Tag Archives: CenterStage Players of Ohio

Auditions Announced for HEATHERS: The Musical at CenterStage Players

CSPOH_logoHEATHERS: The Musical
by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy

HEATHERS: The Musical is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass…but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

Brought to you by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, “Desperate Housewives”), Laurence O’Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde) and Andy Fickman (Reefer Madness, She’s the Man). HEATHERS: The Musical is a hilarious, heartfelt, and homicidal show based on the greatest teen comedy of all time. With its moving love story, laugh-out-loud comedy, and unflinching look at the joys and anguish of high school, Heathers will be the most heartstopping musical in Cincinnati this season. Are you in or are you out?

Directed by Amanda Borchers
Music Directed by Allen Lindsey
Choreographed by Robert Fields
Produced by: April Benken & Rebecca Coots

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please prepare 32 measures of an up tempo musical theater or contemporary pop piece. An accompanist will be provided, please provide music in the appropriate key with your cut noted. Please no acapella auditions or CDs. You may be asked to perform a cold read from the script. Callbacks will only be used if necessary.

Audition Dates: November 2 & 3, 12-3 PM
Call Backs: November 3, 5-7 PM

Lockland High School Auditorium – 249 W Forrer, Cincinnati, OH 45215

Show dates: May 1 – 10, 2020

Rehearsals will be determined by cast availability, 3 nights per week (likely M, W, Thurs. from Feb- May) until tech with the possibility of a few optional rehearsals added closer to tech week.

Sign Up Genius for Audition Slots: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B45A8AD2DA20-heathers

CASTING: 8m, 9f

  • VERONICA SAWYER – 17. She burns to be both cool and kind, but doesn’t know yet how to be both at the same time. Fierce sense of right and wrong, keen sense of ironic humor. Thinks she’s an old soul but she’s still innocent enough to be blindsided by love/hormones (or shocked by cruelty). Voice: High belting required, up to Ab. Must have dynamic and stylistic range.
  • JD – 17. He is darkly charismatic, compelling, attractive, charming on the outside yet very damaged on the inside. Keen smarts and strong inventive comedy. Voice: Strong, confident belt to at least an Ab, A preferable; wide emotional range.
  • HEATHER CHANDLER – 17. Richest, hottest, most magnetic, cruelest girl in town. Relishes power and wields it like a scalpel – no fear, no patience, no mercy. Voice: Strong belt to F or higher preferred. Mezzo for chorus. NOTE: In certain choral songs Chandler can switch parts with her other Heathers as needed.
  • HEATHER MCNAMARA – 17. Beautiful, innocent, stupid, can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: Strong belt to Db, D preferred. Soprano for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Mac and Duke can switch vocal parts as needed.
  • HEATHER DUKE – 17. Whipping-girl of the 3 Heathers. When she finally becomes Queen Bee she wields power like a bulldozer. Alto for chorus. Voice: Strong belt to C, D preferred. Alto for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Duke and Mac can switch vocal parts as needed.
  • MARTHA DUNNSTOCK – 17. Nicknamed “Martha Dumptruck”, the opposite of hot, confident, or popular. Huge and beautiful soul, optimistic even in the face of rejection. Voice: Strong belt to E or F, wide vocal expression.
  • RAM SWEENEY – 17, Linebacker. Big, insensitive to the feelings of others, ruled by appetites. Voice: Strong Baritone, belt to G, some Falsetto useful.
  • KURT KELLY – 17. Quarterback and Captain. Big, chiseled, rude, entitled, cocky. Mean, thinks he’s the brains in the friendship with Ram. Voice: Tenor, strong belt to Ab or A, some Falsetto. NOTE: in certain songs Ram and Kurt can switch choral assignment if, say, Ram sings higher than Kurt.
  • RAM’S DAD/BIG BUD DEAN/COACH RIPPER – 40 to 45. Ram’s Dad: Former football player turned suburban Dad, has never outgrown his glory days in high school. Hates weakness, but capable of soul-searching when tragedy strikes. Also plays Big Bud Dean: JD’s single Dad. Big jolly personality that barely conceals the enormous rage bubbling just below the surface. Quite possibly a serial bomber. Also plays Coach Ripper: Stalwart, man’s man; quick to defend his players. Voice: Baritone/Tenor – power Country/Gospel belt to Ab, higher welcome. NOTE: Sometimes this actor has played Principal Gowan instead of Big Bud/Coach.
  • MS. FLEMING/VERONICA’S MOM – 45 to 50. Ms. Fleming: Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth. Also plays Veronica’s Mom: easygoing, distant, yet capable of laying down the law. Voice: Great belt up to C, higher always welcome.
  • KURT’S DAD/VERONICA’S DAD/PRINCIPAL GOWAN – 30 to 45. Kurt’s Dad: Straight-laced, very conservative, also former football player. A simple guy, not book smart, you’d be happy to share a beer with him. Also plays Veronica’s Dad: Easygoing and distant. Voice: Strong Baritone/Tenor — power Country/Gospel belt to G, even higher better. Also plays Principal Gowan: Rumpled, burned out, hates conflict. NOTE: Sometimes this actor has played Big Bud/Coach instead of Principal Gowan.
  • BOY 1 – Bitter Geek 16-18. A put-upon, bitter geek. Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).
  • BOY 2 – Blowdried Preppy 16-18. A blowdried 80’s preppy. Voice: Bass (up to E) or Bari (up to G#).
  • BOY 3 – Hipster Dork 16-18. Thinks he’s Ducky from ‘Pretty In Pink.’ Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).
  • GIRL 1 – Goth Girl 16-18. A sullen goth girl. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
  • GIRL 2 – Stoner Chick 16-18. A fuzzyheaded stoner chick. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
  • GIRL 3 – Young Republicanette 16-18. A tennis-playing, uptight Student Council type. Voice: Belt to at least C# (Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).

