audition notice - Season Generals - TheaterWorks - June 23 & June 24

CLICK HERE for more information, and to fill out the audition form and sign up for an audition time

WHEN:
Plays Only: June 23rd, 2018: 4:00pm- 9:00pm (Sign up)
Plays & Musicals: June 24th, 2018: 4:00pm- 9:00pm (Sign up)

Please download and fill out your audition form in advance.

WHERE:
Auditions Will Be Held At:
The Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, Root Studios
10580 N 83rd Drive, Peoria, AZ 85345

WHAT TO BRING:
All Actors:
– Resume and headshot
– Sheet music in the proper key (no a cappella singing, please).
*An accompanist will be provided (during Musical Audition Slots only).
– Completed audition form

WHAT TO PREPARE:
Plays Only: Please prepare 2 contrasting monologues
Musicals Only: Please prepare 2 contrasting 32-bar songs
Plays & Musicals: 1 monologue and 1 32-bar song

COMPENSATION:
A $100 travel stipend will be available to actors 19 years of age and older

IMPORTANT: These auditions are for the MasterWorks 2018-2019 Season only. Actors must be 16 years or older to attend. YouthWorks auditions will be held throughout the year. If cast, all performers over 19 years of age and over will be provided a $100.00 travel stipend.


Show Descriptions:

All Shook Up – Musical
Show Dates: September 7th to the 23rd, 2018
Directed by Dave Chorley

Elvis Presley and William Shakespeare proudly present All Shook Up, a toe-tapping reinvention of the classic Twelfth Night. It’s the summer of 1955 and a square little Midwestern town gets “all shook up” when the smooth talking, motorcycle riding, fresh-out-of-jail Chad arrives. Natalie, the local mechanic, falls head over heels for this singing stranger, and decides that the best way to get close to him is to disguise herself as an equally-cool dude, “Ed.” Meanwhile, chaos ensues as the whole town gets caught up in a madcap chase to woo their respective loves and shake off the iron will of their strict Mayor. Featuring iconic songs such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Love Me Tender,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and, of course, “All Shook Up.”


Character Breakdowns
NATALIE HALLER (Early 20’s): a mechanic. Alto.
CHAD: a great-lookin’, motorcycling, guitar-playing, leather-jacketed roustabout. Tenor/Baritone.
JIM HALLER (mid 40’s-50’s): Natalie’s widowed father. Baritone.
SYLVIA (mid 40’s): the no-nonsense, African-American owner of Sylvia’s Honky Tonk. Huge-range Belter.
LORRAINE: Sylvia’s 16 year-old daughter. Alto.
DENNIS: a young, awkward, aspiring dentist. Tenor.
MISS SANDRA: the beautiful, intellectual caretaker of the town’s museum. Mezzo Soprano, high Alto.
MAYOR MATILDA HYDE (mid 40’s-50’s): the town’s conservative mayor. Mezzo Soprano.
DEAN HYDE: Matilda’s 16 year-old son. He has grown up at a military boarding school. Tenor.
SHERIFF EARL (mid 40’s-50’s): the law in town. A man of not many words. Baritone.
Chorus/Ensemble to play minor roles. Lots of dancing and singing.


Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Play, Drama
Show Dates: October 12th to October 28th, 2018
Directed by Chris Hamby

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, this play features a strong ensemble cast to tell the mysterious tale. In foggy Victorian London, Dr. Henry Jekyll’s studies have resulted in the creation of a second self– the villainous Edward Hyde. When Hyde meets a woman who stirs his interest, Jekyll fears for her life and attempts to end his experiment. This sparks a battle of control between the two incarnations, ensuing in a deadly game of cat and mouse. The nefarious Mr. Hyde is played by multiple actors throughout.

