Dear Friends—

It has been some time since I last wrote with an update to the LTA policies and procedures related to COVID-19. Recent changes announced by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have had a domino effect in states and cities across the country, and the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Alexandria are no different.  Working with the new information and discussing the changes with the Alexandria Health Department, the Board of Governors have adopted some important changes.  We anticipate that the situation will continue to evolve (presumably for the better), allowing us to further ease restrictions soon.

Who must wear facemasks at LTA?

At present, approximately 60 percent of eligible Virginians have been partially vaccinated. This is great progress. To be fully safe for theaters (places where people sit for long periods of time), the health department has strongly encouraged us to maintain facemask rules for some groups:

• All audience members are required to wear facemasks. If a patron removes his or her facemask, we will ask them to put it back on.  If it happens a second time, we will stop the show and ask them to leave.
• All ushers, house managers, box office personnel, and those who deal directly with audience members must continue to wear facemasks.
• Children below the vaccination age limit (currently age 11 and below) and anyone working with them, whether vaccinated or not, must wear facemasks.
• Adults who are around children below the vaccination age limit must wear facemasks.
• Anyone vaccinated who is uncomfortable working without a facemask should continue to wear one.

Vaccination Requirements

After consulting with personnel at the City of Alexandria’s ALX Promise Gold initiative (of which LTA is a part), LTA’s legal counsel, and several theaters in the Northern Virginia area, the Board has approved a phased-in vaccination policy.

• IMMEDIATELY, all paid positions (i.e., full-time employees, teachers, and contractors) must be vaccinated.
• BEGINNING JULY 24, all actors, designers, stage crew (e.g., sound, lights, costumes, hair, make-up, set construction, set painting, production crew, etc.) must be vaccinated.
• BEGINNING AUGUST 17, all those who choose to volunteer at LTA, including ushers, house managers, and box office personnel must be vaccinated.

Put plainly, if you want to work at LTA after August 17, you must be vaccinated and be prepared to prove it.

Verifying Vaccination Status

LTA is permitted to confirm vaccination status by asking to see proof.  Following the phased-in vaccination period outlined above, all those working in the building will be asked to show vaccination cards. For paid employees and contractors, copies of your vaccination status will be kept under lock-and-key to ensure that it is never shared.  For volunteers, we recommend taking a picture of your vaccine card (hiding any confidential information) and showing it only when asked by someone authorized to verify your status.

All future audition announcements must indicate that vaccinations are required and verified.

All future requests for volunteers must indicate that vaccinations are required and verified.

Benefits of the New Rules

There are benefits of the new procedures:

• Anyone who has been vaccinated and is working at LTA by himself or herself (e.g. a lone painter, the rigger, someone working alone in the office) may choose to work without a facemask.
• Those working in small groups (e.g., painting crews, constructions crews, “sky lounge” crew, office employees) are permitted to work together without facemasks IF ALL AGREE TO DO SO.
• Vaccinated cast members (plus necessary vaccinated crew members) may rehearse and work on stage together without facemasks IF ALL AGREE TO DO SO.
• Fully vaccinated classes (teachers and students) are permitted to be in class together without facemasks, IF ALL AGREE TO DO SO.

Because audience members will be masked, the Alexandria Health Department agrees that our vaccinated actors on stage may perform unmasked.  In short, we will be able to perform as we did prior to the pandemic.  Hurrah!

The most important benefit, of course, is that everyone in the LTA community—employees, contractors, teachers, students, actors, designers and crew, and volunteers–can all be confident that working at LTA is safe!

Auditorium Seating

Since the beginning of “Small Theater for Unusual Times” in September 2020, LTA has been limited to 23 pairs of socially distanced seats (46 seats total). This is approximately 23 percent of capacity.

