Book & Lyrics by ROBERT L. FREEDMAN Music & Lyrics by STEVEN LUTVAK Directed by Jessy Reaves Musical Direction by Jeff Hoh

Audition Dates: Feb 23 & 24, 2020Performance Dates: Apr 23-May 10, 2020

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

AUDITION INFORMATION

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CONTENTS WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3ABOUT OUR AUDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4THE PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5ABOUT THE DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5IMPORTANT DATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6CHARACTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SIDE 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9SIDE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11SIDE 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13SIDE 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14SIDE 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16SIDE 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19AUDITION FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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Thank you for your interest in auditioning for a Theatre Tallahassee production!

If you’ve auditioned for us before, welcome back!

If this is your first time auditioning at Theatre Tallahassee, we’re thrilled to have you! We’ve been around now for 70 years, and we wouldn’t have lasted so long without new people, new talent, and new voices.

Whether you’re a veteran performer who just moved to town or you’ve never been on stage before but really want to try, we’d like to encourage you to audition for shows at Theatre Tallahassee.

We’re aware that auditioning can be an overwhelming experience, even if you’ve done it a hundred times before. We’ve put this information booklet together for you to help you learn a little more about the play, the characters you will be reading for, and to give you some idea of what to expect during auditions.

Please read over the character list and director’s comments, and pay attention to any specific audition requirements for this show. Then review any script sides provided. We’ve included a printable audition form at the back of this information booklet that you can fill out and bring with you. You may also bring a headshot and/or resume, if you have one, but they are not required.

Break a leg!

WELCOME

BECOME A PART OF OUR LEGACY...

We’ve been around for over 70 years, and produced more than 460 shows.

This season, we hope you’ll become part of our Theatre Tallahassee family.

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ABOUT OUR AUDITIONS

Theatre Tallahassee auditions are open — we try our best to discourage directors from pre-casting roles.

Know what you’re auditioning for . Most directors provide script sides in this packet for you to study ahead of time. Do a little research online about the play. We also keep copies of the script at the theatre, so if you would like the opportunity to read it ahead of time, you can drop by during business hours and we’ll let you peruse it at Theatre Tallahassee.

Audition requirements may vary from show to show . Some directors like cold readings. Some might ask for monologues. For musicals, you may be asked to bring music, or wear dance clothes. Read the audition notes in this booklet to be prepared.

Audition formats vary depending on director . Some directors prefer closed auditions, where you will wait in another room until you are called in. Others like having everyone in one room. During closed auditions, if you bring someone to support you they may be asked to wait in the other room (unless you are a minor).

We know that it can be disappointing not to get a part . We always have more people audition than we have roles for, and there are many factors that directors have to weigh when casting. We encourage you to audition often. Just because you weren’t right for one role, doesn’t mean that you won’t be perfect for another.

We encourage you to get involved in other ways . Helping paint or build sets, costumes or props, working backstage, or volunteering to usher are great ways to meet people, network, and become part of our theatre family.

We look forward to seeing you on stage. Break a leg!

This production is part of Theatre Tallahassee’s Mainstage season. If you’ve never performed on our Mainstage, here’s a quick list of what you should know.

• Mainstage productions are performed in our main auditorium, which seats approximately 270 people.

• Rehearsals usually start about 5-6 weeks before the show opens.

• Opening night is usually held on a Thursday evening.

• Performances run for three weekends, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The second Saturday is a double show day, with both a matinee and an evening performance. Sundays are matinees.

MAINSTAGESEASON SHOWS

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Based on Roy Horniman’s novel Israel Rank, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder finds Monty Navarro, a British commoner, discovering that he’s ninth in line to inherit the Earldom of Highhurst and electing to murder the members of the odious D’Ysquith family standing in his way. In the process Monty keeps a mistress, Sibella Hallward, and courts the comely young Phoebe D’Ysquith.

This delightful musical black comedy is all the things we love about British humor in a two and a half hour romp through the English Countryside with Monty. The entire show is told through his memoirs of his many murders and few loves. This show is a great opportunity for people to show off their flexibility as performers as the ensemble will play at least six roles a piece and one character even gets to die in eight hilarious ways!

THE PLAY

JESSY REAVES

Jessy Reaves has been around the Tallahassee theatre scene for over ten years. She has sat at the right hand of numerous directors new and old in that time, as well as taking her turn onstage. She trained as a stage manager at the university of Central Florida and briefly worked professionally in Utah and NYC before returning home. She has been coordinating the many events that take place here at Theatre Tallahassee for the past two years.

