theatre Company

Directed by Cathy Street, musical direction by Rollie Mains

ABOUT THE SHOW Bat Boy is directed by Cathy Street and musical directed by Rollie Mains. It is rated R for adult content and language. In this rock 'n' roll cult classic, a supernatural half bat/half boy discovered in a cave in West Virginia attempts to integrate into a narrow-minded town. He tries to fit in, but happiness is shattered as the town hears the shocking story of Batboy's unholy origin.

ABOUT AUDITIONS 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with potential callbacks on Tuesday, September 8th. Auditions will be held at Bailey Middle School, 2000 Greenwood Avenue. Please bring your headshot and resume and prepare a 16 bar cut in the appropriate show style. Bring sheet music in appropriate key (an accompanist will be provided-no CD's please). Please be prepared to provide weekend and evening availability from October 4-November 22. All ethnicities are encouraged. Auditions are by appointment only. Please email auditions@streettheatrecompany.org with any questions and to schedule an appointment and visit www.streettheatrecompany.org for character descriptions.

PERFORMANCES November 6-22

September 8 and 9

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

Directed by Bradley Moore

Presented by ACT 1

AUDTION LOCATION Tulip Street United Methodist Church, 522 Russell Street, Nashville from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each evening

PERFORMANCE DATES November 6-21 at Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville

ABOUT AUDITIONS Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Please bring a headshot, if you have one and a copy of your theater resume. All roles are available.

CHARACTERS

Beverly Weston (Age Range: 55-65) The father of the Weston family, an alcoholic and washed-up poet. His mysterious disappearance one evening and eventually discovered death are the reasons for the family's reunion. The reasons for his implied suicide are a major plot point that bring some of the family's dark pastpainfully back into the light.

Violet Weston (Age Range: 55-65) The mother of the Weston family. Undergoing treatment for oral cancer, she is addicted to several prescription drugs, mostly depressants and narcotics. After an ugly rant at Beverly's funeral dinner, the family's focus shifts to keeping her clean. Despite her drug-induced episodes, she is sharp-tongued and shrewd; she is aware of the family's many secrets and not hesitant to reveal them for her own benefit.

Barbara Fordham (Age Range: 40-50) The oldest daughter of the Weston Family. Mother of Jean and wife of Bill, though they are currently separated. She is a college professor in Boulder, Colorado. She wants to save her marriage, but has the intense need to control everything around her as it falls apart.

Ivy Weston (Age Range: 38-45) The middle daughter of the Weston family. The only daughter to stay in Oklahoma, she teaches at the local college, and her calm and patient exterior hides a passionate woman who is gradually growing cynical. She is secretly having an affair with her "cousin", Little Charles, and plans to move to New York with him.

Karen Weston (Age Range: 35-40) The youngest daughter in the Weston family. She is newly engaged to Steve, whom she considers the "perfect man", and lives with him in Florida, planning to marry him soon. Karen can talk of little else but her own happiness even at her father's funeral, and she clearly chooses to lie to herself about her sleazy fiancé rather than face the reality of not getting a happy ending.

Bill Fordham (Age Range: 40-50) Barbara's estranged husband and Jean's father. A college professor, he has left his wife for a younger woman named Cindy, one of his students, but wants to be there for his family. His marriage is disintegrating and his patience is slowly running thin.

Jean Fordham (will be played by an older actor. Age Range: 18-22) Bill and Barbara's smart-tongued 14-year-old daughter. She smokes pot and cigarettes, is a vegetarian, loves old movies, and is bitter about her parents' split. More naive than she would like to believe. she is a molestation victim at the hands of her future uncle Steve, but reacts violently to Johnna coming to her rescue.

Steve Heidebrecht (Age Range: 40-50) Karen's fiancé. A businessman in Florida (whose business, it is hinted, centers around the Middle East and may be less than legitimate), and not the "perfect man" that Karen considers him. He flirts with Jean throughout the play, plies her with marijuana, and molests her.

Mattie Fae Aiken (Age Range: 55-65) Violet's sister, Charlie's wife and Little Charles' mother. Just as jaded as her sister, Mattie Fae constantly belittles her son and antagonizes her husband. Eventually she reveals the major plot point that Beverly, not Charlie, is the real father of Little Charles.

Charlie Aiken (Age Range: 50-60) Husband of Mattie Fae and the presumed father of Little Charles. Charlie, a genial man, was a lifelong friend of Beverly. He struggles to get Mattie Fae to respect Little Charles.

"Little" Charles Aiken (Age Range: 25-35) Son of Mattie Fae and Beverly-but, like everyone else, he believes Charlie is his father. Unemployed and clumsy, his mother calls him a "screw-up", which may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He is secretly having an affair with Ivy, who is revealed to actually be his half-sister.

Johnna Monevata (Age Range: 25-30) A Cheyenne Indian woman, whom Beverly hires as a live-in housekeeper shortly before he disappears. Violet is prejudiced against her, but she wins over the other family members with her cooking skills, hard work, and empathy. Johnna is the silent witness to much of the mayhem in the house.

Sheriff Deon Gilbeau (Age Range: 40-50) A high-school classmate and former boyfriend of Barbara's, who brings the news of Beverly's suicide to the family.

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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