• Beginning with the June 16 performance of Ripcord, LTA will increase its capacity to 50 pairs of seats (100 seats total). This is slightly less than 50 percent of our auditorium’s capacity. Each pair of seats will be separated by two empty seats.
• Beginning with Rumors, the first show of the 2021-2022 season, and continuing through A Christmas Carol, LTA will increase its seating capacity to 71 pairs of seats (142 seats total). This is approximately 66 percent of our capacity.  Each pair of seats will be separated by one empty seat.
• Beginning with Bright Star, our winter musical opening in January 2022, LTA will return to 100 percent capacity.

Education Programs and Vaccinations

Traditionally, LTA has divided its education program into two groups: children (those from kindergarten through high school) and adults (those beyond high school). Unfortunately, this division does not work well when talking about vaccinations. For purposes of discussing the Education programs, I will refer to three groups: children (below the age of 11); teens (ages 12-17); and adults (ages 18 and above).  At present, teens and adults are eligible to be vaccinated, while children are not.

• Classes that include children (unvaccinated), either in full or in part, must remain socially distanced, and teachers, students, and counselors must all wear facemasks.
• Teachers who work with teens and adults and want only vaccinated students in their classes must advertise this on the LTA website. If all students confirm their vaccination status at the first meeting, then facemasks may be removed IF ALL AGREE TO DO SO.
• Teachers who work with teens and adults but are comfortable working with all students (vaccinated and nonvaccinated), may do so. However, both teachers and students must wear facemasks and adhere to existing social distancing rules.
• Teachers who teach online classes only and do not come to LTA are not required to be vaccinated.
• The Board strongly encourages adult and teen teachers with fully vaccinated classes to remain particularly vigilant when teaching skills that require projection (e.g., singing, yelling). Consider holding class outdoors or implementing social distancing.
• Classrooms (including the Academy rooms, classroom, rehearsal room, and Green Room) must be sanitized using the provided disinfecting spray before classes begin and after they end. This includes wiping down all high-touch areas.  To do so will allow us to safely use a room multiple times each day.
• Additional specifications will be worked out among the teachers, the Governor for Education, and LTA’s Safety Officers.

Not Changing

Some practices adopted during the pandemic will remain in place:

• LTA will continue to use enhanced air filtration in all spaces to ensure clean, filtered air is circulating throughout the building.
• LTA will continue to sanitize its public spaces—the auditorium, bathrooms, classrooms, and offices—daily.
• LTA will continue to stock PPE for those who need them and refill the cleaning caddies throughout both buildings.
• LTA will continue to require visitors to sign in at the front doors of our two buildings. The City of Alexandria has asked us to maintain these records for contact tracing purposes.
• LTA will continue to look for ways to ease these restrictions without compromising safety and health.

Additional Policies and Practices

• Multi-use rooms (including the classroom, rehearsal room, Academy rooms, and Green Room) must be sanitized before and after each use. This includes wiping down all high-touch areas. To do so will allow us to safely use a room multiple times each day.
• LTA hopes to re-instate opening night parties and other social gatherings by January 2022. Until then, only small gatherings of vaccinated participants may occur. (For example, the cast and crew might choose to toast the opening of a show in the Green Room without members of the public.)
• LTA hopes to re-instate intermission concessions by January 2022.
• Outside volunteer organizations (e.g., One Brick) are allowed to return to LTA, provided that their volunteers follow our vaccination policies listed above.
• LTA functions, such as classes and meetings, should be held outside or online when possible (and Mother Nature permitting).

There are a lot of changes here. However, these changes bring us significantly closer to where we were before the pandemic began. If we can assure our patrons that LTA is committed to providing entertainment like they remember it, do it in a way that is safe, and do it in a way that is comfortable, then we have the chance to re-build our theater over the coming year.  There might be specific situations that I have not covered here.  If you have questions about specifics, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at AskLTA@thelittletheatre.com.

