Light in the Dark Theatre is holding auditions for our upcoming production of the original musical The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes by Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond.
This production will be performed at the 2023 Edmonton Fringe Festival in one of the assigned lottery venues.
About the Show:
Synopsis: The show follows Howard Barnes, who is a perfectly average man in his early thirties until the day that he awakens to discover his life has become a musical. Desperate to escape from the show, Howard embarks on a fantastical quest through the realm of musical theatre. Equal parts satire, romantic comedy, and love letter to the American musical, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes is intended for people who love musical theatre, and their spouses who hate it!
The soundtrack is available here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/35X7tTK4K7n4eazzv8lB6E?si=BcVsLjqAQZOpxXgkCRwmow
The rehearsal schedule for this production will be as follows:
- July 3-6: 6pm-10pm – music rehearsals
- July 10-13: 6pm-10pm – music rehearsals
- July 17-21: 6pm-10pm – blocking/choreo rehearsals
- July 24-28: 6pm-10pm – blocking/choreo rehearsals
- July 31-August 4: 9am-6pm – blocking/choreo rehearsals
- August 7-11: 9am-6pm
- August 13-15: Tech rehearsals (Times may vary due to the tech slot assigned by Fringe.)
- August 16: Dress rehearsal
- August 17-27: Performances (Times will vary due to the Fringe performance schedule.)
Rehearsal Location: TBD but within Edmonton city limits
Compensation: As an independent company, we believe in compensating artists as much as we can for their work. For this production, we will be operating as a profit share, with a minimum guaranteed payment amount. For each acting position, we offer a minimum payment of $100 plus one profit share. (The profit from this production will be divided equally among all the creative/artistic/performer/administrative positions.)
About the Audition:
Audition Dates & Times:
Friday, May 12th from 5pm-9pm
Saturday, May 13th from 1pm-5pm
Audition Location:
Allard Hall – MacEwan University – 11110 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1M9
For the audition, please prepare the following:
One monologue – (2 mins max)
One song – (32-64 bars – one verse and one chorus)
Reading of sides. Sides will be provided by email before the audition
Character Descriptions: (Roles require dancing, singing, and harmonizing)
(The role of Howard Barnes has already been cast.)
Maggie: (20s-Mid 30s, female-identifying, any ethnicity) – An aspiring actress. optimistic and a little quirky.
Grace: (20s-Mid 30s, female-identifying, any ethnicity) – Howard’s ex-girlfriend. poised, confident, and dignified. At times, also an ensemble member.
Von Schwartzenheim/Mysterious Janitor, Conductor & Homeless Man: (50s-70s, male-identifying or non-binary, any ethnicity) – A giant in the musical theatre industry and in his own mind. Also plays multiple mysterious older men. At times, is also an ensemble member.
Six Ensemble Members:
Neighbour & Ensemble #1: (20s-40s, male or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Howard’s chipper neighbor and an ensemble member.
Fitz & Ensemble #2: (20s-40s, male or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Howard’s obnoxious co-worker and an ensemble member.
Ensemble #3: (any age, female or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Will play multiple roles.
Ensemble #4: (any age, female or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Will play multiple roles.
Ensemble #5: (any age, male or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Will play multiple roles.
Ensemble #6/Female Soloist: (any age, female or non-binary identifying, any ethnicity) – Requires a high Broadway belt a la Defying Gravity in Wicked. Will play multiple roles.
Please do not let the above descriptions deter you from applying. Gender, ethnicity, age, and ability are quite flexible!
*If there are any potential barriers (language, ability, or any other considerations) preventing you from applying for this audition, please let us know, and we will work with you to find a suitable application process.
If you are interested in auditioning, please email your resume and headshot to Emily Marisabel at lightinthedarktheatre@gmail.com by Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 with the subject line: Audition – (your name). Please indicate in the email if you have an audition date/time preference. In the body of the email or on your resume, please also indicate your vocal range as such: Tenor – B2-B5. If you do not know your specific range, please just indicate your vocal classification. For example – Bass, Tenor, Alto, Soprano
Mandate & Hiring Statement:
Light in the Dark Theatre believes that light shines the brightest in the darkest of places. Therefore, we choose to share stories that illuminate hope, stories that make the glimmer of the world brighter, and stories that inspire an infectious flicker that continues to spread even after the curtain goes down.
Light in the Dark Theatre believes in the healing power of storytelling, and we view theatre as a spark that can ignite a more caring, understanding, compassionate, and empathetic humanity. Therefore, we choose to share stories that exemplify and inspire personal as well as community and societal healing, and we endeavour to provide creative environments where both artists and audiences are cared for physically, mentally, and emotionally.
We highly encourage submissions from those who identify as Indigenous, Black, or POC as well as 2SLGBTQIA+, Disabled/People with Disabilities, and/or Neuro-Divergent people.
For more information on Light in the Dark Theatre, please visit: www.lightinthedarktheatre.com
