Casting Call: 'Big River'

The Pennington Players at Kelsey Theater will be holding auditions for the musical "Big River," an adaptation of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The production will be based on the 2003 Broadway staging by the Roundabout Theater Company and the American Deaf West Theater, and will blend American Sign Language with traditional choreography and staging, offering a unique opportunity for deaf and hearing actors to work in collaboration and providing accessibility to a wide range of audiences.
Auditions for non-deaf actors will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. June 25 and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. June 29. Auditions for deaf actors will be held from 7 to 10 p.m June 27 and from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 29. Callbacks will be held on June 30.

Non-deaf auditionees should prepare one complete song; songs in the style of the show are encouraged. All non-deaf actors will be required to perform some amount of sign interpretation during the show. Deaf auditionees need to prepare a two or three-minute story and to present it in sign language. Please come prepared to dance. Audition appointments are required. 

Parts listed below are for non-deaf actors.

Mark Twain (male, around 30, tenor)	As the narrator, Mark Twain will provide the speaking and singing voice for the principal role of Huck Finn, as well as for multiple other roles throughout the show. Need an excellent actor with a good sense of humor, a strong singing voice (and plenty of endurance), who can transition quickly and effectively among a number of very different characters. No dancing required for this role, but the ability to play guitar would be a plus.
Jim (male, 30+,  baritone)	An escaped slave who becomes Huck's best friend, Jim has spent his life restraining and hiding powerful emotions. Need an actor with good vocal range who is comfortable learning a large amount of ASL choreography as well. No dancing required for this role.
The Duke (male, 35+, baritone)	A traveling actor and grifter, he is petty, mean, and not particularly bright - but possesses a native cleverness and extraordinary gift for showmanship that keeps him mostly afloat. This actor will also provide the singing and speaking voice for Pap, Huck's dangerously unhinged and alcoholic father.
Tom Sawyer (male, 15-20, tenor)	Huck's boyhood friend, he is impulsive and believes himself to be a great rebel, though in reality he is a good deal more conventional than Huck. Need an energetic actor who moves well.
Mary Jane Wilkes (female, 18-24, mezzo-soprano with strong medium belt)	A young and innocent heiress, wide-eyed and good-hearted; in Huck's eyes she represents everything that is good and worth protecting.
The Widow Douglas (female, 40+, mezzo-soprano)	Huck's adopted caretaker, she is regular and decent in all her ways; she is kind enough but may possibly be going a bit mad as she ages.
Alice's Daughter (female, 20+, belter)	A maid, mostly quiet and devoted to her mother. Sings two gospel-style solos.
Ensemble (male & female,  15+)	In addition to the roles described above, we are seeking approximately four additional actors to play a number of smaller roles throughout the show, including members of Tom Sawyer's gang, townsfolk, Sheriff Bell, Judge Thatcher, and others.

Parts listed below are for deaf actors.

Huck Finn (male, reads 15-20)	The hero of our story, Huck is earnest, eager, emotional, and stubborn. He is uneducated but not ignorant or disinterested; in fact, learning about the world around him is his greatest passion. Need an extremely expressive actor capable of covering a very wide range of emotion.
The King (male, 35+)	A traveling con artist and grafter, he is a thoroughly disgusting specimen - unkempt, undignified, and none too bright. He is fairly adaptable, though, and can have moments of brilliance from time to time.
Pap (male, 50+)	Huck's father, Pap is a certified madman: ignorant, paranoid, and prone to fits of violence exacerbated by a nearly constant state of drunkenness.
Miss Watson (female, 40+)	Along with the Widow Douglas, Miss Watson helps care for Huck Finn in his adopted hometown of St. Petersburg. She is tall, reedy, and severe; she misplaced her sense of humor decades ago and has little interest in locating it now.
Ensemble (male & female, 15+)	In addition to the roles described above, we are seeking approximately four additional actors to play a number of smaller roles throughout the show, including members of Tom Sawyer's gang, townsfolk, and others.

Performances will be held at Kelsey Theater at Mercer County College. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and at 2 p.m. Sundays from October 4 to 13.

If auditionees cannot attend the scheduled audition dates, or to make an audition appointment, contact auditions@penningtonplayers.org.