Open Call Auditions for the 2019 Summer Shows at Plays-in-the-Park
Auditions are held at the Plays-in-the-Park Theater, located at 1 Pine Drive, Edison, NJ 08837 in Roosevelt Park. PLAYS-IN-THE-PARK is a Community Theater and all performers are volunteers. If you have any questions, please call the theater at (732) 548-2884.
Children's Open Call Audition Date (Ages 8-12)**
Thursday, April 4th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Open Call Audition Dates (Ages 16 and above):
Friday, April 5th - 7:00pm
Saturday, April 6th - Noon
Sunday, April 7th - Noon
Open Call Auditions on April 5, 6, and 7 are open to ages 16 and up. Please come prepared with approximately 16 bars of an up-tempo “show tune”. An accompanist will be provided. Bring your own sheet music in the proper key, marked with any cuts. Also have your rehearsal conflicts for April through August documented. Please also bring a photo and resume, if you have.
At the open call, each actor sings their audition song for the creative staff of all three shows, and then will be advised of any callbacks, which will be held the following week. If given a callback, you will be asked to read and sing from the script/score and learn a dance combination if appropriate.
Callback process begins April 8, 2019.
Callback Materials (click to download)
Evita - Vocals
Newsies - Sides & Vocals
The Addams Family - Sides & Vocals
Click here for a printable flyer with the 2019 Audition Information.
CAST BREAKDOWNS FOR 2019 SHOWS
Click here for the Cast Breakdown for Evita.
Click here for the Cast Breakdown for Newsies.
Click here for the Cast Breakdown for The Addams Family.
**This season we are having a SEPARATE OPEN CALL for Boys and Girls ages 8-12 on Thursday, April 4th from 5-7pm.
•EVITA will need up to four child singers, though the gender breakdown is undecided at this point. These children should be in the 8-10 year-old range.
•NEWSIES will be casting the role of “LES” - Davey’s cheeky younger brother. Should look 10-12 years old. A precocious pint-sized charmer. He should present as smaller and younger than the other newsies. Strong singing voice able to hold close harmonies. Tap a plus. Vocal Range: Db3-Bb3.
All casting requirements for THE ADDAMS FAMILY will be handled at the regular Open Calls.
Children should prepare to sing 16 bars or some section of any song they feel comfortable singing. An accompanist will be provided. Please make sure your music is in the appropriate key.
Children in the 8-12 year-old range, who are unable to attend the separate Children’s Open Call, are welcome at the regular Open Calls on April 5 ,6 and 7.
This will just be a vocal call. There is no dance requirement at this audition.
2019 Summer Shows and Dates:
Evita - June 19 through June 29
Newsies - July 10 through July 20
The Addams Family - July 31 through August 10
Evita
Click here for a printable Cast Breakdown.
Evita Callback Materials (click to download) -
Vocals
EVITA: (Female, 20’s-early 30’s) She is a fierce, ambitious and power-seeking woman, who rises to become the spiritual leader of Argentina by the age of 26. A woman of few options, she uses her sexuality to build power. The actor playing this role must be a trained vocalist with strong vocal stamina and excellent control. A legit Mezzo with a clear, strong mix that can belt to a high G and sing to a low E (below middle C). Must be a passionate and strong actor, dancing a plus.
CHE: (Male, 18-35) This character is sarcastic, impulsive, jealous, and manipulative. Che is a political activist and the narrator of the show, a radical who isn't reluctant to ask tough questions and demand answers. An actor/singer that must move very well with a high, rock tenor voice that can sing a low A to high B, falsetto to high F.
PERON: (Male, 30-50) An officer in the Argentinean army who rises to become the Argentine President, and the founder of Argentinian political movement 'Peronism'. He is dignified, charming, cunning, and authoritative. A strong actor and singer who can play character/leading man. Vocal bass/baritone to high F.
