Audition Opportunities: See Yourself on the Stage
Current Audition Opportunities
THE COTTAGE
by Sandy Rustin
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WHEN: Saturday May 30, Noon-2pm
WHERE: Cain Center for the Arts / 21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius
WHAT TO PREPARE: Auditions will consist of readings from the script. You can find these scenes HERE. Please familiarize yourself with all sides. No memorization needed. Printed copies will be made available.
If you have accessibility needs, please note how we can best accommodate you on the registration form below.
Registration is required for auditions. Please review the following production details and register at the link below by May 28th.
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Performances will be September 10-27 at the Armour Street Theatre, located at 307 Armour St, Davidson.
This production will be directed by Hanley Smith. Hanley is a Davidson College graduate who was in the premier cast of THE COTTAGE by Astoria Performing Arts Center in 2013!
Rehearsals will take place at the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius.
Rehearsals will be weeknights and weekends beginning August 4, with the exception of some potential scheduled dialect coaching via zoom the prior week.
A tentative rehearsal and performance schedule will be available on the registration form.
Having the time and resources to participate in community theatre can be straining and we want to make this art as accessible as we possibly can. Once cast, there is an opportunity to apply for a stipend through DCP's Actor Support Fund.
Got more questions? Contact Production Manager Carrie Cranford at carrie@davidsoncommunityplayers.org
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When infidelity slips on a banana peel!
Sylvia and Beau find themselves in an English countryside cottage for their yearly rendezvous, and Sylvia knows this time it will be the beginning of their new life together. But when Beau demurs on a shared future, and their spouses arrive at the cottage, she realizes that this home-away-from-home is a refuge for determining a new path forward. With a tip of the hat to Noël Coward and sex comedies of the past, THE COTTAGE offers a perfect showcase for six actors with endless laughs, hilarious twists, daring physical comedy, and a happy ending for lovers everywhere.
This show has a recommended viewing age of 13+
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All roles available. Director Hanley Smith seeks a diverse group of actors. All gender identities, body types, and ethnic or racial backgrounds are encouraged to audition. All characters will be coached in British RP/or RP working class. Please note that these roles require moments of physical intimacy (kissing, intimate touch, romantic chemistry/passion) and moments of physical violence (falling, slapping, fainting, handling/use of a prop gun). An intimacy coordinator and combat choreographer will be a part of staging these processes.
SYLVIA VAN KIPNESS (she/her) Mid 20’s-40’s. A “lovely and rash romantic.” Feminine, yet strong-willed, Sylvia's attempts at true love leave her frustrated and ever hopeful for a shocking turn of events.
BEAU (he/him) Mid 20’s-Late 40’s. “Perhaps the best looking man in Britain.” Logical to the point of pessimism. Beau is the type of fellow quite happy with the status quo, no matter what the status quo may be.
MARJORIE (she/her) Mid 20’s-40’s. EXTREMELY PREGNANT (8 Months), pragmatic and a tad spicy. Unflappable in every sense of the word. Unless of course, she's in labor.
CLARKE (he/him) Mid 20’s-Late 40’s. Distinguished gent with a lover’s spirit. Always aiming to please, Clarke's kind-heartedness may lead others to take him for a fool.
DIERDRE (she/her) 20’s-30’s. An awfully pretty, sometimes wise, nincompoop. Gullible is Diedre's middle name. She's awfully sweet, though, if you like that sort of thing. Surprisingly capable of unexpected clarity and insight.
RICHARD (he/him) 30’s-40’s. A “murderous, yet gentle soul.” Born to be half of a soul-mated duo, Richard is hell-bent on finding and keeping his true love (no matter what).
AUDITION WITH DCP
Join Us On Stage
DCP is a place where you in the audience can also have the chance to be on stage. Acting with DCP is largely volunteer-based, though financial assistance and actor stipends may be available depending on the show’s needs.
About Auditioning
DCP encourages everyone to audition for a show regardless of your acting experience. We want you to feel comfortable at auditions, and we strive to make this a rewarding experience for everyone.
In order to provide you with the best audition experience possible, we have compiled a few helpful hints and bits of information about the audition and rehearsal process.
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Read over the audition notice thoroughly. The audition information will provide details about character description, audition requirements, and general information about the rehearsal schedule.
Read the script and/or research the play. For non-musicals, directors generally ask for cold readings from sides, which are scene selections from the script, so familiarity with the script is certainly beneficial.
If you are auditioning for a musical, you will be asked to perform a song of your choice as well as participating in a group dance audition. You will need to provide sheet music for the accompanist at the audition. Choose a song that showcases your voice. Read the audition notice carefully to see if there is a particular style of song requested by the director. DCP offers musical theatre audition workshops, which are a great way to prepare for auditions!
Update your resume and headshot. Your resume should include your theatre and/or performance experience, if any. If you have special skills or training that is relevant to theatre, please list on the resume. Your headshot does not need to be professional; however, it is suggested that it be a recent photograph.
Pre-register for the audition if instructed to do so.
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Depending on the director, auditions may be run by appointment or as large group blocks.
For a non-musical, you will be asked to do cold readings with others who are auditioning.
For musicals, you will be asked to perform your musical selection and then learn and present a dance sequence. The director may ask you to do a cold reading as well.
If you are auditioning for a Connie Company production, you may be asked to participate in theatre games and improvisations.
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Some directors will schedule a “callback,” or second round of auditions. You will be notified by phone or email if you have been invited to a callback. Being called back does not mean you are cast in the production and likewise NOT being called back doesn’t mean that you are NOT cast in the production.
Casting the show is the responsibility of the director and, in the case of a musical, the music director.
Casting offers will be made by phone or email. After the cast is confirmed, the cast list will be posted publicly. DCP will send out notices to those who are not cast via email.
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Rehearsal schedules are variable, and we try to alternate schedules to provide accessible options to folks with all sorts of work and personal commitments. In general, plays rehearse 6 weeks and musicals 8-10 weeks. The director and stage manager will provide a rehearsal schedule ASAP following casting.
Actors are expected to disclose all conflicts prior to casting. No conflicts will be honored during tech week or performance weeks.
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For both professional and amateur actors, the results of an audition are largely out of your control. Directors must balance countless factors before defining a cast, and the strength of your audition is only one element.
So, do your best, have fun, and if you aren’t cast, don’t be discouraged. Come back next time!
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open. DCP encourages anyone who is interested to audition and we are always eager to welcome new faces and fresh talent to our stage. Except as specifically required by the playwright for certain roles, DCP provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.