Auditions
Fall 2023 Mainstage Auditions
Details:
- Open to all CofC Students
- Required for THTR Performance Concentration Students
- Please read the following information about audition requirements and character descriptions for each show. At the bottom of this page, you will find an audition sign-up link and a link to an audition form. Please select an audition time and fill out the form.
- Auditions will be held in CATO (room TBD). Callbacks will also be held in CATO (room TBD).
Auditions will be held on March 16th and 17th for our three fall mainstage productions: Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus, a staged reading of In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar, and Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson.
The first round of auditions will take place on Thursday, March 16th and Friday, March 17th.
Audition Requirements
Students auditioning for all three shows or only for Men on Boats should select a slot between 4pm and 6:30pm either day.
Students not auditioning for Men on Boats (auditioning for In Love and Warcraft and/or Pippin) should select a slot between 6:30pm and 8pm either day.
All students auditioning for Pippin will be required to attend a dance call on Friday, March 17th from 8-10pm.
Men on Boats
Directed by Sharon Graci
Rehearsals begin late August 2023
Performance dates: October 4-13, 2023
A note on casting from the playwright:
The characters in Men on Boats were historically cisgender white males. The cast should be made up entirely of people who are not. I’m talking about racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, genderfluid, and/or non-gender-conforming. It is my strong preference that Tsauwiat and The Bishop (so thusly O.G. and Seneca Howland) be played by Native cast members. If there are no Native actors in your production, the Howlands/Utes must at least be cast as non-white.
A note from the director:
Men on Boats is an energetic, physically expressive theatre piece. Actors should be comfortable with physical acting that uses their whole body, including bending, jumping, climbing, miming, and floor work. Actors should also be comfortable with coordinated ensemble work and close company, including hand-holding, arm-grabbing, hoisting, and pulling.
Character Descriptions
John Wesley Powell: Leader of the expedition. A one-armed crazy face with a fiery temper and an excitable soul. Hates suits and loves adventures.
William Dunn: Hunter and trapper. Wears beaver-skin always.
John Colton Sumner: Former soldier, current explorer. Known to be the Bear Grylls of the 1860s. Will just go snowshoeing through the Rocky Mountains in winter because “no one had done it yet.”
Old Shady: Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet. Oldest crew member and does not like people.
Bradley: Lieutenant, manic with youth. 19 and loves people.
O.G. Howland: Printer and hunter. Tobacco-addled.
Seneca Howland: O.G.’s quiet little brother. Also tobacco-addled.
Goodman: Red faced British man. So excited.
Hall: Mapmaker, old soul.
Hawkins: The cook.
Tsauwiat: A Ute chief. Composed and wryly aware. Played by the actor that plays O.G. Howland.
The Bishop: Tsauwiat’s wife. Also composed and wryly aware. Played by the actor that plays Seneca Howland.
Mr. Asa: A desert settler. Strange, but comforting. Played by the actor that plays Goodman.
Men on Boats callback sides (feel free to review these before your first audition!): Callback side
Pippin
Music Director: Laura Turner
Rehearsals begin early October 2023
Performance dates: November 17-19
Summary:
Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the un-extraordinary moments that happen every day.
Content:
Simulated war, violence, death, suggested/implied sexual acts, lust, deceit, illusion
Audition Requirements:
1) One minute (32 bars) of a contemporary musical theatre song. Please bring sheet music in the correct key, an accompanist will be provided. Singing from the show is fine. Dancers must sing to be considered. “Magic To Do” is a suggested song from the show for ensemble/dancers if no other options are available.
Music audition info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zef7HTf71AKf9lyeuTn45syiCNC_tQcPAXs7F90pqFE/edit?usp=sharing
Please read this entire doc! It contains important information on callback audition song cuts and where to find the cast recording.
