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Posted by INFO FROM THE DIRECTOR Some general production related info: If you would like a copy of the rehearsal schedule, please email me and I will send you one. The actual work of each rehearsal isn’t in a finished form yet, but I can send you days/dates/times. I also have an “education workpack” from the National Theatre in .pdf format that I will send you upon an email request. As we get closer to auditions, I’ll be checking in here, so you can feel free to leave any questions you have on the message board; I’ll also be posting some research links as we get closer, and of course, the audition scenes page numbers by 8/20. The audition scenes that will be listed should be considered a minimum; we may include some scenes that are not listed. In addition, not all auditioners will have the opportunity to read all of the scenes. Auditions are typically well-attended – all auditioners should be prepared to show us what they have to offer with their first reading! As for the auditions themselves, here’s how they’ll work: We will have only readings from the script, no monologues (except those that may be included from the script). There will be an audition panel that will include me, our assistant director (Jen Staffenberg), members of BCF’s Plays Committee, and some members of our production team. These are people whose instincts and insight Jen and I trust – they will provide input, Jen and I will make the final decisions. After all of the auditioners have the opportunity to read at least once, we’ll take a break to confer. At the end of that break, we will let some people go. We will then read a second round, take a second break, and let others go. There may be just 2 rounds, there may be 5 or 6 – it depends on how many people, how many options we have, etc. Please keep in mind the obvious: this is a play that involves 2 families, which means that we’ll be looking for family resemblances. We’ll be looking for how auditioners “fit the period” of the play. We’ll be listening to voices, looking at physicality … and we’ll be watching for how auditioners listen to each other in readings, how they communicate not just the written word but the subtext, how they real to each other. We’ll be looking at experience, especially for the lead characters: has the auditioner “carried” plays in the past, do they have dramatic experience, etc. I say all of this because I want you to know that it is imperative that you prepare for these auditions. If you were to look back at the shows I’ve directed, you would find that the actors who are ultimately cast do not typically come to auditions “cold” – that is, they have read the play and come to some decisions about how they feel about the character(s) they are reading for. That’s what Jen and I and the panel will be looking for – the interpretations you make as an actor of the people you are reading for, and the interpretation you have come to regarding the play itself. Granted, the interpretations you come to auditions with may not be the ones we have, but coming to an audition without having drawn some conclusions will ultimately show us only that you can read, not that you can act. Of course, our final decisions about casting will based on many factors, not all of them relative to acting ability. As with all plays, there are characters in All My Sons who are “leads”; they spend a lot of time on stage and carry a large part of the story. In addition to these characters (Joe, Kate, Ann, Chris) there are characters who don’t necessarily have a lot of stage time, but who are ESSENTIAL TO THE STORY. Miller draws his “minor” characters with a precision that tells the audience only what they need to know; however, you will find, when you dig beneath what appears to be “surface”, that these characters reveal themselves meticulously. Each of them supports the spine of the play, and the story cannot be fully told without them. Please don’t make the mistake of feeling that the only role you want to play is that of a “lead”. Now, having said that … I’ll say a few words about the process. If you are cast in this play (or any play that Jen and I direct), you’ll find that I am one of those directors that cares about your time – my front work includes breaking the play into French Scenes and cycles, so that in the beginning of the process, you will only be called to rehearsal if you are actually in the scenes being worked. There is very little sitting around “with nothing to do”. You can count on a few things: You will work hard at rehearsals; you will be expected to avail yourself of the research the production team brings to the table and you will be expected to do your own research; you will be expected to fully develop your character, and your relationships to the other people in the play; you can expect to have a lot of fun, share a lot of laughter and ultimately, to be a part of a production that achieves excellence. I encourage you to look at my resume (which has not yet been added as a link, but that you can request by emailing me) and to check my references (which are a part of my resume). Regarding the team, I can tell you that the people who are already on board are incredibly talented individuals whom I’ve had the honor of working with for many years. We have existing relationships that are forged from one singular goal: to create excellence. They are focused on the jobs they do, and are there to support the cast. If you would like to be a part of our team (whether you audition and are not cast, or you’re a techie and have no interest in acting) I want to hear from you. People walk away from the productions we do with a huge sense of accomplishment … we want you to be a part of that!! Whether you’re a part of the cast, or part of the team, you’ll find Footlighters a great place to work. The facility is fantastic and the process is fulfilling. Okay, thanks for your attention through all of that information. Feel free to post a reply here with your comments, thoughts, observations and/or questions … or drop me an email. Next, look for a post from me regarding the characters.
on August 13, 2006, 11:59 am, in reply to "All My Sons"
Here's the first of what will probably be several posts from me before we get to auditions ... hopefully there's not a limit on how long a post can be, because I can get long-winded!
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TIP: Bring a friend with you to auditions to help backstage. We can always use the help.