Wheaton Drama

Auditions for Wheaton Drama’s upcoming production of Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Sean Ogren & Suzanne Ogren, are set for Sunday, March 29th and Monday, March 30th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, with callbacks Tuesday, March 31st @ 7:00pm at:

Wheaton Drama, Inc.
111 N. Hale St.
Wheaton, IL 60187

Please note that this show is non-equity and there is no pay.
Performances for Peter and the Starcatcher will take place from Friday, May 22nd thru Sunday June 14th:
● Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
● Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Actors are required to be there for all performances.

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, April 5th and are held four nights a week, Sunday thru Wednesday evenings. Due to the collaborative nature of the play, all cast members will be required at most, if not all, rehearsals.
Auditions will consist of a 90-minute block from either 7:00-8:30 or 8:30-10:00. A short song will be taught, as well as a dance and basic fight choreography. Sides will be sent out prior to auditions. Callbacks will consist of further scenes from the play. To sign up for auditions, please send an e-mail request titled “Peter and the Starcatcher Audition” to ewmusic37@gmail.com and list your preference for date and time. Limited space may mean that we cannot honor your preference but we will do our best.

The following roles are available for color-blind casting.

Some roles are available for gender-blind casting as noted.

The imaginative theme of the play allows for wide age ranges for actors, however, please note that you must be at least 16 to audition.
Also, due to the physical nature of the play, all actors must be in good physical condition.

THE ORPHANS
PETER (male – 16-35) An astute boy. Nameless, homeless, and friendless, but a survivor. More than anything, he wants a home and family. If he could grow up, he’d fall for Molly in a big way.
PRENTISS (male – 16-35) Ambitions, hyperarticulate, logical; yearns to be a leader, even as he knows in his heart that he never shall be one. A bit of a blowhard with just the teeny-tiniest touch of cowardice.
TED (male – 16-35) Obsessed with food. A natural actor, an easy wit, perhaps a future poet.

THE BRITISH SUBJECTS

LORD LEONARD ASTER (male – 25-60) The very model of a Victorian gentleman, loyal subject to the Queen, devoted father, faithful friend. Also – a Starcatcher; thus dedicated to protecting the Earth and all who dwell thereon from the awesome power of starstuff.
MOLLY ASTER (female – 16-35) A true leader at a time when girls are mostly followers. Will risk everything for the sake of Doing Right. Curious, intelligent, beginning to feel things she doesn’t yet understand – romantic longings that revert to childish tantrums under pressure – because, after all, she’s a thirteen-year-old kid. She’ll be a great woman one day.
MRS. BUMBRAKE / TEACHER (male – 20-60) BUMBRAKE is Molly’s nanny. British to the bone. Still has enough of her girlish charm to turn a sailor’s head and leaven his dreams. Stiff in the lip, loose in the hip, fun on a ship. / Teacher is formerly a salmon, now an ancient, knowledgeable mermaid.
CAPTAIN ROBERT FALCON SCOTT (male/female – 20-60) Captain of Britain’s fastest frigate, the Wasp.

THE SEAFARERS
THE BLACK STACHE (male – 20-55) Long after everyone else got out of the pirate business, The Black Stache continues to terrorize the seven seas in search of a hero worthy of his villainy. Famous for his face foliage, he started shaving at age ten, had a bushy handlebar by eleven, and the blood of twenty crews on his hands by twelve. Heartless and hirsute, suspiciously well read, partial to the poetical and theatrical, and given to a ferocity from which no good shall every spring.
ALF (male – 20-60) An old see dog. Something about him appeals to the feminine sensibility – might be his bow legs, his saucy gait, or his kind heart.
BILL SLANK / HAWKING CLAM (male/female – 20-65) BILL SLANK is the Neverland’s vicious captain, without the skill or quality to lead anyone but himself, and always into disaster. A greedy bastard who’d sell his own mother for a ship to command and send boys to their doom for the favor of those who would use starstuff for personal gain, global domination, or worse. An orphan, too. / HAWKING CLAM Son of Fighting Prawn and Sweet ’n’ Sour Shrimp. One day, he will ascend the Clam throne as head of the Royal Clam Clan.
GREMPKIN / MACK / SANCHEZ (male/female – 20-65) GREMPKIN is the mean and malodorous schoolmaster of St. Norbert’s Orphanage for Lost Boys. / MACK is a very bad sailor who wants to be anywhere but under the thumb of Bill Slank. / SANCHEZ is a hard-working Spanish pirate with an identity crisis.
SMEE (male/female – 20-65) First mate to Black Stache. Single-mindedly dedicated to his captain’s every whim. His motto: “Tis good to be busy.”

Wheaton Drama is proud to announce its audition schedule for the 2019/2020 Season. Save the date information is listed below for each of the shows, and more information about time, place and requirements for each show are forthcoming on our website and social media. Mark your calendars now – and join us in making the 2019/2020 Season at Wheaton Drama remarkable!

