ABET ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
adapted by DAVE ALAN THOMAS
with music by AJ NEAHER
based on the classic book by LEWIS CARROLL
AUDITION DATE: Fri, Feb 22 | 7pm
Callbacks Sun, Feb 24 | 1:30pm
PRODUCTION INFO
directed by KELBY SIDDONS
Performance dates: May 10 11 17 18 19 24 25 26
Literary language, vaudeville humor and music, transformative staging, and serious play are at the heart of this production.
AVAILABLE ROLES
An ensemble of 10 energetic performers 18+ years of age will bring the story to life. Note: The singular roles of Alice and The Hatter have already been cast.
PREPARATION
Please prepare the recitation of poem or song lyrics as well as whatever special skills you’d like to demonstrate (musical abilities, feats of strength, stupid human tricks, etc. are all welcome and encouraged!).
It is recommended for auditioners to read Chapter 1 of the script to get an idea of the ensemble approach to the play/ which are available on the ABET website (Further sides for specific characters will be distributed at auditions). It is also recommended that actors read the novel as this adaptation is a close retelling of the story.
All Beaches Experimental Theatre
544 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach
MORE INFORMATION FROM THE DIRECTOR
THE CONCEPT
Our version of the beloved classic updates the setting to American adolescence: after the turn of the 20th century but before the dawn of World War I, after the dawn of popular music but before the radio, when seaside vacations and leisurely amusement were becoming accessible to more than just the Rockefellers. In the early 1900s, a young reader of Alice near a boardwalk attraction known as Wonderland falls down a rabbit hole. In the Wonderland that awaits on the other side of her fall, our young reader explores the absurdity of the adult world, the strange sense of child-logic, and the topsy-turvy tyranny of both the Queen of Hearts and the passage of time itself. Literary language, vaudeville humor and music, transformative staging, and serious play are at the heart of this production.
THE CAST
An ensemble of energetic performers will bring the story to life, including Kristen Walsh (Alice) and Jason Woods (the Hatter) who have been precast. From the auditions, we seek versatile performers in order to round out an ensemble of ~10. The perfect cast member is a reverent renegade ready to engage truthfully and playfully with our new historical take on much of the original text of Alice. S/he brings a variety of skills to the ensemble in addition to great on-stage listening and precise performance choices. S/he is a mature, reliable collaborator whose onstage “look” won’t spoil the illusion of our Alice’s adolescence while sharing the stage with her. For this reason, s/he is probably 18+ years of age.
THE AUDITION
The ideal audition poem tells a story and allows you to engage with some conventions of vaudeville and/or the Edwardian music hall (Julie Andrews’ performance on “Burlington Bertie” or any Mary Poppins number with penguins is a good reference!), whether it’s “How Doth the Little Crocodile” by Lewis Carroll or “T.G.I.F.” by Katy Perry. You should be able to hold your own in a heightened style, fully embodied and articulated on and off the lines, without losing the spirit of truth-telling. Props are welcome but not required.
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