Many thanks to the committee who sifted through mountains of new rules, opinions, and news stories; reached out to other areas businesses; and attended training sessions provided by ALX Promise and the Alexandria Health Department:  Stacey Becker (committee chair), Susan Boyd, Ken Brown, and Ira Forstater. This committee will continue to monitor the situation and make recommendations to the Board of Governors as warranted.

Regards,

Russell M. Wyland, LTA President

With a glimmer of light at the end of the COVID–19 tunnel, a quick update about LTA procedures seems to be in order. First and foremost, it is worth remembering that the rules put forward by the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Centers for Disease Control are governing our theatre’s operations. Our internal procedures are based on what will keep our patrons and volunteers safe.

1.EVERYONE who comes to LTA (audience member, volunteer, contractor) must continue to wear a face mask. There are no exceptions. Even if you have received your vaccine shot(s), you are required to wear a mask when you are inside our building.

2.We continue to enforce social distancing. Until the Commonwealth of Virginia tells us otherwise, we will do our part to keep patrons and volunteers six feet apart.

3.Sanitizing continues to be a requirement. When you enter LTA, we need you to sanitize your hands and use the sanitizing caddies located throughout the building. In return, we will continue to sanitize high–touch areas, clean the facilities daily, and use the special sanitizing fogger to clean the auditorium seats.

4.The building will continue to be closed for public business. Our office staff can be reached by telephone or, better yet, by email at tina@thelittletheatre.comor crissy@thelittletheatre.com.

Because we do not know when the COVID–19 protocols will change, the Board has had to make some assumptions about the coming season. Given what we know, we expect that current guidelines might last until well into the fall. We are budgeting and planning for this status quo through the end of 2021. For now, we expect small, masked audiences through A Christmas Carol. If the situation changes in any way, we will, too. We are moving forward with plans for a limited, in–person summer camp with reduced class sizes and more outdoor activities. We will also offer a selection of online–only camps for kids. We are delighted to have Michael Page back at the helm and a committed faculty in the classrooms again this year.Thank you, everyone, for continuing to support LTA. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I am confident that it is not an oncoming train.

Russell M. Wyland
LTA President

Do you enjoy working on the technical aspects of theater? NextGenLTA is seeking a Tech Liaison to join the NextGen Committee. In this role, you’ll be helping find tech people to help with productions, help coordinate trainings for tech folks and much more, plus you’ll gain new friends and collaborators! Fill out our interest form here: https://forms.gle/4vT7EiddpWyf4WHJA 

Three-ply washable and reusable facemasks with LTA’s logo now available! Show your support for LTA while keeping yourself and others safe! Masks come in two sizes, adult and child, include chin rest, adjustable ear loops, and filter. Suggested donation of $20 per mask. Limited quantity available. If demand exceeds our supply, we will place an additional order.

PRINT FRIENDLY ORDER FORM HERE

ONLINE ORDER FORM HERE

If interested, please fill out the order form and mail to LTA at:

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (attention LTA Facemasks)
600 Wolfe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Dear LTA Friends—

We are fortunate that the number of COVID cases in Northern Virginia continues to be relatively lower than most areas around the US.  There is now general agreement, however, that the dreaded “second wave” of infections (a wave that has been anticipated as far back as April) has begun to materialize as predicted. With this in mind, I have updated the theater’s reopening plan; you can find it here: LTA ReOpening Plan – October 26 update. This plan remains the best statement of LTA’s procedures and policies for dealing with the virus.  With a second wave looming, now is the time for all of us to double down on our preparedness.  Please re-read the plan and, once you have, follow the rules within it.  The health and well-being of your fellow theater lovers are at stake.

Here are a few reminders:

• Come to LTA only if you have necessary and urgent business to conduct.
• Never come to LTA if you are running a fever, exhibiting other signs of COVID, or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID.
• Board members, current teachers, and volunteers/actors working on the production on stage now don’t need to get permission to visit LTA.
• All others coming to LTA must arrange their arrival with Tina McCrea through the appropriate governor or the LTA safety officers.
• Everyone approved to be at LTA must enter only through the front door, register in the book, and use the hand sanitizer and the sanitizing supplies provided.

