SpeakEasy Stage Co. 2017-18 Plays - Boston EPA
SpeakEasy Stage Company
AUDITION DATE
May 30, 2017
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (EDT)
Lunch 12pm to 1pm
APPOINTMENTS
For an Equity appointment, please email auditions@speakeasystage.com (preferred) or call (617) 482-3279. Please be sure to include a contact phone number and email, Equity status, and the hour during which you would like to be seen. You will receive an email or phone call confirming your audition time. Equity Members without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day, as time permits.
CONTRACT
NEAT Category 6; salary pending
SEEKING
Equity actors for various roles in the upcoming season plays.
PREPARATION
Auditions will be in 5-minute slots. Actors may choose to read one or more scenes from the season’s plays, perform one or more monologues of their choice, or prepare a combination of scene(s) and monologues(s) from other sources. SpeakEasy suggests that actors not preparing scenes choose two contrasting monologues. Scripts are available for perusal at the StageSource office 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 Boston, MA 02210. See www.stagesource.org for directions and office hours.
Please bring TWO copies of your stapled headshot /resume.
LOCATION
Calderwood Theatre Pavilion
527 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116-6306
PERSONNEL
Expected to be at the EPA:
Producing Artistic Director: Paul Daigneault
Dawn M. Simmons, Director for Men on Boats
Scott Edmiston, Director for Shakespeare in Love
General Manager/Production Manager: Paul Melone
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
BREAKDOWN
Seeking all ethnicities for all roles
MEN ON BOATS
By: Jaclyn Backhaus
Director: Dawn M. Simmons
Rehearsals: Starting on Aug. 14th
Performances: Sep. 8th- Oct. 7th, 2017 possible extension to Oct. 14th
A note from the Playwright: MEN ON BOATS is a piece that begs to be cast gender-fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male who would normally play these characters. It is important to populate the world of the play with people who would not have originally been on these boats, people who stand outside of the realm of the white male conquest storyline, and who are normally not allowed to tell stories like these. All of the roles are open to any race or gender.
JOHN WESLEY POWELL
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, Lost one arm in a previous battle, the leader of the expedition, one of the greatest geologist, had experienced both physical and mental hardship. Fiery temper. Hates suits, loves adventure.
WILLIAM DUNN
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, loyal, trustworthy, hunter and trapper, Powell's right hand man.
JOHN COLTON SUMNER
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male.18-80, brash, explorative, former soldier, current explorer, type of person who does something because no one had done it yet.
OLD SHADY
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet. Oldest person on the boat. Hates people.
BRADLEY
Any Ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, lieutenant, manic with youth. Genuinely loves people. Earnest, so very earnest.
O.G. HOWLAND
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, printer and hunter. Stern, reserved, stoic, proud/ TSAUWIAT- a Ute chief (doubles with OG HOWLAND) tobacco-addled, calm.
SENECA HOWLAND
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, OG’s quiet little brother. Loyal, reserved, will defend his brother to the end/ THE BISHOP- Tsauwiat’s wife (doubles with SENECA HOWLAND) tobacco-addled, calm, like his brother.
FRANK GOODMAN
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, British, so excited/ MR. ASA- a desert settler (doubles with GOODMAN) red-faced, eccentric, uncomfortably positive
HALL
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, mapmaker, old soul, teams up with Hawkins bro/dude
HAWKINS
Any ethnicity. Gender fluid, outside of the realm of the white cisgender male. 18-80, the cook, teams up with Hall, bro/dude
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THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME
Bsed on the novel by Mark Haddon
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Director: Paul Daigneault
Rehearsals: Starting on Sep. 25th
Performances: Oct. 20th- Nov. 18th, 2017 possible extension to Nov. 25th
CHRISTOPHER BOONE: Male, 18+ to play a teenager.
ROLE CAST. An English teenager who is an outsider due to his unique perception of the world, which he sees in surprising and revealing ways. He notices things in minute detail yet has difficulty understanding social and emotional cues and difficulty empathizing with others. This lack of understanding often makes the world seem frustrating and frightening to him, and he can become agitated and even violent when he has to deal with too many overwhelming external stimuli. Incredibly intelligent but shy and mistrusting of strangers, Christopher feels things deeply but doesn't know how to express or articulate them. He has a brilliant mind, can be fixated on certain topics, and thinks in a highly logical way, which makes him excel in math and science, but because he perceives language literally, he does not understand sarcasm or metaphors; Must be physically very fit and agile. English accent. This role has been cast; actors may audition for possible replacements.
