Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University 2024-25 Season, NY
About the project
Melissa Crespo, assoc. artistic dir.; Robert Hupp, artistic dir.
Casting Equity actors for roles in Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University's 2024-25 Seasons. Season includes: "Dial M for Murder" (Jeffrey Hatcher, adaptation; Frederick Knott, source material; Robert Hupp, dir. Rehearsals begin Sept. 24; runs Oct. 18-Nov. 3; LORT C Contract); Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella" (Enchanted Version) (Richard Rodgers, music; Oscar Hammerstein II, book & lyrics; Tom Briggs, stage adaptation; Robert L. Freedman, teleplay as source material; Brian Cimmet, musical direction; Jessica Chen, choreo.; Melissa Rain Anderson, dir.; Syracuse University Department of Drama, co-prod. Rehearsals begin Oct. 22; runs Nov. 29, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025; U/RTA Contract); "Primary Trust" (Eboni Booth, writer; Melissa Crespo, dir. Rehearsals begin Dec. 30, 2024; runs Jan. 24-Feb. 9, 2025; LORT C Contract); "King James: (Rajiv Joseph, writer; Jamil Jude, dir. Rehearsals begin Feb. 18, 2025; runs Feb. 28-March 13, 2025; LORT C Contract; Co-Produced with Indiana Repertory Theatre); "Sense and Sensibility" (Kate Hamill, writer; Jane Austen, novel as source material; Jason O’Connell, dir. Rehearsals begin April 1, 2025; runs April 25-May 11, 2025; LORT C Contract); and "The National Pastime" Julie Lutz Cold Read World Premiere (Rogelio Martinez, writer; Johanna McKeon, dir. Rehearsals begin May 13, 2025; runs June 13-29, 2025; LORT C Contract).
Roles in this project
Dates & Locations
Rehearses and performs in Syracuse, NY.
Compensation & Contract
Key Details
- May 16, 2024: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM EDT
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Prepare
two contrasting 1-to-2-minute monologues or if singing, one
1-to-2-minute comedic or dramatic monologue and a maximum 32-bars of a
song (bring sheet music). An accompanist will be provided. Bring a
headshot and resume attached by staples.
If you are unable to attend in person, you may submit a video submission for "Cinderella" to auditions@syracusestage.org . Video submissions for "Cinderella" should be Unlisted (not private) YouTube links. Submissions deadline is May 31.
For more info, visit syracusestage.org.
Equity’s
contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and
encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment
opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such,
Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and
ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Additional Materials
"Dial M For Murder"
Seeking:
MARGOT
WENDICE: Female, Any Ethnicity; 35-45. British. Intelligent, charming
socialite. Wealthy wife of Tony has an affair with Maxine.
MAXINE
HADLEY: Female, Any ethnicity, 35-45. American. A murder mystery writer,
smart, tough, worldly, has an affair with Margot, works with Tony.
TONY
WENDICE: Male, Any ethnicity; 35-35. British. Clever, smart, dashing;
seemingly a good man but has a dark and scheming side. Married Margot
for her money. A failed novelist.
LESGATE: Male. Any ethnicity;
35-45. British. Appears strong and a bit threatening but is desperate.
An old school mate of Tony’s. A convicted criminal, Tony blackmails him
to murder Margot.
INSPECTOR HUBBARD: Male. Any ethnicity, 45-55. British. A police inspector. Insightful, by the book, intelligent, proper.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella" (Enchanted Version)
Seeking:
FAIRY
GODMOTHER: 30s-50s, A3-C4 Female-presenting, Soprano, Any Ethnicity:
Warm with a spark of humor, wonder, and glamour, she lifts the magic in
the show and highlights what is possible.
STEPMOTHER: 30-50s, A3-E5
Female-presenting, Mezzo Soprano, Any Ethnicity: Comic timing essential,
A vain and tyrannical climber. Deeply concerned with status and image
and dismissive of her stepdaughter. Looking for a light touch with the
comedy to keep it buoyant and zany.
CHRISTOPHER: 20s, C#3-E4
Male-presenting, Tenor, Any Ethnicity: A charming young prince. The
prince of the kingdom leads with heroic bravado but deeply naïve and not
always quick on the draw. In search of his purpose. His kindhearted
nature spills into an endearing goofiness at times. Light comedic touch
essential. Soaring, rich musical theatre baritone to G. Also, Female
presenting Understudy to cover:
FAIRY GODMOTHER: 30s-50s, A3-C4
Female-presenting, Soprano, Any Ethnicity: Warm with a spark of humor,
wonder, and glamour, she lifts the magic in the show and highlights what
is possible.
STEPMOTHER: 30-50s, A3-E5 Female-presenting, Mezzo
Soprano, Any Ethnicity Comic timing essential A vain and tyrannical
climber. Deeply concerned with status and image and dismissive of her
stepdaughter. Looking for a light touch with the comedy to keep it
buoyant and zany.
