Audition Info

OPEN AUDITION DATES FOR our 93rd season!

July 16, 2024 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

July 18, 2024 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Auditioners:

First table read on July 19, 7:00 p.m.

All our shows use Open Casting, with no roles pre-selected. DG is committed to diversity, open to non-

traditional casting, and actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. All roles are unpaid.

We will use We Join In as a sign up, but one does not have to use the post to audition

What to Prepare

Please prepare one (monologue) from a character of your choosing. Click on link below for the monologues. The side does not have to be memorized, but you should be comfortable delivering it. The monologue can be delivered in a dialect of your choosing and does not need to match that of the character you’re reading for. Accents include:

- American Standard/transatlantic

- Belgian/French

- English

- Hungarian

- Russian

- Scottish

- Swedish

Although accents are a big part of the show, one’s ability to do an accent will not take precedent over an actor’s talent in delivery, interaction, emotion, and physicality. Don’t count yourself out if accent work is new to you!

You will also be asked to read from the script, one or more additional side(s) at random.

Character Breakdown

Detective Hercule Poirot

Gender – Male

Age Range – 40-65

Accent - Belgian

Analysis:  Iconic character. Agatha Christie’s most famous detective. Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to fault. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.

Monsieur Bouc

Gender – Male

Age Range – 40-64

Accent - Belgian

Analysis:  The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged man with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he is concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.

Mary Debenham

Gender – Female

Age Range – mid 20s-30s

Accent - English (standard)/ transatlantic

Analysis:  A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arburthnot.

Colonel Arbuthnot

Gender – Male

Age Range – 30s

Accent - Scottish accent

Analysis:  A military man of the old fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper.

Hector McQueen

Gender – Male

Age Range – 23-35

Accent – American

Analysis:  Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much.

Michel

Gender – Male

Age Range – 40s

Accent – French (Michel)

Analysis:  Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express.  Handles himself well in a crisis, and is very good at his job.

Princess Dragomiroff

Gender – Female

Age Range – 60s-70s

Accent - Russian

Analysis:  Displaced Russian nobility. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal, and holds very decided opinions.

No Greta Ohlsson

Gender – Female

Age Range – 30s

Accent – Swedish

Analysis:  A Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny, but should not be played as a caricature for laughs.

Countess Andrenyi

Gender – Female

Age Range – 25-35

Accent - Hungarian

Analysis:  In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot.

Helen Hubbard

Gender – Female

Age Range – 45-60

Accent - American

Analysis:  Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to singand do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a very standard or even cultured American accent.

Samuel Rachett

Gender – Male

Age Range – 35-50

Accent – American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style)

Analysis:  A middle-aged American businessman, Ratchett is brusque and unforgiving, with a threatening demeanor and a whiplash of a voice. He’s made plenty of enemies… almost everyone has wished him dead. A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality, and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.

Head Waiter

Gender – Male

Age range – 30-40

Accent – Eastern European

Analysis:  likes to be right; knowledgeable and chatty.  Professional in demeanor, he is knowledgeable and a bit overconfident. Mystery fans know it’s a cliché, but never rule out the possibility that The Butler Did It.

Performance Dates

October 4 – 13, 2024

Show times are at 7:30 pm and matinees at 2:00 pm. 8 shows total during a two-week run.

You must be at least 18 years old to audition.

Rehearsals 

Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months July-October 2024 for rehearsal schedule

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

September 17, 2024 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

September 20, 2024 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

What to Prepare

Please plan to attend both audition nights as different things will be required each night. This will give you the best chance to show off your skills. If you absolutely cannot make both nights (and I would suggest that you try,) please let the Director know BEFORE the auditions begin.

Line Reading

Please prepare one of the following monologues chosen from the script, with some piecing together of separate lines.

Along with context from the script, be sure to bring your own talent, interpretation, and passion to your audition. Don’t worry about choosing a monologue that fits with your own gender identity or the part you would like to have, choose the one that best showcases your abilities!

Dialogue from the script will be done the second night of auditions.

