Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Audition Notice: Musical Theatre

2017-2018 Season Auditions for Birnton Theatricals: Audition Notice

Birnton Theatricals is excited to announce the auditions for their 2017-2018 season production. Birnton Theatricals mandate is to produce theatre and offer educational programming that introduces kids and young adults to the power and magic of live theatre and drama. Our goal is to not only foster the development of beginning artists but also to excite a young generation into becoming lifelong patrons of the arts.

We have a variety of productions on the go this season so we thought we would do all the auditions at once. 

Our productions include:
for the Crayon Series: 3 kids shows for Stage West for Kids
for the Mosaic Series: I and You performed at Lunchbox Theatre

Please see below for more information about each project. 

Each project will be cast as a stand-alone production although artists are welcome to audition for any or all of the projects.

Auditions for roles will take place: 
Monday, August 28 and Tuesday, August 29 (7-10pm)
 
Auditions will be held at the Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall – Arts Commons (220 9th Ave SE Calgary)

Audition Requirements:
·  Prepare a musical theatre song for the audition
·  Bring your own accompaniment (playback available through headphone jack)
·  One comic or children's theatre monologue
·  If just interested in I and You please prepare two contrasting monologues
·  Please email your resume and headshot when booking audition
·  Actors must be over 18.
To book an audition, please visit www.birntontheatricals.com or email ailsa@birntontheatricals.com 

Note: Non-Equity Production. Payment will be on a per show basis with an honorarium (equaling no less than minimum wage/hr) for the rehearsal period. 

Rehearsals will be part time and flexible starting approx. 8-10 weeks prior to opening of each project and will take place at a TBD location.  Rehearsals will take place mostly in the evenings and on weekends.  The schedule will be created around artists' individual schedules.


Crayon Series 

Production 1:
All I Want For Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth
Written and Directed by Chris Stockton
In co-production with Stage West for Kids

When Jenny loses her two front teeth on Christmas Eve she makes a last ditch effort to let Santa know that all she wants from him for Christmas is her two front teeth. When Santa and the Tooth Fairy both show up on the same night to help solve the tooth wish, Jenny is caught in the middle of mistaken identities, dance offs and Christmas chaos! A comedic, family friendly, holiday extravaganza about the spirit of giving and receiving.
Roles:
Tooth Fairy - Young, she is full of energy, expression and enthusiasm which gets in the way of Christmas Eve being her first day on the job. She has a big bold voice - not your Grandmothers tooth fairy.

Jenny - Young and naive - she is 6 or 7 and has just lost her two front teeth.  She is nervous around people and doesn't want to be embarrassed - she just wants to fit in.  She is kind and curious

Sarah - Mother to Jenny.  Tall, clever, kind and quirky!  Just the right mix of fun and embarrassment for her daughters liking. She is a good parent who understands sometimes saying no is better than always saying yes. Some dance background or gymnastics background is preferred as this is a very physical role. 
Note all performers have to be comfortable singing and being able to move (dance).
Show Schedule:
Sat. Nov 25 – 12:15 pm
 
Sat. Dec 2 – 10:15 am 
Sat. Dec 2 – 2:15 pm
Sat. Dec 9 – 10:15 am 
Sat. Dec 9– 2:15 pm
Mon. Dec 11 – 7:15 pm
Sat. Dec 16 – 10:15 am
Sat. Dec 16 – 2:15 pm
Mon. Dec 18 – 7:15 pm
Tues. Dec 19 – 7:15 pm
Fri. Dec 22 – 10:15 am
Fri. Dec 22 – 2:15 pm
Sat. Dec 23 – 10:15am
Sat. Dec 23 – 2:15pm
Sun. Dec 24 – 10:15am
Sun. Dec 24 – 2:15pm

Note: Cast will be responsible for set up (prior to house opening 2.5 hours before show) and strike of each show.


Production 2:
Rapunzel
Written by Chris Stockton
Directed by Rebecca Fauser
In co-production with Stage West for Kids

Rapunzel has been trapped in a lavish tower for many years under the watch of Helga the Wicked Witch.  When Prince Charming notices Rapunzel in the tower, he instantly falls in love and sets out to free the long-haired princess!  A new take on the traditional fairy-tale with lots of song, dance and fun for the whole family!

