Auditions are set for the Grand Prairie Arts Council’s production of Roger & Hammerstein’s STATE FAIR (Non-Equity Production).
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Artistic Director: Mallory Roelke
Music Director: Patricia Bedford
Accompanist: Taiko Pelick
Stage Manager: Ruby Pullum
Choreographer: Kayla Starr Bryan
Intimacy Director: Carlo J. Aceytuno
Set Designer: Matt Betz
Costume Designer: Hope Cox
Costume Assistant: Effie Fox
Lighting Designer: Holli Price
Sound Designer: Ryan Brazil
Projection Designer: Wendy Searcy-Woode
Prop Designer: Taylor O. Veer
Stage Crew: Chris Medina
Projection Tech: Randy Gamez
Children’s Coordinator: Monica Raymond
We are seeking a diverse cast of adults and children to help bring a new look and feel to this classic musical theater piece. We invite performers of all ethnic backgrounds, body types, and abilities to audition as we would like our cast to reflect the community we serve. We are also looking to utilize talents actors may have like acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, stilt walking, etc. An audition form can be filled out ahead of time using the link on the GPAC website audition page:
www.artsgp.org
AUDITION DATES:
Please attend one of the following dates:
Thursday, July 21: Kids (Ages 10 - 15) 6:00PM – 7:30PM, Adults (16+) 7:30 - 9:30PM
Saturday, July 23: Kids (Ages 10 - 15) 9:00AM - 10:00AM, Adults (16+) 10:30AM - 12:00PM
CALLBACKS: Saturday, July 23 - Invitation only
Kid’s Dance: 10:00AM, Adult Dance: 12:30PM, Reading/Singing Call Backs: 2:30PM
Schedule an audition time using the link on the audition page of the GPAC website:
www.artsgp.org. Appointments will be given priority and walk-ins will be taken as time allows.
AUDITION LOCATION:
Veteran's Park Event Center, 925 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie, 75051
*** Across the street from the Grand Prairie Memorial Library ***
SHOW SYNOPSIS: STATE FAIR follows the Frake family’s journey from their farm to the three-day 1946 Iowa State Fair. Ma and Pop are intent on winning prizes for their accomplishments in hog raising and mincemeat cooking, while their children Margy and Wayne have romantic adventures ahead of them. As Margy and Wayne find love and heartbreak on the midway, they discover what they find most important. This show features an Academy Award-winning score, including the hit song, “It Might as Well Be Spring.”
AUDITION WILL INCLUDE
MUSIC: Please prepare a golden age musical theater song or a song in the style of the show. You may audition with a song from the show. Pianist and bluetooth speaker will be provided. Please bring music in the correct key and no tracks with backing vocals or acapella auditions.
COLD READ: from the Script. Sides will be provided when you arrive.
DANCE: Dancing will be done at the callbacks on Saturday, July 23 by invitation only, If you have any skills like stilt walking, juggling, tumbling, etc, please be prepared to showcase these abilities at dance call and bring any gear/items that may assist you in doing so.
Note: A video of the required dance call will be posted on the GPAC website (www.artsgp.org) on Monday, 7/18. While the combination will still be taught at dance call, it is recommended you familiarize yourself with the dance ahead of time.
REHEARSALS: Begin Monday, July 25 at 7:00 PM. Rehearsals generally run Mondays - Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM & Saturdays/Sundays as needed. Children may be called as early as 6:00 PM for rehearsal in order to get them out earlier on school nights.
A tentative calendar will be available at auditions. Please be sure to list ALL conflicts on your audition form, including days we do not specify we have rehearsals. Rehearsals are at GPAC's rehearsal space at the Veteran's Park Event Center and move to the Uptown Theater two weeks before the show opens.
PERFORMANCES:
September 15 (Preview Night) at 8:00PM
September 16 at 8:00PM
September 17 at 8:00PM
September 18 at 2:00PM
September 23 at 8:00PM
September 24 2:00PM & 8:00PM
September 25 at 2:00PM (Followed by Strike)
COVID19 Protocol Agreements: All cast and crew will be expected to follow Covid19 protocols set forth by GPAC. Protocols will be updated as the CDC updates safety recommendations. For everyone’s safety and to ensure the show’s success, we highly recommend that eligible cast and crew members be vaccinated for Covid19.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
* = Indicates roles that require staged intimacy including but not limited to kissing
Wayne Frake (Baritone/Age 18+) * - The bright-eyed son of Mr. and Mrs. Frake. Wayne has been dating Eleanor, who can no longer accompany him to the State Fair. When Wayne becomes hopelessly enamored on the Midway, he questions everything around him and risks it all for a singer named Emily. Needs to be a solid mover, but dance skills are a plus!
Margy Frake (Mezzo-Soprano/Age 17+) * - The Frakes' daughter, who has just completed high school. She has a hometown boyfriend, Harry, but she doesn't know if she can settle down to the life he offers her. While at the State Fair, she meets Pat Gilbert and falls in love with him, even though he's a man of the world. Looking for a balance of sweet, yet strong willed in this character and a solid dancer.
Abel Frake (Bass/to play age 40+) * - An Iowa farmer who is very proud of his pig, whom he hopes will win Grand Champion at the State Fair. He is a loving family man and truly enjoys the fair.
Melissa Frake (Alto/To play age 40+) * - Abel's wife, and the mother of Margy and Wayne. She is determined to win best pickles and best mincemeat at the State Fair (and beat Mrs. Metcalf who has won these honors multiple years).
Emily Arden (Mezzo-Soprano/Age 20+) * - A sophisticated woman who appears out of nowhere to defend Wayne at the fair. She turns out to be a traveling singer who has dreams of making it big. Wayne falls for her (even though he has a girlfriend at home). Looking for a solid belter with rich vocal qualities who can also move/dance well.
Pat Gilbert (Tenor/Age 20+) * - A newspaper reporter and man of the world whom Margy meets at the State Fair and falls in love with. He is charming and a solid dancer - tapping is plus!
Harry (Age 17+) - ??Extremely earnest young farmer, absolutely devoted to Margy; a role with comical attributes, but also sincere in love for Margy and farming profession and community.
Charlie: A newspaper photographer who travels with Pat Gilbert.
Gus: The Frakes' hired hand at their farm.
Dave Miller: The local storekeeper, who makes a bet with Abel that things will not go well for the entire Frake family at the Iowa State Fair.
Mrs. Edwin Metcalf: Mrs. Frake’s primary competition in the cooking competitions - and she always wins!
Lem, Clay, & Hank - Local farmers who sing a quartet with Able. Must be able to hold tight harmonies.
Fairtones (Any Gender) - Emily Arden’s back up dancers/singers. Must be able to hold tight harmonies and strong dance skills are a plus!
Vivienne & Jeannie - Featured singers/dancers who are performers at the fair.
Mr. Heppenstahl - The head judge at the State Fair who judges pickles, mincemeat, etc.
Violet (Child) - The sassy daughter of the chief of police who does the jitterbug with Pat. Must be able to move well, true dancing skills are a plus!
The Chief of Police - The chief of police who patrols the grounds.
The Fair Announcer - Makes announcements throughout the fair over the P.A. system (this part is off-stage).
Uncle Sam - A “Big Tex” like mascot who welcomes guests to the fair. Stilt walking abilities are a plus!
Additional Ensemble Roles: Ensemble Children, Carnival Barkers, Vendors, Roustabouts, Fairgoers, Judges, Bartenders, Carnies, Fair Performers, Featured Dancers
Especially seeking performers with special skills - circus type acts are a plus!
Videos
