Venue: Fairchild Theatre
Director: Ji Won Jeon
Rehearsal Dates: January 8 – February 8

Performance Dates: February 9 – 18

Description:

Michigan State University Department of Theatre put out a call for emerging playwrights of the global majority to write a new play for our diverse cohort of Master of Fine Arts Acting and Design candidates. After over three hundred submissions, the students selected playwright Iraisa Ann Reilly to write a play specifically for them. Through a series of interviews and exercises, Reilly creates a play full of humor, wonder, and… puppets.

Character Descriptions: 
While the roles in this show have all been written for and cast from our MFA Acting cohort, 2 Non-performing understudy positions are available.

Non-Performing Understudies:
Lexa Busch
Cassidy Williams

 

Venue: Arena
Director: Dionne O’Dell
Rehearsal Dates: January 29 – March 7

Performance Dates: March 8 – 17

CAST
Meleah Acuff – Faith
Gracie Duffy – Dumptruck, Perimeter Person 1
TBD –  Son of Man
Anastasia Breen – Mouse
Shelby Ginsburg – Wilhelmina 1, Perimeter Person 2
Jacob Mauer – Owl, The Screamer, The Thinker
JaNyah Meadows – Martian, Perimeter Person 3
Tyler Radze – Squirrel, Bulldog
Toby Sanders – Dad, Skunk
Alex Spevetz – Wilhelmina 2
Alec Tran – Papa

Description: 
Adapted from the award-winning children’s book by Joseph Belisle, this true story features the character of Faith, a nine-year-old girl who is full of dread and “what ifs” when her cat, Wilhelmina, goes missing. Faith learns about the futility of worry and develops coping skills through music, movement, and the assistance of some friendly puppets. Highlighting the power of diversity and ability, What If Wilhelmina is an innovative, multi-sensory, and interactive performance appropriate for audiences that are neurodiverse as well as children that are neurotypical ages 1-8. 

Character Descriptions:
Singers and puppeteers needed. No experience with audiences that are neurodiverse is needed. Vocal auditions for this show will be the same as for Spring Awakening. No need to prepare anything more.

Faith: African American 8-year old girl filled with worry
Papa: Faith’s father, enjoys reading
Dad: Faith’s father, enjoys naps
Wilhelmina 1: the real Wilhelmina, Faith’s cat, mischievous, full of curiosity (life size)
Mouse: An energetic friend who likes to get in on the action
Skunk: A stable, yet sarcastic, friend
Owl: A calm and reassuring friend
Wilhelmina 2: The cat, Wilhelmina, of Faith’s imagination (larger than life)
Squirrel: A boxer and foe of the Wilhelmina of Faith’s imagination (larger than life)
Dumptruck: A sanitation employee 
Bulldog: A bully and foe of the Wilhelmina of Faith’s imagination (larger than life)
Martian: A green alien
The Screamer: Imaginary friend of Faith, knows how to let is all out
The Thinker: Imaginary friend of Faith, assists her to think through her feelings
Son of Man: An observer, friend of Faith
Perimeter People (sensory assistants)

*the characters of Faith, Bulldog, & Dumptruck are portrayed by an actor, all other characters are puppets that are brought to life by actors

Venue: Studio 60
Directed by: Rob Roznowski
Rehearsal Dates: February 19 – March 25
Performance Dates: March 26 – 30
 

Cast:

Alexander Adamski
Chisom Anwunah
Gabriel Blaze
Michale Coffey
Bobby Conlan
Ben Corsi
Thomas Evansky
Kyle Jedrusik
Karam Mawazani
David Meagher
Jameson R Patrona
Jewell Redman
Samantha Stanton
QueenMakeeda Taylor
Logan Verlinde
Hugh Watters

Description:
Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets is about the examination of a need for union representation in the 1930s depression era. And in true union of equality and collective work, the show will have a rotating cast of pods of characters so that each evening members from that will perform a different character in the show. (For example, the 4 actors cast in Group #1 may play Fatt one night, Agate, the next, a voice in the audience the next, and Clayton the next night). So, while there are traditionally more male roles, gender will not dictate the casting of each group of characters. Casting will support diversity and imagination. Waiting for Lefty will also perform at the UAW Assembly Hall and Michigan Education Association in Lansing– times TBD. 


