Audition Notice for August: Osage County

By Tracy Letts

Production Team:

Producer: Lloyd Bittinger
Director: Susan Devine

Audition Dates:

Saturday, July 7, 2pm-5pm (arrive by 4:30pm)
Sunday, July 8, 7pm-10pm (arrive by 9:30pm)
Callbacks: Tuesday, July 10, 7pm-10pm

Rehearsal Schedule/Performance Dates:

Rehearsal will begin immediately after casting.  The rehearsal schedule is: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7pm-10pm and Saturday, Sunday 12pm-5pm.
After conflicts disclosed at audition will be honored.  Actors will not be called to all rehearsals.  Unscheduled conflicts must be very limited and based on an emergency situation and approved by the producer.
Tech: (All actors required) Saturday, September 1 – Friday, September 7 – Labor Day Weekend – Times TBD
Performances: September 6 – 23, 2018 (Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm, Possible Tuesday performances)
Note Special Schedule: The show does not follow LTA’s usual performance schedule and closes after the third weekend with strike on Sunday evening.  Strike will be supported by LTA to ensure everyone can leave at a reasonable hour.  All actors are required to participate in the strike.

Preparations:

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Sides for callbacks provided on Monday, July 9.  Headshot/resume not required, but helpful.  Pictures taken at auditions.  See LTA website to download the audition form. Bring your conflicts!
Questions: Contact Susan Devine at susandevine@cox.net

Show Information and Character Descriptions:

Pulitzer and Tony winning play about Beverly and Violet Weston and the family they created and ultimately destroyed.  Told almost in reversal, the history of the Weston family is revealed when the three Weston daughters return home when their father Beverly goes missing.  As they await the outcome, the past is revealed through the stories they tell, accusations they make, and the futures they choose.  Exploring how our past is our prologue, the play shows how difficult it is to escape our families of origin.  August: Osage County is performed in three acts and is dense and intense.  Although tragic, it includes comedic relief.

Character Descriptions:

Beverly Weston (Late 60s -70s) Intellectual, elegant, alcoholic. Once-successful poet who now teaches. Has complex, unhealthy relationship with wife, Violet. Appears in initial scene only, but hangs ghost-like over most of the play until it’s discovered he killed himself.

Violet Weston (Late 60s -70s) Beverly’s wife, an empty, broken person; suffering from a violent childhood, addiction, underlying mental illnesses, and undergoing treatment for cancer. Tragic and cruel and suffering.

Barbara (40-55) Oldest of three daughters. Seeks truth and control over her family of origin while her husband and teen-aged daughter are neglected and out of control. Able to see other people’s problems, but not her own.

Bill (40-55) Barbara’s husband. Like Beverly he is a university professor and is separated from Barbara and having an affair with a student. Lacks understanding of Barbara’s struggles and misery. Tired of dealing with her family’s problems and somewhat insensitive to them. He decides to leave her for good at the end of the play for the younger woman.

Jean (Teens) Barbara’s daughter who adopts inappropriate adult behaviors and acts out through smoking cigarettes (with parent’s knowledge) and pot. Not intimidated or uncomfortable when Steve flirts and comes on to her. Withholds rage at the state of her own family until Johnna recues her from Steve and then becomes enraged at her parents. Bill takes her with him after Barbara, forced to see herself as she truly is, attacks her.

Ivy (35-45) Violet’s middle daughter. Overtly asexual, wearing no make-up and preferring pants. Covertly involved with Little Charlie, her first cousin, who it is revealed is actually her half brother. Desperate to escape her parents and jealous of her sisters who appear to have escaped, she ignores and continues with plans to move to NY with Little Charlie.

Karen (30-45) Violet’s youngest daughter. Forces herself to believe she is happy now that she is engaged to Steve who is obviously a shady businessman and attempts to molest Jean. Refuses to accept the reality of his character and remain in her made-up world of happiness.

Mattie Fae (55-70) Violet’s sister. Married to Charlie. High strung and busy-body exterior that hides deep anxiety and fear. Protective of Violet growing up and protective now. Uncaring and at times cruel towards her son, Little Charlie, who was conceived when she had an affair with Beverly. Does not want to tell Little Charlie and Ivy that they are half siblings when she finds out they are romantically involved to hide her secret.

Charlie Aiken (55-70) Mattie Fae’s husband. Kind, easy going, gentle. Constantly defends Little Charlie and shows frustration with Mattie Fae over her treatment of Little Charlie. Does not know that Beverly is Little Charlie’s father.