JEFF HOH

Jeff Hoh has been a frequent performer and music director in the Tallahassee theatre community for over a decade, having conducted or appeared in 20 shows since 2009. Previous music directing credits include The Producers, La Cage aux Folles, and Evita at Theatre Tallahassee; Chicago, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, and Annie at Quincy Music Theatre; the Rocky Horror Show with FSUSTA; and most recently, Fun Home with New Stage Theatreworks. A classically trained musician, Jeff has also sung with Opera Tampa, the Florida State Opera, Walt Disney World's Encore, and numerous ill-fated a cappella groups. He holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Florida and Arts Administration from Florida State University.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

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IMPORTANT DATES

OTHER

AUDITIONS Sun, Feb 23 & Mon, Feb 24 at 7pm please arrive 10-20 min early for sign-in

Call Backs Tues, Feb 25 at 7pm By director invitation only.

REHEARSAL PERIOD Feb 27-Apr 22 7-10pm, Mon-Fri, some weekends NOTE: See calendar for potential rehearsal dates. Subject to change after casting.

Tech Week Apr 13-18 Crew integration, cue-to-cue, tech rehearsals & sitzprobe. Please try to avoid schedule conflicts during this week

Dress Rehearsals April 20-22 required attendance

PERFORMANCES Apr 23-26 May 1-3 May 7*, 8-10 Weeknight and Saturday evening performances are at 8 pm, with a 6:30 pm call time. Second Saturday and Sunday matinee performances are at 2 pm, with a 12:30 pm call time. *Benefit performance

Pick Up Rehearsals Apr 30 & May 6 Held at director & stage manager’s discretion. Keep dates open.

Closing & Strike May 10 Cast & Crew are required to participate in show strike. Please keep this evening free of conflicts.

Actors must be able to commit to all

performance dates & tech/dress rehearsals .

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

FEBRUARY

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MONTAGUE "MONTY" NAVARRO - Male 20-35 (baritone/tenor A2-A4) Handsome, clever, charismatic, vulnerable and endearing. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst, and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. (Must be ok with kissing onstage.)

MISS SHINGLE - Female 40-60 (soprano/mezzo A3- A5) A worldly woman. She has seen a lot of life but still knows how to get what she wants.

SIBELLA HALLWARD - Female 20-30 (soprano/mezzo F#3 -A5) A bubbly and determined young woman. She embodies the very nature of her favorite color PINK! She and Monty have been lovers for years. (Must be ok with kissing onstage)

PHOEBE D'YSQUITH - Female 20-30 (soprano B3-C#6) A young woman raised to privilege and of deep feeling. She is Monty's cousin but not in the line of succession.

D'YSQUITH - Male, 20-50 (baritone B2-F4) Plays all of the following roles:

ASQUITH D'YSQUITH, JR - a dandy LORD ADALBERT D'YSQUITH - eighth earl of HighhurstREVEREND LORD EZEKIEL D'YSQUITH -a clergymanLORD ADALBERT D'YSQUITH, SR - an elderly bankerHENRY D'YSQUITH - a country squireLADY HYACINTH D'YSQUITH - a benefactressMAJOR LORD BARTHOLOMEW D'YSQUITH, - a bodybuilderLADY SALOME D'YSQUITH PUMPHREY - an actressCHANCEY D'YSQUITH - a janitor

ENSEMBLE - 3 men and 3 women. Ages 20-50. Each ensemble member gets a featured role, plus numerous other roles, including mourners, ancestors, tailors, clerks, guards, tourists, etc.

WOMAN 1: Tour Guide and othersWOMAN 2: Lady Eugenia D'ysquith (Countess of Highhurst) and othersWOMAN 3: Miss Evangeline Barley (a chorus girl) and othersMAN 1: Tom Copley (a farmer) and othersMAN 2: Chief Inspector Pinckney (of Scotland Yard) and othersMAN 3: Magistrate and others

CHARACTERSall roles open to

any ethnicity

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AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

Please prepare 16 bars of a song in a similar style to the show, and bring sheet music. A piano accompanist will be provided. Please, no recorded accompaniment or unaccompanied auditions.

Auditions will consist of your prepared song and reading from the script sides. Please do NOT memorize the sides.

As this show has very (very) minimal dancing and choreography, we will not be having a dance portion to these auditions.

Call backs are by director invitation only.

Regarding Accents: This show takes place entirely in England. You will be required to perform with a British accent. Please come prepared to try your best one out on us. Your ability to perform with the accent is more import than whether you look like a typical English Rose. We encourage everyone to come out.

