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Outside Mullingar

Auditions: Jan. 22–23, from 7–9 PM

Callbacks: Jan. 25, from 7–9 PM

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Please arrive by 7 with your headshot and résumé.

To help the production team, please email mullingarwdi2017@gmail.com with your contact information, targeted role and the date you plan to attend. We will provide audition sides on or before Jan. 20.

Performances will be March 24 through April 15, 2017—Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Performers must be available for Tech Week (March 19–23) and for strike (evening of Monday, April 17).

Auditions, rehearsals and performances will be held at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL, 60187.

Characters
(All are native-born Irish farm people; actors must deliver authentic accents):

Tony Reilly (70s): A no-nonsense man of the land. He is sly, though, and rather unsentimental—until nature and the passing of time reveal to him the elemental connections in his life.

Anthony Reilly (Early to mid-40s): Tony’s youngest child and only son. Devoted to the family farm, but with a wistful, dreamy sensitivity. A deep emotional wound has persisted for decades.

Aoife Muldoon (70s): A recent widow in declining health, she is piecing together the meaning of life. Deeply devout, yet still sharp-tongued. Afraid of nothing—except her daughter, Rosemary.

Rosemary Muldoon (Mid-30s): Aoife’s only surviving child. Hell on wheels, yet with a deep well of emotions and keen vision of reality. Proud yet pragmatic, she is robust and sharp of wit.

About the play:

Outside Mullingar is a charming and compelling tale of two families, based on playwright John Patrick Shanley’s heritage. It is a tag-team sparring match, a testament to love in all its forms, a clever comedy, and a tale of an awkward romance that is anything but inevitable. This story of adjacent family farms in central Ireland spans several years and concerns property legacies and disputes, vendettas, questions about personal identity, wars against nature, and people’s connection to the land and to one another.

Outside Mullingar is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., New York.

Wheaton Drama announces auditions for The Elephant Man.

The Elephant Man is an ensemble piece featuring five main characters and a large number of supporting roles. The supporting roles in this production will rely on two or three actors able to play multiple characters.

Dialects will be required for all roles.

For any man trying out for the role of John Merrick, please note that you must be in healthy shape.
The actor must place his body under physical strain and contortion each night—for which a massage therapist will be provided during the run of the show—and must therefore ensure that he is able to do so.

There will be one night of general auditions (Nov. 6) with a second night for callbacks (Tuesday, Nov. 8) if necessary.

Performances will run from Jan. 20 through Feb. 12, 2017, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

To audition, please contact director Sean Ogren in advance for the sides (seanogren@gmail.com).

After receiving sides, all auditioners should arrive prepared at Wheaton Drama by 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111 is at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL, 60187.

LEAD CHARACTERS

JOHN MERRICK, the Elephant Man, age 20-40

FREDERICK TREVES, a surgeon and teacher, 30s

CARR GOMM, administrator of the London Hospital

MRS. KENDAL, an actress

ROSS, manager of the Elephant Man

SUPPORTING ROLES

BELGIAN POLICEMAN

LONDON POLICEMAN

MAN, at a fairground in Brussels

CONDUCTOR, of Ostend-London boat train

BISHOP WALSHAM HOW

PORTER, at the London Hospital

SNORK, also a porter

DUCHESS

COUNTESS

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

LORD JOHN

NURSE, MISS SANDWICH

PINHEADS, three female freaks with pointed heads

Wheaton Drama is proud to announce auditions for its Holiday Radio Play, “A Christmas Carol,” which will be performed in a readers’ theater style. Director Pam Turlow is looking for strong, versatile actors of all ages and ethnicities who are capable of authentic British dialects.

Auditions are Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 6, from 7-10 p.m at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL 60187.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No callbacks are scheduled.

The following roles are available and may be double or triple cast, depending on turnout:

MEN:

Charles Dickens  (30s to late 50s): Our narrator. Should be a superb storyteller with a sense of drama, able to bring the classic images in the story to life. Standard British dialect.

Ebenezer Scrooge (40s to 70s): Our anti-hero curmudgeon. Looking for a strong actor who can believably take us along on his journey, to his epiphany. Standard British dialect.

Bob Cratchit (30s to 50s): A kind soul, a charming gentleman, much put upon, but whose soul shines bright. Standard British, London, or Cockney dialect.

Nephew Fred (20s to 30s): A true believer in the Spirit of Christmas. Positive and cheery, even in the face of Scrooge’s rebuffs. Standard British or London dialect.