MISTRESS: (Female, 18-25 - plays a teenager) Fragile, vulnerable, innocent young girl who plays Juan Peron's teenage Mistress. She is "dismissed" out of Peron's life by his future wife, Eva. The Mistress ponders this rejection, as well as her future during her song, "Another Suitcase in Another Hall." She will also appear in the ensemble. Must be able to move well and sing a low A to a high E; sweet mezzo soprano sound.
MAGALDI: (Male, to play 30-40) A pompous tango singer with whom Eva has her first love affair. A charming loser - never quite made it, but pretends he has. Has the first number in the show, "On This Night of a Thousand Stars". He will also appear in the ensemble. A Latin American "personality" type and feel that needs to be bigger than life, but real at the same time. Sings high tenor High G.
ENSEMBLE: Seeking a broad range of males and females to play aristocrats, soldiers, descamisados (peasants), members of Eva's family, politicians, etc. Excellent singing voices in all ranges. A fully featured, versatile ensemble that helps define this world. Strong movers.
DANCING ENSEMBLE: Strong dancers, male and female, for "Buenos Aires", "Money Kept Rolling In", "Peron's Latest Flame", and particularly featured tango dancers for ''I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You".
CHILDREN'S ENSEMBLE: Looking for up to four children, aged 8-10, with one girl a featured soloist in "Santa Evita". All children must be able to sing, and will be featured with the adult ensemble sometimes, acting as Argentinian children.
Newsies
Click here for a printable Cast Breakdown.
Newsies Callback Materials (click to download) -
Sides &
Vocals
Jack Kelly: (Male, Age: looks 17 to 20’s) Leader of the newsies; streetwise, athletic build, tough, honest and passionate. A charismatic and youthful leading man. Dynamic actor with a strong pop-tenor voice, good mover. Range: Bb2-A4.
Katherine Plumber: (Female, Age: looks 17 to 20’s) Strong-willed, smart and ambitious young reporter, works hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, resourceful. Must move well - tap preferred. Contemporary pop voice with a high belt Range: A3-F5.
Joseph Pulitzer: (Male, Age: 35 to 50’s) Katherine’s father. A pompous businessman who owns the World newspaper. Pulitzer is concerned with making money and doesn’t sympathize with the strikers. Katherine’s father. Range: C3-F4.
Medda Larkin: (Female, Age: 20’s to 50’s) Vaudeville star, strong business woman with a big voice and great comic, sassy delivery. Offers her theatre as a safe haven for the newsies. Female character actress with mezzo-soprano belt. Range: F3-E5.
Davey: (Male, Age: looks 15 to 20’s) Les’s straight-laced big brother. Starts selling newspapers to help his family earn a living, but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A tenor with great contemporary voice, mover/dancer, tap preferred. Range: D3-A4.
Les: (Male/child, Age: looks 10 to 12) Davey’s cheeky younger brother. A precocious pint-sized charmer. He should present as smaller and younger than the other newsies. Strong singing voice able to hold close harmonies. Tap preferred. Range: Db3-Bb3.
Crutchie: (Male, Age: looks 13 to 17) A dedicated newsie who walks (and dances) with the assistance of a crutch due to a bad leg. A big-hearted, mischievous charmer with tenor voice. Range: C3-A4.
The Newsies/Newsboys: ALBERT, BUTTONS, ELMER, FINCH, HENRY, IKE, JO JO, MIKE, MUSH, RACE, ROMEO, SPECS, SPLASHER, SPOT and TOMMY BOY.
(Males, Ages: looks 13 to 20’s) Athletic, hard-working paper-boys that go on strike for a livable wage. Technically trained dancers OR strong movement skills a must. Tap, acrobatics and tricks a big plus! Should sing well with the endurance and ability to maintain strong vocals while dancing.
Oscar and Morris Delancy: (Males, Age: looks 18 to late 20’s or older) Tough brothers who work at the World distribution window. Known for using their fists in a fight. Non-dancing roles. Could double in other roles.
