Audition Notice: "Side Show In Concert"
"Side Show In Concert"
THEA 42999-001 – The Porthouse Experience
Book by Bill Russell
Music by Henry Kriger
Additional book material by Bill Condon
Directed by Terri Kent
Music Directed by TBD
AUDITION INFORMATION
About (from Concord Theatricals)
Based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became stars during the Depression, "Side Show" is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows Violet and Daisy's progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie "Freaks."
With a completely reworked plot and new songs like "Very Well Connected," "All in the Mind" and "The Great Wedding Show," the 2014 revival delves deeper into the backstory of the Hilton twins. With the implementation of the twins' relationship with Harry Houdini and of a proposed separation surgery, the new book fleshes out characters and situations that endow the songs with more sophistication and truth.
When: November 10 & 12 – 6-10 p.m.
Where: Kent Center for the Performing Arts (CPA), D-205
Signing Up
- Fill out and submit this audition form by Sunday, November 9 at 5 p.m.. Please be prepared to upload a headshot and performance resume (if you have one) through this form. Please indicate on your audition form which musical and/or play ("Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show" and/or "Book of Will" you’d like to be considered for). At the end of the form, there will be a link to sign up for the timeslot(s).
- If you are auditioning for the musical(s) and "Book of Will," sign up for two timeslots (one for "Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show," and one for "Book of Will") in the appropriate areas of the sign-up sheet.
- Please note that if there is no audition form completed and you’ve signed up for a timeslot(s), you may be removed from your timeslot(s) until a form is submitted.
What to Prepare:
- Auditions are open to all Kent State students
- Auditions for "Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show" will be held together. "Book of Will" will be auditioning separately in Wright-Curtis Theatre.
- Prepare two contrasting musical selections (e.g., uptempo and ballad, or classical and contemporary). These selections should serve both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show." Each cut should be 16–32 bars, with sheet music in the performer’s key. No a cappella singing will be permitted.
Callbacks
When: Callbacks: November 15, times TBD
Callbacks will consist of songs from the show. This information will be circulated when the callback list is announced; please review it in advance of the callback.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals: Spring Semester M/W 3:20-5:00 p.m.
Brush-up Rehearsal at Porthouse: Week of June 29
Technical Rehearsals Begin: (tentative) Week of June 29
Performances
Tuesday, July 7 – Saturday, July 18
Casting Statement
"Side Show" will be cast, according to the representation of Kent State University.
Casting Note (from Concord Theatricals):
“Side Show" is set in 1930s America during the Great Depression and the start of the Civil Rights movement and as such tackles themes of discrimination and racism. Certain characters should be cast accordingly to reflect the politics of the time including Buddy who should be of White European heritage and Jake who should be of Black African heritage. The use of make-up or prosthetics to alter an actor’s ethnicity is prohibited.
Preliminary Auditions
Open to ALL Kent State University students. Auditions will be held for both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show In Concert" for the Porthouse Experience. Your audition will consist of two contrasting musical selections (e.g., uptempo and ballad, or classical and contemporary). These selections should serve both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show." Each cut should be 16–32 bars, with sheet music in the performer’s key. No a cappella singing will be permitted.
Character Breakdown (from MTI)
VIOLET HILTON
DAISY HILTON
TERRY CONNER
BUDDY FOSTER
JAKE
SIR
3-LEGGED MAN
GEEK
FORTUNE TELLER
VENUS DE MILO
DOG BOY
HOUDINI
FEMALE COSSACK
HALF-MAN HALF-WOMAN
HUMAN PIN CUSHION
JUDGE
RAY
LIZARD MAN
SIR'S LAWYER
CAMERAMAN
TOD BROWNING
BEARDED LADY
AUNTIE
TATTOO GIRL
MALE COSSACK
DOCTORS
SUITORS
ROUSTABOUTS
ENSEMBLE