MUSIC

Prepare 16 measures of a song which will show off your abilities. You may sing a bluegrass song if it is in the contemporary Broadway vein.  Don’t sing anything from Bright Star. Bring sheet music,  no tracks.  Acapella is ok as well as self accompanied with guitar or ukulele; however,  this is not generally preferred. 

The Music Director will do vocal placement and may have you sing a part of a song from the show of his choice that is appropriate for your range on the second night of auditions.

dance

A basic musical theatre movement jazz dance will be taught. Dance attire not necessary, but something you can move in. Ladies should wear character shoes if available, if not jazz shoes or sneakers will be fine. 

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

• Alice Murphy (1923 and 1945) - must be a strong singer and play age 17 as well as age 39. Alice is growing up in Zebulon, North Carolina wild and free much to the consternation of her very religious father and mother. She falls in love with Jimmy and a surprise pregnancy ensues. In 1945 we see her as a successful southern journal editor.

• Jimmy Ray Dobbs (1923 and 1945) – must be strong singer and play age 19 as well as age 41. Jimmy is the son of the Mayor of Zebulon. He falls in love with Alice – a girl from the other side of the tracks, but his father doesn’t approve. Jimmy discovers something that keeps him from marrying Alice.

• Mama Murphy (1923 and 1945) - strong singer, about 40, then mid-sixties – she does not approve of her husband’s choices.

• Daddy Murphy (1923 and 1945) - strong singer, 40 ish, then 60 ish, makes the worst mistake of his life.

• Mayor Josiah Dobbs (1923) – strong singer, strong willed as he wants his son to be successful and follow in his footsteps. Alice is in the way of those plans and must be removed along with any other problems.

• Billy Cane (1945) – strong singer, 23 years old, just returned from WWII and looking to make his way as a writer. He brings his stories to the southern journal and meets Alice.

• Margo Crawford (1945) – strong singer, 21 years old, owns the town’s bookshop and is waiting for Billy to make his decision.

• Daddy Cane (1945) - strong singer, Billy’s Dad, about 70 years old who must tell Billy when he returns that his mother died while he was overseas.

• Lucy Grant (1945) – strong singer and dancer, works for Alice at the Southern journal.

• Daryl Ames (1945) - works for Alice at the Southern journal, acerbic wit

Ensemble of singers and dancers. The Ensemble will be present on stage during the entire performance - sometimes singing, dancing, reacting in character, moving set props etc. – some will also portray additional characters such as the following:

• Stanford (1923) - Mayor Dobbs’ lawyer. He is very professional and hard-working. He is caught up in the same societal expectations as Mayor Dobbs, enforcing every one of the Mayor’s wishes. He is also the square dance caller

• Florence (1945) - Florence works at Margo’s bookstore. She is a very supportive friend to Margo, always willing to help out. She is a romantic and often gets caught up in dreams.

• Edna (1945 - Edna works at Margo’s bookstore as well. She is energetic, hard-working, and optimistic. Along with Florence, Edna is an essential part of the strong community surrounding Margo.

• Max (1945) - A young resident of Zebulon who frequents the bookstore. He’s naive and very earnest. His blossoming relationship with Edna displays a sense of community and continuity in the town beyond the main plot.

• Dr. Norquist (1923) - As Alice’s doctor in Zebulon, Dr. Norquist values the picture of a perfect community and, along with Mayor Dobbs, tries to preserve Zebulon’s image. At times valuing that preservation above Alice’s own wellbeing, Dr. Norquist’s influence on Alice displays an important conflict in the show.

• Rehearsals 

  Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months September -December 2024 for rehearsal schedule

EURYDICE

December 8, 2024 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

December 9, 2024 7:000 p.m. to 10:0 p.m.

Auditioners:

Characters

                Eurydice – A young, innocent woman – ingénue.

                Orpheus – A young, innocent man – ingénue. Needs to sing a cappella and sound good.

                Eurydice’s Father – 40 to 50 years old. Educated.

                A Nasty Interesting Man/The Lord of the Underworld – Plays a creepy predator and a child

who matures in Hades as its Lord. (Note “Hades” is not “Hell”. It is the place of the dead in Greek mythology.)