Governor Teddy Roosevelt: (Male, Age: 50-65) A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Darcy and Bill: (Age: looks 18 to 20’s) Friends of Katherine’s. Bill is the son of Randolph Hearst who joins the Newies cause. Darcy is an upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can be male or female. May double in other roles.
Adult Ensemble – MALE AND FEMALE - Approx. 8 adults. Ages: 20s to 60s. The adults play various featured roles throughout “Newsies.” All have dialogue, some with vocal solos. Many will DOUBLE. Roles include:
Nuns
Bowery Beauties – Performers at Medda’s Theatre/dancers
Hannah – Pulitzer’s Secretary
Snyder - Sinister warden of the Refuge.
Weisel – Runs THE WORLD distribution window – disgruntled paper-pusher
Stage Manager – of Medda’s Theatre
Mr. Jacobi - Deli owner
Mayor of NYC
Seitz – Editor at THE WORLD
Bunsen – Bookkeeper at THE WORLD
Nunzio – Pulitzer’s barber
Scabs – three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike
The Addams Family
Click here for a printable Cast Breakdown.
Callback Materials (click to download) -
Sides &
Vocals
Gomez Addams - Tenor (Bb2 – G4), 35-50s: A charismatic man of Spanish descent, who is immensely proud to be an Addams. Struggles with keeping Wednesday’s engagement a secret from Morticia. Must have fantastic comedic timing and body language with strong vocals. Dance a plus!
Morticia Addams - Alto/Mezzo Sop. (G3 – Bb5), 35-50s: Beautiful, aristocratic, slim, the real head of the family and the moving force behind it; easy comedic actress with smooth sarcasm; feels her husband is hiding something from her and will use any tactic to lure the secret out. Dance a plus!
Uncle Fester - Tenor (C3 – C5), 30-50s: Serves as the musical’s narrator; Husky and child-like, hugely enthusiastic and totally incorrigible; a vaudevillian who needs strong comedy and tenor vocals. Shaved head or willing to shave a big plus!
Wednesday Addams - Strong pop voice with belt (A3 – E5), 18-20s: Gothic in an attractive way, witty with a terrific dry sense of humor; just wants her family to be “normal” for one night to meet the parents of the boy she’s fallen in love with.
Pugsley Addams - Strong high vocals. Should look 15-18. A charming, funny, preferably husky boy who loves being tortured by his sister; he wants to ensure he won’t lose his sister to her new boyfriend so he takes matters into his own hands.
Grandma - Strong character vocals (G4 – F5) 35+ to play a feisty 102 year old woman: Fun and quirky, but don’t mess with Grandma; strong comedic “scene-stealing” actress with character vocals.
Lurch - Bass (Eb2-E4) 25-50s: Seeking actors at least 6’0 - the taller the better; a man of very, very few words, often spoken at half speed; most of what he utters is long, plaintive groans, some tinged with irony or exasperation; must have true low bass vocals.
Mal Beinecke - bari-tenor (C3-A4) 40-50s: Stuffy, rigid father of Lucas and exasperated husband to his rhyming wife, Alice; thinks the Addams’ are beyond strange and does not want to spend time having dinner with them, much less be related.
Alice Beinecke - soprano to high belt (Ab3- G#5), 40-50s: Mother of Lucas, seemingly mousy housewife who’s devoted to her family so she puts aside her own desires; while at the Addams’ family dinner party, she drinks a potion that causes her to let her hair down and speak her truth; very strong comedic singer/actress.
Lucas Beinecke - Pop Tenor (C3-C5), 18-20s: An attractive young man; fell in love with Wednesday Addams and plans to marry her; experiences the youthful pain and drama of young love and struggles with the differences between his family and the Addams family.
The Ancestors - SATB, 16 and older: The Ancestors embody a variety of family ghosts throughout the ages. Looking to cast approximately five males and five females. Seeking strong singers who are trained dancers. All performers should have a fun and comical sensibility in all shapes, types, ages and looks to encompass a variety of the Addams Family Ancestors.
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