AUDITION CALL: NOW. HERE. THIS.
The Gratiot County Players will be holding auditions Saturday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Strand Theatre in downtown Alma for Now. Here. This.—a one-act, 4-person, musical comedy from the award-winning team behind [title of show]!
Book by Hunter Bell & Susan Blackell
Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Based on the collaboration by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove
Directed by Joshua Zeitler
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
SYNOPSIS: The show follows the evolution and adventures of four friends in a natural history museum as they journey through time--from the present day museum, to the past, and back again. Inspired by various exhibits (bees, reptiles, early man, ancient civilizations and outer space), the foursome shares their stories about friendship, hoarding, hiding, laughing, living, dying and middle school in an attempt to step directly into that elusive "present moment": the Now. Here. This.
***Please be advised that this show contains adult themes and language.
ROLES:
Man 1—20’s-30’s
The mimic octopus. A consummate nerd, class clown, and chameleon. Enthusiastic to the core, but hesitant to let it show and look uncool.
Major songs: Dazzle Camouflage, Kick Me
Vocal Range: Bari-tenor (B to G#)
Man 2—20’s-30’s
The turtle. Prone to intense flights of fancy that form a protective shell around his disappointing reality.
Major songs: Archer, Get Into It
Vocal Range: Tenor (C to A)
Woman 1—20s-30s
The worker bee. Doesn’t know who she is if she’s not doing something for external validation, yet constantly feels like an unworthy impostor.
Major songs: I Rarely Schedule Nothing, Golden Palace
Vocal Range: Alto (F to C)
Woman 2—20s-30s
The lyrebird. Needs to be the center of attention—like, really needs it—always. Super charismatic and successful, but still needs more.
Major songs: Give Me Your Attention, This Time
Vocal Range: Alto (F to D)
***A note on gender, age, and ethnicity: The characters of this show are loosely drawn when it comes to physical characteristics. While certain cultural references date them, the show prepares the audience for many imaginative leaps. Being gender creative, outside the suggested age range (though due to content, actors MUST be 18 or older), or an ethnicity other than white is not only not prohibited, but encouraged! Decisions will be made based on an auditioner’s ability to sing the vocal range and act out the characters’ personalities with sincerity, energy, and enthusiasm.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS: Please arrive at or before 6:30 if you can, and no later than 6:40. When you arrive, you will be given an audition form in the lobby to be filled out. Please be ready to give detailed rehearsal conflicts if you have them. (See below for rehearsal times.) Director Joshua Zeitler (they/them) will welcome you and tell you a little bit about the show and their vision for it. You will then be asked to read in groups of 4 from a brief scene at the beginning of the show. After everyone has read, vocal director Jeff Rayburn will lead everyone in light vocal warmups. He will assign different vocal parts for a few sample sections from the song Members Only, which everyone will sing together. Based on the information gathered from this group singing, you may be asked to sing either a selection of Archer or This Time, depending on the roles you are auditioning for. Additionally, we may test the limits of your vocal range, and anyone auditioning for the role of Man 1 will be asked to do impressions of Kermit the Frog and Madeline Kahn (additional impressions of the auditioner’s choosing welcome, but not required). Advance knowledge of the show is not required—we will be patient in teaching you the parts and give you the chance to get it right. However, if you would like to review the audition materials before you arrive, you are absolutely welcome to! Contact Joshua Zeitler at
am9zaHVhcnplaXRsZXIgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==, or by text at (989) 294-1630, and include the best email to send materials to in your message.
SCHEDULING:
The first readthrough will be July 14, 15, or 16 (Mon.-Wed.), depending on cast and crew availability.
Rehearsals will begin the following week, and be Mon.-Wed. at 6:30 July 21-Aug 6 outside the theatre while the Summer Youth Workshop rehearses.
Rehearsals will shift to Mon.-Fri. at 6:30 in the theatre Aug 11-Sept 25.
Performance dates are Sept 26-28 and Oct 3-5. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.
Best of luck, and we hope to see you there!
For any further questions, contact Joshua Zeitler—
Email:
am9zaHVhcnplaXRsZXIgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ== (don’t forget the “R” in the middle!)
Text: (989) 294-1630
Also check out other Arts events in Alma, Theatre events in Alma, Workshops in Alma.