Again, I ask you to take a few minutes to read or re-read the plan.  If you have questions, please ask.

Regards,

Russell M. Wyland, LTA President.

Dear Members, Subscribers, Patrons, and Friends—

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I hope this update finds you, your family and friends, happy and healthy. It has been some time since I provided an LTA update, and I have news to share.

“Mamma Mia, here I go again.” I am sorry to report that LTA has cancelled our January production of Mamma Mia! It has always been our hope to be one of the first community theaters to stage this landmark musical. However, after discussing it with the Alexandria Health Department and failing to find ways to safely stage the production, the next step became clear. Many thanks to those who have invested so much time and energy into this production, especially co-producers Bobbie Herbst and Rachel Alberts, director Joanna Henry, choreographer Stefan Sittig, and music director Christopher A. Tomasino. In the coming months, the Board will try to reschedule Mamma Mia! If you’re a subscriber and you paid for your subscription by credit card, we will be giving you the three remaining shows—The Revolutionists, Mary Stuart, and Prelude to a Kiss—and not charging you for Mamma Mia! If you paid for your subscription by cash or check, you will be given our summer 2021 musical—the Tony Award-winning Something Rotten!—instead of Mamma Mia! (plus the other three shows in the season).

Given the challenges inherent in performing in the January time slot, the Board has decided to give LTA a much-needed post-holiday break for some building maintenance.

Even with the changes in our schedule, our box office continues to be busy. Many have been asking us, “When can subscribers expect to receive their tickets? And when will tickets be available for members and the public?” In addition to the other challenges LTA is facing with COVID19, we have also been informed that our long-time ticketing system, Vendini, will be terminated later this year by its new owner, AudienceView. Whether we opt for another AudienceView or switch to a different ticket provider, our Box Office will need time this fall to transition to the new ticketing system and be ready to print tickets. With our first regular season show now not scheduled until the end of February 2021, we plan to mail out subscriber ticket packages around mid-January. For members and the public (and for everyone hoping to see our unique presentation of A Christmas Carol), tickets for each of the remaining shows this season will be made available approximately 4 weeks before the show’s opening. This delayed ticketing schedule will also allow LTA to better assess prevailing public health conditions and determine our safe audience capacity for each show.

As noted above, the LTA Safety Officers and I met with a representative of the Alexandria Health Department. There were two major “take aways” from our meeting:

1.)   LTA has been officially sanctioned as a member of ALX Promise, a voluntary service within Alexandria that certifies that a business complies with health and safety standards during the pandemic. This is exciting news. It means LTA is meeting or exceeding all national, state, and city standards. For your safety, please consider patronizing ALX Promise-sanctioned businesses by visiting their website.

2.)   Social distancing requirements will be in place until perhaps two months after the introduction of a vaccine. Therefore, the Board has decided to flip-flop two shows in our season. Opening in mid-February will be The Revolutionists. This exciting, small-cast show lends itself to a socially distanced performance. Prelude to a Kiss, which had occupied the mid-February time slot, will now be performed in the June time slot vacated by The Revolutionists.

”Small Theatre for Unusual Times” is generating a lot of excitement in the community. Our first show, Love Letters, directed by Joanna Henry and starring Nicky and Steve McDonnell, is just about out of tickets. We are able to offer a maximum of 46 seats for each performance (safely distanced across our 215-seat auditorium). Reservations for Mixed Doubles and Belle of Amherst will open soon.

LTA’s Scrooge extraordinaire Michael J. Baker, Jr. will be bringing a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol to the LTA stage in December. The high-tech, but traditional, rendering of this classic will no doubt have all of Alexandria talking. Intrigued? More to come, I promise.

While LTA’s HVAC system is relatively new and relatively same, we will be doing filter upgrades later this month. The new super-filters will ensure that the air in our building is clean and safe to breathe. Does this mean you can take off your face mask? No. Sorry. Face masks still required.