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SIDE 1MONTY

MISS SHINGLE

Pronounciation: D'Ysquith = "Die-squith"

MISS SHINGLEIf there's a sorrier street in all of Clapham, I'm sure I've never seen it.

MONTYPardon me, madam, but do we know one another?

(MISS SHINGLE removes her outer garments, making herself quite at home.)

MISS SHINGLEOnly since the moment you were given birth by your sweet mother.

MONTYYou knew Mother? I ... I've only just returned from her funeral.

MISS SHINGLEMy poor dear Isabel, bless her soul.

(Grabs his face affectionately.)Look at himself, all grown up and handsome as the devil.

(MISS SHINGLE takes a seat, exhausted from her journey.)

MONTYHow is it you knew Mother, Missus ... ?

MISS SHINGLEMiss. Shingle. Marietta Shingle ... ?

MONTYOf course! Miss Shingle! She spoke of you often — and how she looked

forward to your letters!

MISS SHINGLEAnd I hers, I assure you.

(Removing her hat.)You were going to offer me a spot of tea, were you?

MONTYYou must forgive my manners, Miss Shingle. Mother always had a kettle

on.

MISS SHINGLEAnd if you could spare a biscuit or two, I'm sure I wouldn't mind.

(MlSS SHINGLE takes in the faded gentility of the parlor for the first time and shakes her head sadly.)

I knew you and your mother were having a rough time of it, but I didn't know it had come to this. Have you any prospects, love?

MONTYMother always dreamt I should go to Oxford or Cambridge somehow.

(Realizing sadly:)It seems rather unlikely now.

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MISS SHINGLEThere's nothing your mother wouldn't have done for you.

MONTYI hardly know how I shall go on without her.

MISS SHINGLE(SHE eyes him admiringly.)

You rather favor your father ... physically, I mean .

MONTYDid you know my father? He died when I was but seven .

MISS SHINGLEOnly met him once, love. Castilian, you know. As dashing a face and figure

as you will ever see.(A heavy sigh.)

Tell me, love, what do you know of your mother's family?

MONTYMother never spoke of them. Must've been curs and mountebanks. Horse

thieves, at the very least.

MISS SHINGLEWell, not exactly. Have you heard of the D'Ysquith family?

MONTYThe D'Ysquiths? Why, yes, of course, hasn't everyone?

MISS SHINGLEThen you've heard of Highhurst Castle?

MONTYOf course.

MISS SHINGLEYou're aware, then, of their position? Their vast wealth and influence?

MONTYYes, yes, what's it got to do with me?

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SIDE 2MONTYSIBELLA

(MAID)

MONTYSibella, something miraculous has happened.

SIBELLAWhat?

MONTYIt's too fantastic. I've just learned that I am in the line of succession to

become Earl of Highhurst.

SIBELLAEarl? Of Highhurst?!

MONTYYes! It seems that Mother was a D'Ysquith! Which means I am a

D'Ysquith, too!

SIBELLAMy mother is the Queen of Sheba. I believe that makes me Princess of

Babylon.

MONTYYou shouldn't make fun. It's true. And there are only eight people before

me in succession. Which means, I could be Earl someday.

SIBELLA(Laughing:)

And pigs might fly! As if you could've been a D'Ysquith all your life and not know it.

MONTYI realize how it sounds -

SIBELLAAs if you could ever be an Earl. Eight people would have to die for that to

happen!How likely is that?

(MONTY takes his hat as if to leave. SIBELLA doesn't want him to go.)Oh, now don't go yet ... your Lordship.

MONTYWhere are you off to, in your pink dress?

SIBELLATo meet a friend. With a motorcar.

MONTYDoes this friend have a name?

SIBELLALionel Holland.

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(MONTY'S jaw tightens.)You're jealous of him, I can tell. Because he has a motorcar. And he's rich.

And good looking. Is it really true, about you being a D'Ysquith?

MONTYOf course it is. I'll show you the papers, if you like.

SIBELLANo, if you say it's true, of course I'll believe you.

(Tenderly:)Darling, we barely spoke at the funeral. Are you quite all right? I should be

inconsolable if I'd lost my mother.

(HE leans forward, pulls her face to his, and kisses her. SIBELLA'S arms go around his neck. After a moment, THEY release each other.)

MONTYSibella, I think it's time you took me seriously.

SIBELLAOh, Monty. The man I marry will have wealth and position.

MONTYI will have wealth and position.

SIBELLAWhat would we live on until then?

MONTYSibella, has it never occurred to you to marry for love?

