Tag Archives: Dayton Playhouse

Auditions for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at The Dayton Playhouse.

Oct. 30 & Nov. 1 at 7pm

Here is what Director Aaron Washington will be looking for:

An integral part of the story told in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND includes a history of the island’s color caste system, and its predominantly African heritage. In casting the show, we will be giving strong consideration to that, however, except for the roles of Ti Moune and Daniel (whose ethnicity is noted in the breakdown below), we are open to the possibility of non-traditional casting choices and encourage everyone with a strong voice to audition.

Looking for all actors to be comfortable moving with some needing strong dancing skills.

Production dates: Jan.13-29, 2023

PREPARE A SONG in the style of pop, gospel or contemporary musical theatre that accurately demonstrates your vocal ability and range and have sheet music in the appropriate key. We will provide an accompanist. Auditions with backing tracks will be accepted, however, No a cappella auditions please.
All will take part in a movement/ dance audition. All skill levels will be considered.

THE STORY
Ti Moune is a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When their divided cultures keep them apart, Ti Moune is guided by the powerful island gods, Erzulie, Asaka, Papa Ge, and Agwe, on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

THE CHARACTERS

• LITTLE TI MOUNE – 9 – 12 year old young girl of African descent, who will be instrumental in the story telling.
• TI MOUNE – (High belt) Ti Moune is a peasant girl of African descent. Curious and energetic with an infectious joy for life.
• DANIEL – (Tenor) Daniel is a mix of African and French descent. He is Ti Moune’s love interest, and a member of the ruling class, torn between duty and love.
• MAMA EURALIE – ( Alto) Ti Moune’s adoptive mother. Tries to be stern but has a generous spirit.
• TONTON JULIAN – ( Baritone) Ti Moune’s adoptive father. Gentle with a quiet strength.
• ANDREA – (Mezzo) Daniel’s betrothed, a grande homme.
• ARMAND – (Baritone) Daniel’s father, a grande homme.
• AGWE – (Bass/ Baritone) God of the Sea. Powerful yet playful.
• ASAKA – (Mezzo/ Soprano) Mother of the Earth. Fierce with a wicked sense of humor.
• ERZULIE – (Soprano) Goddess of Love. Warm and kind.
• PAPA GE – Tenor/ Baritenor) The Spirit of Death. A trickster. Lithe and mysterious.
• STORYTELLERS – (All vocal types) 4 -6 Chorus and ensemble members who help create the world of the show.

If you have any additional questions, please email Stage Manager Dawn Roth Smith at dawns1210@gmail.com.

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Mon-Tue, Sept. 19-20 at 7pm

Dayton Playhouse
1301 E Siebenthaler Ave
Dayton, OH 45414

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Please bring a list of your conflicts – rehearsals will be weeknights from 7-9 PM, the number of days will be determined by which character you are portraying.

Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is the story of Elwood P. Dowd, a polite and friendly man with a very strange best friend—a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch invisible rabbit named Harvey.

Anyone of any race should feel welcome to audition for any role, despite how the roles have been portrayed in the past. Any race will be considered for any role.

• Myrtle Mae Simmons (Age 18+) Myrtle is Veta’s Daughter. Both Veta and Myrtle are about the business of finding Myrtle a man to marry – Myrtle is extremely self -centered.
• Veta Louise Simmons (Age 30+) Elwood’s younger sister, Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is intent on landing a suitable husband for her daughter Myrtle Mae. She is very concerned about fitting into society and all the social proprieties that that involves. She also loves her older brother Elwood very much.
• Elwood P. Dowd (Age 35+) Elwood P. Dowd is the central character of the play, a charming eccentric whose best friend is Harvey. Elwood is well mannered, very friendly, and has “old-school gentleman charm”. Elwood is Veta’s older brother.
• Harvey (age unknown) Harvey is Elwood’s companion. This role has been precast.
• Ethel Chauvenet (Age 40+) Mrs. Chauvenet is an old friend of the family. She is an elite member of the town’s social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into. May double as Betty Chumley.
• Ruth Kelly (Age 24-35) Nurse Kelly is a sympathetic character, a woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. She is kind and looks for the best in people.
• Wilson (Age 20-35) Wilson is the muscle of Chumley’s Rest, a devoted orderly responsible for handling the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily.
• Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Age 25-35) Dr. Sanderson is a young and highly qualified psychiatrist, handpicked by Dr. Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly, though he struggles not to let on.
• Judge Omar Gaffney (Age 45+) the judge is an old family friend of the Dowd’s and the family’s lawyer. He is fiercely protective of the family and surprisingly understanding of Harvey.
• Dr. William B. Chumley (Age 50+) Dr. Chumley is an esteemed psychiatrist and the head of Chumley’s Rest with years of experience. He is a difficult, exacting man who will go to any length to protect the reputation of his sanitarium.
• Betty Chumley (Age 40+) Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife. May double as Mrs. Chauvenet.
• E. J. Lofgren (Open age/gender) E.J. Lofgren is a cab driver whose monologue about sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. This role has a single scene near the very end and would have a limited rehearsal schedule.

Production dates: Nov. 11-20.