Tonight!

Tonight is the first round of auditions. I’m not sure why I’m so concerned about these auditions. I’m guessing it’s because the roles for kids are so important and I want just the right actors.

Many plays don’t have what seems to be such unique roles, so a number of different people could play any given part. We’ve been so incredibly fortunate to find actors for all the roles in the last 20 years, though there have been a few times I wasn’t so sure. I try very hard to cast from the people who audition, but I believe I have an obligation to the people who buy tickets to find the very strongest match for reach role.

A few scary moments come to mind. We were auditioning for THE ELEPHANT MAN a number of years ago. The role of David Merrick is unique: he spends most of his time on stage nearly naked! So, how do I determine if an actor is comfortable on stage with nothing on but a loose diaper-like thing? I asked the actors who auditioned to take off their shirts. Jeez…talk about uncomfortable…and a situation that could gender some rumors. Not many young men auditioned for that role; and none of them had the quiet intensity that I was looking for. So I cast all the other roles and began rehearsals…without a title character. We were well into rehearsals when we came across a young man named Jason Auman. He was brilliant…just the right dignity and poise and anguish…and he was comfortable on stage in just an oversized diaper.

No costume issues—or lack thereof—in this play, but other considerations.

I’ve had three people call in the past few days to indicate they’d like to audition: NEW people! This is encouraging. One mother called and indicated her son would like to audition, but is concerned about the crude language and the fact that he is Catholic. This is why I’m insisting parents read the play.

I read through the play again this morning to finalize the scenes I’ll have people read for auditions, and once again was reminded how much I love this play.  I’m looking forward to tonight. (Did I mention that there have been some audition nights when NO ONE showed up?)

Comments

[Herb Johnson]

This is a great play. Wish I could indeed fit one of the "parts" but makeup can only go so far!!! But... I'm always happy to help out behind the scenes as well. Let me know what needs to be done.