THE BURNT PART BOYS - ShenanArts Non Equity Auditions

AUDITION NOTICE

*** THE BURNT PART BOYS ***
Book by Mariana Elder, Music by Chris Miller & Lyrics by Nathan Tysen

Director- Cori McDaniel

Music Director- Matthew Cline-Taskey

Stage Manager- Keyairra Talley

PERFORMANCE DATES: November 6th-8th and 13th-15th

*****AUDITION Details*****

Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th

5:30 pm- 9:00 pm

Possible Callbacks- Sunday, September 6th

Location: Shenanarts at The nTelos Theatre

300 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA 24401

Email:
theatre@shenanarts.org

www.shenanarts.org

• Auditions will begin at 5:30 pm both nights and run until 9pm. Attendees should plan to arrive at the start of auditions. Please be prepared to stay for the entire audition time on the night you attend.
• Please prepare one song, preferably either Modern Musical Theatre, Folk, Bluegrass, or Country in genre. Please bring sheet music, as an accompanist will be provided.
• Those auditioning will also be taught selections from songs in the show and participate in cold readings.

*****About the Show*****

The Burnt Part Boys is a richly authentic theatrical experience; a piece of musical theatre treasure with a book and score that reverberate as resonantly in audiences’ souls as the acoustic instruments that provide the accompaniment.

Locally named The Burnt Part, the Pickaway Coal Company’s South Mountain closed down after an accident in 1952 that resulted in the death of miners, some of which left behind children. Ten years later, Jake Twitchell is an employee of that same company, doing the same job that took his own father’s life. Much to the dismay of his movie buff, younger brother Pete, the Pickaway Coal Company is going to begin re-mining The Burnt Part and send down both Jake and his friend, Chet, whose father also died in the accident. Inspired by his silver screen heroes, Pete sets out for The Burnt Part with his saw-playing-best-friend Dusty, a pack full of dynamite, and plans to render it useless. With Jake and Chet in hot pursuit, Pete and Dusty are in need of a guide and find a perfect Sacajawea in the young runaway, and also fatherless, Frances. Dangerous and heartwarming discoveries comprise every theatrical layer of the adventure on the road to the mine.

Hailed among critics and creatives, The Burnt Part Boys is the type of riveting, coming-of-age story that has mesmerized listeners, readers, and watchers for centuries. Similar to movies such as “Stand By Me” and “The Kings of Summer,” the show beautifully captures the struggle of growing up in the midst of grief. The Burnt Part Boys also features a masterfully orchestrated and arranged score that will engross every generation of theatergoers.

*****Character Breakdown*****

Seeking:

2 boys ages 12-18

1 girl age 12-18

2 men ages 18-25

1 man age 30-50

3-6 men ages 18-60

Character Descriptions

Pete Twitchell (Male, 12-18 years old)- Jake’s younger brother, intense and very imaginative. He is skeptical of the coal mining industry. Curious and adventurous.

Jake Twitchell (Male, 18-25 years old)- Pete’s older brother who dropped out of school to work in the mines. He is constantly suppressing his anger. Cynical, conflicted, jaded, determined.

Chet Taylor (Male, 18-25 years old)- Jake’s best friend and co-worker in the mines. An outgoing guy, but a bit crass. Stubborn, loyal.

Dusty Rivers (Male, 12-18 years old)- Pete’s best friend. A simple-minded teen who is weary of Pete’s adventures. Generally amiable, loves to talk. Religious.

Frances Boggs (Female, 12-18 years old)- A feisty runaway living in the hills. She has a dry wit and short temper. Brave, confident, controlling.

Dad/Fantasy Men (Male, 30-50 years old)- Appears as Pete’s “Alamo” fantasies (Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie), and as his father in the mines.

Miners (Males, 18-60 years old)- A group of men, ranging in age, who appear as ghosts in the coal mines. Dead fathers of the young characters.

*Please note, some characters use mild language.*

ShenanArts at The nTelos Theatre

300 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA. 24401

www.shenanarts.org

theatre@shenanarts.org |
540.712.0001

30030300 Chur

Box Office Hours:

Wednesdays: 1:30pm - 5:30pm

Fridays: 10:30am - 2:30pm