Wheaton Drama

Wheaton Drama announce auditions for Play It Again, Sam which will be held at 111 N. Hale Street in Wheaton, July 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held July 22. Auditions will be by appointment only and auditioners should contact the Director, Randall Knott at: samwdi2015@gmail.com for an appointment time.

Auditions will be readings from the script, with a “hired” reader.  All auditioners will have an excellent scene partner with which to work.  Chosen sides will be made public by July 10.

Looking for 5 actors to play the following characters:

Allen Felix (M) – late 20s/early 30s.  Woody Allen wrote this role for himself.  While it is not necessary to be a physical match for Mr. Allen, it helps.  Actor must also be to understand the rhythm in Woody Allen standup.

Bogie (M) – Humphrey Bogart.  Must look and act like Humphrey Bogart.

Linda Christie (F) – Late 20s/early 30s.  Diane Keaton originated the role, which was written by her then-lover.  The wife of Allen’s best friend.  She’s a lot like Diane Keaton.  AT

Dick Christie (M) – Late 20s/early 30s.  Uptight investment real estate guy who doesn’t pay his wife enough attention.  Also Allen’s best friend.

Nancy/Sharon/Sharon Lake/Gina/Vanessa/Go-Go Girl/Intellectual Girl/Barbara (F) – Late 20s/early 30s.  One woman will be playing Nancy (Allen’s ex-wife) and all the other female roles.  The conceit is that every woman Allen tries to date…winds up looking like his ex-wife.  In reality, most of these roles are quite small, and bringing a volunteer in for rehearsals seems counter-productive to that volunteer’s time.   This actor will have a LOT of stage time, and really stretch their abilities, however.  And…they will stretch their ability to change clothes/wigs VERY quickly.  This will be a fun challenge.

TODAY’S MATINEE CANCELED
For the safety of our audience, cast and crew, Wheaton Drama is canceling today’s performance of “The 39 Steps.”
Stay safe today, and please join us for another performance.
ALSO:
Tonight’s auditions for “Enchanted April” have been rescheduled. Auditions will be Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 2-3.
Thank you.

AUDITIONS

“The 39 Steps”

Sun/Mon Nov 16-17 (Callbacks Wed Nov 19)

Director: Ken Kaden

Production Manager: Rob Reinalda / Assistant Director: Dee Hicks

Stage Manager: Elyse Willis

Note to auditionees:

“The 39 Steps” is an exceedingly physical play, in which four actors play 150+ characters. All four actors must be physically fit, with supreme coordination, dexterity, and stamina.

Except for Richard Hannay, characters use multiple accents, including standard British, Scottish, Cockney and German. Auditionees will be required to demonstrate credible accents.

Auditions and callbacks will be held at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, Illinois. They will start at 7 p.m.

Performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, and Sunday matinees at 3, running Jan. 30 through Feb. 22, 2015.

THE PLAYERS:

Richard Hannay
(Plausibly 37 years old): Dashing, charismatic 1930s movie star type. One of Hitchcock’s “wrong men” who is thrown into danger and reluctantly takes on that responsibility. Standard British accent.

Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret
(20s-30s): Attractive, vulnerable at times. Deadpan comedic skills a plus. Pamela is a “Hitchcock blonde” whose prickly exterior gives way to warmth. German, British, Scottish accents.

The Clowns
(any age): These two perform scores of characters, rapidly changing personae and accents, ages and sexes. Lots of physical comedy. Standard British, Londoner/Cockney, Scottish accents, German.

Audition specifics:

For an audition appointment, please email 39stepswdi@gmail.com, with your desired role(s) and your availability on Nov. 16-17. (Emailing headshot/resume is encouraged.) We will email you your audition appointment slot. No audition slots will be assigned after Friday, Nov. 14. Walk-ins on Nov. 16-17 will be seen only if time allows.

Hannay-only candidates should prepare a two-minute monologue of your choosing using Standard British.

All others should prepare two one-minute monologues—one in a Scottish accent, the other using another accent (chosen from standard British, Londoner/Cockney, German).

Callbacks
(Nov. 19, by invitation only) will include readings from the script, as well as some movement.

In his rambling manor house in 1906 England, widower Archibald Craven yearns for his beautiful wife. He blames his son, Colin, for her death and has isolated and neglected the boy. Young Mary Lennox  comes to live with them after her parents’ death and finds a hidden, walled garden. She releases the magic within, changing their lives forever.

