Callboard
Auditions for the School of Theatre and Dance's main stage and student productions are open to any Kent State student.
Please use the drop down menu below to access information about specific productions.
If you are on campus, information about audition opportunities will also be available on the Theatre Callboard located outside of the E. Turner Stump Green Room or the Dance Callboard located outside Dance Studio D123.
Fall 2024 AUDITION INFORMATION
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Audition Notice: "The Crucible"
"The Crucible"
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Amy Fritsche
About "The Crucible"
Description by Dramatist Play Service
In the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts, a servant girl accuses a farmer’s wife of witchcraft. One accusation spirals into many, uncovering a web of bigotry and deceit that changes their lives forever.Rehearsals
Monday-Friday 6-10 p.m. and Sundays all-day
First Rehearsal on Friday, Aug. 23.
Tech Week starts Sept. 21.Performances
Sept. 27-Oct. 2
Preliminary Auditions
When:
Monday, Aug. 19 from 6-10 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 6:15-10 p.m.Where:
Wright-Curtis TheatreSign-Up:
Auditions will be scheduled in 3-minute slots.What to Prepare
One American realism or modern dramatic monologue. (Ideally 90 seconds or less)
Callbacks:
Callbacks will be Wednesday, Aug. 21 starting at 6 p.m.. Anyone being called back should receive an email by Tuesday evening.
Content Information:
"The Crucible" contains adult content such as slavery, sex and physical violence. If you are not comfortable participating in any of these please mark it on your audition form.
Intimacy Information:
The actors playing Proctor and Abigail will have moments of intimacy. The actors playing Proctor and Elizabeth will have moments of intimacy.
Violence Information:
The role of Mary will have a threat of violence. The roles of Proctor, Tituba, Elizabeth, Sarah Good, might have staged violence.
Slavery Information:
Slavery is a topic in this show, the character of Tituba is enslaved by the character of Parris.
Character Breakdown
We are intentionally opening up the racial breakdown for "The Crucible," please see the following:
Betty Parris - Any ethnicity
The young teenage daughter of Reverend Parris, Betty falls mysteriously ill after Reverend Parris finds her dancing in the woods with Abigail and the other young women of Salem.Reverend Samuel Parris- Any ethnicity
A weak, paranoid and suspicious demagogue, Parris instigates the witchcraft panic when he finds his daughter and niece dancing in the woods with several other girls. Parris is continually beset with fears that others conspire against him.Tituba- Black / Indigenous / Multiracial / Person Of Color
Tituba was with the girls when they danced and attempted to conjure the spirits of Ann Putnam's dead children. Tituba is enslaved by Parris.Abigail Williams- Any ethnicity
A seventeen-year-old girl who is the niece of Reverend Parris, Abigail was the Proctors' servant, before Elizabeth fired her for having an affair with John.Susanna Walcott - Any ethnicity
Susanna is one of the girls whom Parris found dancing in the woods; a confidant of Abigail.Mrs. Ann Putnam - Any ethnicity
The wife of Thomas Putnam, Ann suspects that there is some paranormal reason for the stillborn deaths of seven of her children and blames Rebecca Nurse.Thomas Putnam - Any ethnicity
One of the wealthiest landowners in Salem, Thomas Putnam is a vindictive, bitter man who holds longstanding grudges against many of the citizens of Salem, including the Nurse family for blocking the appointment of his brother-in-law to the position of minister.Mercy Lewis - Any ethnicity
Mercy Lewis is the Putnam's servant; A sly merciless eighteen-year-old girl, whom Parris finds naked when he spied the girls dancing in the woods. She runs away with Abigail at the end of the play.Mary Warren- Any ethnicity
The eighteen-year-old servant in the Proctor household, Mary is one of the girls found dancing in the woods and is complicit in Abigail Williams' schemes. Although weak and tentative, she challenges the Proctors when they forbid her to go to court.John Proctor – Any ethnicity
A farmer in Salem, who exposes the girls as frauds who are only pretending that there is witchcraft. Proctor is a sharply intelligent man who can easily detect foolishness in others and expose it, but he questions his own moral sense.Rebecca Nurse - Any ethnicity
One of the most noble and well-respected citizens of Salem, this elderly woman is kindly and sane, suggesting that Betty's illness is simply a product of being out too late in the cold.Giles Corey- Any ethnicity
An irascible and combative old resident of Salem, Giles Corey is a comic figure in "The Crucible" whose fate turns tragic when he unwittingly effects his wife's charge for witchcraft when he wonders aloud about the strange books she reads at night.Reverend John Hale- Any ethnicity
A scholar from Beverly, Reverend Hale comes to Salem on Reverend Parris' request to investigate supernatural causes for Betty Parris' suspicious illness and thus instigates the rumors of witchcraft. Hale approaches the situation precisely and intellectually, believing that he can define the supernatural in definitive terms.Elizabeth Proctor - Any ethnicity