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Call for Director Applications for 2020-2021 Season at CenterStage Players

CSPOH_logoCenterStage Players is now accepting applications for Directors for our 2020-2021 season.

CenterStage Players (Ohio) aims to produce 4-5 shows a year which will be performed at Lockland High School in Cincinnati, OH. We have presented many ACT award-winning productions in the past such as Acapulco, Take Me Out, and Tribes, among others. You can find a list of previous productions on our website – www.centerstageplayersinc.com.

We are searching for creative and talented directors, both experienced and new, who aren’t afraid to take a risk. We are open to comedy, drama, farce, and musical submissions and are particularly interested in rarely performed shows, original works, and “edgy” scripts.

Interested applicants should send the information shown below to Mark Culp, Vice-President of Production, before the deadline of November 30, 2019.

Director interviews will take place in early January, 2020.

Please respond to this notice by e-mail to markcandjanec@gmail.com.

Please include the following information with your submission:

  • Director Information (Name, Contact Info)
  • Director Resume
  • Title of Play (please complete one submission for each production you are pitching)
  • Author of Play
  • List any production or technical crew persons that work with you on a regular basis
  • What technical issues, if any, does the show present and how would you plan to resolve them?
  • Are there any anticipated casting difficulties? If so, how would you overcome them?
  • Are there budgeting issues or exceptional costs associated with this production?
  • What about the show appeals to you as a director?
  • If your show is selected, are there any timing restrictions that would help us in building our season schedule (i.e., can only direct in early fall or late spring)?
  • Please include a copy of the script if possible. If not, please ensure that it is a show that will have an easily accessible copy (i.e., the library).

NOTE: Multiple shows may be pitched. However, individual director interviews will be limited to 30 minutes.

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Cast Announced for MARVIN’S ROOM at CenterStage Players

CSPOH_logoCenterStage Players Inc. is delighted to announce the cast of  our upcoming production MARVIN’S ROOM by Scott McPherson.

Bessie (played by Cathy Judge), a strong-willed woman, takes care of her bedridden father and eccentric Aunt Ruth (played by Claudia Kazvin). After Bessie is diagnosed with leukemia, her estranged sister, Lee (played by Mandy Goodwin), comes to visit and to be tested as a possible bone marrow donor for her sister. The reunion between the sisters is initially uncomfortable , aggravated by the difficult behavior of Lee’s two sons (played by Joshua Vietas and Hunter Gee). The two women eventually confront their shortcomings as sisters, reach out to each other, and arrive at an understanding about the importance of family. Featuring the considerable talents of  Bridgid Dunn Cornell as Dr. Charlotte; Beth Griffin as Dr. Wally; Teri Foltz as a Retirement Home Director and John Vanderplough as Dr. Wally’s brother.

The winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Player, the Outer Critics Circle for Best Off-Broadway Player, The John Glassner Award for Best New American Player and the Dramatists Guild Hull-Warriner Award, McPherson’s dark comedy allows us a moving view of one woman’s commitment to family.

Directed by Julie Jordan
Produced by Trisha Courtney and Karen Vanover

Show runs November 15-17 and 22-24, 2019

Season and individual tickets are now on sale at centerstageplayersinc.com where you can also find more information about the rest of our season and how to find us!

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THE ELEPHANT MAN Runs Sept. 27-Oct. 6

CSP_The Elephant Man logoTHE ELEPHANT MAN
CenterStage Players
Sept. 27-Oct. 6
Lockland High School Auditorium

Directed by Tom Peters
Produced by Fred Hunt

Cast: Aaron Whitehead as John Merrick, Jay Dallas Benson as Frederick Treves, Arny Stoller as Carr Gomm/Conductor, Burt McCollom as Ross/Bishop Walsham How/Snork, Chris Koonce as Pinhead Manager/London Policeman/Lord John, Jacob Hart as Will the Porter/Belgian Policeman, Sally Flint as Streetwalker/Pinhead/Princess Alexandria, Bridgid Dunn as Countess/Miss Sandwich & Jessie Faye as Mrs. Kendall/Pinhead

THE ELEPHANT MAN is the story of John Merrick during his stay at London’s Whitechapel Hospital under the care of Sir Frederick Treves, a surgeon, in 1880. Premiering in London in November of 1977, the production moved to Broadway in 1979 and ran until 1981, winning the Tony Award for Best Play (among others). The play was adapted for a 1982 broadcast on ABC and a radio play by the BBC in 1988.

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 27-28 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 29 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 4-5 at 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 6 at 2pm

Official page |

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Actress Needed for MARVIN’S ROOM at CenterStage Players

CSPOH_logoActress needed for CenterStage Players Inc’s upcoming production of MARVIN’S ROOM.

The role is for a women in her 40’s. If you are interested in being considered for this role please contact the director Julie Jordan at juliehjordan@gmail.com or 513.235.5609.

Rehearsals start mid-late Sept, production dates November 15-17 and 22-24.

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