SIBELLANow you' re being cruel.

(Suddenly, a MAID enters. THEY separate immediately.)

SIBELLA'S MAIDMiss Hallward, Mr. Lionel Holland is here for you.

SIBELLAAnd right on time. If only he weren't so predictable.

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SIDE 3MISS BARLEY

ASQUITH JRMONTY

MISS BARLEYJust fancy, Asquith, three whole days at the lake together! It will be

perfect, won't it?(MONTY follows at a discreet distance.)

ASQUITH JR.Chizzlemere is extraordinary out of season and quite private—the hotel register has an unrivalled list of false names. I trust you don't mind our

being discreet.

MISS BARLEYI've never known a man to take such care with my reputation ...

(MONTY approaches the couple as MUSIC fades out.)

MONTYPardon me, Miss, but don't I know you from somewhere?

ASQUITH JR.(Mortified:)

Certainly not! What are you insinuating, you insignificant upstart?!(ASQUITH JR. steers MISS BARLEY away from MONTY)

MONTYI meant no offense, I assure you.

ASQUITH JR.Were you raised in a shanty town by some chee-chee punkah wallah?!

MISS BARLEY(Noticing something:)

Oh, Asquith, look-! There are people skating on the lake! Doesn't it look fun?!

ASQUITH JR.(Uninterested:)

What a shame we didn't bring our skates.

MISS BARLEYWe can rent them, right on the dock!

ASQUITH JR.It's getting a bit late, don't you think?

(Suggestively:)Nearly time for beddy-bye.

MISS BARLEYOh, Assie, please, please, please let's!

ASQUITH JR.Oh, all right, crumpet. I say, may I warm my hands in your muff?

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SIDE 4PHOEBEMONTY

PHOEBEOh ... !

(Love at first sight?)

MONTY & PHOEBE (At the same time:)

Oh ...(MUSIC fades out.)

MONTYDo pardon me ...

(Courtly:)Miss D'Ysquith, I presume ... ?

PHOEBE You are ... ?

MONTYMr. Navarro. But please, do call me Monty.

PHOEBEMy brother tells me you are a cousin?

MONTYYes. My mother was Isabel D'Ysquith.

PHOEBEIsabel. Forgive me, but I don't recall ever hearing about her.

MONTYShall I tell you why?

PHOEBEI wish you would.

MONTYYou see, my father was considered ... unsuitable. Because my mother

married for love and not for money or property.

PHOEBEThey cut her off.

MONTYWithout a schilling. They ever after behaved as if she and I had never

even been born.

PHOEBEWhy, Mr. Navarro ...

MONTYI warned your brother you ... may not care to receive me ...

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PHOEBEOn the contrary, I am most intrigued. What a beautiful story. Horrid, yes,

I'm certain, but still beautiful: she dared to marry for love! Tell me, did your father have his own fortune, or were you quite penniless?

(HE hesitates.)You must forgive me; Henry often scolds me for being indelicate.

MONTYNot at all. My father left no legacy; he died when I was quite young. But

we managed to scrape by, Mother and I.

PHOEBEWhen I think of the indignities you've suffered. It must have inspired an

awful resentment of the upper classes.(Admonishing herself)

Oh no! There I go again! And now I'm making assumptions about you, when there's nothing I despise more than people making assumptions

about me.(PHOEBE sits on a vine and flower bedecked swing.)

I know they talk about me in the village. They see a girl who's rich and from an important family and not unattractive and they assume ... well,

they assume a lot of things.(MUSIC starts under.)

The truth is ... none of them know me at all. Not who I truly am.

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SIDE 5LORD ADALBERT

LADY EUGENIAMONTYPHOEBESIBELLA

LORD ADALBERTThe venison is too rich. Take it away!

(Belching.)This cook will kill me yet.

(MONTY nearly chokes on his food.)So—what do you make of the castle, Novello?

MONTYOh, it's magnificent. Don't you think so, Phoebe?

PHOEBEOh, yes, marvelous!

LADY EUGENIAIt's falling apart and reeks of mildew.

(A beat.)Not unlike my husband.

LORD ADALBERTThe men who have defended these walls! And brought honour to the

name of D'Ysquith!(LORD ADALBERT gestures to the medieval weaponry in the room.)You see that broadsword over there? Roland, the second Earl,

eviscerated his very own brother!

LADY EUGENIAReally, Adalbert!

LORD ADALBERTThat crossbow? Belonged to my grandfather Charles. The details of the

accident remain rather vague ...

LADY EUGENIALet's leave it at that, shall we?