Eager to know more about LTA’s reopening plans? Please visit the Reopening plan listed below.

Stay healthy,

Russell Wyland, LTA President

A full copy of LTA’s Reopening Plan can be found HERE: LTA ReOpening Plan

At this difficult time, The Little Theatre of Alexandria stands fully and proudly with the African American community and the Black Lives Matter movement, and we stand strongly against injustice and racism. Actively dismantling racism in all its forms is a challenge and opportunity that must be embraced by all, and LTA is committed to redoubling its efforts to use the power of the stage and our community to make Alexandria a better—more just, more diverse, more welcoming–place to live, work, and play.

At LTA, we are listening; but we are acting too. The LTA Board has formed a DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) committee to increase the presence of people of color not just in front of the curtain, but in all aspects of our theater. If you have ideas for how LTA can improve itself going forward, please contact LTA President Russell Wyland (russellwyland@gmail.com). Join us as we move forward and create a better tomorrow.

We’re excited to announce the launch of Script Addicts, an informal play-reading group hosted at LTA! We’ll be gathering every other Sunday from 7pm to 9pm, beginning March 1st on the second floor of the Academy, and reading all kinds of plays (mostly comedies, as the world is dramatic enough). We’ll assign roles at random and switch parts throughout the evening, without regard to age or gender. Not an actor? Not a problem! All that’s required is a desire to read some plays, make some friends, and have some fun.

UPDATE: LTA’s playreading group, Script Addicts, is moving online!

Join the Facebook group linked below or send an email to ltascriptaddicts@gmail.com to be added.

Link to join meeting from desktop or laptop:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5432132388

Admission is free!

Upcoming shows at 8PM: TBD

They’ll use your suggestions to create a fun night of improv!  Snacks and drinks will be served.  All current LTA Improv students get in free.  Everyone else pay what you choose ($5 recommended donation).  Like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter to learn more about their upcoming shows!

LTA Announces Auditions for August Wilson’s FENCES

Directed by Eleanore Tapscott

Produced by Russell Wyland

Written by August Wilson

Audition Dates:

Friday, July 9, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 10, 2:00 p.m.

Callbacks:

Sunday, July 11, 7:00 p.m.

Performance Dates:

September 11 – 25, 2021

The Little Theatre announces auditions for August Wilson’s Fences. The story centers on Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy’s bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play ball.

Auditions will include a prepared 1-2-minute dramatic monologue and cold readings from the script.

All auditionees should dress to move.

** Please note that LTA requires that all actors, designers, and crew members be vaccinated for COVID-19 and be prepared to show a copy or photo of their vaccination card. **

** Because there is a minor in the cast, LTA is required to conduct basic background checks on cast and crew members. **

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Casting African-American actors, 5 men, 1 woman, 1 girl.

Troy (Male, African American, 50s-60s): Former baseball star in the Negro Leagues, now works for the sanitation department, lifting garbage into trucks. He is a charismatic, big man with a big personality — a troubled, bitter giant who believes he owes his family everything. Troy works hard to be a faithful husband and reliable provider but the more he tries to protect his family, the more he tears it apart, and building a fence around them isn’t the answer. Husband to Rose, father to Lyons, Cory, and Raynell, and brother to Gabriel, and best friend to Jim Bono.

Rose (Female, African American, 35-45): Troy’s wife and mother of his second child, Cory. A housewife, who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Rose’s request that Troy and Cory build a fence in their small, dirt backyard comes to represent her desire to keep her loved-ones close to her love. Unlike Troy, Rose is a realist, not a romantic longing for glory days of yesteryear. She has high hopes for her son, Cory and sides with him in his wish to play football. Rose’s acceptance of Troy’s illegitimate daughter, Raynell, as her own child, exemplifies her compassion. Some singing.

