Audition Packet
The Who’s Tommy
Music and Lyrics by Peter Townshend Book by Peter Townshend and Des McAnuff
Performed at the NorShor Theatre: July 9-26, 2020
Directed by Sean W. Byrd
Music Director: Kyle Picha Choreographer: Amber Burns
Sean W. Byrd is a Twin Cities based actor/director/educator since 1999. Sean is thrilled to be returning to Duluth having most recently been seen in Renegade’s production of Sylvia last summer and directing the Playhouse production of Our Town in 2017. In the Twin Cities, Sean recently directed A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol for Lyric Arts last fall, String for Yellow Tree Theatre, and the world premiere of Sam’s Son for Bucket Brigade Theatre. In 2012, he directed the world premiere of the original musical Stay Tuned which was written by the creators of Duluth’s own Take It With You. On stage, favorite roles include John Dodge in DalekoArts Theatre’s production of Middletown, Hannay in the Ivey Award winning production of The 39 Steps at Yellow Tree Theatre. Additionally, he appeared in Walking Shadow Theatre Company’s production of Compleat Female Stage Beauty that won the Ivey Award for Production Excellence. Along with his professional work, Sean is a faculty member in the Department of Theatre at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. Recent directing projects for the college include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noises Off, Circle Mirror Transformation, Dr. Seward’s Dracula, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, All Shook Up, Red, Known But to God (a World Premiere), Working, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Urinetown: the Musical. Sean is also active with the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, serving the upper Mid- West region as the Chair for National Playwriting Programs – which helps young playwrights find their voices in the landscape of 21st century American Theatre. Thanks, to all of you, for supporting the arts in Duluth! For more information, visit www.seanwbyrd.com.
Seeking a diverse cast of singers and dancers (18+). Performers of all races, genders, and ethnicities are encouraged to audition. All actors will receive pay. AEA and non-union welcome.
AUDITION INFORMATION WHEN: Saturday, February 22 10:00-2:00pm; Callbacks 3:00-6:00pm Sign up for a 5-minute time slot to sing (directions to sign up are below). If you do not know when you can come, feel free to attend without signing up - you will be seen between slots. You will be notified at singing audition if the Director wishes to call you back later that day.
*If you cannot make auditions, video auditions are accepted. Submit a song and include picture and resume. Forward to [email protected]. Audition Packet
WHERE: NorShor Theatre Rehearsal Studios. 211 East Superior Street, 3rd floor (skywalk level)
TIMES: • Young Tommy’s: 9am group call (should take about one hour) • Adult Singing Auditions: 10am-2pm (sign up for slot online) • Callbacks: 3pm-6pm (wear clothes to dance/move in and be prepared to sing from show)
FOR THE AUDITION: • Prepare 32 bars of a song in the same style of the show • Bring Sheet Music. An accompanist will be provided. • Be in dance clothes for callbacks. • Bring a picture and resume and fill out audition form (attached to this packet)
HOW TO SIGN UP: 1) Click this link to see our SignUps for The Who’s Tommy: a) b) 2) ReviewYoung the Tommyoptions auditions:listed and https://signup.com/go/NOmyVBichoose the spot you like. 3) Sign Adultup! You Singing will not auditions: need to https://signup.com/go/waTjkfZregister an account or keep a password on SignUp.com. SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. 4) Please do not sign up unless you are confident you will audition. IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL – Please eliminate your name from the sign up so others may use the time.
REHEARSAL INFORMATION: • Tentative Start Date: May 26, 2020 • Music rehearsals may begin earlier (note on conflict sheet if you are not available the week of May 18-22) • Rehearsals will be Monday-Friday 6pm-10pm. o Sunday July 5 is tech. CLEAR THIS DAY from 12:00pm-10:00pm.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: • July 9-26, 2020 (Thursday-Saturday @ 7:30pm, Sundays @ 2:00pm) at the NorShor Theatre.
Audition Packet
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Mrs. Walker • A weary middle-class woman. Mrs. Walker is tired and frustrated from trying to care for and cure Tommy. She is Tommy's mother and Captain Walker's wife. • Identifying Gender: Female. • Age Range: 25 to 40 • Vocal range top: D6 Vocal range bottom: G3
Captain Walker • A former soldier with lingering guilt. He murders his wife's lover after coming back from a POW camp, resulting in Tommy's trauma-induced blindness, deafness, and dumbness. Father to Tommy and husband to Mrs. Walker. • Identifying Gender: Male. • Age Range: 30 to 45 • Vocal range top: C#5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Uncle Ernie • A lecherous, drunken bachelor. Ernie molests a young Tommy and later runs a children's camp seeking to profit from Tommy's popularity. Mrs. Walker's brother and Tommy's uncle. • Identifying Gender: Male. • Age Range: 30 to 45 • Vocal range top: Bb4 Vocal range bottom: G2
Narrator/Tommy • An embittered young genius stricken deaf, dumb, and blind after a childhood trauma. Tommy discovers that he is a natural master of pinball, and later becomes a cult-like hero figure to masses enthralled by his story. Captain Walker and Mrs. Walker's son. • Identifying Gender: Male. • Age Range: 18 to early 30’s. • Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: Db3
Audition Packet
Young Tommy • Seeking 2 dynamic young talents to play Tommy – the ages in the script are 4 and age 10. However, we will not be casting anyone under the age of 8. • Should be small in stature to conceivably play these ages and of any identifying gender. • AUDITIONS FOR THESE 2 ROLES ARE SATURDAY Feb. 22 at 9:00am. • Candidates may be asked to come back later in the day between 3-6pm.
Cousin Kevin • A bully with sadistic tendencies. Tortures Tommy when they're young and later seizes the opportunity to profit from Tommy's success. • Male identifying or Gender non-binary. • Age Range: 18 to 25 • Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: Ab2
The Gypsy (Acid Queen) • A brazen drug dealer and prostitute. Tommy's parents bring him to the Gypsy to experiment with unusual cures. • Identifying Gender: Female. • Age Range: 25 to 35 • Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: G3
The Specialist • A doctor with modern ideas about how to cure Tommy. Tommy's parents hire them in desperation to find any cure for Tommy’s affliction. • Any Gender identification. • Age: 30 to 45 • Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: G#3
Sally Simpson • A bold, sensitive, and excitable young fan. Sally develops a fan crush on Tommy and rushes the stage to be close to him. • Identifying Gender: Female. • Age Range: 18 to early 20’s • Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Audition Packet
Ensemble Roles • This production will also employ an ensemble of diverse (IN EVERY WAY) performers that will be the life blood of this production. • There are a variety of supporting roles to be cast from ensemble. • Looking for strong actor/singers/dancers to bring distinct, exciting, furious, passionate, vibrant, visceral life to this production.
Audition Packet
Please bring this completed form with you to the audition along with a resume & current photo or headshot. Please print clearly!
Name:
Home Address: City, State, Zip:
Primary Phone #: Other Phone #:
Email:
Vocal Range (ie: Sop, Alto, Ten, Bass or A3-F5):
Is there a particular role in the show you are most interested in? Yes No
If yes, which one(s)?
Will you accept another part if not offered any listed above? Yes No
If you do not get a part, would you be interested in working on tech crew or backstage?
Yes No
Do you have ANY conflicts with the rehearsal/ performance schedule? Yes No
Please list ALL conflicts below (be as specific as possible to dates, times). Additional conflicts after being cast may not be accepted.