Kelsey Theater's Pennington Players will hold auditions for "Violet" later this month.As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the 1964 Deep South towards a miracle, the healing touch of a TV evangelist that will make her beautiful. Though she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those that are lying deeper than her skin; and on the way she meets a young African-American soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections".
Auditionees should prepare a complete song from musical theater with
sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. No
dancing will be required at the initial audition. Generally actors 16 or
older will be considered for the parts, although a younger actor will
be needed to play Young Vi.
| Violet (mezzo soprano with very strong high belt) | The protagonist. Carries a scar from a childhood injury; the degree of her deformity is uncertain to us but is certainly drastic to her. She is 25 years old, but a life of worry has left her looking older and wearier. Cynical but not yet bitter, reserved but not yet withdrawn, Violet is an observer and a chronicler. She hasn't yet given up the hope that she might get to participate in the world at some point, but her hope is flickering. An outstanding singer and actor with wide vocal range and considerable physical and vocal stamina is needed, as Violet does not leave the stage for the run time of the show. The actor playing this role needs a North Carolina Southern accent. |
| Grady "Flick" Fliggins (tenor) | An African-American U.S. Army Sergeant in his late 20s. He is black man traveling through the American South in the early 1960s, with all that implies about his life and experiences. Flick is stable, direct, easy-going, and perceptive. He has a "seize the day" philosophy that he only sometimes actually puts into practice. Dynamic singer needed. |
| Monty Harrill (baritone) | A white Army paratrooper in his early 20s, Monty is brash, arrogant, impulsive, immature, and loud, but an essentially good and decent person, which makes the overall package charming rather than repellent. A charismatic and energetic performer with a strong high baritone sound is needed for this role. |
| Young Vi (belter) | Violet as she was at age 13, forever frozen in time at the moment of her injury. She is inquisitive and aggressive, and utterly unintimidated by anything or anyone. |
| Father (baritone) | Violet's father, a widower in his late 30s. He is a plain man who achieved and then lost his plain dreams, leaving him constantly a little sad and a little anxious. He is uneducated but not ignorant, and strongly convinced of the value of education. |
| Female Ensemble Member 1 (mezzo-soprano) | Among others, plays the old lady and a hotel singer. As the old lady, plays a woman in her sixties who serves as a sort of guardian angel and Greek chorus for Violet as she travels, sharp-witted and quintessentially Southern. Also plays a much younger dissolute hotel singer of questionable virtue. A very versatile performer with a wide vocal range who can hold harmony is needed for this role. |
| Female Ensemble Member 2 (mezzo-soprano) | Among others, plays Mabel and a music hall singer. Needs a powerful voice for a lengthy Gospel solo, as well as a second jazz solo. |
| Male Ensemble Member 1 (bass-baritone) | Among others, plays the preacher, bus driver, and radio singer. As the preacher, he is slick and cynical but not without true faith, a man in his late 30s or beyond. |
| Male Ensemble Member 2 (tenor) | Among others, plays the radio soloist, Leroy Evans, a waiter, and Earl. As the radio soloist, is a country singer with a gentle sound. |
| Male Ensemble Member 3 (male, baritone) | Among others, plays Virgil, a radio singer, and a bus driver. Virgil is the Preacher's neurotic and overwhelmed stage manager, in his mid-to-late 20s or early 30s. |
| Female Ensemble Member 3 (soprano) | Among other roles, plays the landlady, an African-American woman in her 30s or 40s, jaded and sharp; and a gospel soloist. |
Rehearsals are projected to commence in early September and occur three to four times per week until the show opens. The show will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 6-15.
To make an audition appointment, click here or call (609)737-7529. Auditions will take place in the Communications building next to Kelsey Theater. Both are located on the Mercer County Community College campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.
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