Little Charlie (25-40) Mattie Fae’s son who believes Charlie is his father. Dulled, numbed, and dimmed spirit. Lacking motivation, connection, and purpose, he becomes romantically involved with Ivy, his cousin. Endures harsh criticism from Mattie Fae.

Johnna (Late teens –Early 20s) Cheyenne woman Beverly hires to take care of Violet before he disappears. Impervious to displays of disrespect and prejudice displayed. Desperate for a job. Shows great empathy for the family, especially Jean. Quiet and without instruction just knows what to do to take care of the others. Is not shocked at the revelations and behaviors of the Weston family. Remains to care for Violet in gentle way when all others have left her.

Steve (30-45) Karen’s fiancé. Snarky, shady, self-serving, lying, businessman. He smokes pot with Jean who is 14 years old in order to molest her. He is run off after Johnna catches them in the act. Karen chooses to believe him and they leave Oklahoma together.

Sheriff (40s-50s) Former high school friend of Barbara’s. Warm, open, friendly. He informs the family that Beverly was found dead.

To download an audition form, click HERE.

Audition Notice for Dracula

By Steven Dietz

Directed by Jennifer Lyman

The suspenseful, seductive, gothic horror tale of the struggle of a group of mortals against the powerful vampire Dracula. The residents of London try to piece together the clues of Dracula’s appearances and growing influence in a valiant attempt to save themselves and their loved ones from a hideous fate.

Auditions:

Saturday August 11, 2pm-5pm (arrive by 4:30pm) and Sunday, August 12, 7pm -10pm (arrive by 9:30pm) at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Callbacks:

Tuesday, August 14, 7pm-10pm

Rehearsals:

Weeknights, and midday weekends, August 15 – October 12. Three to five rehearsals a week. The rehearsal schedule will be designed around the cast’s conflicts.

Performances:

Tuesday – Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm October 13 – November 3

Please prepare a one to two minute dramatic monologue. All characters will use accents: Dutch for Van Helsing, Eastern European for Dracula, and British for all other characters. Feel free to audition using a character appropriate accent if you are able. An accent coach will be available to those cast.

Please bring a headshot and resume, if possible, and be ready to list all conflicts during the rehearsal and performance period of August, September, October, and November

Cast:

Renfield – Male 25-50, a lunatic in thrall to Dracula, locked in an asylum run by Seward. He believes his master, Dracula, will give him eternal life and in the meantime he consumes “life” by eating flies, spiders, and birds.

Mina Murray – Female 18-25, fiancée of Jonathan Harker, friend of Lucy, a serious,   ambitious woman. She is educated, driven, focused, logical, but not joyless. She is an orphan, and working class. She is protective of Lucy.

Lucy Westenra – Female 18-25, an energetic, young, innocent ingénue with three suitors, friend of Mina. She is in love with the idea of love and enjoys all the male attention she is receiving. She is rich, spoiled, and used to indulging her whims.

Jonathan Harker – Male 20-30, fiancée of Mina, and an earnest, young solicitor sent to do business with Dracula. He is eager to gain experience, achieve success, and finally be able to marry.

Dr. John Seward – Male 25-35, a suitor of Lucy, doctor in charge of a lunatic asylum, a former student of Van Helsing. He is intelligent, determined, and certain of his abilities. He has studied dream interpretation and hypnosis, and is driven to understand madness.

Count Dracula – Male 30-50, a Transylvanian noble who has purchased a house in London. A powerful, regal, enigmatic, figure. He is well read, but has been apart from society for centuries and so seems archaic. He is enticing, appealing, and seductive.

Abraham Van Helsing – Male 30-50, a doctor, lawyer, and professor from Amsterdam, former teacher of Dr. Seward. He is restrained, analytical, and emotionally reserved. He is driven to solve mysteries.

Ensemble – 1 Males and 2 Females 20-40, to play multiple roles such as Attendants, Maids, Villagers, Vixens (Brides of Dracula), Corpses as well as helping backstage with special effects and scene changes

To download an audition form, click HERE.

Audition Notice for A Christmas Carol

It wouldn’t be the holidays without Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at LTA!

This year’s production, adapted by Donna Ferragut, moves along at a brisk and continuous pace, and traditional Christmas carols are interspersed throughout the show. With the exception of Scrooge, most cast members will play multiple roles. Flexibility and creativity will be critical in creating diverse and believable characters.

AUDITION FORM AND REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE CONFLICT SCHEDULE

Please print out the audition form and conflict calendar from the LTA website, complete it, and bring it with you. If you have a headshot and acting résumé, please bring them with you. All who audition will be asked to have their picture taken by the LTA photographer.

