RAGTIME The Musical - Civic Theatre of Allentown Non Equity Auditions

CIVIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR RAGTIME

Civic Theatre of Allentown will hold auditions for its benefit concert of the Tony award winning musical “Ragtime” at 6:30 pm on May 12, 2014. Auditions will be in the rehearsal hall above Civic Theatre at 527 N 19th Street in Allentown. If necessary, callbacks will be held later that week.

Ragtime is a concert for two performances - June 14 and 15. As this will be a benefit, Actor’s Equity members are welcome to audition under the Equity Guest Artist Contract.

All roles in the production are open. Here is a character breakdown for “Ragtime”

RAGTIME CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (All ages are the character; not the age of the performer).

Cast breakdown: a Multi-Ethnic/Multi-Racial cast including all ages, about 50+ adults/older teens, and 3 featured children. 3-6 additional children may be cast for ensemble, ages 8-12. The entire ensemble sings. (Non-singing actors may be considered for non-singing featured roles; however singers will be given preference due to the challenging choral score.)

LEAD AND FEATURED ROLES

(ages listed are based on history and/ or author recommendations, and should not be taken literally)

Coalhouse Walker, Jr: (lead) African-American male. 25-35 (baritone with strong top range; range: Ab to G, with a sustained high F#). Intense dance; pianist; proud, confident, and stubborn.

Sarah: (lead) African-American female. Late teens-early 20's (lyric soprano; range: low G# to high F# on staff)

Mother: (lead) Anglo-American female. 30+ (lyric soprano; range: low G to high Eb on staff) gentle, compassionate, optimistic

Father: (lead) Anglo-American male. 40+ (baritone; range: B to E on staff) cautious; resistant to change

Mother's Younger Brother: (supporting) Anglo-American male. 20-25+ (tenor/baritone with strong top range: B to high F#) passionate anarchist; intense and high-strung

Young Boy: (supporting) Anglo-American male. 8-12 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on staff) precocious and curious

Tateh: (lead) Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant male. 30+, slight accent (tenor; range: Db to high F#) intelligent, passionate, creative

Emma Goldman (cameo - historical): Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female/Anarchist. 40+, slight accent. (alto, range: low G# to Db on staff)

Harry Houdini (cameo - historical): Hungarian Immigrant male/Magician/body-builder. 30+ (tenor; range: mid. C to high G)

Evelyn Nesbit (cameo - historical): Anglo-American female. Vaudevillian performer. 18-25 (belter/soprano, range:middle C to Db on staff) dancer preferred.

Young Girl (supporting) Tateh's daughter: Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female. 8-12 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on the staff) quiet and shy.

Sarah's Friend: (supporting) African-American female. Late teens - 30. (Gospel lyric-soprano or alto range: low G to stratosphere scat top note)

Grandfather (cameo) (Mother's father): Anglo-American male. 55+ (some speak sung lyrics, baritone) gruff & outspoken.

Booker T. Washington (cameo - historical): African-American male, distinguished. 45+ (some speak sung lyrics, baritone)

Henry Ford (cameo - historical): Anglo-American male. 30-45 (some speak sung lyrics, baritone)

JP Morgan (cameo - historical): Anglo-American male; banking mogul. 45+ (some speak sung lyrics, baritone)

Little Coalhouse: (cameo) Walk-on at end of show. African-American male. Age 3-4 (no spoken lines or singing)

SUPPORTING/ENSEMBLE ROLES:

• RAGTIME offers members of the three ensembles multiple opportunities to play a number of smaller parts with lines and some solos. Supporting roles with final casting decisions possibly made during rehearsals)include: Admiral Peary, Stanford White, Harry K. Thaw, Willie Conklin, Judge, train conductor, people of New Rochelle/Harlem/Union Square, Jewish immigrants, factory workers, demonstrators, newsboys, reporters, bureaucrats, Coalhouse's Men, and numerous other ensemble roles.
• The RAGTIME Chorus is an exciting and essential feature of the show. Chorus is extremely involved and active throughout the show. The three distinct ensemble groups must each produce a full and balanced choral sound.

Actors who wish to audition should do the following:

Prepare 18-36 bars of a song from “Ragtime,” or a similar musical theatre genre that shows your range and experience. If you are interested in a specific role, sing a song that that character performs. An accompanist will be at the audition; actors are expected to provide sheet music.

Bring a headshot or picture in which your face is clearly visible.

Bring a list of your conflicts from audition date until the show's close (June, 15).

Directed and by Civic’s Artistic Director, William Sanders with musical direction by Justin Brehm, and Steve Reisteter “Ragtime” will play Civic's Nineteenth Street Theatre from Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, June 15 and will feature the full orchestration of 28 pieces. Please visit
www.CivicTheatre.com for more information.

Civic Theatre of Allentown

527 N 19th Street

Allentown, PA 18104

www.CivicTheatre.com