QUEEN CONSTANTINA: 40s-50s, B3-D4 Female-presenting
Loving mother - dotes on her son, loves her husband, keeps the palace
running Joyful comedian.
"Primary Trust"
Seeking:
KENNETH –
male identifying, Black, late 30s - Kenneth has lived in a small town
his whole life. He is smart and sensitive, with an active imagination.
Kenneth has a desire for a life bigger than the one he’s living, but a
fear of the unknown has kept him sheltered. He spends his days working
at the local bookstore, and his evenings at happy hour with his only
friend, Bert. When Kenneth loses his job, he finds himself forced to
confront his own loneliness and move past his comfort zone.
BERT –
male identifying, Black, late 30s–40s - Bert is Kenneth’s best friend.
Solid and steady, Bert has a practical way of looking at the world. But
he’s also sensitive and highly attuned to people’s needs. Bert’s warmth
and lack of judgement is a comfort to Kenneth. When Kenneth is pushed to
try something new, it is Bert who encourages him along the way.
CORRINA/WALLY’S
WAITER/BANK CUSTOMERS – female identifying, Black, 30s–40s - this
multiple-role track includes a variety of waiters, including CORRINA, at
the local tiki bar, ranging in age and ethnicity. CORRINA: a smart and
sensitive waitress who befriends Kenneth. She has a sense of humor and
marches to the beat of her own drum. Corrina’s openness and willingness
to try new things helps Kenneth as he tries to find his way.
CLAY/SAM/LE
POUSSELET BARTENDER – male identifying, any race, 50s–60s –SAM:
nononsense owner of the town’s only bookstore. Sam chain-smokes and
isn’t warm and fuzzy to customers, but has a tender side. Sam wants to
do right by Kenneth. CLAY: a former college football champion, Clay is
extra nostalgic about his glory days. A jock with a sensitive side,
Clay’s existential curiosity makes him an unexpected ally to Kenneth.
"King James"
Seeking:
Note: These roles will be cast by Indiana Repertory Theatre
SHAWN:
African American, ages from 21 to 33. A bit reserved, but confident in
himself. A writer. A hard-core basketball fan. A guy who thinks before
he talks. But he always has an opinion, even if he doesn’t wear it on
his sleeve. Quietly ambitious.
MATT: white, ages from 21 to 33. A
slightly messy guy who, somewhat incongruously, works in a wine bar. A
hard-core basketball fan. A guy who talks before he thinks. Funny, with a
kind of restless energy. Emotional and talkative.
"Sense and Sensibility"
All characters are British (RP unless delineated elsewhere).
Seeking:
ELINOR
DASHWOOD: the eldest Dashwood sister (20s-30s). Sensible; a caregiver.
Intelligent and highly responsible; always tries to do the right thing.
Perhaps a little too inclined to follow the rules. Much of the
considerable burden of managing her family’s future falls on her
shoulders. Very aware of economic and social realities; sometimes, she’s
afraid to let herself hope for more than she may be able to get. Rich
inner life: she feels far more than she may let on. A huge, sensitive
heart under all of that propriety.
MARIANNE DASHWOOD: the middle
Dashwood sister (20s). Sensitive; feels everything VERY strongly.
Romantic, impetuous – perhaps a little too inclined to break the rules.
Smart, but prone to impulse and getting carried away by drama. Stubborn
about her principles to the point of being occasionally careless about
others’ feelings.
MARGARET DASHWOOD: the youngest Dashwood sister
(18+ to play 10–13 years old). Desperate to be grown-up and included in
any given melodrama. A bit sheltered but has probably read one too many
romantic novels – has very definite ideas about love and romance.
MRS.
DASHWOOD: mother to the Dashwood sisters (20s-40s; this role doubles
with ANNE STEELE). Loving, good-natured, highly principled, protective
of her daughters. An optimist; a romantic at heart. A little ignorant of
the financial realities in life; was sheltered until her husband’s
death. Can get a bit carried away by the drama of the moment.
JOHN
DASHWOOD: half-brother to the Dashwood sisters (mid 20s-early 40s;
potential double with either JOHN WILLOUGHBY or SIR JOHN MIDDLETON).
Half-brother from their father’s side; no blood relation to Mrs.
Dashwood. Wealthy. Not a bad man, but weak-willed. Has good intentions,
but is entirely subservient to his wife FANNY, whom he views as
extremely charitable and wise.
EDWARD FERRARS: a gentleman (30s-40s;
potential double with ROBERT FERRARS). Awkward, shy, fundamentally
sweet, big-hearted, highly principled. Endearing. Always tries to do the
right and honorable thing; perhaps a little bit too prone to following
the rules. Would be in the church if he was allowed to choose a
profession. A bachelor who stands to inherit a good deal of money from
his wealthy mother – provided he marries correctly. Blossoms whenever he
(finally) feels comfortable.
FANNY DASHWOOD: (20s-40s; this role
doubles with LUCY STEELE) wife to John Dashwood and sister to Edward.