Cory (Male, African American, over 18 to play 16-18): Troy’s and Rose’s teenage son. Cory is a high school senior and a talented athlete. When a college football recruiter shows an interest in Cory, Troy refuses to see him. He also won’t allow his son to play football any longer. Corey is intimidated by his father and wonders if Troy even likes him. Cory comes of age during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy and leaves home.

Lyons (Male, African American, 30-40): Troy’s son from a previous marriage. Lyons is an aspiring jazz musician who has no regular job. He admits that music is the only thing which gives him purpose and enables him to control his anger. Lyons grew up without his father’s presence, as Troy was serving time in prison. He frequently borrows money from Troy and vows to pay him back.

Gabriel (Male, African American, 40-50): Troy’s younger brother.Gabriel was a soldier in the Second World War, during which he received a head injury that required a metal plate to be surgically implanted into his head. Gabriel wanders around the Maxson family’s neighborhood carrying a basket and singing. He often thinks he is not a person, but the angel Gabriel who opens the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. Gabriel exudes a child-like exuberance and a need to please. Some singing.

Jim Bono (Male, African American, late 40s-50s): Troy’s friend of thirty-odd years. Of the two men, he is the follower. He seeks to emulate Troy’s honesty, capacity for hard work, strength, and physical prowess. The two men have known each other since prison. Their friendship is warm, honest, and mutual. Bono is easily engaged in laughter and storytelling and often ends up playing a sort of “straight man” to Troy’s humor. He is a simple man, who places great emphasis on family, honesty, and hard work.

Raynell (Female, African American, 12-13 but able to play younger). Troy’s daughter from another relationship.  Raynell is taken in and raised by Rose after her mother dies in childbirth. Raynell has heard stories about Cory and meets him on the day of Troy’s funeral. The pair sing a song together which Troy has sung throughout his life. Actress does not have to be an amazing singer but should be able to sing sweetly.

For additional information or to volunteer for this production, please contact Russell Wyland:  RussellWyland@gmail.com.

NOTE:

While you are waiting to audition, you will be asked to wear a facemask.  You will be permitted to remove your facemask during the audition.

If you have a headshot and acting résumé, you may bring them with you; if not, auditionees may be asked to have their picture taken by the audition coordinator.

Please bring an accurate list of rehearsal conflicts with you to the audition.

All cast members are required to become acting or regular members of LTA within two weeks of being cast.

To download an audition form, click  HERE

LTA One Acts: Audition Information

Auditions for the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) One Acts will be held virtually over Zoom on Sunday, June 27 from 11a-2p. To reserve an audition slot, please email oneactslta@gmail.com with your name, phone number, any conflicts during audition day, and the role(s) that you would like to audition for. Your audition slot will be approximately 45 minutes, and will be confirmed in a reply email. You are welcome to audition for as many roles as you like! During the audition process, you will be grouped with other auditionees and be asked to read together from the sides provided for each show. Any additional information needed for the audition is listed with the specific show. If you cannot make the audition date, but are still interested in being in the show: Email oneactslta@gmail.com and the One Act Chair will follow up with you about the potential for scheduling a separate audition slot or a video audition.

Rehearsals will be in person and online from July 5th through August 15th. You must be available the evenings of August 16th-19th (two tech days on the 16th/17th, performances on the 18th/19th). You should expect to be in rehearsals approximately twice per week.

LTA supports open and diverse casting. Any role notated as “male-presenting” or “female-presenting” can be played by an individual of any gender. If it is not, the role must be played by the specified gender due to script constraints. Unless otherwise specified, the roles will be cast without regard to race.

In order to participate, you must have proof of full COVID vaccination by July 24th. Failure to provide documentation of vaccination will result in removal from the show based on LTA’s updated COVID policies.

If you have any additional questions, please email oneactslta@gmail.com. Otherwise, please feel free to peruse the shows, and we hope to see you at auditions!

