BRIGHT STAR

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT – GRANDSTREET THEATRE

Bright Star, by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is a Broadway musical with an incredible score inspired by folk and bluegrass music. Everyone at Grandstreet has been looking forward to this musical for several years, and we are happy to finally announce our upcoming auditions! Bright Star has wonderful opportunities for adult singers of all ages, including young adults. You must be at least 16 years old by January 9th, 2023 in order to audition.

Audition Dates

Monday, January 9, 2023 or Tuesday, January 10, 2023

You only need to attend one night of auditions in order to be considered for casting

Audition Location

Grandstreet Studio / 328 Fuller Ave. / Downtown across from Valley Bank

Sign Up Required!

Those who wish to audition must sign up for a time slot HERE

You will have the opportunity to reserve an audition date and time slot between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM

Callback Dates

There are potential callbacks on Wednesday, January 11th and Thursday, January 12th. You will be notified via email by noon on January 11th if we would like to see you for a callback.

Rehearsal Dates

Some rehearsals may begin the week of February 13th, but the main rehearsal process will begin the week of February 20th. Rehearsals are flexible and are generally held Monday through Thursday evenings between the hours of 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM.

Performance Dates

April 21, 2023 – May 7, 2023 / Wednesdays through Sundays (13 shows total)

Audition Form

• Those who audition must submit the Bright Star Audition Form on the night of your audition.

• Forms can be downloaded HERE.

• This form has important calendar and schedule information that is necessary for the casting process.
• 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 be when listing your conflicts.
• We may reach out with questions about your schedule, so please make sure that your contact information is clear.

What To Prepare

The Bright Star Audition Packet includes all the information you need.

Download your Audition Packet HERE.

Please prepare ONE vocal selection from the list of songs included in this packet. The sheet music indicates where each song should start and stop. You will be accompanied by a pianist at your audition, and you will have a brief moment with the accompanist to review what you will hear as an introduction.

Seeking the Following Roles

Alice Murphy (20s, 30s, 40s) The actress in this role will play Alice as an adult, but also needs a youthful spark to play Alice in her late teenage years. Young Alice is a firecracker; strong willed, independent and destined for something greater than her town has to offer. Adult Alice is the editor of the Asheville Southern Journal; an intelligent and no-nonsense businesswoman, but with a kindness that makes her inherently likable. This role requires moments of intimacy. The actress in this role must have a strong singing voice, comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles. Featured in many songs.

Billy Cane (20s) A young solider returning home from World War II. An aspiring young writer with an innocent charm. He is talented but unpolished and naive. Featured songs; “Bright Star”, “Always Will” and multiple songs.

Daddy Cane (50s, 60s, 70s) Billy’s father, a kind man who lives by himself in the woods following the death of his wife. He is a great father. Featured song; “She’s Gone” and others.

Margo (20s) A small town bookstore owner, she is bright, kind, and has been best friends with Billy for many years. She has feelings for Billy but he is too naive to see it. Featured songs; “Asheville”, “Always Will” and others.

Max (20s, 30s) A regular customer at Margo’s bookstore. He has a crush on her, but it is not reciprocated.  Max is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.

Florence (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo’s and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.

Edna (20s, 30s, 40s) A friend of Margo’s and co-worker at the bookshop. Fun and playful, she knows that Margo and Billy are meant to be together. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.

Daryl (20s – 60s) An assistant to Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. Funny, with a dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Great comedic timing. Can be harsh in his directness, but is innately likable. He works as a fun pair with Lucy. Featured in multiple ensemble songs.

Lucy (20s, 30s, 40s) A junior editor at the Asheville Southern Journal. Forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor. She is a strong modern working woman who is also a bit of a flirt. She works as a fun pair with Daryl. Featured song; “Another Round” and multiple ensemble songs.

Mama Murphy (50s, 60s, 70s) Alice’s mother. A warm, loving, sensible and hard working woman. Featured songs; “Please Don’t Take Him”, “The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again” and multiple ensemble songs.

Daddy Murphy (50s, 60s, 70s) Alice’s father. A proud man with old world views on family and children. A strict, hard working man. He is a poor farmer, but respected in the community. Featured songs; “Firmer Hand / Do Right” and multiple ensemble songs.

Jimmy Ray Dobbs (20s, 30s, 40s) This actor will play Jimmy as an adult, but will also play Jimmy in his late teen years. Jimmy is Alice’s first love. He is the Mayor’s son, from a family of wealth and power, and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business. Jimmy is an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in. He has a strong sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. This role requires moments of intimacy. Featured in many songs.

Mayor Dobbs (50s, 60s, 70s) A political and financial powerbroker – an imposing and controlling presence, interested in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in reality is really only advancing his own self interest and identity. He is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. Featured song; “A Man’s Gotta Do” and others.

Stanford (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) Mayor Dobbs’ lawyer and pseudo personal assistant. He is willing to do whatever Mayor Dobbs asks of him in order to maintain his position of power within the community.

Dr. Norquist (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) The community doctor, who has been established in the community for many years. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. He is a kind man. Will also feature in several ensemble tracks and multiple ensemble songs.

Ensemble (Adults and Young Adults of all ages) A group of strong and dynamic musical theatre performers that will be featured throughout the show in multiple songs and scenes. Strong singers who are comfortable harmonizing. Basic dance skills are a plus.

About the Show

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past, and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, Bright Star is an uplifting theatrical journey that will hold you tightly in its grasp.

More Audition Info

• Please be prepared to present ONE song from the audition packet.
• You will NOT only be considered for the character you choose to sing for at your audition. If you are the appropriate age for more than one role in the show, you will be considered for more than one role.
• There is a lot of singing in Bright Star, and your audition is your moment to shine! We encourage you to sing the vocal selection that you love the most, even if you are not necessarily the right age for that role.
• The music in this audition packet clearly indicates where each song selection should start and stop.
• All of these songs are readily available on youtube and itunes for you to listen and rehearse.
• Remember that everyone in the audition room wants you to succeed! If you have questions, please reach out! We are happy to help you through the audition process. Please email all questions to [email protected]
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time slot. Auditions will take place at the Grandstreet Studio, 328 Fuller Avenue. There will be signs directing you where to go upon your arrival, and there will be staff on hand to assist you. You will audition one at a time in a private room for the director, music director, and possibly a few other members of the production team.
• 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 the song that you have chosen to sing.
• You will have a brief moment to take a breath and prepare before you dive in to your audition, but each time slot is only 5 minutes, so we strongly recommend warming up before you arrive.
• When performing your song, we suggest that you don’t make direct eye contact with the people behind the audition table. 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!
• 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 as you arrive for your audition.
• With your permission, we may record your audition.
• We strongly recommend memorizing your audition material, but you are welcome to hold your sheet music in hand if you need to.
• If none of the audition dates work for you, but you are still interested in auditioning, please contact [email protected] to discuss additional options.
• Remember, you need to SIGN UP for a time slot in order to audition!

• Sign up HERE! 

 

The Rehearsal Process

• At Grandstreet Theatre, we work very hard to respect everyone’s time and create rehearsal schedules accordingly. We understand that you are volunteering your time and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
• 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.

Tech Week

April 16, 2023 through April 20, 2023 / Tech week is the final week of the process where all of the technical elements of the show are put in place.  No actor may miss a rehearsal during tech week.

The Bright Star Team

Director / Designer – Jeff Downing

Music Director – Fred Cobb

Stage Manager – Paige O’Neill

Get In On the Act!

• No experience necessary! Did you know that almost every Grandstreet show has at least one actor making their Grandstreet 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!