2023-24 General Auditions

Four shows – One audition!

Audition for Misery, A Christmas Carol, Constellations, and The Play That Goes Wrong. 

General Auditions will take place on June 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th.

GRANDSTREET THEATRE – GENERAL AUDITIONS

After very successful General Auditions last year, we are happy to announce that General Auditions will happen again! This year, we are casting four shows at once! With one audition, you can be considered for Misery, A Christmas Carol, Constellations, and The Play That Goes Wrong. 

Our General Auditions will take place on June 5, 6, 12, and 13, and you only need to attend one night of auditions in order to be considered for casting. Those who wish to audition should sign up online HERE. You will have the opportunity to reserve an audition date and time slot.

The audition itself is very simple! We are asking for two monologues of a contrasting nature. For example, if your first monologue is classical, choose a contemporary piece for your second. If one monologue is dramatic, go comedic with the other. Performing two monologues is an opportunity for you to show us your range, so make sure your selections are different from one another. Each monologue should be about one minute in length. We strongly recommend memorizing your monologues.

By casting our shows earlier than usual, actors will have more time to plan and prepare! In the past, actors often started rehearsing a week or so after auditioning. An earlier casting process will give everyone involved more time to plan their schedules and be better prepared for the rehearsal process. Our actors are volunteer community members who live full and busy lives. We feel that an earlier casting process will benefit everyone involved and will allow for more efficient planning and scheduling.

THE REHEARSAL PROCESS

• At Grandstreet Theatre, we work very hard to respect everyone’s time and create rehearsal schedules accordingly.
• You will only be called to rehearsal when you are needed. You will not be called to every single rehearsal.
• We do our best to schedule rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 6:30PM and 9:30PM. We try to keep weekends clear to allow for down time and the possibility for weekend travel. However, we sometimes add occasional Sunday rehearsals when necessary.
• Rehearsal schedules are created from the schedules and conflicts of those involved. Therefore, we can only approximate what a typical rehearsal schedule usually looks like. We can’t provide specific rehearsal schedules until a cast is in place.
• We always work hard to honor and avoid the conflicts you provide us with on your audition form.
• At Grandstreet, we work very hard to start and stop rehearsals at the scheduled times.

THE CASTING PROCESS

• Casting 4 shows (with 4 different directors) from the same casting pool is a fun and complex challenge. We do not have an official timeline for when the cast lists will be announced, but we will keep you posted with updates as they are available, and we thank you in advance for your patience.
• It is our hope that you will come to the audition process with an open mind, and allow the casting team to consider you for any show and any role that you are appropriate for. We are happy to say that all roles in all 4 shows are excellent, substantial and challenging. However, if you have particular preferences or conflicts that would make you unavailable for a particular show, you will be able to indicate those on your audition form.
• For the most part, all roles in these 4 plays are adult roles. However, teenagers who are old enough to play young adults are welcome to audition. You must be at least 16 years old by June 13, 2023 in order to audition.

THE AUDITION FORM

• Everyone who auditions must fill out the GENERAL AUDITION FORM. Forms can be downloaded HERE. Your Audition Form must be submitted on the night you audition. Please make sure your form is completely filled out and ready to submit at the time of your audition.
• We always do our best to schedule around your conflicts, so please be as specific as you can when listing your conflicts.
• We may reach out with questions about your schedule, so please make sure that your contact information is clear.

THE AUDITION

• First and foremost, know that everyone in the audition room wants you to succeed! If you have questions, please reach out! We are happy to help guide you through the audition process, and even provide suggestions on monologue selection and interpretation. Please email all audition questions to [email protected]
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time slot. Auditions will take place at Grandstreet Theatre, 325 N. Park Avenue. There will be signs directing you where to go upon your arrival, and there will be staff on hand to assist you.
• There may be some quick hellos and chit chat as you enter the audition room, but once you are asked to begin, we recommend introducing yourself and your monologues (the roles and the plays) before you dive in.
• We suggest that you don’t make direct eye contact with the people behind the audition table when performing your monologues. We want to watch your work, not be your scene partner. We recommend picking a spot on the wall to focus on, perhaps slightly above the heads of the directors.
• Remember to breathe! It is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two between each monologue to refocus your thoughts.
• The directors may give you some suggestions and adjustments to try, but they may not.
• Headshots and resumes are not required to audition.
• With your permission, we may take your photo at your audition, and we may film your audition. Photos and videos will only be viewed by the directors casting the productions, and will be deleted once the casting process is complete.
• If none of the audition dates work for you, but you are still interested in auditioning, please contact [email protected] to discuss additional options.
• Choose monologues that you love and characters that you are excited to explore.

