Upcoming Opportunities
A Nice Family Gathering
By Phil Olson
Audition dates: October 2nd and 3rd
Location: Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. in Davidson
Audition Time: 7:00 pm
No appointment needed. Only need to attend one audition date.
Director-Stuart Jonap
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Please bring a recent headshot, a list of conflicts from the October thru December time frame, and a resume to the audition.
Performance dates: November 30 – Dec 17 at Armour Street Theatre
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
A Nice Family Gathering is a story about a man who loved his wife so much, he almost told her. It’s Christmas Day and the first family gathering at the Lundeen household since the Patriarch died. At the gathering, Dad comes back as a ghost with a mission; to tell his wife he loved her, something he neglected to tell her while he was alive. After all, they were only married for 41 years. The problem is, she can’t hear or see him. The trouble begins when Mom invites a date for dinner.
REGISTER FOR AUDITIONS HERE
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Dad: (60’s) He is recently deceased and is coming back as a ghost to deliver a message to his wife. He can only be seen by his son Carl. Sharp witted, comedic timing, some physical comedy.
Mom: (60’s) Grandmotherly type, sweet and still grieving her husband. She has some memory lapses that the rest of the family worries about but it’s all in good fun.
Carl: (early 30’s) Younger son. He is the only person who can see and communicate with Dad. He dreams of being a writer but has to drive a truck to earn a living. He has a strained relationship with Dad because Dad always favored Michael.
Michael: (late 30’s) Older son. He is a physician (as was his Dad) and is a workaholic. He favors the finer things in life. He and wife Jill are trying desperately to have a baby.
Stacy: (late 20’s) Youngest child. She is often neglected and is somewhat subdued but she has a secret that will be a huge surprise to the rest of the family.
Jill: (late 20’s-early 30’s) Michael’s wife. An emotional wreck due mainly to the fertility drugs she is taking. Crying one minute, laughing the next.
Jerry: (60’s) Mom’s invited guest to Christmas dinner. Dad’s former golfing buddy. He is constantly cracking jokes that only he laughs at.
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, Davidson Community Players has a non-discrimination casting policy, open to members of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations, and abilities. We encourage and welcome members of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to audition for our productions.
Auditioning at DCP
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.
- 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 a cold reading, 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. Attach the headshot to the back of the resume and bring to auditions.
- Unless otherwise noted, auditions are held at the Armour Street theatre. You will enter through the basement door nearest the gravel parking lot where you will be greeted by our audition assistant. You will sign in and be given a numbered audition form. Please fill out the form as completely as possible with special attention paid to the area where you list your conflicts.
- Depending on the director, you may be seen as part of a group or individually. 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 as dance and sing.
- If you are auditioning for a Connie Company production, you may be asked to participate in theatre games and improvisations.
- Some directors will schedule a "callback" or second round of auditions. Notification of callbacks will be made by phone within 24 hours of the final audition. 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 director and music director. Our DCP policy is that all casting decisions will be made within 72 hours of the final audition (or callback) unless there are extenuating circumstances. Casting offers will be made by a phone call. After the cast is confirmed, the cast list will be posted on the DCP website. DCP will send out notices to those who are not cast via email.
- DCP encourages and welcomes people of all races, genders and abilities to audition for all productions.
In general, plays rehearse 6 weeks and musicals 8-10 weeks. Rehearsals are usually held five days a week, Sunday-Thursday, in the evening. All rehearsals are held at the Armour Street theatre unless otherwise noted. The director will provide a rehearsal schedule at least two weeks in advance. Directors are encouraged to create rehearsal schedules taking into account the actor conflicts. The week prior to the production is "tech" week, which will be nightly rehersals until opening. A "brush up" rehearsal may be scheduled between the first and second week of the show.
Casting is the most difficult part of being a director. Directors agonize many hours over the casting process to ensure that the best choices are made for their particular production. Frequently a strong actor may not be cast because the actor does not fit the director's vision for the part, is physically mismatched with other cast members or has numerous conflicts. Please don't be discouraged if you are not cast for a production; just keep auditioning!
