OPEN AUDITIONS
New Stage Theatre will be holding open auditions on Saturday, September 17 for its upcoming musical SOUND OF MUSIC for youth and adults.
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Youth ages 6 – 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Women at 2:30 p.m.
Men at 3:30 p.m.
Those wishing to audition should email submissions@newstagetheatre.com for an audition appointment.
Auditions will be at the theatre’s 1100 Carlisle Street; Jackson, MS 39202 address. For more information please call New Stage Theatre auditions line at 601-948-3533 ext. 236.
Auditioners will sing and read a scene from the show and do not need to prepare an audition monologue or song.
The show begins rehearsals on November 10, opens on December 6 and runs through December 21. There will also be performances between January 5 through January 13.
The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters gradually captures the heart of the Captain and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides a thrilling and inspirational finale.
Scroll down for character descriptions.
CASTING NOTICE
New Stage Theatre is accepting submissions from actors for the following shows and roles. Actors should email photo and resume to submissions@newstagetheatre.com, listing the show and character in subject line that they have interest in. Actors will be notified if further information is needed. Actors may be requested to submit a video audition or asked to attend an in person audition. Go to our home page, scroll down to the bottom, and sign up to receive our email newsletter to receive more information about auditions.
The Glass Menagerie
Rehearsals begin on October 4, 2022
Casting Breakdown
Tom Wingfield: Male, 24-35. The play’s narrator, he recounts memories of his family to the audience. Languishing in a dead end job in the shoe warehouse, Tom is a restless dreamer, torn between his responsibility to his family and chasing his desires. Explosive, mercurial, lonely, he is deeply devoted to his sister and constantly at odds with his mother.
Amanda Wingfield: Female, 50-65. An aging Southern belle clinging to her memories of a more genteel time and place. Deserted by her husband, she is left alone to care for her two children. She is a fierce survivor scraping by to make ends meet. Amanda is both sensitive and harsh. She is charming and displays a sense of humor yet, she can succumb to bouts of manipulation and cruelty.
Laura Wingfield: Female, 28-35. Sensitive and painfully shy. A childhood illness has left her physically impaired. She seeks refuge from reality in an imaginary world of glass animals and old records. She is a gentle and kind soul with a tender regard for her mother and brother.
The Gentleman Caller/Jim O’Connor: Male, 25-35. A co-worker of Tom’s from the warehouse and a former classmate of Laura’s. He is your average, everyday, nice guy. He has an easygoing demeanor. His popularity and promise peaked in high school but, he continues to approach the world with a positive outlook.
The Glass Menagerie
American Classic
By Tennessee Williams
Show Dates: October 25 – November 6, 2022
The Sound of Music
Rehearsals begin on November 12, 2022
Casting Breakdown
ADULT ROLES
Maria Rainer: Female (musical theatre mix/soprano, 20-35) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle, and kind with much determination.
Captain Georg von Trapp: Male (baritone, 35-45) A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.
Max Detweiller: Male (tenor/baritone, 30+) Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.
Elsa Schrader: Female (mezzo soprano, 35-45) A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified, and mature.
Mother Abbess: Female (legit soprano, wide vocal range, 40+) Motherly, understanding, strong, and authoritative, but kind.
Sister Berthe: Female (alto) Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.
Sister Margaretta: Female (mezzo) Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding, and concerned.
Sister Sophia: Female (soprano) Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
Franz: Male (30+) The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.
Frau Schmidt: Female (30+) The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating.
Herr Zeller: Male (40+) Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Ursula: Female (20+) A maid of the von Trapps.
Baron Elberfeld: Male (40+) Austrian who is aghast of what he sees as the German invasion
Baroness Elberfeld: Female (40+) The Baron’s wife
Frau Ullrich (30+): Female Dinner companion of Herr Zeller
Admiral von Schrieber: Male (40+) of the German Navy. Has a mission, and is there to do it, but not as stern as Herr Zeller.
Rolf Gruber: Male (low tenor, 17) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
CHILDREN’S ROLES
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dance, 16) The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings.
Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (age 13) Rebellious attitude.
Kurt von Trapp (age 10, falsetto) Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) Smart, reads a lot.