(LORD ADALBERT gets up from the table and takes a rifle off the wall.)

LORD ADALBERTAnd I must show you the weapon l used to defend the Empire during the

Boer War.

LADY EUGENIAReally, Adalbert, must you?

(To her GUESTS:)I beg you, I beg you not to encourage him!

LORD ADALBERTIt was the battle of Majuba Hill back in '81. The Boers stormed the

mountain, we were completely surrounded.(Reliving it:)

In the panic , Jurgen, my loyal young Transvaalian valet, suddenly

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revealed himself as a Boer. He was a turncoat, cornering me with my own weapon ...

(HE handles it lovingly.)Martini-Henry Mark II! Ever fired one?

(HE points it at EVERYONE around the table.)

LADY EUGENIAAdalbert, sit down at once .

(HE does.)

LORD ADALBERTYes, l have looked death in the face. And death looked right back.

(MUSIC starts under.)

LADY EUGENIAHere we go again ...

PHOEBEOh, this trifle is delicious!

(LORD ADALBERT looks as if HE might eat his dessert, but then pushes it toward SIBELLA).

LORD ADALBERT(Patting his stomach.)

If I eat this, Lord knows I'll pay for it later. Here.

SIBELLANo dessert for me. Mr. Holland complains if I gain even an ounce.

LORD ADALBERTNonsense! You have the figure of a teenage boy! This is the best trifle in

England! I insist!(To MONTY'S horror, ADALBERT gives SIBELLA his own dish of trifle, which HE

hasn't touched.)

SIBELLAWell, I suppose, just this once. It is a special occasion.

(Panicked, MONTY reaches for the dish of trifle before SIBELLA can eat any. HE fumbles and spills it in the center of the table.)

Mr. Navarro!

PHOEBEMonty, what are you doing?

MONTYPardon me, so clumsy!

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SIDE 6MONTY

INSPECTOR

MONTYAnd so I became Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro, Ninth Earl of

Highhurst. And, of course, Phoebe became Lady Navarro, Countess of Highhurst. I confess that at times it almost seemed as if it had all been

God's will.(A MAN looking a bit out of place approaches MONTY quietly.)

INSPECTORMy congratulations, your lordship. I wonder if I might have a word with

you, in private.

MONTYTerribly sorry, have we met... ?

INSPECTORI shouldn't think so. Chief Inspector Pinckney, Scotland Yard. You are the

Earl of Highhurst, are you not?(MONTY guides the INSPECTOR out of PHOEBE'S earshot, speaking softly.)

MONTYMay I ask what this is regarding?

INSPECTORSo sorry to interrupt such a festive occasion, but I am under strict

instructions to arrest you. For murder.

MONTYMurder, did you say?

INSPECTORI'm afraid so, your lordship.

MONTYMurdering whom?

INSPECTORLord Adalbert D'Ysquith, eighth Earl of Highhurst.

MONTYBut surely the Earl died of a heart attack...

INSPECTORNo, your lordship. It was foul play.

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A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER Book & Lyrics by ROBERT L. FREEDMAN Music & Lyrics by STEVEN LUTVAK

Based on a novel by Roy Horniman

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, MTI.

Director: Jessy Reaves Music Director: Jeff HohAsst. Director/Scenic Design: Melissa Findley Stage Manager: Lizzie Cochran Lighting Design: Patrick Campbell Sound Design: Brian Davis Costume Design: Makenzie Vaughn Choreography: Darci Brown

Theatre Tallahassee1861 Thomasville RoadTallahassee, Florida 32303

Box Office: 850-224-8474Admin: 850-224-4597

Theatre Tallahassee .orgFacebook .com/TheatreTallahassee

Twitter .com/TheatreTLH

CREDITS

THE THEATRE

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AUDITION FORMPlease fill out this form and bring it with you to auditions.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY and make sure your email address is legible.

Name:

Previous Experience: (you may attach a resume instead)

Other Skills (For this show in particular, please list any and all accents/dialects you can do that are applicable)

If not cast, would you be willing to assist backstage? o Yes o No

Can you read music? o Yes o No

Schedule Conflicts: (please list ALL schedule conflicts: vacations, weddings, school, work, etc.)

How did you hear about these auditions?

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email:

I prefer to be contacted via: (check all that apply) o phone call o emailo text message

Age:

Height:

Preferred Pronouns: o she/her o he/him o they/them o other:

Auditioning for the following roles:

Will you accept another role if offered:

Vocal Range:

Are you willing to change your hair/facial hair?