Under the Lamplight

Audition Information

Auditions: Thursday, March2

3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.(ish)

Callbacks: Friday, March 3

All auditions/callbacks take place in the Studio Theater

So you’re thinking about auditioning for the spring play? Great! It doesn’t matter if you’ve had years of theatre experience or if you’ve always wanted to give acting a try but never had the chance; all are welcome to audition!

About the Play

One of the great classic melodramas of early American Theatre, this new adaptation of Under the Gaslight brings us back to a time when boos and hisses filled the theatres. All the familiar elements of melodrama are here, including the first ever “innocence tied to the train tracks” scene and the near death escapes popular throughout turn of the century theatre and cinema. The “olio breaks” between scenes allow performers to stage everything from musical numbers to magic acts. So turn back time and see Laura Courtland, the wealthy New York socialite, who is forced into poverty and mayhem when her villainous father Byke shatters her idyllic existence.

Audition Monologues

For auditionsauditionees should prepare a contemporary (NOT Shakespearean!) comedic monologue that is 30 seconds to one minute-ish in length. If you have trouble picking a monologue, fear not: Several monologues are provided in this packet. Your monologue does not have to be memorized, but remember that you are trying to impress us, so be sure to show us that you’ve prepared it.Wow us with your brilliant acting skills!

Characters

We will probably be doubling some of the smaller roles so that the cast size will be around 16 people.

  • Ray Trafford:A young, wealthy man engaged to Laura
  • Laura Courtland:A young, wealthy woman engaged to Ray
  • Pearl Courtland:Laura’s sister, another young, wealthy woman, who wishes to be engaged to Ray
  • Joe Snorkey:An old disabled veteran of the Civil War, very poor, now runs messages across town
  • Byke:A desperate and fiendish older man, possibly Laura’s long estranged father
  • Old Judas:The notorious pipe smoking female accomplice of Byke. Also older
  • Mrs. Van Dam:The head society lady who is quite big on local gossip and scandal
  • Peachblossom:A hardened but sweet lady of the streets turned housemaid
  • Barnabas:A street peddler and a street beggar, always finding new opportunities to make money
  • Sue Earlie:One of Mrs. Van Dam’s many cronies
  • Demilt:A society man, looking for wine and women
  • Windel:Another society man, also looking for wine and women
  • Martin: The butler at the Delmonico ballroom
  • Smithers:The clerk in Judge Bowling’s courtroom
  • Judge Bowling: The head judge in a rough part of skid row
  • Old Engineer: The late night railroad engineer who works until the Night Express Train makes its run
  • Various members of New York’s social elite
  • Various members of New York’s skid row
  • Assistant Director/Female Understudy: This will most likely be a person who earns one of the minor female roles.
  • Assistant Director/Male Understudy: This will most likely be a person who earns one of the minor male roles.

I’m looking to cast actors who are willing to use their bodies as well as their voices in their acting. You should bring to auditions, and then later to rehearsals, a strong work ethic as well as a willingness to play and to work imaginatively and creatively.

Callbacks

Callbacks will be held on Friday, March 3 at 3:15 in the Studio Theater. The callback list will be posted on VHHS website sometime Thurs. night. (Go to the VHHS website, click on Fine Arts, then click on Casting Information).

**Please note: if you are called back, you will need to bring back the attached callback admittance ticket signed by you and your parents on the night of callbacks.**

**CHECK NOW FOR ANY CONFLICTS YOU MAY HAVE BETWEEN OUR FIRST REHEARSAL ON MON., MARCH 6 AND SUN., MAY 7 (STRIKE OF THE SET). WE WILL NOT REHEARSE OVER SPRINGBREAK.**

**ALSO NOTE: STUDENTS MAY NOT MISS REHEARSALS (OR ANY PORTION OF REHEARSALS) APRIL 19-MAY 3.**

Pre-Audition Checklist

  1. Prepare a monologue
  2. Fill out the appropriate audition sheet included in this packet, and BRING IT TO AUDITIONS.
  3. Fill out the Callback Admission Ticket in this packet and bring it if you get called back. You may turn this in at auditions, too, if you’re certain about your conflicts.

Audition Tips

Please, please, PLEASE don’t even think about auditioning with gum in your mouth!

The most important thing is to have fun! If you’re having fun, chances are the people who are watching you will have fun, too!

Be honest about conflicts on your audition sheet. If you’re not, it can most definitely affect getting cast in future shows.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask Ms. Freichels (room 2217).

Break a leg!