ED BOONE/OTHER: Male, 35-55
Christopher’s father; estranged from his wife, Judy and struggling as a single parent trying to raise his son the best he can. A working class man. Proud, gruff, and brusque, he is unable to convey his emotions and feelings but loves his son deeply. He is a good man but there is a lot on Ed's shoulders when he first enters the play in pain and near breaking point, though he does not openly express it. He has trouble communicating with Christopher, who often frustrates him. And though he’s naturally practical and much more patient in dealing with Christopher than Judy, a difficult situation can make him lose it, sometimes violently. A plumber and heating engineer by trade, naturally good with his hands; English accent appropriate to working middle class.
JUDY BOONE/OTHER: Female, 35-55
Christopher’s mother; estranged from her husband, Ed after having an affair with her neighbor Roger. She works as a secretary and is a working class woman with a tough exterior who has no support system to raise her son and blames herself for her inability to cope with him effectively. She has had a hard life and had to fight for things, which she is ready to do, as she is feisty and doesn’t take anything lying down. Loving, yet impatient, she has felt very alone in her situation with Christopher and it frustrates her to a point of absolute desperation. She wishes she knew how to truly reach and care for Christopher. Independent, lonely and proud, she doesn’t easily ask for help and has never had the proper social resources to help her. English accent appropriate to working middle class;
SIOBHAN/OTHERS: Female, 25-49
Christopher's teacher and mentor, the only person in Christopher’s life with an understanding of his situation. She strives to teach Christopher how society works and how to behave within its guidelines. Constantly negotiating around Christopher’s anger, she is professional, warm, caring, calm, gentle and self-possessed and also sensitive to his strained relationship with his father. She often serves as the narrator of Christopher’s story and of his feelings; English or Irish or Welsh or Scottish accent.
MRS.SHEARS/MRS. GASCOYNE/OTHERS: Female, 35-39
Mrs. Shears is Rogers’s ex-wife and Christopher’s neighbor, she is rough around the edges. She is furious at the world as a result of being betrayed and abandoned by her husband. Worn out by life, disappointed, haggard. It is her dog, Wellington that was found killed in the night. Mrs. Gascoyne is the headmistress of the school for ?special needs? children that Christopher attends; condescending and lacking in sensitivity, nuance and imagination. English accents appropriate to class.
ROGER SHEARS/ DUTY SERGEANT/OTHERS: Male, 35-39
Roger Shears is Mrs. Shears ex-husband, a middle class man who works at a bank. Has left his wife as a result of his relationship with Judy, which not built on sturdy ground. Doesn't have a clue or any interest in understanding Christopher. Duty Sergeant is a local Swindon desk sergeant (policeman) who releases Christopher to Ed’s custody after Christopher’s been arrested. Firm, experienced, tough but fair-minded; English accents appropriate to class; must be strong, fit and agile.
MRS.ALEXANDER/OTHERS: Female, 60-79
one of Christopher’s neighbors who has probably lived in Swindon her entire life. May be middle class or middle working class. She is a lonely older woman without a lot of means. She is kind, and so hungry for a connection with Christopher that she tries to help him and ultimately reveals information to him about his mother that he did not know. English accents appropriate to class.
POLICEMAN 1/MR.THOMPSON/MAN WITH SOCKS/ OTHERS: Male, 20-36
Policeman 1 is a Swindon policeman who arrests Christopher after Christopher hits him while being questioned about the death of Wellington, the dog. He has no patience or understanding of Christopher's way of thinking. Mr. Thompson is a neighbor that Christopher interviews during his investigation of who killed Wellington, the dog. Doesn't have patience for Christopher's line of questioning. Man with Socks is a guy waiting for the tube in London who suddenly has to help convince Christopher to get up from the train tracks; English accents appropriate to class; must be strong, fit and agile.
NO.40/INFORMATION/PUNK GIRL/OTHERS: Female 20-36
No. 40 is a woman who is a neighbor of Christopher's who he interviews during his investigation of who killed Wellington the dog. She tries to gently suggest to Christopher that he should talk to his father before asking these questions. Information is a busy information clerk in a London Railroad Station who Christopher asks for directions. Punk Girl is a young woman in the tube station who tries to help Christopher; English accents appropriate to class; must be strong, fit and agile.
