Elkhart Civic Theatre will hold auditions for its production of Pippin by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson at 6:30pm on Sunday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 13 at the Bristol Opera House located at 210 E Vistula in Bristol, IN. Performances will be held July 25 & 26 and August 1, 2, & 3 at the Bristol Opera House.
Auditions will consist of a round of vocals and choreography followed by select readings from the script. Please bring a list of all conflicts from May 27- August 3.
Please note: this production relies heavily upon dance and movement to tell its story. Come to auditions prepared to move and wear clothing and footwear that are both comfortable and appropriate to dance in (no flip-flops or sandals, please!)
Please also note: Due to the mature themes of this production, all actors with the exception of those auditioning for the role of Theo must be 16 years of age or older.
Pippin is directed by Brock Butler assisted by Stacey Nickel with music direction by Roy Bronkema and choreography by Heather Holland.
About the show:
From Stephen Schwartz, the award-winning composer behind Wicked, Godspell, and The Prince of Egypt, Pippin tells the story of a young prince in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.
Characters: Ages listed below are suggestions. All casting decisions are at the discretion of the directing team.
Leading Player: The leader of a group of actors, the Leading Player is a roguish presence who appears throughout the play, introducing the characters, filling in much of the background and offering commentary on the goings-on. It is The Leading Player who orchestrates the much-anticipated play’s “climax.” This role may be played by an actor of any gender. 20s-40s
Pippin: The young son of fabled Emperor Charlemagne and heir to the throne, Pippin is a bright, educated young man whose restless quest for “something completely fulfilling” in life leads him to seek that fulfillment in soldiering, physical pleasure, murder (well, sort of), taking over his father’s empire (temporarily), poverty, and finally, love. What’s left for him but the play’s colossal climax? 18-30
Charles: The emperor Charlemagne, Charles is a less-than-attentive father who basically loves Pippin. His education was gained on the field of battle, rather than from books, and his basic preoccupation is with war, carnage, conquest and ruling his empire, as is probably befitting the most powerful man in the world. He indulges his wife Fastrada’s extravagance, but isn’t too fond of their son, Lewis. 40s-late 50s
Lewis: Pippin’s not-too-bright half-brother, and, after Pippin, heir to the throne, Lewis is doted upon by his mother, Fastrada, as she attempts to promote his chances of becoming principal heir. Not at all like Pippin, Lewis loves weight lifting, wrestling, showing off, and, most of all, Lewis. 18-30
Fastrada: Charlemagne’s wife and Lewis’s mother, Fastrada is devious, crafty, cunning, untrustworthy, but a warm and wonderful mother to Lewis. She is dedicated to gaining the throne for her darling son, Lewis, in just about any way she can. 30s-50s
Berthe: Pippin’s grandmother and Charlemagne’s mother, Berthe is still attractive and lives in the country where she enjoys the simple pleasures of the senses. Having found no fulfillment in warfare and battle, Pippin comes to her for advice. Enjoy your youth, and all the pleasures the senses can afford, she tells him. 60-75
Catherine: A widow with a young son and a large estate, Catherine finds Pippin in a distraught state after his debacle at trying to rule his father’s empire and takes him in. She is attractive, practical, understanding, down-to-earth and in love with Pippin. 30-early 40s
Theo: A small loveable boy, Theo is Catherine’s son and becomes Pippin’s friend. 8-13
Players: Members of the Leading Player’s troupe of actors. They take on many roles throughout the show including Charlemagne’s Army, Monks, Nobility, and Peasants.
Elkhart Civic Theatre auditions are open to all, and no fees are charged for participation in any ECT production.
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