Mr. Bentley (30s to 50s): A business man who is doing charity collection work. Standard British or London dialect.

Mr. Charlton (30s to 50s): See Mr. Bentley.

Jacob Marley (40s to 70s): The Spirit of Regret, incarnate (or semi-incarnate). Woeful, wise, inclined to fits of melancholy. Oh, and terrifying. Standard British dialect.

Fezziwig (40s to 70s): Dimpled, humorous, festive, and a wee bit tipsy. Standard, London, or Cockney dialect.

Young Ebenezer (late teens to 20s): Hopeful and in love, but torn by the lure of monetary wealth. Standard British dialect.

Belle’s Husband (30s to 40s): A good husband, kind to his family. Standard British dialect.

Ghost of Christmas Present (30s to 50s): The Spirit of the God Bacchus! Robust, a booming voice, and larger than life. Standard British or London dialect.

Topper  (20s to 30s): A tipsy, boisterous friend of Fred.

Old Joe (40s to 70s): A lower-class London buyer and purveyor of rags. Maybe drunk, maybe toothless. Cockney or London dialect.

WOMEN:

Belle (late teens to 20s): Wise beyond her years. Heartbroken over the love she knows she can never have. Standard British dialect.

Mrs. Cratchit (30s to 50s): Much like her husband in temperament, but she probably wears the pants in the family. Standard British, London or Cockney dialect.

Bess (20s to 30s): A smart, savvy young woman, devoted to Fred.

Nancy (20s to 40s): A giggly, not-so-bright friend of Bess.

Wretched Woman (40s to 70s): A poor, sickly woman in the Alms House.

Charwoman (20s to 70s): A lower-class London cleaning woman. Probably possessing same dental affliction as Old Joe. Crass and blowsy. Cockney or London dialect.

Laundress (20s to 70s): Hangs with the same crowd as the Charwoman and Old Joe. Probably needs a bath. Cockney or London dialect.

MAN OR WOMAN:

Ghost of Christmas Past (Age, gender open): Ageless, ethereal, wise. Standard British dialect.

CHILDREN (all children should attempt a Standard or London dialect):

Boy Ebenezer (10 to 12): A sad, lonely lad.

Fan (8 to 10): Boy Ebenezer’s sister. Full of joy and promise.

Martha Cratchit (teens): The eldest Cratchit girl. Capable, smart, and loving.

Peter Cratchit (teens): The eldest Cratchit boy. Gentle and bright.

Belinda Cratchit (8 to teens): The youngest Cratchit girl. Hopeful and energetic.

Tiny Tim (7 to 10): A wise soul inside a small, sickly body. The child who is cast must be able to convey his unerring hopefulness. A boy is preferred, but the role is open to girls as well.

Boy at Alms House (12 to teens): A sweet soul who only wishes to help those less fortunate.

Goose Boy (8 to teens): A bundle of energy, eager to earn some tuppence on Christmas morning.

Caroler (boy or girl, 8 to teens): A lower-class child who’s caroling in hopes of earning money for his/her family.

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed Dec. 15-18, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. A read-through will be held Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mary Lubko Center (formerly Leisure Center), 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, and rehearsals are Monday through Wednesday evenings, Dec. 12-14, at Playhouse 111.

Youth auditions (ages 10-16): Saturday, August 27 – 1:00pm and 2:00pm

Adult auditions (ages 17+): Sunday/Monday, August 28/29 – 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00pm

Callbacks as necessary: Tuesday, August 30 – 7:00pm

Auditions are by appointment only, but we will accept walk-ins if space is available

Performance Dates: November 18 – December 11, 2016

Shrek The Musical is a PG-rated fairy tale for the entire family about the value of being yourself and accepting others for being themselves. It tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. All ages and ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Director Mike Boyna is looking for a varied, flexible, energetic cast of 18-24 people to play roughly 50 roles. Exact ages are less important than how you read, dance, sing, follow instructions, and bring your best to the process.

1-hour time slots will include:

Music: (Music Director Amy Brockman). Prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo song highlighting your range and personality. Bring your own sheet music; accompanist will be provided. No a cappella singing. Please – no songs from the show at the initial auditions. You may be asked to learn/sing a show song as part of callbacks.

