The Great Escape Stage Company is thrilled to announce auditions for the comedic masterpiece, “Escanaba in da Moonlight” by Jeff Daniels! Join us for this lively, character-driven play set in the rugged Michigan wilderness.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS
Set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, “Escanaba in da Moonlight” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the Soady family’s annual deer hunting trip. As the men prepare for opening day, their traditional values, quirky personalities, and wild misadventures collide. With a mix of humor, family antics, and UP spirit, the play explores themes of tradition, friendship, and the humorous side of rural life.
AUDITION DATES
- Sunday, September 7 and Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM. You should plan to attend only one of these dates. Call backs will be scheduled if necessary.
ANTICIPATED REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
- Sunday through Thursday
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
PERFORMANCE DATES
- October 16-19
- October 23-26
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Casting Notes & Character Descriptions:
- Albert Soady (Late 50s to 70): Patriarch of the Soady family. Uneducated but wise in his own way. Loves family, hunting, and tradition—sometimes all at once. Keeper of the family “Bible” at the hunting cabin, he’s the voice of reason and tradition.
- Reuben Soady (35): Albert’s older son, married to Wolf Moon Dance. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, he believes he’s jinxed—particularly because he’s tied with his brother for the record of the longest streak without shooting a buck. Willing to try anything, even Ojibwa rituals, to break his jinx.
- Remnar Soady (32): Reuben’s younger brother, a skilled hunter who loves the traditions of the cabin. Confident and competitive, he’s always reminding Reuben of his own hunting prowess. Single and fiercely devoted to “Christmas with guns.”
- Jimmer Negamanee (35-45, “ageless”): Reuben and Remnar’s best friend. Eccentric and strange, especially after an extraterrestrial encounter. Known for his odd speech and extraordinary feats of ingestion. A truly unique character.
- Ranger Tom T. Treado (Early 40s?): A recently transferred DNR officer who’s still learning the ways of the land. Convinced he saw God on the ridge—believing it was a divine encounter unlike any other.
- Wolf Moon Dance Soady (Early 30s): Reuben’s wife, a wise Ojibwa woman. She only appears on stage at the end but influences the story throughout as she tries to help her husband break his buckless streak.
AUDITION DETAILS
- Auditioners will be asked to cold read from the script.
- Please bring a list of any scheduling conflicts between September 8 and October 16 to help us coordinate rehearsals.
If you’re interested in bringing these colorful characters to life and sharing in the humor and heart of this beloved play, come prepared to read from the script.
Join us for an audition that promises fun, tradition, and a touch of the wild UP spirit!
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