Our next auditions will be for The Fantasticks, directed by April Renee Burt!
AUDITION INFORMATION FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Auditions for the musical, The Fantasticks, will be held on Monday, May 15th and Tuesday, May 16th from 6:00-8:00 at the Ouachita Little Theatre. Callbacks will be Wednesday, May 17th from 6:00-9:00. Performances will run July 28, 29, 30 and August 4, 5, 6.
This will be an open call audition, but we ask that the auditioners NOT sit in the auditorium to observe. We want everyone to have a respectful and undisturbed experience auditioning! The lobby will be used as a waiting room. In order to not crowd the space, once you are finished with your audition, please do not stay at the theatre.
You will be asked to sing, a cappella or with a backing track you provide, a 16-32 bar cut of a song you have prepared. Preferably something in the style of the show. NOTE: We are not looking for singers who can act. We are looking for actors who can sing. Meaning, you will not be judged on your vocal ability itself as much as the STORY you tell through it. So if you do not consider yourself a singer, don’t let that stop you from auditioning for this musical! We need storytellers first and foremost!
In addition to singing, you will be asked to cold read a monologue from the show. NOTE: You may be asked to read a monologue that doesn’t directly reflect the role preferences on your audition form. That doesn’t necessarily mean we aren’t going to consider you for those roles.
During your audition (and this goes for your cold read as well as your song) PLEASE play these characters as serious, real life people. The common assumption about The Fantasticks characters is that they are clownish and melodramatic. DO NOT PLAY THEM AS SUCH. Sure, this show is heavily stylized and has elements of pantomime and commedia dell’arte, but it is rooted in the harsh truths of reality. I want to see THAT in your audition.
Okay I’m signing off! I can’t wait to see y’all’s auditions!! I’m putting the dramatis personae in the comments 🙂
-April
Dramatis personae:
The Narrator (El Gallo): A dark and mysterious figure who weaves in and out of the story. The master puppeteer of this world. He is the hand of fate…or is danger personified…or is some divine being. He reminds us that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow” and takes the characters on a journey that teaches them such.
Gender: Male
Age: 20-40
Intimacy advisory: Kisses Luisa’s wrist and eyelids.
The girl (Luisa): A young and romantic girl who’s in love with being in love. She yearns for life outside the confines of her father’s house. She finds comfort in her secret love affair with Matt, the boy next door.
Gender: Female
Age: 15-25
Intimacy advisory: Embraces and kisses Matt. Receives a kiss on the wrist and eyelids by El Gallo.
Matt: A pure hearted boy who is entranced by Luisa. He loves her as far as he knows what love is. He finds out he doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does, and so he seeks adventure to become more worldly.
Gender: Male
Age: 15-25
Intimacy advisory: Embraces and kisses Luisa.
The Boy’s Father (Hucklebeee): An indelicate and gruff former navy man. He stages a fight with Bellomy, thinking it will make their children fall in love.
Gender: Male
Age: 40-60
The Girl’s Father (Bellomy): A button merchant with a conniving mind. He stages a fight with Hucklebee, thinking it will make their children fall in love.
Gender: Male
Age: 40-60
The Old Actor (Henry): A forgotten actor who begs, “Remember me in light!” An aging body inhabiting a childlike soul. Henry aids El Gallo in the staged abduction of Luisa.
Gender: Traditionally a male role but available to any gender.
Age: 50-70
The Man Who Dies (Mortimer): An actor with a thick cockney accent. He has previously worked on stage with Henry. “He does death scenes.” He aids El Gallo in the staged abduction of Luisa.
Gender: Male
Age: 20-50
The Mute: A watcher. An invisible presence who chooses not to say anything, but rather assists the players with whatever they need. That is how they communicate.
Gender: Any
Age: 15-40