                A Chorus of Three Stones – Comic relief in story. Think “the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the

Dormouse” from Alice in Wonderland or Nasty Children at a birthday party.

                                                Big Stone

                                                Little Stone

                                                Loud Stone

                                May be played by 3 women, 3 men, or any combination of men and women.

Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds welcome

All characters are played modern not classical.

Except for the 3 Stones, all characters are gender specific.

Rehearsals 

Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months December 2024 - February 2025 for rehearsal schedule

DREAMGIRLS

January 12, 2025 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

January 14, 2025 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Callbacks by invite only: January 16, 2025 7-10pm

INFORMATION FOR AUDITIONERS:

Audition Requirements:

This is not the Dreamgirls movie, so please be familiar with the music and characters from the Broadway Musical. Do not sing a song from the movie. Remember the interpretation of characters from the movie, are not the same as the Broadway show.

General: Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the paperwork. Please bring a complete list of conflicts between January and April and please bring a resume and headshot if you have them.

Vocal: Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of Dreamgirls that best shows your vocal range and talent. Please bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist who will be provided.

If you are auditioning for Effie White, please prepare a 32-bar cut of” Move” and “I am Changing”.

If you are auditioning for James Thunder Early, please prepare a 32- bar cut of a James Brown song or a Little Richard song.

If you are auditioning for Denna Jones, please prepare a 32 bar cut of a Diana Ross song or a song by a Motown artist.

A vocal coach will be present to test your range and ability to harmonize.

Be prepared to read from the script

Dance: Please come prepared to move with appropriate shoes. There will be a dance routine to learn. If you are auditioning for the “Dreamettes,” also bring shoes with heels to learn extra dance routines.

Callbacks: Information will be given at the auditions.

If you are called back for one of the Dreamettes, please be prepared to read from the script and sing in groups of trios the title song “Dreamgirls” and “It’s All Over”.

If you are called back for Curtis please be prepared to sing “ When I First Saw You”

If you are called back for Effie White please be prepared to sing “ And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”.

Character Breakdown

EFFIE WHITE – African American woman, 20-40. Vibrant young woman who is as oversized in talent as she is in person. Effie is the true powerhouse in the group, a soaring singer whose voice overpowers and transcends Deena’s and Lorrell’s. She is smitten with Curtis from the start and is overcome with anger and jealousy when she senses his growing attraction to Deena. Effie should be full-figured, and her size carries with it a true sense of sexuality. Must have a huge gospel belt voice. Must move very well.

DEENA JONES – African American woman, 20-30. The young, thin, beautiful member of the dreams. Happy singing backup to Effie until Curtis puts her in the lead and grooms her as star of the group. Mezzo, big full belt voice. Must move very well.

LORRELL ROBINSON – African American woman, 20-30. The third member of The Dreams. Sexy, flirtatious girl from the projects of Detroit who has been singing with her best friends Effie and Deena for years. Carries on an affair with Jimmy Early, who refuses to leave his wife for her. Soprano, on top of most triad harmony, big full belt voice. Must move very well.

CURTIS TAYLOR, JR. – African American man, 30-40. Handsome, and very sexy. Slick car salesman who becomes the Dreams’ manager. Has an appreciation of R & B music and a sense of what it sells. Motivated by dreams, he takes over the management of Jimmy Early’s career and oversees the rise to stardom of The Dreams. Initially warm and approachable he becomes hardened by wealth and power and the need to control everything and everyone. Baritone. Must move well.

JAMES “THUNDER” EARLY – African American man, 30-40. James Brown-like R & B star. The Dreamettes become his backup singers. Has an affair with Lorrell. Charismatic, sexy, high energy. Rock and R & B tenor. Must move well

C.C. WHITE – African American man, 18-30. Effie’s songwriter brother writes all “The Dreams” hit songs. Endearing and soft-spoken, he tries to do what’s best but slowly gives up his ideals to Curtis’ controlling vision. High baritone. Must move well.