2) A one-minute contemporary comedic monologue
3) Dance call (Friday 3/17, 8-10pm): please wear character heels or jazz shoes (no tennis shoes, socks, or bare feet). Wear dance/athletic attire that shows the shape of your body; a fitted t-shirt is acceptable, nothing loose or baggy.
Callback sides (feel free to review these before your first audition!): Pippin/Berthe | Pippin/Catherine | Pippin/Charles | Pippin/Lewis/Fastrada/Charles | Fastrada/Lewis | Leading Player | Theo/Players
Character Descriptions
LEADING PLAYER (F/M/NB): Vocal range top: Ab4-Db3
The ultimate 'director.' Masterfully charming and manipulative, the Leading Player is a chameleon of sorts. Guides Pippin through his own story and tries to intervene at the end. Obsessed with putting on a great show performance.
Excellent singer / dancer.
PIPPIN (M) Vocal Range G2-Ab4
Our story's young and confused protagonist. He is longing to find his purpose in life. Naive, innocent, and discontent. Eventually finds love, and meaning in life, with Catherine and Theo. Excellent singer / dancer.
Intimacy: Partial nudity (exposed chest & shorts), onstage costume change, onstage in bed with Catherine under sheet, kisses Catherine on lips.
BERTHE (F): Vocal Range E3-C5
Pippin's saucy grandmother. A brassy broad full of wisdom, grace, and sass. She tries to help Pippin and encourages him to live his life to the fullest.
Strong singer / mover.
FASTRADA/ PLAYER (F) Vocal Range A3-F5
Stepmother of Pippin, mother of Lewis, wife of Charlemagne. Comedic seductress who is no stranger to deceit and betrayal. Eager to place her son Lewis on the throne.
Excellent singer / dancer.
LEWIS/ PLAYER (M) Vocal Range Any
Son of Fastrada and half brother to Pippin. A proud soldier. He loves the limelight.
Strong singer / dancer.
CHARLEMAGNE / PLAYER (M) Vocal Range G2-E4
Pippin's demanding father. As the King of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne is more comfortable wielding a sword than breaking bread. He wears his years with great pride.
Strong singer / mover.
CATHERINE / PLAYER (F)Vocal Range F#3-Db5
A widow and mother. She is a beautiful and hopeless romantic, who possesses graceful elegance. Encounters Pippin at his lowest point and eventually falls in love with him.
Excellent singer / mover.
Intimacy: Onstage in bed with Pippin under sheet, kisses Pippin on lips.
THEO / PLAYER Male Identifying Character (M/F/NB) Vocal Range A3-C5
Catherine's young son.
Strong singer / mover.
ENSEMBLE (12) Vocal Range Any
To play Baron, Severed Head, Courtiers, Monks, Nobility, Soldiers, Berthe's Attendants, Peasants, Players. Excellent singer / dancer / comedic character actors.
Intimacy: Stylized intimacy with choreographed dance, form fitting costumes for some.
In Love and Warcraft (staged reading)
by Madhuri Shekar
Directed by Peter Spearman
Rehearsals begin mid October 2023
Performance dates: November 3-5
Character Descriptions
Evie
22-year-old, feminine presenting, “gamer-girl,” virgin
Has a side hustle as a ghost writer who writes love letters for people who have messed up in their relationships.
Kitty
22-year-old, feminine presenting, bad-ass
Owns her sexuality and enjoys it! She’s Evie’s roommate and best friend.
Ryan
Younger than everyone else, masculine presenting, gamer
Although they haven’t met IRL, Ryan and Evie are in a long distance, virtual-only relationship… well sort of.
Raul
25-year-old, masculine presenting, kind of a himbo, shy
A client of Evie’s who kind of does it for her.
Ensemble
2-3 Actors, any gender, any age
Roles Include: Gamers, Monsters, Exes, An OBGYN, and more.
In Love and Warcraft callback sides (feel free to review these before your first audition!): Side 1 | Side 2 | Side 3
Sign up for an audition time here.
Fill out an audition form here.