Thursday, August 18, 2016

Casting Call: 'Titanic'

The sinking of the "Titanic" in the early hours of April 15, 1912, remains the quintessential disaster of the 20th century. A total 1,517 men, women and children lost their lives. That the supposedly unsinkable ship was lost during its maiden voyage is so incredible that, had it not actually happened, no author would dare to contrive it.

The musical "Titanic" examines the causes, the conditions and the characters involved in this ever-fascinating drama. This is the factual story of that ship - of her officers, crew and passengers, to be sure - but she will not, as has happened so many times before, serve as merely the background against which fictional, melodramatic narratives are recounted. The central character of our "Titanic" is the Titanic herself.

PLAYWRIGHT:
Peter Stone

COMPOSER AND LYRICIST:
Maury Yeston

PUBLISHER INFO:
This production of "Titanic" is limited to a cast of 20 people.

PRODUCERS' NAMES:
Darren Nye and David Learn

DIRECTOR'S NAME:
Matthew Muccigrossi

MUSICAL DIRECTOR'S NAME:
Mike Gilch

STAGE MANAGER'S NAME:
Holly Lessing

CHOREOGRAPHER'S NAME:
Genevieve Estanislau

AUDITION DATES:
7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18
Noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20

CALLBACK DATES (IF APPLICABLE):
2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21

REHEARSAL DATE RANGE:
Rehearsals will run Sunday, Sept. 11, through Thursday, Oct. 20. Pre-tech will run Sunday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 28. Tech will run Sunday, Oct. 30, through senior night, Thursday, Nov. 3.

PRODUCTION DATES:
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 4-20

MONOLOGUE/READING REQUIREMENTS:
Bring a headshot or recent photo, and a resume. There will not be a dance call. All actors must be at least 18 by the time of auditions, no exceptions.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song in the style of the show, showing range. Please do not sing a selection from the show. Bring sheet music. A piano accompanist will be provided. No a cappella auditions.

CHARACTERS/ROLES/REQUIREMENTS:
***MEN'S PARTS***

THOMAS ANDREWS:
38 - 43. Designer of the Titanic. A very level-headed but passionate man. Leading role, strong vocal and incredible actor needed. Dramatic Bari/Tenor, sings up to G. Accent - Northern Irish/English RP.

FREDERICK BARRETT:
28 - 35. The stoker. Very masculine, handsome, and physically fit. Lyric Bari/Tenor, sings up to G. Accent - English Midlands. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger and 3rd Class Passenger.

HAROLD BRIDE:
18 - 25. The radioman. Slim. A sweet man. Melodic Tenor, sings up to G. Accent - English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger and 3rd Class Passenger.

FREDERICK FLEET:
25 - 35. The lookout. Tall, physically fit actor. Floating Lyric Tenor (hypnotic), sings up to G, but possible High C man. Accent - English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger, 3rd Class Passenger, and Stoker.

CAPTAIN EDWARD SMITH:
55 - 65. Captain of the Titanic. A white-haired man with strong morals, near to retirement. Has a wealth of experience. Character Baritone, commanding voice, sings up to F. Accent - English RP.

BRUCE ISMAY:
47 - 52. The chairman and managing director of the White Star Line. Upper-class ruthless man who stops at nothing to get his own way. Baritone, sings up to G. Accent - English RP.

CHARLES CLARKE:
35 - 40. A man content with his middle-class life and thinks he knows his place, looking forward to his new life in America. Strong actor. Heroic Tenor, sings up to G, but also possible High C man. Accent - English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger.

EDGAR BEANE:
30 - 40. A man content with his middle-class life and thinks he knows his place, looking forward to his new life in America. Strong actor. Character Bass, sings up to D. Accent - General American (Indianapolis). Also plays Joseph Boxhall and a 3rd Class Passenger.

ISIDOR STRAUS:
60 - 65.1st Class Passenger, the highest of social elite. Warm Legit Character Baritone, sings up to F. Accent - General American (New York, Jewish Origin). Also plays Robert Hichens and a 3rd Class Passenger.

JIM FARRELL:
20 - 30. Handsome, romantic lead; a 3rd Class Passenger. Bari/Tenor, sings up to F#. Accent - Northern Irish. Also plays Andrew Latimer, 1st Class Passenger, and Joseph Bell (Chief Engineer).

HENRY ETCHES:
30 - 40. Head Butler on the ship. Strong stage presence. Jaunty Tenor, sings up to G. Accent - English RP. Also plays Herbert Pitman.

WILLIAM MURDOCH:
30 - 40. The first officer on the bridge of the Titanic. Strong actor. Baritone, sings up to F#. Accent - Scottish/English RP.

CHARLES LIGHTOLLER:
30 - 40. Second Officer on board the Titanic. Strong actor. Range up to D, but preferably with Tenor timbre, chorally up to G. Accent - English RP. Also plays a 3rd Class Passenger.

BELLBOY:
18 - early 20s. The youngest worker on board the ship (13 - 16 years old). Must have a very young look and childlike quality. Tenor, solo up to G, but also possible High C man. Accent - English RP. Also plays Wallace Hartley, 3rd Class Passenger and Stoker.

***WOMEN'S ROLES***

ALICE BEANE:
28 - 38. An aspirational young woman who dreams of becoming a 1st Class Passenger. Alto, belts up to E. Accent - General American (Indianapolis). Also plays a 3rd Class Passenger.

CAROLINE NEVILLE:
30 - 40. A woman who dreams of becoming part of the social elite. Strong actor. First Soprano, lyric, chorally up to High C. Accent - English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger and Stewardess.

KATE MCGOWAN:
18 - 25. A feisty and strong girl, 3rd Class Passenger. Celtic Mezzo, solo singing up to F#, chorally up to G. Accent - Northern Irish/English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger.

KATE MURPHEY:
18 - 30. 3rd Class Passenger. Strong actor. Alto/Mezzo, sings up to F#, but also possible High C. Accent - Northern Irish/English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger and Stewardess.

KATE MULLINS:
18 - 30. 3rd Class Passenger. Strong actor. Alto/Mezzo, sings up to F#, but also possible High C. Accent - Northern Irish/English RP. Also plays a 1st Class Passenger and Stewardess.

IDA STRAUS:
60 - 65. Calm and content member of the Upper Class but very down-to-earth and accepts her fate. Contralto, sings up to D (an octave above Middle C). Accent - General American (New York, Jewish Origin). Also plays a 3rd Class Passenger.

LIABILITY/PHOTO RELEASE FORM:
All those auditioning must agree to and sign the Villagers Liability/Photo Release Form found at:
www.villagerstheatre.com/liability-photo-release-form.pdf

FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS - CONTACT:
Darren Nye
darren@villagerstheatre.com
(732) 429-8258