Wheaton Drama

Director Randall W. Knott is adding a third evening of auditions, Tuesday, Sept. 19, for “Sense and Sensibility,” running Nov. 17 through Dec. 10.

Knott says: “We are expanding auditions to accommodate additional younger men for several outstanding dramatic/romantic roles. Women who have not yet signed up and who wish to reserve a slot will be put on a waiting list and will be added as space opens. All waiting list participants will be given all audition materials to familiarize themselves with audition scenes.”

Please email sensewdi2017@gmail.com by Sept. 15 to request an audition appointment.

Character descriptions and other information can be found at http://www.wheatondrama.org/news-auditions/.

Wheaton Drama announces auditions for Sense and Sensibility.

Jane Austen’s timeless romance, condensed for a brisk staging, runs Nov. 17 to Dec. 10.

Director Randall W. Knott is casting six women’s roles and six men’s roles. Character ages and descriptions are below.

Auditions will be Sunday, Sept. 17, and Monday, Sept. 18, starting at 7 p.m. Callbacks (if necessary) will be Wednesday, Sept. 20, beginning at 7 p.m.

Auditions will be by appointments of 10 minutes each, and actors will work with a “hired reader” in a closed setting before the production staff. Auditionees will be afforded every opportunity to shine. NOTE: All roles require British accents.

Please email sensewdi2017@gmail.com by Sept. 15 to request an audition appointment, specifying which evening you prefer. Auditionees who schedule appointments will receive sides and an audition form in advance. Walk-ins will be seen only as time allows.

Auditions, rehearsals (unless otherwise specified) and performances will be held at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Rehearsals will be Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; tech week is Nov. 11–16.

Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be NO performance on Thanksgiving, Nov. 23.

Women’s roles:
Marianne (young woman): Younger of the two Dashwood sisters; sensitive, idealistic.
Elinor (young woman): Older of two Dashwood sisters; sensible, caring soul.
Mrs. John Dashwood (youngish woman): Shrewish stepsister-in-law of our protagonists.
Mrs. Henry Dashwood (middle-aged woman): Mother of Marianne and Elinor.
Lucy Steele (young woman): Rival to Elinor in affairs of the heart.
Mrs. Middleton/Mrs. Ferrars (middle-aged to older woman): One actor to play two roles, both important, but divergent in character.
Mrs. Jennings: This role has already been cast.

Men’s roles:
John Dashwood (young man): Stepbrother to Marianne and Elinor, and executor of his late father’s estate.
Edward Ferrars (young man): Befuddled, kind soul.
Sir John Middleton/other roles (middle-aged to older man): Jovial host to Dashwood sisters; this actor will play other incidental roles in the show.
Colonel Brandon (middle-aged man): Man of wealth and good heart, but awkward in the ways of romance.
Willoughby (young man): Dandy gentleman with less to offer than most.
Robert Ferrars (young man): Edward’s brother, he figures prominently in the show’s conclusion.

Wheaton Drama announces auditions for “Fiddler on the Roof.”

This poignant classic musical, running Sept. 15 through Oct. 8, kicks off our 2017–18 season. Theater veteran Carrie Dabelow is directing.

Sign up for an audition slot here.
Download the audition form (required) here: FIDDLER_ audition form

Auditions for adults (age 16+) will be Monday, July 24, and Tuesday, July 25, starting at 7 p.m. Adult callbacks will be Thursday, July 27, beginning at 7 p.m.

Auditions for performers 15 and younger will be Saturday, July 29, starting at 10 a.m.

Auditions, rehearsals (unless otherwise specified) and performances will be held at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Rehearsals will be Sundays through Thursdays; tech week is Sept. 10–14. Performances are Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Auditions will include cold readings from the script. Performers will be asked to sing 32 bars of a song from musical theater. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in the proper key; no CDs or a cappella singing, please.

Please wear comfortable shoes; a short dance audition will be required for those interested in the bottle dance or the daughters’ ballet.

Characters:
Tevye, the dairyman: Baritone, 40–65
Golde, his wife: Mezzo-soprano, 35–60
Tzeitel, their eldest daughter: Mezzo-soprano, 17–25
Hodel, their second daughter: Mezzo-soprano, 17–25
Chava, daughter: Mezzo-soprano, 17–25
Shprintze, daughter: Soprano/Alto, 9–15
Bielke, the youngest daughter: Soprano/Alto, 7–15
Yente, the matchmaker: Alto (character), Any age
Lazar Wolf, the butcher: Baritone, 30–65
Motel, the tailor (loves Tzeitel): Tenor, 17–35
Perchik (loves Hodel): Tenor, 17–35
Fyedka (a Russian): Tenor, 17–35
Constable: Spoken, Any Age
Rabbi: Baritone, 30 +
Grandma Tzeitel: Mezzo-soprano, Any Age
Fruma-Sarah: Mezzo-soprano (belt), Any Age
Nachum, a beggar: Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Yussel (male): Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Shaindel (Motel’s mother): Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Sasha (male): Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Mendel (male): Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Mordcha (male): Lines/Ensemble, Any Age
Avram (male): Baritone/Ensemble, Any Age
Fiddler: Must play the violin, Any Age
Ensemble members will sing and have some movement in various scenes.

Wheaton Drama announces its audition dates for the 2017–18 season.

Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Carrie Dabelow: Auditions are July 24–25 at 7 p.m. for adults; July 29 at 10 a.m. for children; callbacks are July 27 at 7 p.m.

Sense and Sensibility, directed by Randall W. Knott: Auditions are Sept. 17–18 at 7 p.m.; callbacks are Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

The Cinnamon Bear, directed by Ben Dooley: Auditions are Nov. 4–5 at 2 p.m.; callbacks are Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

Sex in the Title, directed by Jay Fontanetta: Auditions are Nov. 19–20 at 7 p.m.; callbacks are Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.

A Piece of My Heart, directed by Mike Boyna: Auditions are Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.; callbacks are Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

Company, directed by Pam Turlow: Auditions are March 25–27 at 7 p.m.; callbacks are March 28 at 7 p.m.

Auditions and callbacks, unless otherwise specified, will be held at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Main St., Wheaton.

Audition dates are subject to change; please check our website www.wheatondrama.org for updates as audition dates approach.

Wheaton Drama announces auditions for its 2016-17 season closer, “The Producers”—one of the funniest and most popular musical comedies of all time–to be held March 26-27.

Craig Gustafson is directing. Music Director: Joni Kotche. Choreographer: Katy Smith. Production Managers: Elyse Wadzinski and Leah Rae Witt.

To best utilize the time of actors auditioning for “The Producers,” auditions are by appointment only at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale
St., Wheaton.

This show is rated R and will not be diluted in any way. Actors must be completely comfortable with content that is bawdy, politically incorrect, deliberately offensive and bawdy. Did we mention “bawdy”? Actors must be 18 or older to audition.

The process is as follows:

To schedule an appointment, please email ProducersWDI@comcast.net. State your name and which day you would like to audition. Attaching a headshot and résumé is acceptable but not required. Details on what you will be asked to sing and read will be provided when your appointment is scheduled.

1. Actors will be scheduled for March 26 or 27. If all slots fill up on those dates, other dates will be added.
2. Actors will be assigned a call time, either 7, 8 or 9 p.m.
3. Actors will be assigned to a group and will spend 20 minutes in the singing audition, 20 minutes in the dance audition and 20 minutes in the reading audition. Everyone who attends will get to read.
4. Walk-ins will be seen only if there are any cancellations or open slots, so making an appointment is strongly encouraged.
5. Those cast or called back will be called by noon on Wednesday, March 29. Actors who are not cast or called back will be contacted by email. Callbacks will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29.

Performances of “The Producers” are May 26 through June 18, 2017. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

“The Producers” is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

For tickets and information, please visit: http://www.wheatondrama.org/show/the-producers/

Character breakdown

(Character ages listed are guidelines only. If you’re not that age, but you want a part, convince us.)

MAX BIALYSTOCK

The consummate con man. Naturally animated and bombastic, he is never at a loss for charm and deviousness.

Gender: Male

Age: 35 to 55

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: A2

LEO BLOOM

An accountant. Lovably boring and mousy, he is a hesitant optimist who longs for something more.

Gender: Male

Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: A2

FRANZ LIEBKIND

Unrepentant Nazi/sensitive playwright. German accent required.

Gender: Male

Age: 30 to 55

Vocal range top: G4

Vocal range bottom: F2

ROGER DEBRIS

New York’s most flamboyant stage director. Doesn’t stand out in a crowd; he is the crowd.

Gender: Male

Age: 35 to 60

Vocal range top: G4

Vocal range bottom: G#2

CARMEN GHIA

Roger Debris’ common-law assistant. Prissy, caustic and slavishly devoted. He may appear younger than he actually is, thanks to skilled surgeons.

Gender: Male

Age: 25 to 35

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: C3

ULLA INGA HANSEN BENSON YONSEN TALLEN-HALLEN SVADEN-SVANSON

A young and hopeful actress. A sex bomb, which frequently explodes. Swedish accent required.

Gender: Female

Age: 18 to 35

Vocal range top: G5 NOTE: Must have a strong belt.

Vocal range bottom: A3

ENSEMBLE

Accountants; Bavarian Peasants; Convicts; First Nighters; Little Old Ladies; Storm Troopers; Chorus Girls; Girl Prisoners; Usherettes

About “The Producers”
:

Adapted from the Academy Award winning screenplay by Mel Brooks, the original production of “The Producers” opened at the St. James Theatre on April 19, 2001, and ran for 2,502 performances, closing on April 22, 2007, and winning 12 Tony Awards (including Best Musical)—more than any other show in Broadway history. The cast album won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

For a synopsis of the show, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_(musical)

To hear samples of the music, go here:

http://www.mtishows.com/the-producers

“Everybody who sees ‘The Producers’ is going to be hard-pressed to choose one favorite bit from the sublimely ridiculous spectacle… ‘The Producers’ is as full of gags, gadgets and gimmicks as an old vaudevillian’s trunk. But the show, which has a book by Mr. Brooks and Thomas Meehan with songs by Mr. Brooks (you heard me), is much more than the sum of its gorgeously silly parts. It is, to put it simply, the real thing.”—New York Times

“Extraordinary tickling power… it is irresistible.”—LA Times

“Entirely irresistible and irrepressible confection.”—The Stage (UK)