CALLBACKS

• Callbacks will be scheduled as needed. We may be able to cast the shows without a callback, but sometimes we need to see more.  You will be contacted individually if we would like to see you again.

THE CALENDAR

• If you are interested in playing a role in more than one show, you will be able to indicate that on your audition paperwork. However, the schedules for some shows overlap and conflict with one another.

GET IN ON THE ACT!

• No experience necessary! Did you know that almost every Grandstreet show has at least one actor making their GST debut! If you have never been in a show before, don’t worry! We will teach you everything you need to know.
• Being in a show at Grandstreet is the perfect way to make new friends, serve your community, and make incredible theatre!
• We work very hard at Grandstreet to ensure that every production is organized, professional, challenging, rewarding, and most importantly … fun!
• What are you waiting for?! Take a deep breath and SIGN UP TO AUDITION!

Grandstreet Theatre is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities and abilities to audition.

To performers with disabilities, you are encouraged to audition. Please indicate if you need accommodations to fully participate in this event by contacting [email protected]

READ ON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOWS AND THE AVAILABLE ROLES!!!

 

MISERY

By William Goldman

Based on the novel by Stephen King

Directed by TBD

Performance Dates: October 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Approximate Rehearsal Dates: August 21, 2023 – October 5, 2023

Tech Week: October 1 – 5

SYNOPSIS

From Stephen King, the master of horror and suspense!

Get in the Halloween spirit with Stephen King’s tale of fanatical obsession. After surviving a wintery car crash, acclaimed romance novelist Paul Sheldon awakens to find he’s been rescued by Annie Wilkes, a seemingly kind nurse, who also happens to be his “number one fan.” While Paul convalesces in Annie’s secluded home, she reads his latest book and becomes enraged to discover he has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new novel, and he soon realizes she has no intention of every letting him go. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it – and it does.

The best selling novel turned Academy Award winning film is now a thrilling stage adaptation. Misery will keep you on pins and needles!

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES

Annie Wilkes (she, her / 40s – 60s) – A seemingly kind nurse who cares deeply for Paul and his work. It soon becomes clear that she is obsessive, cunning, and manipulative. Her kindness can turn to rage in the blink of an eye. She hides a violent and terrifying malice behind her cheery and simple facade.

Paul Sheldon (he, him / 40s – 60s) – A best-selling romance novelist who is tired of the series that has brought him fame. He’s thoughtful, perhaps a touch arrogant, and extremely crafty. When he realizes that Annie is his captor and not his savior, he must use everything at his disposal to survive.

Buster (he, him / 40s – 70s) – The Sheriff of a nearby town who is searching for Paul. He is a kind and intelligent small town man, who has a gut feeling that there is more to Annie Wilkes than meets the eye.

 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Jeff Downing

Based on the story by Charles Dickens

Directed by Jeff Downing

Performance Dates: December 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

Approximate Rehearsal Dates: October 30, 2023 – December 18, 2023 (with time off for major holidays)

Tech Week: December 17 – 19

SYNOPSIS

Experience the magic of the holidays like never before!

Presented in the Civic Center Ballroom, Charles Dickens’ timeless masterpiece comes to life in this vibrant and enchanting adaptation from Grandstreet’s Artistic Director, Jeff Downing. Join us for a one-of-a-kind immersive theatrical production of this classic tale of transformation and redemption. Delight in the unexpected as performers appear on balconies and move through the entire ballroom, surrounding the audience in this treasured story.

Brimming with the spirit of the season, this innovative, community-centered reimagining engages the power of live theatre to reveal the potential in all of us for change and betterment. Don’t miss out on this uplifting and inspiring Yuletide classic with a twist.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES

This production of A Christmas Carol will utilize a small company of actors playing multiple roles. Therefore, age and gender is very flexible with casting.

