2019-2020 Season Auditions for Birnton Theatricals
Birnton Theatricals is excited to announce the auditions for their 2019-2020 season production. Birnton Theatricals mandate is to produce theatre and offer educational programming that introduces kids and young adults to the power and magic of live theatre and drama. Our goal is to not only foster the development of beginning artists but also to excite a young generation into becoming lifelong patrons of the arts.
We have a variety of productions on the go this season so we thought we would do all the auditions at once.
Our productions include:
for the Crayon Series: 2 kids productions for Stage West for Kids
for the Mosaic Series: The Other Josh Cohen performed at the Studio Theatre at Vertigo Theatre
Please see below for more information about each project.
Each project will be cast as a stand-alone production although artists are welcome to audition for any or all of the projects.
Auditions for roles will take place:
Tuesday, August 6 (6:30-10pm)
Wednesday, August 7 (6:30-10pm)
Audition location: TBA
Audition Requirements:
- Prepare a musical theatre song for the audition
- Bring your own recorded accompaniment (playback available through headphone jack)
- One comic or children’s theatre monologue
- If you play an instrument please prepare a piece to demonstrate it.
- If just interested in The Other Josh Cohen please prepare two contrasting songs.
- Please email your resume and headshot when booking audition
- Actors must be over 18.
To book an audition, please visit www.birntontheatricals.com or email ailsa@birntontheatricals.com by Saturday, August 3, 2019
Note: Our Crayon Shows are Non-Equity Productions. Payment will be on a per show basis with an honorarium (equaling no less than minimum wage/hr) for the rehearsal period. Crayon Series rehearsals will be part time and flexible starting approx. 8-10 weeks prior to opening of each project and will take place at a TBD location. Rehearsals will take place mostly in the evenings and on weekends. The schedule will be created around artists’ individual schedules.
We are seeing Equity/non equity artists for our Mosaic show The Other Josh Cohen– The Canadian Premiere of the Off Broadway Musical. We will be contracting under an Indie Contract. The contract period for this show will be as follows:
Rehearsals February 24-March 16, 2020
Previews: March 17 and 18, 2020
Opens: March 19, 2020
Closing: April 4, 2020
Crayon Series
Production 1:
All I Want For Christmas is a Hippopotamus
Written and Directed by Chris Stockton
In co-production with Stage West for Kids
Everlee is NOT impressed when her family decides to take a tropical family vacation for Christmas instead of staying home. How are they supposed to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year without snow, a Christmas tree or turkey for dinner! When her parents tell her she can ask for anything she wants for Christmas since they won’t be at home, she decides to ask for a hippopotamus. A festive tale about looking for that perfect elusive Christmas gift, this family-friendly musical adventure will remind all of us that Christmas can take place anywhere as long as it’s with family and friends.
Characters:
Everlee (plays age 10-12) The older sister in the family. She has strong beliefs about Christmas being only one thing – snow, turkey, Christmas trees and presents! Full of energy and very opinionated.
Addi (plays age 8-10) The younger sister in the family. She wants to be just like her big sister but is trying to figure out things for herself too.
Dad (20’s to 30’s) Your stereotypical dad: sandals with socks, cheesy jokes and true desire to make everything right for his family
Mom (20’s to 30’s) A mom who wants to make sure that everything is perfect all of the time. Sometimes this leads to anxiety and frustration. She loves to travel but has never travelled this far with her girls before.
REHEARSALS: EVENINGS FLEXIBLE OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 22
MANDATORY TECH RUN: MONDAY NOVEMBER 18
OPENS: NOVEMBER 23
CLOSES: DECEMBER 24
Note all performers have to be comfortable singing and being able to move (dance).