Wealthy; born and married into money. Very protective of her family, to
the point of extreme harshness with much of the rest of the world.
Materialistic. Capable of benevolent (or not-so benevolent)
condescension. Fancies herself quite charitable.
COLONEL BRANDON:
(40s+). An older, very wealthy bachelor. Quiet, restrained. Highly
principled and honorable. His heart was broken terribly in his past, and
he’s never quite gotten over it.
JOHN WILLOUGHBY: an unusually
handsome young man (20s-30s; potential double with JOHN DASHWOOD). By
the looks of him, a true Romantic hero – dashing and irresistibly
charming. Impulsive; perhaps a bit too inclined to break the rules. Has a
dark side that he strives to keep hidden, but not a bad man – has made
some mistakes that he’d rather not think about. Pleasure-seeking,
occasionally to the point of selfishness or irresponsibility;
fundamentally wants to be liked.
SIR JOHN MIDDLETON: (40s+; potential
double with JOHN DASHWOOD) a country gentleman; distant relation to
Mrs. Dashwood. Son-in-law to MRS. JENNINGS, with whom he frequently
conspires in their favorite occupation: matchmaking and general
busybody-hood. Boisterously, cheerfully inclined to stick his nose in
everything and anything; convinced that doing so is all good fun.
MRS.
JENNINGS: (50s+) A monstrously good-natured, boisterous woman;
mother-in-law to SIR JOHN, mother to LADY MIDDLETON, and a terror to the
countryside. Takes UNSPEAKABLE joy in spying out “secret” love affairs –
often much to the surprise of the accused parties – and matchmaking.
Genuinely a good-hearted, generous woman with not a pretentious or
classist bone in her body. Completely and utterly indiscreet and
unsubtle, even when she thinks she is being very sly.
LUCY STEELE:
(20s-40s; this role doubles with FANNY DASHWOOD) a young girl from no
fortune. Clever, can be quite manipulative. Always observing and
adjusting tactics accordingly – almost always knows what’s going on.
Very determined to marry well – it’s her only way to escape abject
poverty. Inclined to hide aggression behind a mask of civility. Bit of a
social climber – knows who has the most power in any given room and is
not afraid to be insincere to curry favor. Can be cruel if she thinks
she can get away with it.
ANNE STEELE: (20s-40s; this role doubles
with MRS. DASHWOOD) Lucy’s sister, also from no fortune. Charitably, a
very odd duck; uncharitably, an absolute nightmarish ball of flitting,
manobsessed, clueless babble. Big mouthed, unintelligent. Not good at
reading social cues. “Indiscreet” is the mildest term imaginable. Her
chief interest in life is beaus; her second is beaus; her third is
beaus. Very cowed by her sister.
LADY MIDDLETON: (30s-40s; will
double with one or more of the above roles) a VERY over-bred and uptight
lady; centuries of selective breeding and overcompensation for her
mother’s vulgarity have turned her into a grotesque example of too much
restraint. (This role may be played by one actor or shared by several.)
ROBERT
FERRARS: (20s-30s; potential double with EDWARD FERRARS) a very callow
young man; Edward Ferrars’ younger brother. Fancies himself an
incredible wit, scholar, ladies’ man, and allaround charmer.
"The National Pastime"
Seeking:
YURI:
Cuban born ballplayer (early 30s). Yuri is a new arrival to the United
States. He fears his talents may not carry over into Major League
Baseball. Deep thinker. Cautious. Looking for guidance.
OSCAR: bench
coach, also Cuban (early 40s). Sharp. You could say he likes to cut
corners, but really, he is a survivor. Someone who has to go the extra
mile to stay ahead of others. He can philosophize.
JETT: general
manager of team. 50s. He doesn't fit the typical baseball mold at first
glance, embodying more of a Silicon Valley vibe. Obsessed with
statistics, he's constantly crunching numbers. Ruthless.
VAL: 30s,
serves as an intelligence officer at the US Embassy in Havana. She
operates under the guise of a cultural liaison. A recent transfer, her
placement is a direct outcome of the Obama thaw. Val is no nonsense and
never feels threatened.
OCEANO: 40s, is a Cuban intelligence officer
working covertly as a cultural liaison. He's flirtatious, but his
motives remain unclear. Mischievous by nature, he alternates between
putting on a strong accent and speaking impeccable English, all part of
his strategy to unsettle his adversaries.
NAT: 40s, is the station
chief. He's friendly and transparent, with an Ivy League education in
international relations. More of an observer than a participant, Nat
maintains a detached and cool demeanor.
JOSEMARIA: a retired Cuban
baseball player, was once considered the best player in Cuban history
and a close confidant of Fidel Castro. He carries a melancholic air and
is somewhat sentimental. Struggling to reconcile life in two different
worlds—America and Cuba, the one he was born into and the one his son
escaped to— Josemaria is deeply introspective. Highly intelligent, he
meticulously analyzes his son's at-bats, always searching for patterns.