Dance: (Choreographer Katy Smith) Wear comfortable clothes for dance, and be prepared to learn two short combinations in different styles. Also, two pre-audition dance workshops will be offered: Sunday/Monday, August 21, 22; times/locations TBD. These are entirely voluntary opportunities; if you don’t participate, it won’t affect your chances of being cast. Workshops will follow the format of a full dance class, with warm-up, combination and across-the-floor work, and cool down. Combinations learned will include the audition selection.

Readings: (Director Mike Boyna / A.D. Christine Pfenninger). Cold readings from the script. Aside from the 4 main characters there is a wide variety of character roles, so although you may not be asked to read for a specific role, it doesn’t mean you can’t be cast in that role(s). We will be looking mainly for energy, versatility and fearlessness from performers in the group reading section.

There are also various puppets in the production that will be operated by cast members

Email two choices of audition day/time to wdishrekauditions@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation with your audition date/time and exact location, along with an audition form. On your audition form, please list any special skills: tumbling, juggling, burping the alphabet, etc. Since these are all fairy tale characters, be prepared to demonstrate any special character voices in your toolbox (high, low, various accents, etc.).

Single character roles:

Shrek (Male, 25-45, Tenor/Baritone) the ogre: big, green, and scary…but only when he thinks being scary is fun.

Donkey (Male, 20-40, Tenor) the sidekick; requires a vocally and comically gifted actor

Fiona (Female, 25-35, Soprano) the princess; smart, sassy, strong. Tap dancing involved.

Lord Farquaad (Male, 25-45, Baritone), the villain. This character plays the entire show on his knees – in a special costume. A physically demanding role.

All other actors play multiple roles, including these fairy tale characters.

Age-specific roles:

Young Shrek (M, 8-10)

Mama and Papa Ogre (20s-40s)

King Harold and Queen Lillian, (20s-40s)

Young Fiona (F, 8-10, soprano)

Teen Fiona (F, 14-18, soprano)

Dragon (Female, 25-45, Soulful Alto) There are 2 additional female roles that sing as part of the dragon

Pinocchio (Male/Female, 15-25, Soprano/Mezzo, Alto/Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano)

Big Bad Wolf (Male, 30s-50s)

Characters that can be any age:

Female roles

Sugar Plum Fairy / Gingy (Sugar Plum Fairy will operate and provide voice for Gingy puppet), Fairy Godmother, Wicked Witch, three blind mice (these three sing as a trio), Mama Bear

Male roles

Papa Bear, Captain, Old Knights (3-4), Pied Piper, bishop.

Male or female roles:

White Rabbit, Three Little Pigs (German accents), Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Baby Bear, Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty, guards (4-6), dancing rats (4-8)

Sunday July 24 from 4:00 – 8:00PM,

Monday July 25 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Call Backs (if needed) – Tuesday July 26 from 7:00 – 9:00PM

15 minute time slots.  Email three choices of hour and day to:   forbiddenbway@gmail.com. You will be contacted with confirmation of your appointment.

Cast: 2 – 4 women, 2 – 4 men (looking for the Broadway diva or divo)

Prepare: two sections from contrasting songs, please bring your sheet music with you – an accompanist will be provided

Women – 24 – 32 bars from a selection from Group A  and 24 – 32 bars from a selection from Group B

Men – 24 – 32 bars from a selection from Group B and 24 – 32 bars from a selection from Group C

Group A (Women)

• Tomorrow (Annie) – Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) a la Carol Channing – America (West Side Story) a la Chita Rivera – Defying Gravity (Wicked) a la Idina Menzel) – I Dreamed A Dream (Les Mis) – On My Own (Les Mis) – You’re Just In Love (Call Me Madam) – Johnny One Note (Babes In Arms) – On A Clear Day (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever) a la Barbra Streisand

Group B (Women and Men)

• Razzle Dazzle (Chicago) – Into The Woods (Into The Woods) – At The End Of The Day (Les Mis) – Seasons of Love (Rent) – The Song That Goes Like This (Spamalot) – You Can’t Stop The Beat (Hairspray) – What I Did For Love (Chorus Line)

Group C (Men)

• Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Wizard Of Oz) – Bring Him Home (Les Mis) a la Colm Wilkinson – Do You Hear The People Sing (Les Mis) – Music Of The Night (Phantom of The Opera) a la Michael Crawford – Seasons of Love (Rent) a la Adam Pascal – I Enjoy Being A Girl (Flower Drum Song) – Tradition (Fiddler On the Roof)  a la Zero Mostel

Forbidden Broadway will be performed September 16 – October 9 at Playhouse 111 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays