Virginia Stage 2018-19 Season - Norfolk VA EPA
Virginia Stage Company
AUDITION DATE
Fri, Jun 01, 2018
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (EDT)
Lunch 1 to 2
Saturday, June 2, 2018
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Lunch 1 to 2
APPOINTMENTS
Please contact audition@vastage.org to make an appointment no later than Thursday, May 30th at 5PM.
CONTRACT
LOA 18-19 contract/salary pending. 17-18 minimum: $670/week
SEEKING
Equity actors and actor/singers for various roles in the upcoming 18-19 season.
PREPARATION
Prepare a brief monologue, or a brief song, or a one-minute monologue with 16 bars of a song. An accompanist will be provided. Bring picture and resume.
LOCATION
Wells Theatre
108 E Tazewell St
Norfolk, VA 23510
PERSONNEL
Artistic Director, Associate Producer: Tom Quaintance & Patrick Mullins
OTHER
Virginia Stage Company strives for an inclusive creative work environment and actively embraces a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We highly encourage people of color, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups to audition.
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
BREAKDOWN
The 2018-2019 Season:
Always… Patsy Cline
By Ted Swindley
Directed by Amy Jones
1st Rehearsal: August 21, 2018. Opening: September 12, 2018. Closing: September 30, 2018.
One of the most beloved productions in Virginia Stage Company history returns to kick off the historic 40th Season. Celebrate the life and music of one of country music’s most iconic voices and her unlikely friendship with a Houston housewife as they bond over a pot of strong coffee, some dear letters between friends, and the beautiful tunes of Cline herself. You’ll go “Crazy” over 27 of her biggest hits.
Seeking:
Patsy Cline—20s-30s; caucasian ethnicity, dynamic and passionate actress who can embody Patsy Cline in voice and spirit; ability to mimic her unique vocal sound is imperative.
Louis Seger—40s-50s; any ethnicity, strong storyteller and comedic actress with a big heart; must be able to command the stage and feel comfortable interacting with the audience.
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Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Chris Hanna
1st Rehearsal: September 25, 2018. Opening: October 17, 2018. Closing: November 4, 2018
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play has stood the test of time and remains one of the top produced and cherished shows in the American canon. Through humor and exceptionally powerful storytelling, audiences are transported to the small town of Grover’s Corners to follow the journey of its residents as they grow up and experience the beauty and heartbreak of life. This new take on an American classic proves to highlight what makes this little town enduringly iconic and not so different from Hampton Roads.
Seeking:
Stage Manager - 30-65, Any Ethnicity, Non-Gender Specific
George Gibbs - 18-25, Any Ethnicity, Male Identifying
Emily Webb - 18-25, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying
Dr. Gibbs - 35-45, Any Ethnicity, Male Identifying
Mrs. Gibbs - 35-45, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying
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A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted & Directed by Patrick Mullins
1st Rehearsal: November 6, 2018. Opening: November 30, 2018. Closing: December 23, 2018.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the Wells Theatre. Experience the childlike wonder of this heartwarming story that follows the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they take Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of redemption where he learns the power of kindness and compassion. This play is recommended for all ages and, in our opinion, is better the more kids you bring.
Seeking:
Christmas Present - Jolly, warm, bigger than life. Open to all genders, over 30yo.
Marley - Imposing, gruff, and a gentle heart buried inside. Male, over 35yo.
Bob Cratchit - The heart of the play. Full of care and compassion, for Tim and Scrooge. Male Identifying, over 30yo.
Mrs. Cratchit - Bob’s partner who creates a crucial support system for Bob and the family. A big heart, but quick to protect her own. Female Identifying, over 30yo.
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Fun Home
By Alison Bechdel, Jeanine Tesori, and Lisa Kron
Directed by Jessica Holt
1st Rehearsal: December 31, 2018. Opening: January 23, 2019. Closing: February 10, 2019.
Alison Bechdel’s iconic graphic novel comes to life in this Tony Award-winning masterpiece musical. Follow her journey of self-discovery as Alison recounts the mysteries of her childhood with her father in the family funeral home. Coming to understand her past leads her on a path of self-discovery and her own journey as an LGBTQ writer, artist, and woman. Join Virginia Stage for this groundbreaking musical enjoyed by play and musical lovers alike that brings forward aspects of our society that do not often take center stage.
Seeking:
Bruce Bechdel - Mid 40’s, Male Identifying. Caucasian. He’s the local high school English teacher and runs the local funeral home, but his real obsession is the historical restoration of his home. A deeply repressed gay man married to a woman, he is charismatic and complex. He can swivel quickly from being warm and charming to forbidding and tyrannical. Always a perfectionist. Although he is quick to anger, he is also a genuinely caring father. Must be able to move effortlessly from speech to song. Baritone.
Alison Bechdel - Mid 40’s, Female Identifying. Caucasian and/or Mixed Race. Our narrator, we see the world through her perceptive, unsentimental , clear eyes. Now a lesbian cartoonist, she seeks to put her past in perspective and understand the events that led to her father’s suicide. Intelligent, self-aware, analytic, with a wonderful sense of irony. Must be able to move effortlessly from speech to song. Mezzo-soprano.
Small Alison - 8-10, Female Identifying. Caucasian and/or Mixed Race. Alison Bechdel as a child. Precocious, curious, imaginative, intelligent, and confident girl. She desperately wants her father’s approval even as she is beginning to develop her own sense of identity, and has different opinions from him on how girls should dress and behave. Must be able to move effortlessly from speech to song. Alto.
Helen Bechdel - Mid 40’s, Female Identifying. Caucasian and/or Mixed Race. Alison’s mother and married to Bruce, she has spent her life trying to be the perfect mother and wife, and has had to turn a blind eye to her husband’s indiscretions. Emotionally exhausted but trying to hold it all together. Must be able to move effortlessly from speech to song. Mezzo-Soprano.
Medium Alison - Early 20’s, Female Identifying. Caucasian and/or Mixed Race. A freshman at Oberlin College, she is discovering her sexuality and comes out as a lesbian. Intelligent, incredibly well-read, studious, earnest, serious and adorably socially-awkward. Must be able to move effortlessly from speech to song. Mezzo-Soprano
Joan - Mid 20’s, Female Identifying. Any Ethnicity. Student at Oberlin. Confident and self-aware, she’s proudly out and has magnetic sexual energy. Comfortable in her own skin with a great sense of ironic humor. Alto.
Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby/Jeremy - 20-30, Male Identifying. Any Ethnicity. The young man Bruce hired to help with yard work; Pete, a bereaved man; Mark, an uncertain high school junior; Bobby Jeremy, the charming lead singer of a Partridge Family-style 70s band.Tenor.
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Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye
Adapted by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Khanisha Foster
1st Rehearsal: February 12, 2019. Opening: March 6, 2019. Closing: March 24, 2019.
Adapted from Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison’s first novel, this play explores race and class during the post-Great Depression era. Young Pecola Breedlove prays for Shirley Temples’ blue eyes, sure that love and acceptance will follow; but for a young black girl in Ohio in the 1940’s, fitting in is easier wished for than done. This poetic narrative illuminates the destructive powers of racism, colorism, and how the dynamics of family and community can lift us up or tear us down. Produced in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.
Note: Before seeking, The skin tone of several characters is central to the play's storyline. Also note: The children--Claudia, Frieda/Darlene, Pecola, and Maureen--are played by adults 18+. Note that the actors do not need to look like children or teenagers, and this is a non-literal interpretation. There are other characters (Women 1, 2, 3, and 4) which will be doubled by the actors cast in any of the other roles.
Seeking:
Claudia - Female identifying, 18+; African-American. Precocious, sensitive girl; she must be able to move gracefully between the innocence of youth and the wisdom of the narrator who has lived through it all; dexterity with direct address a must.
Pecola - Female identifying, 18+ ; African-American. A shy, quiet, resigned and somewhat pained presence; she should be completely innocent; we must love her and want to take care of her, but not pity her; perhaps there is a certain quiet pride that won’t let us tip over into pity; it is imperative that she have very dark brown skin.
Mrs. Breedlove - Female identifying, 40s; African-American. An older version of Pecola, also has a dark brown complexion; painfully shy and insecure, and still very adept at addressing the audience.
Frieda/Darlene - Female identifying, 18+; African-American. Claudia’s older sister; somewhat more practical than Claudia; possibly more stern, slightly less personable
Cholly - Male identifying, 40s; African-American. Mrs. Breedlove’s age, the shell of a man who may have been physically impressive at one time, dark brown complexion.
Maureen Peal/White Girl - Female, 18+; light-skinned Mixed Race - African-American. Very pretty; more complicated than merely “snotty”; she is a real person, as complicated as the other characters.
Mama - Female identifying, 40s; African American. She possesses an imposing presence. She loves her children and this should be evident despite her stern manner.
Soaphead Church - Male identifying, 40s; Mixed Race - African American Charismatic, off, charming, mature.
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Native Gardens
By Karen Zacarías
1st Rehearsal: Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Opening: April 10, 2019. Closing: April, 28, 2019.
When is a fence more than just a fence? In this hilarious and topical comedy, a rising attorney, Pablo, and Tania his pregnant, PhD candidate wife clash with their well-intentioned neighbors and learn that sometimes the small things in life represent a lot more. The ensuing battle of tossed words and acorns challenges the characters and audience to examine their views on race, affluence, and influence, as it shines a light on just what it means to be a good neighbor.
Seeking:
Tania Del Valle - Late 30’s, Female Identifying, Latinx, smart and likeable PHD Candidate
Pablo Del Valle - Early 30’s, Male Identifying, Latinx, smart and likeable, ambitious, savvy young attorney
Frank Butley - 50’s, Male Identifying, Caucasian, smart, likeable, direct, no-nonsense
Virginia Butley - 50’s, Female Identifying, Caucasian, smart, likeable, excitable, detail oriented
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Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Book by Dennis Kelly, Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Tom Quaintance
1st Rehearsal: April 30, 2019. Opening: May 22, 2019. Closing: June 2, 2019
This musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with a sharp wit and love for books. With her special brand of ingenuity, she dares to stand against the tyranny of adults who seek to crush her imagination. This multi-Tony award-winning musical provides the perfect opportunity for collaboration between Virginia Stage Company and The Governor’s School for the Arts to highlight our local students alongside some of the top professional actors from around the country.
Seeking:
Miss Agatha Trunchbull – 30s-40’s, Any Ethnicity, Male Identifying, Baritone with a strong F sharp. Headmistress of Crunchem Hall Primary School. Miss Honey's Aunt. Once a famous athlete, she is described as a gigantic Holy terror, a fierce tyrannical monster who marches like a storm trooper with long arms swinging with an aura of menace. Ribbon dancing, gymnastic vault and hammer throw a plus. Dialect Heightened RP.
Miss Jennifer Honey – 20s-Early 30’s, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying, Mezzo-Soprano
A mild, quiet person who never raises her voice and seldom seems to smile - yet possesses the
rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth
that is almost tangible. Dialect RP. Some dance required.
Mr. Harry Wormwood - 40’s, Any Ethnicity, Male Identifying, Baritone A dealer in second-hand cars - a mean crooked crook - with a penchant for wearing jackets with large, brightly coloured checks. Should ideally be a clown and could have an ex-punkish rocker voice.Dialect East London. No dance required.
Mrs. Zinnia Wormwood - 30s-40’s, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying, Vocal Soprano up to Bb, with a strong and solid belt up to D. Mother of Michael and Matilda, and the wife of Mr Wormwood. She is obsessed with her amateur Ballroom dancing partner and her looks. Like her husband she thinks very little of Matilda’s unique abilities and often berates her. She is as loud in her makeup and dress sense as she is in her voice – must know funny. Dialect East London. Good mover.
Mrs. Phelps - 30s-50s, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying, strong ensemble singer. Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She has an inner peace and a reader’s curiosity. Appears as a parent in Miracle where there is some dance.
Matilda - 8-13, Any Ethnicity, Female Identifying, to play an extraordinarily precocious five-year-old with telekinesis. Actual telekinesis not required, actual precociousness a must. Matilda is a complicated, fierce, clever child living who deals with her neglectful surroundings by escaping into books. A strong singer and good mover, she's used to being the smallest and smartest person in whatever room she's in. Any ethnicity.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
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