Please be ready to provide an accurate list of all tentative and known conflicts

between September 25th and December 16th. There is a mandatory technical

rehearsal on Sunday, November 25th, and everyone who is cast must be available for all performances.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals start in late September and are planned for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (7:00 – 10:00 p.m.) and Saturday afternoons (1:00 p.m. –

5:00 p.m.), with some Sunday afternoons possible as we get closer to opening.

Not all actors will be called for every rehearsal.

Young actors (age 14 and younger) will rehearse from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weeknights in the early weeks, with an increasing time commitment as technical rehearsals commence.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU AUDITION

Please prepare 16 bars of a Christmas song or traditional carol. If possible, please bring sheet music.

Auditions will consist of sides from the script, which will be available at the

audition.

A Christmas Carol will be performed with British accents; however, it is not necessary to audition using a British accent.

CALLBACKS

Callbacks are Tuesday, September 25th, by invitation only.

CASTING NOTIFICATION

You will be notified by phone or e-mail if you are cast. Please don’t call the LTA office to ask about casting.

ROLES

Casting 8 men (ages 20s – 50s+), 6 women (teens to 40s+), and 10 children

(5 boys, 5 girls, ages 7 – 14). A Christmas Carol is an ensemble piece and actors (exception, actor playing Scrooge) may be asked to portray several characters. There will be no double casting and actors must be available for all performances. All roles are open.

Character Descriptions for Adult Actors (late teens and older)

Charles Dickens: (M, 40s+) an expert storyteller with a great sense of humor, must be comfortable addressing the audience directly, improvisational skills a plus

Ebenezer Scrooge: (M, 50s+) a bitter old miser

Gentleman 1: (M, 30s+) distinguished businessman

Gentleman 2: (M, 30s+) another distinguished businessman

Bob Cratchit: (M, 30s – 40s) Scrooge’s clerk, a hardworking family man and caring father

Fred: (M, 20s – 30s) Scrooge’s nephew, kind and fun-loving

Marley: (M, 30s+) a ghostly apparition and Scrooge’s old partner

Mr. Fezziwig: (M, 40s+) wise, jovial businessman and Scrooge’s old boss

Topper: (M, 20s – 30s) Fred’s friend, in love with the female population

Dick Wilkins: (M, 20s – 30s) a sincere, hard-working man and former boyhood friend of Scrooge’s

Skater: (M, 20s+) affable and friendly, athletic

Pawnbroker Joe: (M, 40s+) a buyer of stolen goods

Father: (M, 30s+) Belle’s husband, kind and sympathetic

Young Scrooge: (M, 20s) handsome but sometimes sullen

Ghost of Christmas Past: (male or female) magical and whimsical

Ghost of Christmas Present: (male or female) gregarious and knowledgeable

Ghost of Christmas Future: (male or female) shadowy and scary (non-speaking)

Mrs. Fezziwig: (F, 30 s- 40s) a warm, caring wife and mother, a great hostess

Mrs. Cratchit: (F, 30s – 40s) a strong woman who speaks her mind

Martha Cratchit: (F, late teens) a young lady who loves her family

Mrs. Pipchin: (F, 40s+) Scrooge’s housekeeper, nervous and energetic

Belle: (F, 20s) thoughtful and caring, Scrooge’s fiancée

Mrs. Dilber: (F, 30s – 40s) a calculating and shrewd charwoman

Mary, Fred’s Wife: (F, 20s – 30s) a charming, vivacious young woman deeply in love with her husband

Ruth: (F, 20s+) Mary’s sister, enjoys a party and a bit of fun

Caroline: (F, 20s+) Scrooge’s tenant, down on her luck

Caroline’s Husband: (M, 20s+) Scrooge’s tenant, down on his luck

Character Descriptions for Child Actors (ages 7 – 14)

There are other supporting roles not displayed that will be played by

child ensemble members.

Peter Cratchit: (M, 9 – 14) responsible and well meaning

Tiny Tim: (M, 7 – 8) small for his age, has some level of physical disability, and sweet natured

Boy Cratchit: (M, 7 – 9) happy and energetic

Boy Scrooge: (M, 7 – 10) a sad, lonely young boy

Turkey Boy: (M, 9 – 14) charming and has a great personality

Fan: (F, 7 – 10) loving and kind, Scrooge’s sister

Belinda Cratchit: (F, 8 – 12) a dutiful daughter

Girl Cratchit: (F, 7 – 8) wants to be grown up

To download an audition form, click HERE.