AUDITIONS

Children (under 18): Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, noon to 3PM

(If the child is not available on Sept. 20, please specify his/her availability)

Adults: Sunday/Monday, Sept. 21-22, 2014, 7PM to 10PM

Callbacks: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, 7PM to 10PM—by invitation only

(If you are not available for callbacks, please alert director when requesting your audition slot)

All auditions/performances will be at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL

Show runs Nov. 14 through Dec. 7, 2014; no performance Thanksgiving Day.

Audition slots can be requested starting Sept. 1, 2014. Please email the following to anthonyberg1@yahoo.com:

• Name
• Phone number and email address
• Age (if under 18)
• Parents’ names and phone (if under 18)
• Which role(s) are you most interested in?
• Are willing to accept any role?
• How did you hear about the auditions?

Walk-ins will also be seen (as time allows) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Auditioners should prepare 16–32 bars of a musical theater song in the style of “The Secret Garden” but not from the show itself. Please provide sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided.

Auditioners may not sing a cappella, nor with recorded music.

If you are auditioning only for a non-singing role, you will read from the script at your initial audition and you will not be required to sing.

A short dance call will be part of the preliminary audition. Please dress for freedom of movement.

CHARACTERS (unless specified, all roles require a standard British accent)

Archibald Craven (30s–50s) Tenor. Hunchbacked man overcome with grief over the loss of his beloved wife. Father to Colin. He takes in Mary, who reminds him of his late wife. He longs for reasons to move on and live again.

Lily Craven (25–35) Soprano. Dies in childbirth having Colin. As a spirit she watches over Archie and Colin, wanting only love and happiness for them.

Colin Craven (8–13) Soprano. Though Colin is basically healthy, his father’s overprotective nature has kept him bed-ridden and weak. Spoiled and demanding, Colin craves parental love and friends his age.

Dr. Neville Craven (30s–50s) Baritone. Archie’s brother. Was in love with Lily. Oversees the manor’s management and Colin’s care.

Capt. Albert Lennox (30–50) Tenor. Mary’s father. Dies of cholera early on and follows Mary as a spirit.

Rose Lennox (28–40) Mezzo. Mary’s mother. Dies of cholera early on and follows Mary as a spirit.

Mary Lennox (8–13), Mezzo. The heart of the story. After her parents die of cholera, she goes to live in a strange , new home with her Uncle Archie. Curious and astute, yet subject to childish tantrums. Needs to feel loved and at home.

Martha Sowerby (18–early 30s) Mezzo. Chambermaid at Misselthwaite Manor who takes a liking to Mary. Dickon’s sister. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Dickon Sowerby (14–mid-20s) Tenor. A sprightly young fellow who loves nature and can charm animals. Martha’s brother. Fascinated by Misselthwaite’s gardens and mazes. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Ben Weatherstaff (40+) Tenor. Head gardener at Misselthwaite Manor. Yorkshire accent/dialect.

Mrs. Medlock (35-60+) Head housekeeper for Misselthwaite. Busy, no-nonsense woman.

Fakir (18+) Tenor/alto/soprano. Indian chanter. (Open on gender and ethnicity).

Ayah (18+) Alto. Mary’s Indian nanny. (Open on ethnicity.)

Lt. Ian Shaw (25–35+) Tenor. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Lt. Peter Wright (25–35+) Baritone. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Major Holmes (35–45+) Bass. Officer in Captain Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive. Dies of cholera and aids the spirit of Capt. Lennox by watching over his family.

Claire Holmes (25–40+) Soprano. Major Holmes wife. Dies of cholera.

Alice (25-40+ years old) Soprano. Rose’s friend. Dies of cholera.

Major Shelley (35–50+) Officer in Captain Lennox’s. Takes care of Mary before she moves in with Archie.

Mrs. Shelley (35–50+) Wife to Major Shelley. Takes care of Mary before she moves in with Archie.

Mrs. Winthrop (40s–60s) Head Mistress of an all-girls boarding school. Neville asks that she come to see Mary.

Non-age-specific characters:

Nurse (non-singing)

William. Tenor

Betsy. Alto

Timothy. Bass

Ensemble: 2 men, 2 women (possibly more or fewer)

The compelling dramatic comedy, running March 21—April 13, requires six actresses capable of vivid, once-in-a-lifetime performances. 

WHEATON, IL. — Wheaton Drama announces auditions for Robert Harling’s popular and beloved play, Steel Magnolias. Innovative, experienced director Lisa Dawn Foertsch seeks honest, comedic performers for this beautiful show with once-in-a-lifetime roles for women. Auditions will be held at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton.

Auditions are Sunday and Monday, Jan. 26 and 27, beginning at 7 p.m. If necessary, callbacks will be Tuesday, Jan. 28, with actors called at 7 p.m. sharp. First read-thru will be Wednesday, Jan. 29.  (more…)