Teen Performers Wanted for "Mr. Burns" Auditions
Teen performers needed for "Mr. Burns" auditions. See the details below! ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. About the project: Following the collapse of civilization, a small group of survivors gather around a campfire and begin to reconstruct the plot of The Simpsons episode “Cape Feare” entirely from memory. Seven years later, fragments of pop culture: sitcoms, commercials, jingles, pop songs…have become the foundation of live entertainment in a society struggling to preserve its past. Seventy-five years after the fall, these remnants have evolved into the myths and legends that inspire new forms of storytelling and performance. Mr. Burns is many things: a post-apocalyptic survival tale, a dark comedy, a theatrical game of telephone, a tribute to pop culture, a straight play, a musical and everything in between. It’s a strange, compelling journey that poses a powerful question: which stories will we carry into the future, and how will they shape the world we try to rebuild? Additional info: Callbacks: August 22nd, 5-9pm Rehearsal Timeframe: September 2nd-October 9th, Mon-Thu 6-10pm (no rehearsal on 9/18, Friday rehearsal on 10/3) All of the roles will be required to sing, though no previous vocal experience is necessary (seeking actors who sing more than singers who act). All of the roles require some dance and movement, but these can be adjusted to suit the mobility of the actors. PREPARATION NOTES For the Auditions, please prepare a monologue (no longer than 60 seconds) and 16-32 bars of a song to sing a cappella. Although there is singing in this show and it is part of the auditions, the directors would like to emphasize that you do NOT need prior singing experience or the ability to read music to be in this show. If you are interested please apply.
14 roles
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: A chatty Simpsons fan, complete with character voices. Enjoys being the center of attention. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: Also a Simpsons fan, but to a lesser degree. More of a “yes-man” than anything else, but confident, friendly, and gains more of a sense of self as the play progresses. Acts as the company’s liaison with the public during Act 2. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: A very casual Simpsons fan, but still tries to offer input when they can. Pragmatic, deep, incredibly rattled by the state of the world - the apocalypse has shifted their world view tremendously. Becomes a writer and co-director with Colleen in Act 2. Believes strongly that art should have a meaning. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: Paranoid, responsible, small-town kind of person. The de-facto leader in times of potential danger and the most militant of the group. Could potentially have a touch of a southern accent (but not necessarily). Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: Almost completely catatonic during Act 1, still reeling from the potential loss of their daughter, Becca. By Act 2 they have become the director of the company. Opinionated, matter of fact, a positive director but aggressive to a fault. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Must be able to crawl on the ground. Character: An outsider during Act 1 who becomes completely integrated into the group by Act 2. Not a Simpsons fan, but has a history as a community theater actor, so very theatrical. A “Gilbert and Sullivan” aficionado who loves to perform. Anxious, but dedicated to the craft. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Ability/movement: Is on stage through most of the play, will perform basic choreography. Character: Joins the theater troupe in Act 2. A bit of a diva, very opinionated, very self important, but also one of the more talented singer/actors in the group. Can come off as cold and unfeeling, and has some active tension with some of the other troupe members. Will be double cast as a Simpsons character in Act 3.
Note: While these characters are BASED on the Simpsons characters, by this point in the timeline they have become more representations of an archetype than literal copies of what you might see in the show. The people cast as the acting troupe in Acts 1 and 2 will be double cast in some of these roles.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography. Character: A scholar and leader of the Shades of Springfield. She acts as an omnipotent narrator for the third act (the “keeper of the story”). This role includes no dialogue - it is entirely a singing part.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography. Character: Various characters from the Simpsons that open the third act - each are named and will have masks that call back to those characters (Troy McClure, Apu, Willy, Ned Flanders, Nelson), but more represent archetypes within the town (the harold, the priest, the shopkeeper, etc). They act as the Greek chorus throughout Act 3. Some of these parts have the opportunity for solo moments.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography as well as some more intensive fight choreography. Character: The hero and “everyman” character of the story. Bold, rash, loves his family but has a hard time admitting it. Stubborn and willing to fight against evil.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography as well as some fight choreography. Character: A father trying to do the best for his family. Eternally optimistic, tries to see the good in every situation (definitely to a fault) and act as a pillar of courage to his family in times of hardship.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography as well as some fight choreography. Character: A worried mother who misses her old life. Tries to support her children when she can. Does not have the same optimism that her husband does.
Ability/movement: Must be comfortable with basic dance choreography as well as some more intensive fight choreography. Characters: Itchy and Scratchy are demonic minions that do the bidding of Mr. Burns. Violent, sadistic, and unnerving, but prone to getting caught up in the moment.
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