Show Schedule:
Mon. Nov 18 evening tech rehearsal
Sat. Nov 23 – 12:15 pm
Sat. Nov 30 – 10:15 am
Sat. Nov 30 – 2:15 pm
Sat. Dec 7 – 10:15 am
Sat. Dec 7– 2:15 pm
Sat. Dec 14 – 10:15 am
Sat. Dec 14 – 2:15 pm
Mon. Dec 16- 7:15pm
Fri. Dec 20 – 12:15pm
Sat. Dec 21 – 10:15am
Sat. Dec 21 – 2:15pm
Mon. Dec 23 – 10:15am
Mon. Dec 23 – 7:15pm
Tues. Dec 24 – 10:15am
Tues. Dec 24 – 2:15pm
Note: Cast will be responsible for set up (prior to house opening 2.5 hours before show) and strike of each show.
Production 2:
Tortoise and Hare in The Great Race
Written by Chris Stockton
Directed by Scott Tod Directing Intern
In co-production with Stage West for Kids
Tortoise and Hare have lived near each other their entire lives but they have not always been friends. When Hare makes a mean comment about how fast Tortoise can move, Tortoise gets fed up and challenges Hare to a race around the world. With the help of their friend Fil the fly, the two set out on a great race around the world, complete with all sorts of detours and roadblocks along the way. This original take on the classic Aesop Fable, this musical adventure is for the whole family!
Characters:
Tortoise – a tortoise. Normally shy but more and more learning that they need to stand up for themselves. Determined but nervous and sometimes too hesitant.
Hare – a hare. Very outgoing and often doesn’t think before they speak. Overly confident to the point where it can get them in trouble.
Fil the Fly – a fly. The race organizer. Very trustworthy and organized. A friend to both Tortoise and Hare.
REHEARSALS: EVENINGS FLEXIBLE MARCH/APRIL 2020
MANDATORY TECH RUN: MAY 4, 2020
OPENS: MAY 9, 2020
CLOSES: JUNE 13, 2020
Show Schedule:
Mon.May 4- evening tech rehearsal
Sat. May 9- 12:15pm
Sat. May 16- 12:15pm
Sat. May 23- 12:15pm
Sat. May 30- 12:15pm
Sat. June 6- 12:15pm
Sat. June 13- 12:15pm
Note: Cast will be responsible for set up (prior to house opening 2.5 hours before show) and strike of each show.
Mosaic Series
Production 3
The Other Josh Cohen: The Canadian Premiere of the Off Broadway Musical
Book, Music and Lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen
Directed by Chris Stockton
March 18-April 4, 2020, Studio Theatre at Vertigo Theatre
From the moment you walk into the theatre, you’re immersed in the quirky world of Josh’s New York City apartment… as it is getting robbed. Thus begins this hilarious rock-and-roll romantic comedy about good guy Josh caught in a lifelong battle with bad luck. But just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious letter arrives that changes his life forever. A cast of mind-blowing actor-musicians leap in and out of the story playing almost as many parts as they do instruments. This funny, touching, hummable new musical comes to Calgary for the first time! Hailed by Jesse Green of The New York Times as “the spontaneously charming musical that is just right for right now.” The Other Josh Cohen is a 90-minute life-changing laughfest for the whole family that will leave you feeling better about the world.
Characters:
Narrator Josh: (Mid 30’s to 40’s) Male, Tenor/Baritone Confident, thin to medium build, good-looking and hopeful. At minimum able to play the guitar, additional instruments would be welcome.
Josh Cohen: (Mid 30’s to 40’s) Male, Tenor/Baritone Unconfident, overweight, pessimistic with a terrible moustache. Ability to play instruments an asset but not required.
Ensemble 1-5 – (VARIABLE 18-70 years old) Not gender dependent, Rock and Roll voices, play all of the additional characters in the life of Josh Cohen. All accompaniment will be played by performers in the show.
Fluency on multiple musical instruments is mandatory. (guitar, piano, bass, drums, – instruments such as accordion, ukulele, keytar, trumpet, saxophone would be assets but not mandatory)
REHEARSALS FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 16, 2020
PREVIEWS: MARCH 17 AND 18, 2020
OPENS: MARCH 19, 2020
CLOSING: APRIL 4, 2020
To book an audition for any or all of the above shows, please visit www.birntontheatricals.com or email ailsa@birntontheatricals.com by Saturday, August 3, 2019.