The wife of John Proctor, Elizabeth shares with John a similarly strict adherence to justice and moral principles. She is a woman who has great confidence in her morality and in the ability of a person to maintain a sense of righteousness, both internal and external, even when this principle conflicts with strict Christian doctrine.Francis Nurse - Any ethnicity
Francis is the husband of Rebecca Nurse, and a well-respected wealthy landowner in Salem. Francis Nurse joins Giles Corey and John Proctor in their challenge against the court when their respective wives are charged with witchcraft.Ezekiel Cheever - Any ethnicity
Ezekiel is a clerk of the court who serves the arrest warrants to the persons charged with witchcraft.John Willard- Any ethnicity
Willard is one of his deputies until he refuses to carry out any more arrests, at which point he is charged with witchcraft and hanged.Judge Hathorne - Any ethnicity
Hathorne is the judge who presides over the Salem witch trials. He remains largely subservient to Deputy Governor Danforth but applies the same tortured reasoning to charges of witchcraft.Deputy Governor Danforth- Any ethnicity
The deputy governor of Massachusetts presides over the Salem witch trials. He is a stern yet practical man more interested in preserving the dignity and stature of the court than in executing justice or behaving with any sense of fairness. He approaches the witchcraft trials with a strict adherence to rules and laws that obscure any sense of rationality, for under his legal dictates an accusation of witchery automatically entails a conviction.Sarah Good - Any ethnicity
One of the first women charged with witchery by the girls, she is a homeless woman who confesses to witchcraft to save herself and continues the charade with Tituba, comically claiming that Satan will take her and Tituba to Barbados.Hopkins- Any ethnicity
Hopkins is one of the guards at the jail. -
Audition Notice: "Pride & Prejudice - The Musical"
"Pride & Prejudice - The Musical"
Book, Music and Lyrics by Lawrence Rush
Orchestrations by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano
Adapted from the novel by Jane AustenDirected by Fabio Polanco (he, him, his)
Choreographed by Courtney Brown (she, her, hers)
Music Directed by Jennifer Korecki (she, her, hers)Audition Information
Please read it in its entirety.
About "Pride & Prejudice - The Musical"
(adapted from the libretto of "Pride & Prejudice - The Musical")
Setting: England
Time: circa 1800
Hearing the young, rich, single Mr. Bingley will rent Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet plots to marry one of her five daughters to him, but her second eldest, Lizzy proclaims she will wait for true love. At a ball, Jane catches Bingley’s eye but Lizzy is snubbed by his rich, arrogant friend, Mr. Darcy. Lizzy hopes she will never see him again but they keep getting thrown into each other’s path until they both grow to realize that they are exactly what each other has wished for.Rehearsals:
Music Rehearsal: (Tentative) Sept. 12 and 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Choreography Rehearsals: TBD
Regular Rehearsals: (Tentative) Monday through Friday 6 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m. beginning Thursday, Sept. 12.
Sitzprobe: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
Technical Rehearsals Begin: (Tentative) Friday, Oct. 18.Performances:
Oct. 25 - Nov. 3, 2024 (10 a.m. high school matinee on Oct. 30)
Auditions
Auditions are open to all Kent State University students.
When:
Monday, August 19 and Tuesday, Aug. 20 (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)Where:
D302 Center for the Performing ArtsAudition Signup:
Please use the link below to sign up for an audition day and time. Auditions will be scheduled in 5-minute increments. Later audition times will be opened once the earlier times have been filled.How to Prepare:
If you are able, research the story and listen to the music before the preliminary audition. Click HERE and HERE for audio and video recordings of songs from the show (These materials are for preparation purposes only. Please do not distribute.)What to Prepare:
Please prepare a 1 to 2-minute cut of a song in the style of the show. You will be provided an accompanist.- Students of all experience levels are strongly encouraged to audition. There are numerous non-solo roles in the show. We want to see and hear you!
- Please bring a clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. Sheet music can be secured from and through the Kent State Performing Library, as well as purchased from websites like sheetmusicplus.com.
- At this preliminary audition, please do not sing in a dialect/accent other than your own.
Callbacks
Callbacks will be announced by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
When:
Thursday, Aug. 22 beginning at 6 p.m.Where:
D302 Center for the Performing ArtsWhat to Prepare
If you are called back you may be asked to attend a movement call, read from the script, and/or sing from the score in the orchestrated key. (We regret that we will not be able to transpose keys for the production.) Callback sides and sheet music will be provided.Important Note: At the callback, students will be asked to attempt a standard British/RP dialect while reading the provided sides and music (Received Pronunciation Standard British/RP is likely what you think of when you think of a British dialect.) We are not looking for or expecting perfect dialects. We just want to get a sense of where you are. If you are cast you will be guided by our dialect coach in learning the required dialect for the role.
