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"Kentucky"

By Leah Nanako Winkler
Directed by Courtney Brown

AUDITION INFORMATION

(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND ENTIRELY):

Auditions: August 19 and 20 – 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Kent Center for the Performing Arts – Room D205

• Auditions are open to all Kent State students 
• For the initial audition, all fall shows will be holding one group audition. Please prepare for this audition with one – brief (no more than 90 seconds) contemporary monologue.
• If the monologue isn’t memorized, that is fine. Please audition anyway.
• If you are new to auditioning and do not have a monologue, please select a monologue from the play; several options can be found in the script:

Callbacks: August 21 – beginning at 6:00 p.m. - Kent Center for the Performing Arts – Room D205

• Callbacks will consist of sides (excerpts from scenes of the play) and will be circulated when the callback list is announced; please review them in advance of the callback

Once you have completed the form, a link at the end will navigate you to the sign-up page. Please be sure to have a headshot and resume (if you have them digitally) ready to upload.

Auditions will be held in conjunction with auditions for the other fall production, "Cinderella." Directors and stage managers from all production teams will be present for your audition – you may audition for all productions (presenting a monologue and song) or choose to *only audition for the play or musical (presenting either a monologue or a song accordingly). *Please refer to the audition requirements for B.F.A. MT students below.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Synopsis: Hiro is a self-made woman making it in New York City and estranged from her dysfunctional family back in Kentucky. When her little sister, a born-again Christian, decides to marry at twenty-two, Hiro takes it upon herself to do whatever she can to stop the wedding. The themes of identity, religion, and love collide in this unique coming – of – age story. Please do your best to read the play PRIOR to auditioning. This is good professional practice! Click here to navigate to the script. Alternatively, you can scan below.

A Note on Casting:

From the Playwright: “Although I encourage the appropriate ethnicities of each cast member to be honored, there is very little in the play written specifically for a singular race.” From the director: The show will be cast, according to the representation of KSU. The playwright offers clear direction regarding character names and text options that honor language and cultural markers, depending on the actors who are playing those roles.

Content Disclosures: mentions of domestic, mental, and emotional abuse, alcohol/drug use, overdose, death; use of strong language and sexual language.

Intimacy Disclosures: The characters Hiro and Adam kiss. These moments will be choreographed, working within the actor’s boundaries. Other characters may utilize familiar and familial touch. We will work with consent-forward practices.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Rehearsals:

Begin Monday, August 25. We rehearse (generally) Monday – Friday, 6  – 10 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.. No rehearsals for these dates, due to Labor Day – August 31 and September 1. One added Saturday rehearsal on Saturday, September 6, from 12 – 4 p.m..

Dates: Tech/Dress begin Friday, September 19, with a full tech day on Saturday, September 20.

Performances: Thursday, September 25, Friday, September 26, Sunday, September 29, Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. One matinee performance on Saturday, September 27 at 2 p.m.

QUESTIONS OR ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS:

Please email the director, Courtney Brown and production stage manager, Trynity Jordan with any questions or requests for accommodations.

ROLES: 

In reference to the descriptions below – these are descriptions of the characters as identified in the script and in collaboration with the creative team. They are not meant to be exhaustive of who should play these roles, and we seek to cast expansively and intentionally. We acknowledge the history of systemic exclusionary practices and are working to dismantle barriers to theatre-making and auditioning for all performers. We also recognize that most characters are written on the binary, and we invite gender non-conforming, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

Kentucky:

Hiro –20s. Means well. Smart and driven. Sophie’s older sister. Makes sixty thousand dollars a year.

Sophie – 20s. Hiro’s younger sister. A born-again Christian. Elegant and smart.

James - Their father. Mean, sad, drunk, high and scary.

Masako or Emily – Mother to Hiro and Sophie and wife to James. Her spirit is bright, though there is a deep sadness and horrifying anger within her that comes out when triggered.

Da’Ran – mid 20’s. Sophie’s fiancé. Kind, adorable and strong.

Ernest – Da’Ran’s father. Rational. Charming. Unbelievably charismatic. A pastor with a deep understanding of humanity and God.

Amy – Da’Ran’s mother and Ernest’s wife. Kind of a ham.

Larry – Hiro’s therapist. Friendly and approachable but direct. Has a sense of humor.

Nicole/Doubled with Bridesmaid 2* – Genuine and giving.

Laura/Doubled with Bridesmaid 1* – Can get sassy.

Sylvie (the cat)/ Doubled with Bridesmaid 3* – an old, sickly cat.

Adam – 20s. Handsome and adoring. Really wants to settle down.

Grandma – mother of James. Grandmother to Hiro and Sophie. A messed-up Grandma.

