CenterStage Players is excited to announce auditions for our spring production of DOG SEES GOD – Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead written by Bert V. Royal
SHOW SYNOPSIS: An “unauthorized continuation,” the play reimagines characters from the comic strip Peanuts as degenerate teenagers. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, sexual relations and identity are among the issues covered in this homage at the works of Charles M. Schulz. When his beloved beagle is destroyed after a rabid rampage, CB is plunged into such a depression that a literal raincloud starts to follow him around. Suddenly introspective and concerned with the afterlife, he is no longer satisfied with his high school status as a good-looking bully. Writing without hope to a childhood pen pal who has never written back, CB confesses his doubts and fears, and describes his daily interactions with his community: his angst-ridden performance artist sister, aggressive buddy Matt, mean girls Marcy and Tricia, and stoned philosopher Van. When he unexpectedly connects with Beethoven, a childhood friend who had become a target of his group’s homophobic bullying, CB thinks he’s found both a relationship and a means to rebel against his predictable, doormat persona… but he may have to lose everything to gain peace of mind. Sex, drugs, bullying, mental illness, toxic friendships, and dead dogs. are not the first things which come to mind when we think about the children of Charles Schultz’s iconic comic strip, but Bert V. Royal’s Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead is genuine and genuinely moving update for the “Peanuts” gang. a heartfelt comedic drama and strong ensemble piece which explores the challenges of high school, and growing up.
AUDITION LOCATION: Dunham Center for the Arts – 1945 Dunham Way – Cincinnati, OH
AUDITION DATES: Monday and Tuesday, January 13 and 14 from 7:00-9:00 each evening. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Please use the link to the Sign-Up Genius below to secure your audition time. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Please bring a headshot, resume, and list of conflicts from February through May.
Sign up for an audition slot using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA8AF29A1F85-53610564-dogsees
SHOW DATES: Friday and Saturday, May 16 & 17 (7:30 PM) Sunday, May 18 (2:00 PM) Thursday-Saturday, May 22-24 (7:30 PM)
All performances will be held at the 8 North Center for the Arts – 8 N. Ft. Thomas Avenue – Ft. Thomas, KY
CONTENT WARNING:
Even though it is comedic, Dog Sees God engages mature topics and explicit language surrounding suicide, bullying, eating disorders, loss, sexuality, substance abuse, and homophobia.
Please make sure to check in with your mental health before auditioning, as there are many potential triggers in this script. We will take good care of you, but the story we are serving does touch on the above-mentioned themes and includes bullying slurs and behaviors.
ROLES AVAILABLE (no roles have been pre-cast):
- CB (Charlie Brown) is the main character in the play. He is intensely saddened over the death of his dog, and is forced to question both his sexuality and his social status when he unwittingly falls for his classmate Beethoven.
- Beethoven (Schroeder) became the school outcast prior to events in the play. A bit of a recluse, Beethoven takes solace in playing the piano, but when he and CB become romantically involved, his world is turned upside down.
- CB’s Sister (Sally) has gone Goth, at least for a portion of the play. It is mentioned that, like her character basis, she changes her philosophy on life often.
- Van (Linus), always the philosopher in childhood, is now a pothead with a worldview to match.
- Matt (Pig-Pen) is a pathological germophobe whose dirtiness has been internalized – he is sex-obsessed, homophobic, and terrorizes Beethoven mercilessly. He is CB’s best friend.
- Tricia (Peppermint Patty), a party girl, who professes herself to be “pretty” and “popular”.
- Marcy (Marcie), a party girl and Tricia’s sidekick. She has a threesome with Tricia and Matt during the play.
- Van’s Sister (Lucy) has been institutionalized for setting the Little Red-Haired Girl’s hair on fire.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact any of the following:
- Parker Culp (Director) – pmculp01@gmail.com
- Mark Culp (Producer) – markcandjanec@gmail.com
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 