Marta von Trapp (age 7) Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (age 6) Must have the cute factor.
The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Show Dates: December 6 – December 21, 2022 & January 5 – January 12, 2023
Every Brilliant Thing
Rehearsals begin on February 21, 2023
Casting Breakdown
Narrator: any gender, 40-50. The title “narrator” is provided by the playwright for “ease of reading,” but it is never used in the play. Grounded, authentic, and truthful storyteller. They are present in real time and space in the room in which the play takes place. They are compassionate and smart. They bring a spontaneous sense of play and discovery to the storytelling, playing with the people and objects found in the room at any given performance. Comfortable with audience interaction, and experienced at improvisation.
Every Brilliant Thing
by Duncan Macmillan
Show Dates: March 14 – March 26, 2023
FENCES
Rehearsals begin on March 28, 2023
Casting Breakdown
Troy Maxson: Male, late 40’s-60. Former baseball star in the Negro Leagues, now works for the sanitation department, lifting garbage into truck. Husband to Rose, father to Lyons, Cory, and Raynell, and brother to Gabriel, and best friend to Jim Bono. Some singing.
Rose Maxson: Female, 35-45. Troy’s wife and mother of his second child, Cory. African American housewife, who volunteers at her church regularly and loves her family. Rose’s request that Troy and Cory build a fence in their small, dirt backyard comes to represent her desire to keep her loved-ones close to her love. She has high hopes for her son, Cory and sides with him in his wish to play football. Some singing
Cory Maxson: Male, 15-18. Troy and Rose Masons’ son. A senior in high school. An ambitious young man who has the talent and determination to realize his dreams, Cory comes of age during the course of the play when he challenges and confronts Troy and leaves home.
Lyons Maxson: Male, 27–35. Troy’s son from a previous relationship. Lyons is an ambitious and talented jazz musician. He grew up without Troy for much of his childhood because Troy was in prison. Lyons, like most musicians, has a hard time making a living.
Gabriel Maxson: Male, 40-55. Troy’s younger brother. Gabriel was a soldier in the Second World War, during which he received a head injury that required a metal plate to be surgically implanted into his head. He often thinks he is not a person, but the angel Gabriel who opens the gates of heaven with his trumpet for Saint Peter on Judgment Day. Gabriel exudes a child-like exuberance and a need to please. Some singing.
Jim Bono: Male, late 40’s-65. Troy’s best friend of over thirty years. Jim Bono is usually called “Bono” or “Mr. Bono” by the characters in Fences. Bono and Troy met in jail, where Troy learned to play baseball. He is married to a woman named Lucille, who is friends with Rose. Bono is a devoted husband and friend.
Raynell Maxson: Female, 7-10. Troy’s child, mothered by Alberta, his lover, who passed away while giving birth. Her innocent need for care and support convinces Rose to take Troy back into the house. Some singing.
Fences
By August Wilson
Show Dates: April 18 – April 30, 2023
RING OF FIRE
Rehearsals begin on May 9, 2023
Casting Breakdown
Trenna: Female vocalist, doubling on acoustic guitar if possible
Jason: Male vocalist playing acoustic guitar
Dave: Male vocalist playing electric guitar, banjo, and fiddle
Eddie: Male vocalist playing acoustic and electric guitar
Mark: Male vocalist playing bass (preferably double bass but electric bass can be used) and various percussion
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash
Musical created by Richard Maltby, Jr.
conceived by William Meade
Show Dates: May 30 – June 11, 2023
To receive more information about auditions, go to our home page, scroll down to the bottom, and sign up to receive our email newsletter.
Actors interested in future auditions should send their photo and resume to submissions@newstagetheatre.com. New Stage also sees professional actors in New York City by appointment, at the UPTA auditions in Memphis each February, and at SETC in March. Auditions for Unframed are ongoing and information can be found on the Unframed at New Stage Theatre Facebook page. Artistic and production personnel may submit picture and/or resume to Artistic Director Francine Reynolds at submissions@newstagetheatre.com. To receive information about future auditions sign up to receive our e-newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page.
Thank you for your interest in New Stage Theatre.