Two River Theater Company 2023-24 Season - Red Bank, NJ EPA Two River Theater Company | Red Bank, NJ
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Audition appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis on the morning of the audition beginning at 9:30am.
LORT Non-Rep
$776 weekly minimum (LORT D)
Equity actors for roles in Two River Theater Company's 2023-24 Season (See breakdown).
No roles will be understudied.
Two River Theater is committed to inclusive casting processes and strongly encourages actors to audition regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.
Please prepare (2) one-min contrasting monologues or singers may prepare (1) one monologue and 16-32 bars of a contemporary musical theater song. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music organized. Also, please bring your headshot and resume stapled or glued together.
Two River Theater Company 2023-24 Season
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave
Red Bank, NJ 07701-1105
On-site parking available
Producing Director, Lauren Kurinskas
Expected to attend:
Artistic Director, Justin Waldman
Associate Producer, Dennis Chambers
See breakdown for production specific personnel.
See breakdown for production specific dates.
OTHER
Two River has committed to five-day rehearsal weeks and no 10/12 tech days.
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.
The American Love-Rock Musical
Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Music by Galt MacDermot
Directed by James Vásquez
Choreography by Mayte Natalio
The Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
First Rehearsal: September 5th, 2023
First Preview: September 30, 2023
Opening Night: October 6th, 2023
Closing: October 22nd, 2023
Extension: October 29th, 2023
Let the sunshine in! During the Summer of Love, a group of young Americans dream of a beautiful future filled with harmony and understanding. The groundbreaking rock musical includes the Grammy Award™-winning hits “Aquarius,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and the title song’s ode to long, brilliant, beautiful “Hair!” Opening Two River Theater’s 30th anniversary season, Director James Vásquez (Old Globe Resident Artist, American Mariachi) and choreographer Mayte Natalio (Love in Hate Nation) bring their 2021 staging from the Old Globe Theatre. For mature audiences.
Production will include brief, partial/full nudity.
Berger: OFFER OUT - A social activist recently banished from high school. An unrestrained animal. He knows what is right and sticks to it no matter the consequence. The leader. High energy, athletic, wild. Strong presence and, though he may be a young man, he is looked up to. Any ethnicity. Rock baritone/tenor.
Claude: Smart, attractive male, with a playful side, and a lover of life. Berger's best friend, recently drafted whose only valuable possession, other than his freedom, is his hair. A charismatic leader that women adore, boys emulate and men will follow into the breach. A man of conscience who struggles with the conflict of what his heart tells him is right and what the authorities around him lead him to believe. Any ethnicity. Rock tenor.
Sheila: A second semester student and passionate protester from NYU who lives with Berger and Claude, aspires to spread love. Wants to change society through peaceful protest. Has a strong voice and presence. Any ethnicity. Rock alto/belter.
Woof: OFFER OUT - High energy, versatile performer. A natural with comedy. Looks up to Berger and Mick Jagger in many ways. Rock baritone/tenor.
Hud: Speaks his mind and hopes you can keep up with him. High energy, spiritual performer with a strong voice and presence. A true tone setter that is a natural on stage in any situation. African American. Rock baritone.
Jeanie: A follower, not a leader. Incredibly sweet, understands Claude better than anyone. Wise, passionate, creative woman, who is pregnant. She has taken every drug, and takes care of everyone. Any ethnicity. Alto.
Dionne: Lots of fun. Great with comedy and ad-lib vocals. African-American. Alto/mezzo belt. Crissy: ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
Ensemble: This is not a chorus, as the entire cast is a true ensemble. Ensemble sings many featured songs including Aquarius, Black Boys, White Boys, Walking in Space, Electric Blues, Hippie Life, etc., and play many roles in the show including the PRINCIPALS, MOTHER/FATHER, historical figures, and more. Energetic, creative performers with heart and passion. Any ethnicities. Strong rock vocals.
By Kate Hamill
Based on the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Directed by Shelley Butler
The Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
First Rehearsal: January 9th, 2024
First Preview: February 3rd, 2024
Opening: February 9th, 2024
Closing: February 25th, 2024
Hester Prynne dares to strive for a better life for herself and her daughter. Kate Hamill, one of American theater’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights, reimagines Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic tale of courage. This world premiere, directed by Shelley Butler, showcases the strength of a woman who will not let the rules of an unjust society define her.
Hester Prynne (20s-30s): Intelligent, strong-willed. A survivor under extreme circumstances. Quite beautiful, which gives her more power (and trouble) than she might otherwise have. Capable of standing up to extreme pressure. Passionate. Nursing a terrible heartache. Not immune to the fears and superstitions of the culture around her. Fears the consequences of her sins. Sometimes unsure of her child’s origins, in a superstitious way. Survives and forgives, ultimately, although she is not without anger. A loving, if sometimes overextended and over-exasperated parent. Eventually learns to overcome the mores of her time, at great personal cost; brave, but not perfect. Any ethnicity.
Goody Hibbins (30s): The governor’s younger wife. Quite unhappy. Very religious. Fearful of the new country and dark Satanic forces, which she believes are all around her. Bitterly disappointed in life, and clings to dogma as a life raft. Almost Hester’s contemporary. Deeply self-loathing, under everything - which makes her vicious. Desperately wants a child. Tries hard to be Good and Righteous. Quite obsessed with Hester Prynne. Any ethnicity.