Ebeneezer Scrooge – A miserly money lender

Bob Cratchit – Scrooge’s clerk, a modest but happy family man

Jacob Marley – Scrooge’s old friend and deceased business partner who returns to haunt him

Fred – Scrooge’s nephew, a jovial and spirited man

The Ghost of Christmas Past – An angelic spirit, other-worldly, or perhaps a puppet voiced by the company

Mr. Fezziwig – The former employer of young Scrooge, a jolly father figure

Mrs. Fezziwig – A kind and amiable woman who loves a good party

Belle – Scrooge’s former fiancé, a confident and affectionate woman

The Ghost of Christmas Present – A lively spirit, boisterous and larger than life, or perhaps a puppet voiced by the company

Emily Cratchit – Bob Cratchit’s loving wife, a hard working mother doing her best with little means

Peter Cratchit – The oldest of the Cratchit children

Martha Cratchit – The second oldest of the Cratchit children

Tim Cratchit – The youngest Cratchit, a sickly child, who is perpetually happy and optimistic, despite his illness

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come – A terrifying spirit, or perhaps a puppet

 

CONSTELLATIONS

By Nick Payne

Directed by Sarah Butts

Performance Dates: January 26, 27, 28, 31, February 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Approximate Rehearsal Dates: December 4, 2023 – January 25, 2024 (with time off for major holidays)

Tech Week: January 21 – 25

SYNOPSIS

What if we fell in love in the multiverse?

From Tony Award winning playwright Nick Payne comes a gorgeous and haunting romantic exploration of quantum mechanics, love and honey. What begins as a seemingly simple encounter between physicist Marianne and beekeeper Roland soon defines the boundaries of the world we think we know – delving into the implications of how even the smallest change in our lives can dramatically alter the course we take. Marianne and Roland’s relationship plays out across multiple parallel versions of existence, raising questions about the difference between choice and destiny.

A charming a profound play that asks “what if,” Constellations is a cosmic collision of romance and relativity.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES

* We are interested in exploring the possibility of multiple cast versions of this show. Therefore age and gender is very flexible with casting.

Marianne (20s – 70s) – a Theoretical Physicist, who studies the multiverse. She is strong willed, funny and very intelligent. She has to wrestle with her mortality and, in a few possible futures, with a brain that eventually fails her. Because she looks at life in a different way than others, she can often be misunderstood.

Roland (20s – 70s) – a likable, earnest and somewhat awkward Beekeeper. He is very direct and more of the serious, stoic type. He longs for a simple existence, but Marianne ignites his curiosity about the universe and the point of it all. He loves and cares for Marianne, despite their opposite personalities.

 

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields

Directed by John Rausch

Performance Dates: April 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Approximate Rehearsal Dates: February 26, 2024 – April 18, 2024

Tech Week: April 14 – 18

SYNOPSIS

Murder mystery meets mischief in this masterpiece of malfunction!

Broadway’s funniest smash hit brings its ceaseless energy, madcap mayhem, and a plethora of disasters to the stage. Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly catastrophic. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), this 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a play. Nevertheless, the accident prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call. The perfect comic cure-all, this play within a play is sure to bring down the house.

Global phenomenon The Play That Goes Wrong will have you rolling in the aisles at this hilarious production the cast will never forget … even if they wish they could.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES

The ages of the roles in The Play That Goes Wrong are flexible, and could be played by adult actors 18 and up.

Annie, the Stage Manager (she / her)

Trevor, the lighting and sound operator (he / him)

Chris, the director, who also plays Inspector Carter, an esteemed local inspector (he / him)

Jonathan, who plays Charles Haversham, the deceased (he / him)

Robert, who plays Thomas Colleymoore, Charles’ old school friend (he / him)

Dennis, who plays Perkins, Charles’ butler (he / him)

Max, who plays Cecil Haversham, Charles’ butler and Arthur the Gardener (he / him)

Sandra, who plays Florence Colleymore, Charles’ fiancé and Thomas’ sister (she / her)

Stage Crew – The Cornley Drama Society stage crew