Roles:
Rapunzel - Full of energy and confidence - she doesn't need a Prince but she would like to meet someone and that's not going to happen in the Tower.  Very physically able to do lots - a gymnast or dancer at a previous time.

Prince Newton - He's a new Prince, actually never expected to become a Prince but now he has been told he has to go find a Princess.  Not entirely confident, especially around girls.  His physical appearance is perhaps not that of what we know as a "regular Prince Charming". He can sing though and tries incredibly hard.  He is clumsy and doesn't quite nail things he attempts all the time.

Enid the Witch - Evil Personified - She has a rock and roll feel to her with a lot of bitterness stirred in for good measure.  She has been hurt over the years and as a result has grown resentful of anyone else.  A victim of bullying who has managed to become a bully as a result to try to protect herself.  Misunderstood but not good at reaching out for help.

Hoogelsonza - Male or Female - Hoogelsonza is the sidekick/minion of Enid.  They are given a bunch of responsibility to take care of Rapunzel and keep her locked up.  They are a victim of the bullying by Enid as well.  A suppressed person who has little self-esteem wants badly to impress everyone and anyone.

Show Schedule:
Sat. May 512:15pm

Sat. May 1212:15pm
Sat. May 1912:15pm
Sat. May 2612:15pm
Sat. June 212:15pm
Sat. June 912:15pm
Note: Cast will be responsible for set up (prior to house opening 2.5 hours before show) and strike of each show.


Production 3:
Hansel and Gretel
Written and Directed by Chris Stockton
In co-production with Stage West for Kids
Henry and Gabrielle know that when their Parents are out for the evening only one person will be left to care for them - Winnifred the babysitter!  When Winnifred brings over the book Hansel and Gretel, the kids are instantly swept into playing out the story as it happens!  A new twist on the traditional tale filled with music, mayhem and magic!

Roles:
Winnifred - the babysitter - a goth teenager who has a dry sense of humour and is hiding behind the make up and clothes.  While terrifying on the outside she has a warm heart cares about the kids and wants them to be entertained. She becomes the witch in the story.  A rock and roll voice with the ability to instil fear by just standing there but also rock a big rock and roll number.

Gabrielle - The younger sister who is incredibly athletic and good at sports and such!  Perhaps a dancer, climber or gymnast.  She is physically strong and strong willed.  A singer and cares about her brother more than anything in the world.

Henry - Intelligent and very smart at solving abstract problems.  He is a protective older brother even though his sister needs no protecting.  Sings and can attempt dancing but doesn't have to be particularly good.  That's not his strength even though he loves doing it!

Parent - Could be either male or female - They play a number of other parts throughout the show as "Hansel and Gretel" travel through the forest.  A performer with multiple voice abilities and physicality’s that can be a bit of a chameleon on stage.  Singing and dancing ability are preferred.

Show Schedule:
TBC but will run likely on Saturdays between July 14 to August 18
.

Note: Cast will be responsible for set up (prior to house opening 2.5 hours before show) and strike of each show.


Mosaic Series 

Production 4
I and You
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Chris Stockton
April 2018, Lunchbox Theatre

SUMMARY
One afternoon, Anthony arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline's door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Homebound due to illness, Caroline hasn't been to school in months, but she is as quick and sardonic as Anthony is athletic, sensitive, and popular. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this seemingly mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. I and You is an ode to youth, life, love, and the strange beauty of human connectedness.

ROLES

Note: actors of all ethnicities will be considered for both roles.  As outlined by the playwright, it doesn't matter which ethnicities the characters are as long as they are different from one another.  

Caroline - high school senior - home bound due to illness, she is cynical, suspect, quick to react and jaded.  A different ethnicity than Anthony. 

Anthony - high school senior - attends school, athletic, popular and kind.  Plays Basketball.  A different ethnicity than Caroline. 

Note: Non-Equity Production. Payment will be a guaranteed amount plus an equal split of box office after costs covered.

Rehearsals will be part time and flexible starting approx. 8-10 weeks prior to opening of each project and will take place at a TBD location.  Rehearsals will take place mostly in the evenings and on weekends.  The schedule will be created around artists' individual schedules.

To book an audition for any or all of the above shows, please visit 
www.birntontheatricals.com or email ailsa@birntontheatricals.com