CASTING NOTICE
HIGH STREET ARTS CENTER
MISTER ROBERTS
By Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan
PRODUCTION TEAM
John Tedrick, Director
Kathee Boyer, Producer
Ken Rayzor, Executive Producer
Sara Glauser, Costumer
Patrick Duffy, Lighting Designer
Scott Armstrong, Set Designer
AUDITION DATES
7:00 pm Sunday, February 11, 2018
7:00 pm Monday, February 12, 2018
If needed, callbacks may be held on the evening of Thursday, February 15, 2018. Callbacks are by invitation only, and not all roles will be called back.
Audition Location:
High Street Arts Center
45 E. High Street
Moorpark, CA 93021
To schedule an audition appointment:
EMAIL: boxoffice@highstreetartscenter.com
PHONE: (805) 529-8700
Walk-in auditions are allowed
Special Audition Requirements:
*This is an "open call" audition. Non-Equity, NO PAY*
Audition participants need to be prepared to read from the audition sides provided.
When auditioning, please list any and all commitments during the rehearsal period - even on days not currently listed as rehearsal days. To the greatest extent possible, the schedule will be built around the cast's availability. No additional conflicts will be accepted after casting, and no conflicts will be accepted for performance dates or one week before opening.
REHEARSAL DATES
February 26th, 2018 – April 11, 2018
Mondays – Thursdays 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Occasional Saturdays 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (only as needed)
NOTE: The end time is highly approximate; generally, it may be earlier in the beginning and last longer as we get closer to opening. We are very respectful of everyone's time.
PERFORMANCE DATES
April 13, 2018 – May 6, 2018
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00
Sundays at 2:00
Two Saturday Matinees 4/28 & 5/5
BACKGROUND
This Award winning comedy/drama ran over 1,000 performances on Broadway and spawned a hugely successful film version. Henry Fonda starred in both, and Roberts became one of his most famous roles. Doug Roberts, a cargo officer is waiting to get reassigned from the naval supply ship he's been working on and see some real war action. Lt. Roberts, is chief cargo officer of the supply ship USS RELUCTANT during WW2 in its last few months, and Roberts is itching for combat duty. But the RELUCTANT's surly, despotic Captain is anxious to use Roberts to expedite his own promotion, refusing to sign any of Roberts' transfer requests. Helping to brighten Mister Roberts' humdrum existence are his best friends, Ensign Frank Pulver and Doc. Most of the laughs are provided by Pulver, “officer in charge of laundry and morale." When he isn't wheeling and dealing to bring a bevy of beautiful nurses on board the RELUCTANT, Pulver is concocting elaborate schemes to avenge himself against the Captain -- even though he's spent 14 months on the Reluctant without ever meeting his nemesis.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN-ROLES OPEN AS INDICATED
**FOR ALL ROLES: Please understand that the U.S. Navy is and always will be a melting pot of religions, races, ethnicities, and cultures. This is something very unique about Navy life. Think about showing up to auditions with some different characters prepared that you can work into your cold reads that will express this.
LTJG Douglas Roberts (late 20s-early 40s) First lieutenant of the U.S.S. Reluctant. A born leader, he is sensitive, perceptive, and idealistic. Desiring battle action, he has nevertheless heroically adjusted himself to the dull routine of a supply ship. He is worshiped by the crew, almost worshiped by his fellow officers, and hated by the captain, who fears him and yet refuses to transfer him to another ship.
CAPT Morton (40s-60s) Captain Morton, skipper of the Reluctant. He is officious, childish, and unreasonable, and he is thoroughly disliked or hated by his entire crew. His hatred of Mr. Roberts is closely related to his recognition and envy of Roberts’ superior ability. [Director's Note: I don’t want to see a clone of James Cagney’s version. I want to see some originality with this role]
Doc (40s-50s) Doc, the ship’s doctor is a contradictory, charming, unpredictable man, sometimes highly regarded and sometimes despised by his patients. Dry sense of humor. Roberts' best friend aboard ship.
Ensign Pulver (early-mid 20s) A young officer who not only hates Captain Morton but delights in plotting against him. He boasts of his sexual conquests, although Doc and Roberts do not believe him. After getting news of Mr. Roberts’ death, Pulver tosses all of Captain Morton’s beloved palm trees over the ship’s side.
LT Ann Girard (20s-30s) No-nonsense head nurse with an affinity for Scotch.
Chief Petty Officer Johnson (late 30s-50s) the ship's leading chief petty officer. Tough as a boarding house steak. A breed apart from all other residents of Mother Earth. Takes eighteen year old boot Sailors and hammers them into seasoned sailors. Also does the same with boot Ensign’s...
Dowdy (30s-40s) Leading Petty Officer, salty, crusty, hard bitten, seasoned sailor. He has some authority over the men and hands out their tasks.
Dolan (Late teen-20s) A young, garrulous, brash yeoman, who enjoys the fact that he is responsible for typing Roberts's letters requesting a transfer.
Insigna (20s-early 30s) - A junior sailor. Smart aleck and not, “the sharpest tool in the shed”. Always at odds with Mannion.
Mannion (20s-early 30s) - A junior sailor, always at odds with Insigna. Perhaps has a few screws loose “upstairs”.
Plus the following sailors (older teens thru 30s):
Lindstrom, Stefanowski, Wiley, Schlemmer, Reber, Payne, Gerhart, Shore Patrolman, Military Policeman, Shore Patrol Officer, offstage voices.
**Please note that just about every character in this show has moments of great dialogue. Also, some parts may be combined and played by one actor.
Videos