Shows and Characters at a Glance:

Gold and Cocaine:

• Woody (18-26, Male)
• Roy Lynn (18-26, Male)
• Dr. Delmar Ralph (35-55, Male)

The Freakiest Show:

• Martin (20-35, Black, Male-presenting)
• Sophie (20-30, white, Female-presenting)
• Eddie (20-30, white, Male-presenting)

The Precious Scars:

• Oliver “Billy” Sipple (25-39, Male-presenting)
• Harvey Milk (35-49, Male)
• Cookie (20-59, Male in drag (open to F playing M in drag))

Gold and Cocaine (3M)

Description: Two hicks from the middle of nowhere try to rob a safe in their local dentist’s office. They soon realize that cracking a safe is harder than it looks in the movies, especially after the laughing gas and Percocet kick in. When the dentist shows up, the pair realize that their get-rich-quick scheme is far more complicated than they ever anticipated. A fast-paced, over-the-top comedy.

Characters:

• Woody (18-26, Male): Graduated from high school but never went to college, born and raised in this one-horse town, but thinks he is destined for bigger and better. Very energetic in a masculine way.
• Roy Lynn (18-26, Male): high school drop-out, content to take the path of least resistance. Laid-back, but also an enabler to Woody’s schemes.
• Dr. Delmar Ralph (35-55, Male): Country dentist, immersed in a self-pitying mid-life crisis.

Please review the sides at the link below and have them prepared for your audition: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U-IYw1biRj9eOsKNXtMV3WqaKoJaGY7J?usp=sharing

The Freakiest Show (1M, Black; 1F, White; 1M, White)

Description: Three movie theater employees and friends witness an instance of police violence against an unarmed black man. As police begin questioning them for statements, their relationships are tested and ugly views are brought to the forefront for questioning. A heavy-hitting, emotional, and dramatic piece.

Characters:

• Martin (20-35, Black, Male-presenting): Well groomed, easy going and good natured, Martin carries himself with confidence. He’s best friends with Eddie and he and Sophie have been dating for 6 months.
• Sophie (20-30, white, Female-presenting): Outspoken and opinionated, Sophie is known for her sass, smarts and speeches from a feminist and liberal perspective. She is a sarcastic flirt who considers herself as one of the guys, even as she and Martin have a great romantic connection.
• Eddie (20-30, white, Male-presenting): Introverted (but not shy), Eddie considers himself to be the voice of reason of the group, he’s also the floor manager on duty. Insecure, due to his social anxieties, he considers himself as well-intentioned and “woke”.

Please review the sides at the link below and have them prepared for your audition: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kR6nygo5rPruGOrNFnAD_j2YvUYMUMm0?usp=sharing

In addition to the sides, please prepare a two minute monologue that best fits the character(s) you are interested in.

The Precious Scars (2M, 1 Drag Queen)

Description: An author’s take on a bar confrontation between Harvey Milk and Billy Sipple, a gay ex-Marine who saved President Ford from an assassination attempt and whom Harvey outed without permission in order to provide a positive gay rolemodel for society. A heartfelt look at LGBTQ+ issues and difficult conversations with a sprinkle of comedy.

Characters:

• Oliver “Billy” Sipple (25-39, Male-presenting): A regimented ex-military man who suffers from PTSD and depression from the Vietnam War, as well as from his being closeted. Billy struggles with his private life being torn away from him and the fallout with his conservative family.
• Harvey Milk (35-49, Male): A very witty, charismatic rising politician who challenges social norms for LGBTQ+ rights. While Harvey means well, he sometimes says the wrong thing and only sees things his way.
• Cookie (20-59, Male in drag (open to F playing M in drag)): A fabulous drag queen who grew up in Tennessee with an unaccepting mother.

Please review the sides at the link below and have them prepared for your audition: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XNNbWRX7xpFRkeAHUOg2MbusEU2aTgo6?usp=sharing

Future Audition Dates

Audition notices will be posted as they become available.

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