THE COLOR PURPLE - Atlanta EPAs
Actor's Express Theatre Company
AUDITION DATE
Sat, Jan 13, 2018
10:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)
Lunch 1:00-2:00 pm
Sun, Jan 14, 2018
10:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)
Lunch 2:00-4:00 pm
APPOINTMENTS
Email sheila@actorsexpress.com for an appointment time. Please state your Equity status, the role you are auditioning for, and three one-hour spans (10-11, 11-12, 3-4,for example) that best work for your schedule, noting them in order of preference, and we will do our best to accommodate. (No appointments Saturday 1:00-2:00 or Sunday 2:00-4:00.)
CONTRACT
SPT $366 weekly minimum
SEEKING
Equity actors for roles in THE COLOR PURPLE (see breakdown).
PREPARATION
Please prepare a brief song in the style of the show (approximately 60 seconds): should be a song from the canon of contemporary musical theatre, pop/rock or gospel. Actor must bring own sheet music in the appropriate key with cuts clearly marked. Accompanist will be provided.
Please bring 2 headshots/resumes (attached) to your audition.
LOCATION
Balzer Theater at Herren's
84 Luckie St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-2108
Auditions will be in rehearsal hall. Parking garage rates vary due to weekend events; theatre is walking distance from Peachtree Center MARTA station.
PERSONNEL
WRITERS: Book by Marsha Norman.
MUSIC & LYRICS: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray
DIRECTOR: David Koté (expected to attend)
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Amanda Wansa Morgan (expected to attend)
CHOREOGRAPHER: Meredith Moore
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Freddie Ashley
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Alex Scollon
CASTING DIRECTOR: Sheila Oliver (expected to attend)
CASTING ASSOCIATE: Justin Kalin (expected to attend)
OTHER DATES
REHEARSALS BEGIN: May 22, 2018
REHEARSAL DAYS AND TIMES: Weekday evenings and weekend daytimes
TECH WEEKEND: June 9-10, 2018
DIRECTOR’S ROUGH CUT: June 13, 2018
PREVIEWS: June 14-15, 2018
OPENING: June 16, 2018
CLOSING: July 29, 2018 (possible extension to August 5, 2018)
SHOW TIMES: Wed.-Sat. at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm; Select Saturdays at 2pm.
OTHER
Please note: Callbacks are scheduled for Monday, January 15 from 6:00-10:00.
Sides will be distributed for callbacks only.
Dance call will be at the callbacks. Please dress accordingly if invited to callbacks.
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
A great American novel becomes a great American musical. Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning triumph bolts joyously to life with soaring music and unforgettable characters. Celebrating the very best of the human spirit, The Color Purple tells the uplifting story of Celie, a woman who struggles through adversity to find strength, love and the power of her own voice.
CELIE (African-American, 20s-early 30s): Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but really not, has a deep, hard soul, believes that she is ugly, has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.
SHUG (African-American, 30s-40s): A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. She is loved by both Celie and Mister. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
MISTER (African-American, 30s-40s. Also known as ALBERT): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Gets his power for free. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms to a kind man by the end of the story. Needs a great singing voice. THIS ROLE IS ALREADY CAST.
SOFIA (African-American, 30s): Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger and beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Needs a great belt singing voice.
HARPO (African-American, 20s): Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful, as Sofia is considerably stronger than he is. Harpo eventually establishes a juke joint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
NETTIE (African-American, 20s): Celie’s younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence. THIS ROLE MAY ALSO DOUBLE AS ENSEMBLE.
SQUEAK (African-American, 20s): Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. She is of mixed ancestry. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability. THIS ROLE MAY ALSO DOUBLE AS ENSEMBLE.
ENSEMBLE ROLES: Men and women to play the Preacher, Field Hands, Church Soloist, Church Ladies (Jarene, Doris, Darlene), Adam, Olivia, Squeak, Grady, Ol’ Mister and others in the community. No children appear in this version of the musical.
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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