MICHELE MORRIS – African American woman, 20s. Effie’s replacement in “The Dreams”. She sings bottom in the harmonies. Mezzo soprano, big belt. Must move well.

MARTY – African American man, 30-50, street savvy, long-time manager who oversaw Jimmy’s career and rise to R & B stardom. Represents an earlier age of Black entertainment. At odds with Curtis and his ideas and schemes. Later oversees Effie’s comeback. Baritone voice. Should move well.

1 CAUCASIAN MAN AND 2 CAUCASIAN WOMEN - Strong singers who move well to play Dave and The Sweethearts (Pat Boone singer and his backup girls who sing the all-American pop version of “Cadillac Car”.) Will play other ensemble roles such as reporters, press agents, etc.

1 CAUCASIAN MAN – Strong singer, character actor to play Frank, the press agent, and various supporting roles. Must move well.

ENSEMBLE OF EXCELLENT SINGER / DANCERS: (African American/Multicultural/Caucasian) Singer/Dancers for various supporting roles: strong singers who move very well. All possess unique and vivid personalities and have the ability to play a wide variety of characters including Tiny Joe Dixon, Dave & the Sweethearts, The Stepp Sisters, The Tuxedos, Charlene, Joann, M.C., Stage Manager, Little Albert, Mr. Morgan, The Tru-Tones, Dwight, fans, reporters, stagehands, party guests, photographers, film executives, etc.

·         DAVE (& THE SWEETHEARTS): (Pat Boone types)

·         WAYNE: Male, assistant to Curtis

·         FRANK: Male, press agent

·         DWIGHT: Male, TV director M.C., Male or Female (as male), emcee at The Apollo Theater

·         CHARLENE & JOANN: Females, backup singers for J.T. Early

·         MORGAN: Male, Effie’s lawyer

·         JERRY: Male or Female Nightclub owner

·         Male and Female Singing Groups:

·         Female: STEPP SISTERS … LES STYLE … [DAVE] & THE SWEETHEARTS

·         Male: LITTLE ALPERT & THE TRUE-TONES … THE FIVE TUXEDOS … TINY JOE DIXON

Seeking understudy roles as well. Understudies will have a guaranteed performance.

REHEARSALS 

Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months January - April 2025 for rehearsal schedule

March 16th call time of 11 am with a rehearsal run start at 1pm

SYLVIA

April 6, 2025 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

April 7, 2025 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

AUDITIONERS:

REHEARSALS 

Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months April - June 2025

MATILDA

May 6, 2025 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

May 8, 2025 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

AUDITIONERS:

REHEARSALS 

Click on Staff Calendar below and go to months May- August 2025

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION

• Please bring a current photo that we may keep. You will be asked to fill out a Theatre Resume, with any prior experience...though none is required.

• All auditions are held at the Milord Studio Theatre. 330 West 202nd Street—Chicago Heights, IL. 60411

• Covid protocols set forth by CDC and State of Illinois for indoor spaces will be followed as well as protective guidelines followed by the League of Chicago theatres.

  Interested actors will need to be vaccinated

• Drama or Comedy – Be prepared to read from the script.

• Musical – Check the specific show auditions for information on what to prepare. You will need to bring sheet music (in your key) for our accompanist. Be prepared to read from the script - and wear comfortable clothes/shoes for a dance/movement audition, conducted by the Choreographer.

The Drama Group is a community theatre. Actors – These are non-paid/non-equity shows. The Drama Group promotes diversity in casting. Performers of all backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, sizes, racial identities, physical abilities, gender identities (and/or non-conforming) are encouraged to audition.

NOT THE PERFORMING TYPE? WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR BACKSTAGE HELP.

Set Builders / Painters / Make-Up & Hair People / Seamstresses / Lighting People / Sound People / Stage Crew / Prop People / Decor People / Photographers & MORE!

INTERESTED, BUT NOT SURE?
Come on over! We'd LOVE to teach you the 'theatrical ropes'! Start a NEW hobby with a lot FUN people! Become a part of The Drama Group Family!