*A trio of Christian bridesmaids who can sing and dance. They function as a sort of “Kentucky Greek Chorus”

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.F.A. MUSICAL THEATRE 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 objection, 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. B.F.A. Musical Theatre

"Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella"

Original book by Oscar Hammerstein II
New book by Douglas Carter Beane
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers

Directed and Choreographed by Amy Fritsche
Music Directed by Jonathan Swoboda

AUDITION INFORMATION

(PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY)

��è����Ƶ "Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella" 

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella puts a new spin on the beloved fairytale that continues to enchant audiences with the timeless themes of kindness, love, and the power of dreams. The story follows Ella, a young woman who lost her father and lives as a servant to her wickedly cruel stepmother and stepsisters. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, she attends the royal ball where she captures the heart of not only the prince, but the audience as well. Rediscover a few beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago” in this hilarious and romantic experience for anyone of any age who has ever had a dream.

When: August 19 and 20 – 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Where: Room D-205, Kent Center for the Performing Arts

Signing up

• Fill out and submit by Monday, August 19 at 5 p.m. Please be prepared to upload a headshot and performance resume (if you have one) through this form. At the end of the form, there will be a link to sign up for a time slot.

What to Prepare:

• Auditions are open to all Kent State students
• For the initial audition, all fall shows will be holding combined auditions.
• For "Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella," prepare a cut of a song that is 60 seconds or less in the style of the show. Bring sheet music in the correct key, accompanist provided. 
• Please prepare for this audition one – brief (no more than 90 seconds) contemporary monologue.

Callbacks: August 22– beginning at 6:00 p.m., EZ Blackbox Theatre

• Callbacks will consist of a dance call and sides and songs from the show. This information will be circulated when the callback list is announced; please review them in advance of the callback.

REHERSALS

Music Rehearsal: September 11 and 12 6:00- 10:00 p.m.
Staging and Choreography Rehearsals: Monday – Friday 6-10 p.m. Saturday or Sunday 10-6 p.m.
September 15 – 19
September 21-26
September 28 – October 1
October 6-11
October 13-15
Sitzprobe: October 16
Technical Rehearsals Begin: (tentative) Friday, October 17

PERFOMANCES

Fri., October 24 – Sun., October 25 and Wed., Oct 29 – November 2

CASTING STATEMENT 

"Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella" will be cast, according to the representation of KSU.

PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS

Open to ALL Kent State University students. Auditions will be held in conjunction with auditions for "Kentucky." Directors and stage managers for both production teams will be in present for your audition – you may audition for both productions (presenting a monologue and song) or choose to only audition for the play or musical (presenting either a monologue or a song accordingly).

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Ella – Though no one notices her beneath her rags and quiet demeanor, she is opinionated, charismatic, passionate, beautiful, and funny. Idealistic and hopeful, she courageously challenged the prince to change the policies in his kingdom – and helps him discover who he truly is. Always her late father’s daughter, she is determined to see the good in everyone despite her hardships and suffering. We see her blossom into a confident woman.

Topher – A misguided and lost prince who longs to do something important with his life. Though brave and heroic, he feels lonely and unfulfilled. Charming but NOT a stereotypical ladies man, he is thoughtful, appealing and innocent – with an unforced goofy streak. Moral, genuine, and kindhearted, he is at a crossroads and must take control of his kingdom and his future.

Madame – Ella’s selfish stepmother. The epitome of vanity and fashion. A ravenous social climber who values wealth, status, and material possessions above all else. Unapologetically dismissive and sometimes cruel, Madame schemes her way up the social ladder.

Sabastian – The kingdom’s Lord Chancellor. Though he is Topher’s trusted advisor, he is devious and selfish. Using propaganda and dishonesty, he keeps Topher isolated and in the dark about his kingdom. Sabastian rules without regard for the lower class, or anyone other than himself – and truly believes he deserves to rule the kingdom.

Marie – A friend to Ella and the town’s resident crazy lady and beggar woman, Marie is actually a fairy godmother in disguise. Wise, warm, otherworldly, and charming, Marie rewards Ella for her kindness by making her dreams a possibility.

Gabrielle – Ella’s stepsister and daughter of Madame. Encouraged by her mother and sister to value material wealth and social status, she unenthusiastically joins them in their abrasive behavior. Quietly passionate, empathetic, and witty, she is drawn to Ella and Jean-Michel. Ironically aware that she doesn’t fit in.

Charlotte – Ella’s stepsister and daughter of Madame. Brash, self-centered, materialistic, snooty, loud, sassy, and bratty, she has a ridiculously high, but unfounded, opinion of herself. She never passes up an opportunity to be the center of attention.

Jean-Michel – A feisty, passionate peasant determined to make a change for the starving class. Impetuous. A firebrand, but lacks authority and isn’t taken seriously as a revolutionary. Has a crush on Gabrielle, though their courtship is forbidden because they are from different social classes.

Lord Pinkleton – The Lord Chancellor’s right-hand man. Announces royal balls, banquets, and even the weather to the villages.

Giant

Fox (Puppet)

Raccoon (Puppet)

Footman

Coachman

Knights, Peasants, Serfs, Townspeople

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, Servants, etc.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.F.A. MUSICAL THEATRE AND M.F.A. 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 objection, 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. /theatredance/revised-requirements-bfa-musical-theatre-program