Character Breakdown
(adapted and expanded on from the libretto of "Pride & Prejudice -The Musical" )
Open to individuals of all abilities. Please contact director Fabio Polanco ( fpolanco@kent.edu ) if you need accommodation(s).
When character ages are listed they are for reference and to illuminate familial and personal relationships.
Some roles WILL be combined.MRS. BENNET - (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. Character belt.
The mother of the Bennet brood. A bit “extra."MR. BENNET - (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Bass. Legit voice.
Dry sense of humor. The father of the Bennet brood.JANE BENNET – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Legit Soprano. 22 years old.
Honest and forgiving.ELIZABETH BENNET (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. 20 years old. Strong belt/mix to High F.
Smart and feisty.MARY – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Soprano. 18 years old. Legit voice but can sing purposefully out of tune to high Bb.
Comically serious and bookish.KITTY – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. 16 years old. Legit character voice.
Perhaps a bit silly. Lots of energy. Like Lydia, very excited about soldiers.LYDIA – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. 15 years old at the beginning of the story and then turns 16. Legit to High F, belt to High D
Perhaps a bit silly and wild. Lots of energy. Big personality. Very excited about soldiers.MR. BINGLEY – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Tenor. 23 years old. Legit voice.
Good-spirited, optimistic and kind.CAROLINE BINGLEY – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. 21 years old. Legit character voice.
Mr. Bingley’s sister. Elegant and snobbish.MR. DARCY – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Baritone. 27 years old. Legit voice with mix to high G.
Introverted, brooding, judgemental but good-hearted, intelligent.CHARLOTTE LUCAS – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Mezzo-soprano. 24 years old. Legit voice with a mix on top.
Elizabeth’s friend. Practical. Warm. A sort of counterpoint to Elizabeth.MR. COLLINS – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Tenor. 29 years old. Legit character voice to High Bb.
Mr. Bennet’s cousin and future inheritor of the Bennet estate. A minister. Ridiculously pompous and flowery.GEORGE WICKHAM – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Tenor. 22 years old. Legit/mix to High F#
Currently a soldier. Seemingly friendly, but a con artist and veiled rake.LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities) Speaking role.
A grande dame. Rich, snobbish, controlling.Non-solo singing roles out of chorus :
SIR WILLIAM LUCAS – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Charlotte’s father.LADY LUCAS – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Charlotte’s mother.MR. DENNY – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Soldier.MRS. REYNOLDS - (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
The housekeeper at Pemberley. (Darcy’s Estate).GEORGIANA - (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Darcy’s younger sister.MR. GARDINER – (male-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Mrs. Bennet’s Brother.MRS. GARDINER – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Mrs. Bennet’s sister-in-law.ANNE DE BOURGH – (female-identifying or gender non-binary - all ethnicities)
Madame De Bourgh's daughter. Often ill.FOOTMAN, SERVANTS, CHAMBERMAID, STEWARD (all gender identities and ethnicities)
CONTENT ADVISORY:
Explores received notions of gender roles. Actors playing Lydia and soldiers dancing in the song “Brighton” will wear era-specific bathing clothes. Per the B.F.A. Musical Theatre audition requirements, B.F.A. Musical Theatre students have the right to petition to be released from the B.F.A. Musical Theatre obligation to audition for and accept all roles (see below).
INTIMACY: This production includes but is not limited to familial touch (i.e. hugging) and romantic touch for the actors playing Elizabeth and Darcy (i.e. hugging with the possibility of exploring an on-the-lips kiss). The production will collaborate with actors’ boundaries, utilizing consent-forward practices.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR BFA MUSICAL THEATRE AND MFA STUDENTS
B.F.A. Musical Theatre candidates are required to audition for all theatre division main stage productions and accept roles if cast. Exemptions to the audition requirement may be granted under certain circumstances. Circumstances include but are not limited to religious beliefs, moral objections, psychological triggers with the play and physical concerns. In order to be exempted from the audition requirement, students must submit a written petition to the performance faculty prior to the beginning of the casting process for the production in question. The performance faculty will make a good-faith effort to deliberate and come to a decision on the petition at the first performance area meeting after the receipt of the petition. At no point will a student be asked to disclose sensitive personal information.”
For information on all the B.F.A. Musical Theatre requirements please go to the following. https://www.kent.edu/theatredance/revised-requirements-bfa-musical-theatre-program
*This audition notice and breakdown was written and edited by Fabio Polanco