Character Breakdowns:
The script currently calls for 4 men and 2 women, who will all play one or more parts. The original cast was arranged as such:
Man 1 – Dr. Henry Jekyll
Woman 1 – Elizabeth Jelkes
Man 2 – Hyde, Utterson, Others
Man 3 – Hyde, Enfield, Sanderson, Inspector, Others
Man 4 – Hyde, Lanyon, Doctor, Student, Others
Woman 2 – Hyde, Poole, Student, Doctor, Others


The Red Velvet Cake War – Play, Comedy
Show Dates: October 26th to November 11th, 2018
Directed by Dominik Rebilias

In this riotously funny Southern-fried comedy, the three Verdeen cousins—Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette—could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. Their outrageous antics have delighted local gossips in the small town of Sweetgum and the eyes of Texas are upon them, as their self-righteous Aunt LaMerle is quick to point out. They face an uphill battle as a parade of wildly eccentric Verdeens gathers on the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season. Things spin hilariously out of control when a neighbor’s pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed suitor shows up to declare his love, and a jaw-dropping high-stakes wager is made on who bakes the best red velvet cake.


Character Breakdowns
(3 men, 7 women, with doubling)
CEE CEE WINDHAM – FEMALE (LATE 40s – 50s any ethnicity) The sassy and stylish host of “Hospitality House”
GAYNELL VERDEEN BODEEN— FEMALE (40s any ethnicity) a walking nervous breakdown
LaMERLE VERDEN MINSHEW— FEMALE (60s – 70s, any ethnicity) – the sharp tongued matriarch of the Verden clan.
AUBREY VERDEEN – MALE (80s) a good natured oxygen dependent patriarch of the verden clan.
JIMMIE WYVETTE VERDEEN – FEMALE (30s-40s) a hearty (overweight) good ol’ girl with and unfortunate unibrow.
PEACHES VERDEEN BELROSE – FEMALE (30s – 40s) the saucy #1 mortuary cosmetologist in the tri county area.
BITSY HARGIS – FEMALE (30s – 40s) Gaynell’s priss pot neighbor.
NEWT BLAYLOCK – MALE (40s – 50s) a true Texas eccentric with a patch over one eye.
SHERIFF GROVER – MALE (50s) stereotypical Texas sheriff with mirrored sunglasses and a bad attitude.
ELSA DOWDALL—FEMALE (20s – 40s) the skeptical court appointed psychologist.
MAMA DOLL HARGIS – FEMALE (80s -120s) Bitsy’s mother.
PURVIS VERDEEN – MALE (40s – 60s) his favorite pastime is taking pictures of dead relatives.



A Christmas Carol – a Play with Music, Classic
Show Dates: December 7th to December 23rd, 2018
Directed by Richard Powers Hardt
* Potential Additional Daytime Performances for Schools! *

Our ghostly adaptation returns in the TheaterWork’s holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption features a large cast that enacts the past, present, and future of the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who is visited by three spirits. Through music, technical magic, and puppetry, this all-ages show is the perfect way to celebrate community during the most wonderful time of the year.

Character Breakdowns
With more than 40 different roles in this production, we are seeking an ensemble of actors of all ages, ethnicities, and experience levels to be featured. Key Roles include:
Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old miser; including 2 younger counterparts from his Past
Mr. Cratchit, Scrooge’s clerk
Fred, Scrooge’s nephew
Jacob Marley, the spirit of Scrooge’s long dead partner
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, three spirits who guide Scrooge on a journey of redemption
Belle, Scrooge’s long lost love
Mrs. Cratchit, wife of Bob Cratchit
The Cratchit Children, including the sickly Tiny Tim
A large ensemble with feature roles and parts that double: party guests, Headmistress & School Children, People of London, the Fezziwigs, Fred’s Wife, Coal Miners, Barley & Port, Ignorance & Want, Old Joe & urchins, Carolers, etc.
*We also have a second “Daytime” cast for school shows!*


A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Musical, Comedy
Show Dates: February 15th to March 3rd, 2019
Directed by TBD

A fast-paced farce that promises to have audiences rolling on the floor. Taking straight from the roots of comedy, Forum combines the ancient comedies of Plautus with a vaudevillian delivery. Pseudolus schemes to win the heart of Philia for his young master, Hero. In exchange, Hero will grant Pseudolus his freedom once and for all. However, things are never as easy as they seem. Chaos ensues with hair-brained schemes, cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and convoluted plot twists. One of the funniest musicals ever written, Forum promises: “Something for everyone: a comedy tonight!”