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SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Director: Scott Edmiston
Rehearsals: Starting on Dec. 18th
Performances: Jan. 12th- Feb. 10th, 2018, possible extension to Feb. 17th
Seeking team players who are able to make heightened language feel personal and spontaneous, contribute strong comedic skills, and move extremely well. It is essential that our cast bring a sense of youthfulness, sexiness, exuberance, and edge to this piece. Ability to sing and play an instrument a plus but not required
WILL SHAKESPEARE – Male, 20s-30s. Poet currently suffering from writer’s block. Romantic, intelligent, fiery, sexy, and dreamy (in all senses of the word). A romantic rebel rock star genius. Swordfights with Wessex. Onstage for nearly the entire play. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy. Actor must be a skilled swordsman.
VIOLA DE LESSEPS – Female, 20s. Noblewoman woman who loves poetry, language and the theatre. Passionate, full of life, desirous of adventure. Dresses up as a man to be part of Shakespeare’s world. She is Juliet, Rosalind, and Viola all rolled into one effervescent, intelligent, beautiful dynamo. Must have great ease with language and physical humor. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy.
KIT MARLOWE –Male, 20s-30s. Will’s best friend, also a poet. Intelligent, creative, lovable. and reckless with a punk rock idol quality. He helps Will write some of his most famous poetry and acts as Will’s sounding board and confidante. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy. Singing a plus, instrument abilities, especially guitar or drums, a strong qualifier..
HENSLOWE– 40-50. Philip Henslowe is the owner of the Rose Theatre. Bold, generous fellow who will work any angle to keep his theatre afloat. He has lots of spirit and cheekiness but questionable personal hygiene. Requires a fearless comic character actor.
FENNYMAN– Male, 40s-50s. Henslowe’s creditor. Big, Intimidating business man who is all about the numbers. The last person you would expect to be a theatre lover. Is overjoyed to be cast as the Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet. Joins Shakespeare’s company in Act II. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy.
NED ALLENYN – Male, 20s-40s. A quick-witted and dashing matinee idol. Member of Shakespeare’s company, plays Mercutio- and all that suggests. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy. Actor must be a skilled swordsman.
LORD WESSEX–30s. Lord Wessex is William Shakespeare's opposite in almost every way. He's humorless. He’s an aristocrat. He’s arrogant. He’s petulant. Requires an actor who understands how to play a dignified comic fool. Must be a skilled swordsman.
RICHARD BURBAGE –Male, 30-40. An actor and a grand theatre impresario. Owner of the Curtain theatre. Lovable actor-manager with a larger than life presence with a larger than life presence. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy. Actor must be a skilled swordsman..
QUEEN ELIZABETH I – 50+. Regal. imposing. Tough. See through everything. Does not suffer fools, loves theatre and dogs.
NURSE – Female, 40s-50s. Viola’s nursemaid, servant, and ally. Motherly. A great comedienne with a huge heart. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy, and a beautiful singing voice.
TILNEY/SIR ROBERT LESSEPS– Male, 40s-60s. Elizabeth’s Lord Chamberlain and advisor. Pompous and rigid, he is the inspiration for Malvolio. Doubles as Viola’s father, Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy.
MISTRESS QUICKLY/MOLLY – 25-45. Wardrobe Mistress, fun, playful.
Molly is sultry, a silly bar wench
RALPH – Male, 30s-50s. A waiter at the tavern, and also a member of Shakespeare’s company. Plays the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Funny, sweet and great with physical humor. Seeking performers who have exceptional skill with language and comedy. ?
4 Ensemble Actors- Male/Female, 18-60+ will play the following roles JOHN WEDSTER, WABASH, SAM, ADAM/BOATMAN, NOL, PETER/BARMAN and ROBIN/FREES. Actor need to be playful, and versatile.
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EVERY BRILLIANT THING
Written by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe
Rehearsals: Starting on Feb. 5th
Performances: Mar.2nd- Mar. 31st
THE NARRATOR—Male/Female 30-55, warm, personable, ability to feel comfortable and interact with audience.
This role has been cast; actors may audition for possible replacements.
Directions / more info:
www.speakeasystage.com.
Theatre’s mailing address: SpeakEasy Stage Co. 539 Tremont St. Boston, MA
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
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