Audition Information for Spring Semester 2023-2024 Season

ISU Theatre and Dance 2023-2024 Season Auditions

Initial Auditions: Friday, October 13 - 5:00-8:00 PM

Where: Bistline Theater, Stephens Performing Arts Center

*Auditions will be in-person and an accompanist will be provided - please bring a hardcopy of your audition sheet music prepared in a binder.

What to Prepare:

• A 45-60 second performance that will bring amazement, joy, laughter, awe, and intrigue to children 3-12 years old.
• A 45-60 second contemporary dramatic monologue
• A song in the style of Sunday in Park with George not to exceed three minutes (Please do not sing from the show).

Please fill out this Audition Form and upload it along with your headshot and resume on this Google Form. Name your files "Firstname Lastname - Item" (Example: John Smith - Audition Form)

Callbacks will be in person:    

If you are invited for a Callback you will be notified after your initial audition.

• • Saturday, October 14  9AM-12PM - Sunday in the Park 
    • Bistline Theatre
  • Saturday, October 14  2-5PM. - The Twits Callbacks
    
    • Bistline Theatre

THE TWITS - Summary & Character Breakdown

The play is set in a circus ring, which offers opportunities for fun and slapstick, as well as spectacle. The narrator acts as ringmaster, bringing to life the story of the grotesque, satisfyingly unpleasant couple, Mr. and Mrs. Twit, who enjoy playing nasty tricks on each other. Mr. Twit decides to train monkeys to perform upside down. He goes to the African rainforest and captures a family of monkeys —the Mugglewumps— and incarcerates them in a cage. The birds, who nightly roost on the big dead tree, having escaped being caught by the Twits for a bird pie, help the monkeys escape by tricking the Twits into believing that the world has turned upside down. The audience helps too!

For 2m., 2w., 2 either gender, 3 children (children's roles may be expanded)

MR. TWIT

MRS. TWIT

The Muggle-Wump Family-monkeys:

MUGGLE-WUMP (DAD)

MRS. MUGGLE-WUMP (MUM)

MUGGLE-WUMP 1

MUGGLE-WUMP 2

MUGGLE-WUMP 3

THE ROLY-POLY BIRD 

BIRDS

MONKEYS

NARRATOR/MUSICIAN (individual productions may decide to have other musicians too, but the idea of the Narrator is accompanying .. the action with percussion or other instruments works well)

Sunday in the Park with George - Summary & Character Breakdown

Inspired by the painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's stunning masterpiece, merges past and present into beautiful, poignant truths about life, love and the creation of art. One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this moving study of the enigmatic painter, Georges Seurat, won a Pulitzer Prize and was nominated for an astounding ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical. An ensemble of strong singing actors performs this challenging and heartbreaking work about our need to connect to the past, present and future.

 

George: In Act 1: George Seurat, a rather cold artist obsessed with his work at the cost of his personal life. Constantly troubled and borderline obsessive. Act 2: Seurat's burnt-out descendant and inventor-sculpture searching for his purpose. In the end, he is able to use his connection to the past to find the meaning in a blank canvas.

Age: 25 to 40

Vocal range top: Ab4 Vocal range bottom: G#2

 

Dot/marie: As Dot, George's headstrong mistress and occasional model so discontent with their relationship that she eventually leaves him. As Marie, George's elderly wheelchair-bound grandmother who helps him connect to his artistry through her grammar book notes.

Age: 20 to 40

Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: E3

 

Old Lady (George's mother): A cranky and rather demanding fixture in the park. She is able to find solace in nostalgia, and inspires George to find order in his art. Optional Doubling as BLAIR DANIELS.

Age: 60 to 80

Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: F#3

 

Nurse: The Old Lady's attendant. She is calming and assertive. 

Age: 40 to 60

Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Jules: A rival artist. Callous, critical, and ultimately shallow. He forces Frieda to engage in extramarital affairs. Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: G2

 

Yvonne: Jules' pampered wife. She is as snippy and snooty as her husband. 

Age: 25 to 35

Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: E3

 

Boatman: A surly blue-collared laborer, simple-minded and slovenly.

Age: 35 to 60

Vocal range top: Eb4 Vocal range bottom: Eb2

 

Celeste #1: A young shop girl, gossipy and flirtatious. Her friendship with the other Celeste is strained when they fight over the Soldier and his companion. 

Age: 18 to 30

Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: B3

 

Celeste #2: Another young shop girl, gossipy and flirtatious. Her friendship with the other Celeste is strained when they fight over the Soldier and his companion.Age: 18 to 30

Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: A3

 

Louise: Jules and Yvonne's spoiled little girl. She faces neglect and abuse from her parents, despite being honest. 

Age: 8 to 12

Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Franz: Jules's German coachman and Freida's husband. Disgruntled with his job. Has a bit of a temper and secretly yearns for the Nurse.

Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: B2

 

Frieda: Jules and Yvonne's cook and Franz's wife. Caring and positive as a surrogate nanny to Louise. Forced by Jules into an affair. 

Age: 35 to 55

Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Soldier: A French military man, polite and gentlemanly. Close with his companion, though he yearns for a separation. 

Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: A2

 

Louis: A baker who Dot starts seeing to make George jealous. Kind, friendly, and very popular, but a bit dull. 

Age: 35 to 55

Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: B2