Audition Notice for The Fantasticks

By Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

Directed by Eleanore Tapscott

Music Direction by Paige Austin

Choreography by Jason Ellis

Produced by Sharon Field and Rance Willis

Performance Dates: January 12-February 2, 2019

Performance Times: Tuesday-Saturday evenings (8 pm); Sunday matinees (3 pm)

Audition Dates

Saturday, October 27, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm.

Sunday, October 29, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Callbacks

Tuesday, October 31 by invitation only. Candidates will be given a call time.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will start immediately after casting and are planned for weeknights (7-10 pm), except Mondays, and Saturday afternoons (1-4 pm). The schedule will be finalized after the show is cast and actors’ conflicts have been accounted for. Tech rehearsals start Saturday, January 5. Double-tech is Sunday, January 6, and attendance is mandatory.

Show Summary

Hailed as the longest running musical in the world, The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two parents who try to keep them apart. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that, “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”

For the Audition  

For roles other than Henry, Mortimer, and the Mute: Please prepare a brief, appropriate song, 16-32 bars (standard, legit musical theatre; no pop/rock). Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided but may not transpose. Please, no songs from The Fantasticks.

For all roles: Please prepare a 1-2-minute comedic (preferably classical) monologue and be prepared to do a short improv.

For the role of Mortimer: Please prepare a short “death” pantomime of your own creation.

For the Mute: Please prepare a short comic pantomime of your own creation.

We prefer you sign up for an audition slot in advance, however, walk-ins will be taken upon availability.
Please sign up to audition here: Sign Up Sheet

Print out the audition form on the LTA website, complete it, and bring it with you. If you have a headshot and acting resume, please bring them with you. All those auditioning will be asked to have their picture taken by the LTA photographer.

Please also wear clothes and shoes suitable for dance/movement and be ready to provide an accurate list of all tentative and known conflicts between November 1, 2018 and February 12, 2019. A conflict will not necessarily preclude you from being cast, as the director will work around actors’ conflicts to the best of her ability. Since there will be no double casting, conflicts during the last two weeks of rehearsal or during performances may affect casting decisions.

Role Summary

Casting 6 men (ages 20s-50s+), 3 women (ages late teens-40s+).  All ethnicities are welcome. Ages are approximate. Actors (particularly those playing Luisa and Matt) should be able to play these ages. Some ages may be altered, based on the actors who audition, at the discretion of the director.

Character Descriptions

The Narrator (El Gallo): A rakish, handsome, sophisticated bandit and narrator of the show. He is warm, cordial, and inviting to the audience, but has his own darker moments. He aids the performers in orchestrating the story. Must be able to move well. Male, 30-40, Baritone.

The Girl (Luisa): A button-maker’s young and pretty daughter, she is a romantic idealist who falls in love with Matt. She is naive, yet honest and tender. Dance ability a plus. Female, 18-20s. Soprano.

The Boy (Matt): An innocent, young man who is searching for love and adventure. A bright guy, but naive and even foolish at times, approaching situations with a false bravado. Ability to move well. Male, 18-20s. Baritenor.

The Boy’s Parent (Hucklebee): A former boisterous navy woman and meticulous gardener who fakes a fight with Bellomy in hopes of getting their children to fall in love. Traditionally male but being cast as female, 40s-50s. Mezzo.

The Girl’s Parent (Bellomy): A fastidious button-maker and also a picky gardener who fakes a fight with Hucklebee in hopes of getting their children together. Male, 40-50s. Baritone.

The Actor (Henry): An aging, over-the-top Thespian who specializes in reciting Shakespeare, he is a commedia clown; his world is the stage and he knows no other reality. Male, 50s-70s.

The Man Who Dies (Mortimer): Henry’s goofy sidekick and another former actor who specializes in stage deaths. Male, 30s-50. Physical comedy skills a plus. Must be able to move well.

The Mute: Speechless presence who watches, acts as the wall, and deals with props; the “invisible” stage assistant. Should be able to easily assist in the story or fade into the background unnoticed. Nonspeaking. Must be able to move extremely well. Male or Female, 20s-40s. Looking to cast two actors: 1 male and 1 female.

To download an audition form, click HERE.

Future Audition Dates

You Can’t Take It With You
December 8-9, 2018

The Savannah Disputation
March 2-3, 2019

Ken Ludwig’s A Fox on the Fairway
March 30-31, 2019

Audition notices will be posted as they become available.

Audition dates are subject to change. Check back for updates.