Pearl (An adult of any age who plays a 4-5 year old) An extremely spirited, impish child. Not so much “cute” as a child who takes an almost disturbing, otherworldly level of delight in being bad or disobedient. Half-feral. Dark side. Prone to repeating what she hears. The kind of child who, if you turn your back for half a second, will roll in a mud puddle and herd their siblings into a “prison” with sharpened stick. Not actually malevolent, probably. Precocious. Does like attention. Any ethnicity.
Reverend Dimmesdale (20s-30s): A man raised to the clergy, who believes deeply in the teachings of the church. Probably quite handsome. Passionate. A powerful and emotional preacher. Worshipped by his congregation. Not particularly good with children. A good man, but up against the forces of his culture and his weaknesses, he sometimes quails (who does not?). Believes that he has sinned irrevocably, and that God will punish those sins. Develops a serious heart condition. Wants to believe. Tortured. Any ethnicity.
Roger Chillingworth (late 40s-50s): Deeply, deeply intelligent, with a wicked sense of humor. Dark; often wry. Not unreasonable, in his way. Has secrets in his past; has done terrible things. Can be charming. Very good with children. Has a deep psychic wound, which he can find no relief for. Once was very very much in love with Hester, and cannot reconcile his betrayal. A good physician. A very dangerous man. Any ethnicity.
Governor Hibbins (early 40s-50s): The governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Fond of making speeches. Believes that he has been chosen to rule by God; it is not always pleasant or easy for him. Feels himself obligated by duty to be harsher than he might actually be. Has a weakness for pretty things and little luxuries. Particularly friendly towards men, and tolerant of “good” women. A bit - a lot - frightened of his wife. Fairly clueless, really. Any ethnicity.
By Tony Meneses
Directed by May Adrales
Marion Huber Theater
First Rehearsal: March 12, 2024
First Preview: April 6, 2024
Opening: April 12, 2024
Closing: April 28, 2024
Cordelia’s stuck. Cordelia needs to design a maid’s costume, but she can’t stop thinking about The Help and Maid in Manhattan and Gone with the Wind and As Good As It Gets and . . . and . . . and . . . How can she find a way to show these women for who they really are? Two River favorite Tony Meneses returns with this world premiere comedy, directed by May Adrales
Cordelia (Late 20s/early 30s; BIPOC) Fearless and ambitious Chicago-based costume designer working on a new play in New York City. She wants to transcend racial stereotypes in her work and show women of color in new lights. Focused on being “representative but not reductive.” The daughter and granddaughter of maids, she wants to change the narrative for women of color in these roles on and offstage, while paying homage to the reality of this given circumstance for many. Has her own blindspots to confront even though she's driven to do the right thing.
Vivian (Late 30s/early 40s; AAPI) Modern day maid charged with upkeep of the apartment Cordelia is staying in. Working on her English. Okay doing the work no one else will do, and in search of a different future for her daughter. She always wants to do her best. Though a working-class woman, has no problem standing up for herself and using her voice. *Notice: undertaking accents can be a delicate and complicated discussion for actors of color, but finding the humanity in that is part of the narrative of the play, comfort level and care is priority for all collaborators.
Lupe Ontiveros (doubles as — Playwright, Nurse, Another Maid, Agent; 50s/60s; Latina) The actress formerly known for playing maids in As Good As It Gets and The Goonies, among many others. She represents a long line of Latina Maid characters. Alongside Butterfly, she questions her legacy and the truth she lived. She's spunky and loves to be right. Doubles as various other characters throughout the play with a wink and a smile.
Butterfly McQueen (doubles as — Director, Nanny, FedEx Woman, Sydney; 20s/30s; Black) Existentialist and reflective and a Garbage fan. The actress famous for portraying “Prissy” in Gone With the Wind, among many other unfortunately forgotten film and television roles--many of which were maids. Famous for her distinct and high squeaky voice. With Lupe, she ponders the possibility of being seen as more than a maid. She doesn’t like to be alone with her thoughts but in search of understanding herself and the legacy of women of color actresses. Doubles as various other characters throughout the play also with a wink.
By August Wilson
Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
The Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
First rehearsal: May 14, 2024
First Preview: June 8, 2024
Opening: June 14, 2024
Closing: June 30, 2024
Citizen Barlow is looking for peace. To get it, he’ll knock at Aunt Ester’s door every day if that’s what it takes. Set in 1904, the opening installment in August Wilson’s The American Century Cycle includes the playwright’s most fantastical journey, where the secrets of the past point towards future liberation. Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, Gem of the Ocean is the seventh production in Two River’s commitment to stage all ten of Wilson’s visionary epics.
Eli: Aunt Ester's gatekeeper and longtime friend of Solly.
Citizen Barlow: ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
Aunt Esther Tyler: A very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community.
Black Mary: ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
Rutherford Selig: A traveling peddler who is a frequent visitor of the house.
Solly Two Kings: Suitor to Aunt Ester, former Underground Railroad conductor. Sixty-seven. Caesar Wilks: Black Mary's brother and local constable. About fifty-two.
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