Character Breakdowns
PSEUDOLUS: A Roman slave, owned by Hero, who seeks to win freedom by helping Hero win the heart of Philia. The name Pseudolus means “Faker.” Lead, Baritone.
HERO: Young son of Senex who falls in love with the virgin, Philia. Lead, Tenor.
PHILIA: (Greek for “love”) A virgin in the house of Marcus Lycus, and Hero’s love interest. Her name is also a homophone of the Latin word “Filia,” which means daughter. This foreshadows her status as the daughter of Erronius. Lead, Soprano.
HYSTERIUM: (Latin for “Hysterical”, or “Anxious”, the suffix “-um” makes the name neuter, and the character’s gender is often mistaken throughout the piece) The chief slave in the house of Senex. Supporting, Baritone.
SENEX: (Latin for “old man”) A henpecked, sardonic Roman senator living in a less fashionable suburb of Rome. Supporting, Baritone.
DOMINA: (Latin for “mistress”) The wife of Senex. A manipulative, shrewish woman who is loathed by even her husband. Supporting, Mezzo-Soprano.
MARCUS LYCUS: A purveyor of courtesans, who operates from the house to the left of Senex. (Name based on Lycus, from Plautus’s Poenulus.) Supporting, Baritone.
MILES GLORIOSUS: (Latin for “boastful soldier,” the archetype of the braggart soldier in Roman comedies) A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia. Supporting, Bass.
ERRONIUS: (Latin for “wandering”) Senex’s elderly neighbor in the house to the right. He has spent the past twenty years searching for his two children, kidnapped in infancy by pirates. Featured, Spoken.
The Courtesans: GYMNASIA (Greek for “Athletic”, with the connotation of nakedness), TINTINABULA (Latin for “Bells”), VIBRATA (Latin for “Vibrant”), THE GEMINAE (Latin for “Twins”), PANACEA (Greek for “Cure All”)
PROTEANS: Choristers who play multiple roles (slaves, citizens, soldiers, and eunuchs). They accompany Pseudolus in “Comedy Tonight”. On Broadway, three people played all of these roles.


The Marvelous Wonderettes – Musical, Jukebox
Show Dates: March 29th to April 14th, 2019
Directed by TBD

This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ‘50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.”  In act two, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion. We learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane!

Character Breakdowns

BETTY JEAN: The practical joker of the group, Betty Jean struggles with her relationships with her boyfriend (Act One) and husband (Act Two). Alto with strong low range: D3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Lipstick on Your Collar,’ ‘I Only Want To Be With You,’ and ‘That’s When The Tears Start.”

CINDY LOU: The flirt and catty girl of the group, Cindy Lou very much wants to win prom queen and believes the world revolves around her. She goes through a bit of a journey in Act Two. Mezzo-Soprano Belt: E3–F5; Sings melody line on most songs, so the other girls hang their vocals on this voice. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Allegheny Moon,’ ‘Son of a Preacher Man,’ and ‘Maybe’.

MISSY: The bossy girl of the group, Missy likes to control things; but she is also a bit socially awkward and shy about her secret crush. Soprano: G3–A5. Wide range, floating high vocals and belting throughout the show. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Secret Love,’ ‘You Don’t Own Me,’ and ‘Wedding Bell Blues’.

SUZY: The happy-go-lucky one of the group, Suzy is positive but also a little on the ditzy side. She is continuously chewing bubble gum. Mezzo-Alto with both sweet and soulful voice: G3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: ‘Stupid Cupid,’ ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me,’ and ‘Rescue.’