• The Addams Family Auditions – July 21, July 22; Callbacks – July 23; Optional Dance Workshop –  Sunday July 14. Auditions will be scheduled in group rotations.
• Moonlight and Magnolias Auditions – Sep 15, Sep 16; Callbacks – Sep 17. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Merry Mad Mid-Mod Auditions – Aug 4. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Little Women The Broadway Musical Auditions –  Nov 3, Nov 4; Callbacks – Nov 5.
• Hauptmann Auditions – Jan 19, Jan 20; Callbacks – Jan 22. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.
• Peter and the Starcatcher Auditions – March 29, March 30; Callbacks March 31. Auditions will be in scheduled time slots.

Wheaton Drama announces auditions for SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Randall W. Knott, with production management by Elyse Willis, musical direction by Bryan McCaffery, and choreography by Katy Smith.

WHEN: Sunday, March 3 or Monday, March 4, beginning at 7 p.m..  Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, March 6, beginning at 7 p.m..

WHERE:  Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL

Auditions will be by appointment (see below). Please prepare 32 bars of a piece in the style of the show. There will be no movement/reading at the preliminary auditions, just singing. Callbacks will include some movement. Please plan to arrive as early as you need to prepare for your audition time. Note: we intend to be on time, if you are late, your spot will likely be forfeited. See below for character descriptions.

To schedule an appointment:  

Audition appointments have been filled and a waiting list has been started. Please email below to be added to the waiting list for an audition!

Please email toddwdi2019@gmail.com with a preferred audition night, NOT a preferred time. With the demand we expect, we will not be able to accommodate requests for appointment time. Audition appointments will be scheduled in 5 minute increments, and the Production Staff reserves the right to fill the slots as requests arrive. Please indicate that in the event your preferred night is not available, if you are available the other night as well. Auditions will be first come, first serve, and limited to the 72 slots we are creating. Audition appointments will close on March 1, 5:00 pm.  

SWEENEY TODDwill run May 24 through June 16, 2019. Performances will take place Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays at 8pm & Sundays at 3pm. All performances are staged at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton.

Non-Mandatory Q&A with Production Staff

There will be a non-mandatory Q&A with the Director and Assistant Director on Saturday morning, February 9^th, at Playhouse 111, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Audition expectations, a brief description of the vision of the show, and any questions from those attending will be the topics of the day.  There will be doughnuts, coffee, etc.  Mostly, it’s a way to break some of the tension before the auditions.  As stated, attendance is not mandatory, but we might have some fun.  

Character Descriptions:
Age ranges mean WHAT CAN BE VISUALIZED ON STAGE age ranges, not necessarily actual ages of actors.

Sweeney Todd– Baritone  (Age 35-45)  Primary male lead. A man out for revenge following his 15 year false imprisonment in Australia.  Will learn small amount of stage combat.

Mrs. Lovett– Mezzo (Age 45-55)  Primary female lead.  Opportunistic owner of a failing meat pie shop.  Comedic, for sure, but with an edge.

Judge Turpin– Baritone (Age 55-75) Supporting male lead.  Sanctimonious “honorable” man responsible for Todd’s imprisonment. 

Anthony Hope– Tenor  (Age  20-25) Supporting male lead.  Wide-eyed romantic ingénue.

Johanna– Lyric Soprano (Age 16) Supporting female lead.  Romantic ingénue who is perhaps not so wide-eyed.

Beggar Woman– Mezzo (Age – 35-45) Supporting female lead.  “Crazy” beggar woman with a tragic story to tell.

Tobias Ragg– Tenor (teenager-early 30s) Supporting male lead.  Mentally challenged, put-upon young man.  Will consider teenagers, but bear in mind that the role is demanding, vocally.  

Beadle Bamford– Tenor (Age 45-55) Supporting male lead.  Turpin’s lackey.  What Bill Sikes would be if he’d had someone spot his talent and groom him.  Must have a high falsetto range.

Adolfo  Pirelli– HIGH, crisp tone, tenor (Age 25-35) Pirelli is a theatrically comic Italian(?) barber with a soaring voice…and a secret.  

Ensemble– We NEEDbetween 5-16 ensemble members to act as a Greek Chorus throughout the play.  Stage time will be plentiful, and ALL will be featured, at least visually, at some point.  The Ensemble will be balanced based on strength of vocalists, it may be divided equally SATB, it may not.  We will be casting at least 3 males and 2 females in the ensemble. We would prefer a larger ensemble, as we want to fill the stage with sound.  This is a show that absolutely depends on its ensemble.

This production is non-equity & there is no pay.

SWEENEY TODD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com

Wheaton Drama proudly announces auditions for ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA on Sunday and Monday, July 22 and 23, with callbacks scheduled for Thursday, July 26. No appointments will be taken nor are they needed; auditioners will be seen in groups within the time frames shown below. Performances are scheduled September 14-October 7, 2018, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays @ 8PM; Sundays @ 3PM. Auditions & performances will take place at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Audition Schedule:

Sunday, July 22:

1-2:00pm Children 7-9 years of age

2:30- 3:30pm Children 10-14 years of age

4-5:30pm Adults

Monday, July 23:

4-5:00pm Children 7-9 years of age

5:30-6:30pm Children 10-14 years of age

7-8:30pm Adults

Thursday, July 26:

6:30-8:30pm Callbacks by invitation

Audition requirements: Director Maria Bakalis is seeking to cast a group of 24 imaginative, flexible, playful adults and children. Auditions will consist of learning and singing a 16-bar music selection, not from the show, along with cold readings of short scenes, also not from the show. Children will be taught some simple movement steps. All roles are available. Please bring a recent photograph; a selfie or snapshot is fine.

Character Descriptions Available HERE

Please contact director Maria Bakalis with questions at wheatondramawonka@gmail.com.

Download Audition Forms here to complete in advance:

Wonka Audition Form Children

Wonka Audition Form Adults

Production Team:

Director: Maria Bakalis
Production Managers: Kate Quan and Katy Smith
Music Director: Bryan McCaffrey
Assistant Director: Krystyn Wells

This is a non-Equity production; there is no pay.

ROALD DAHL’S WILLY WONKA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Director Mike Boyna has added a second night of auditions for Wheaton Drama’s production of A Piece of My Heart, a drama about the role of women in the Vietnam War.

Auditions will run from 7–10 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 7-8, 2018. Callbacks are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9. Read-through will be Thursday, Jan. 11.

The director seeks exceptional actors: five women of diverse ethnicity, and one man who will play dozens of roles. Please see character breakdowns below. (Auditions for MaryJo have been held, and that role has been cast.) The director is especially looking for African-American and Amer-Asian actresses, for the roles of Steele and LeeAnn, respectively.

All auditions, rehearsals (unless otherwise specified) and performances will take place at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL.

A Piece of My Heart is a powerful true drama about three nurses, a Red Cross volunteer, a USO entertainer, and an Army intelligence officer who bare their souls and share their experiences before, during and after their service in Vietnam. In addition to telling their own stories, all actors also appear as characters in the other women’s stories.

Audition details: Auditions will begin at 7 p.m.; 15-minute auditions slots are by appointment only. The women will deliver selected monologues; the man will perform scene readings, both of which will be provided once audition appointments are set. Monologues and scenes do not have to be memorized, but it would be helpful to both the actors and the director.

Note: Don’t get hung up on the stage ages shown; Martha, Sissy, Whitney and LeeAnn are all about the same age; Steele has to play a bit older, and MaryJo a bit younger.

To schedule an audition appointment for Jan. 7, please contact director Mike Boyna at Wdiheart2017@gmail.com. Copies of the script are available upon request.

AVAILABLE ROLES:
Martha (22–42): Navy Nurse. Born in central Georgia. Strong, self-composed, aura of self-discipline, military bearing. Strong face, American, almost pioneer in feeling.
Sissy (20–40): Army Nurse. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania. Sweet, feminine, outgoing. Sense of fun. Also, a sense of harmony and warmth to her personality.
Whitney (21–41): Red Cross volunteer. Born in New England. Tall, slender, withdrawn, contained. Very aristocratic in bearing and quality. A Vassar graduate.
LeeAnn (20–40). Army Nurse. Born in New York. Great role for an Asian or Amerasian actress; she describes herself as half Italian and half Chinese. Attractive. Strong, tough, determined in nature. An urban, hip quality to her personality.
Steele (35–55). Intelligence Officer. Born in Jackson, Mississippi. Great role for an African-American actress. Extremely strong, military bearing. Very intelligent, outgoing, great sense of humor. A pragmatist.
All the American Men (18–60). ONE versatile actor plays a total of 28 parts: various military ranks; Gold Star father; talent agent; family member; TV announcer and much more. Physical and vocal flexibility are a plus.
NOTE: The actor playing Mary Jo (cast via November auditions) will attend callbacks to read with other actors.

SCHEDULING:
Rehearsals: 3-4x per week, except for weeks of Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 (no rehearsals; actors will have time to get off script and do background reading). All actors will not need to be at all rehearsals—until Tech Week (mandatory attendance): Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, March 18, 19 & 21 (off day Tuesday, March 20). Preview performance Thursday March 22.
Performances: March 23 – April 15. Thursday-Saturday performances at 8 p.m.; Sunday performances at 3 p.m. (No show on Easter Sunday, April 1.)