Character Descriptions: 
The pods of actors are playing the following characters: 

Group #1 
Fatt—the corrupt union boss 
Clayton—pretending to be a union sympathizer lying to the crowd 
Agate—The agitator ready for the union 
Voice—one of many in the audience 

Group #2 
Joe—Broke cab driver with a family to feed. 
Edna—Spouse of Joe fed up with their impoverished life 
Barnes—Doctor closing the charity ward because it is losing money 
Voice—one of many in the audience 

Group #3 
Sid—A cab driver who ends a love affair because they can’t afford to marry 
Florrie—His lover who wants to desperately stay with Sid 
Irv—Florrie’s brother who warns of dangers to come 
Voice— one of many in the audience 

Group #4 
Fayette—Creating chemical warfare and hiring a spy to make sure the experiments are going well 
Miller- An idealist asked to spy  
Benjamin—a young doctor fighting to keep the charity ward open 
Voice—one of many in the audience 

Venue: Pasant Theatre
Director: Brad Willcuts
Music Director: Adam Yankowy
Choreographer: Abby McCarty
Rehearsal Dates: February 19 – April 4
Tech: March 29 – April 4

Performance Dates: April 5 – 14

CAST

Melchoir – Matt Antelek
Wendla – Olivia Bath
Moritz – Andrew Brown
Otto – Michael Bolaños
Thea – Joie Culligan
Hanschen – Zach Deande
Martha – Jordan Ivezaj
Anna – Cayla Hadaway
Georg – Preston Lyford
Ernst – Mohamed Mohammed
Ilse – Bella Siego
Headmaster Knochenbruch, Father Kaulbach, Herr Gabor, Schmidt – Sebastian Barnett
Fräulein Grossebüstenhalter, Frau Gabor, Frau Bessel, Doctor Von Brausepulver – Nicole Jenosky
Frau Bergman, Frau Knuppeldick – Chloe Kirchmeier
Herr Sonnenstich, Herr Stiefel, Herr Neumann – Henry Clise

Description:
The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is a fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. Join this group of late nineteenth century German students as they navigate self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in an electrifying celebration of youth and rebellion.

Character Descriptions:

THE YOUTH
Wendla Bergman (Pop Soprano/Mix Belt) Age: 18+ A sweet, but naive young girl who is trapped in her family’s unwillingness to teach her about the adult world, but with every passing day, she grows bolder and more curious about her body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution.

Ilse Neumann (Pop Soprano/Belter) 18+ Beautiful and mature looking. A misguided young girl who runs away from an abusive home to live in an artists’ colony. Kind and resilient while also broken and stuck in a cycle of abuse. There is a strong emotional connection between Ilse and Moritz.

Martha Bessell (Alto/Belter) Age: 16+ One of Wendla’s friends who is abused by her father, and she keeps the worst of the abuse to herself. She has a crush on Moritz, and is chastised by the other girls for it. Best friend of Anna and protective of her.

Anna (Mezzo-Soprano) 16+ A kind school girl and Martha’s best friend. She is more aware of injustice than the other girls and recognizes that what happens to Wendla is wrong. Has a secret crush on Martha.

Thea (Alto) 16+ A confrontational school girl and Wendla’s best friend. Outwardly believes the adults but secretly questions the blind faith demanded of her. Does not want to rock the boat. Mistrusts Hanschen.

Melchior Gabor (Bari-Tenor) 18+ A headstrong, smart and charismatic schoolboy. He knows much more than the others because of what he reads in books and is able to see the corruption in society. He falls in love with Wendla.

Moritz Stiefel (Bari-Tenor) 16+ Melchior’s intense and nervous best friend. He has an overwhelming confusion relating to sexual feelings. The system has failed him. Highly sensitive and aware of his inability to fit into the system.  

Hänschen Rilow (Tenor) 16+ A cunning and attractive schoolboy, who manipulates the other students, especially Ernst, whom he seduces. Like Melchior, he also appears to be very intelligent, but uses his knowledge in favor of the system.

Ernst Röbel (Bari-Tenor) 16+ A sweet and naive classmate. He is Hänschen’s love interest.

Georg Zirschnitz (Tenor) 16+ A hormonal schoolboy who lusts after his older piano teacher.

Otto Lämmermeier (Tenor) 16+ Another schoolboy who has a disturbing dream about his mother.

Ensemble (Various Voice Parts) play Dieter, Rupert, Reinhold, Ulbrecht among others

THE ADULTS: Adults play multiple roles.
1 (Mezzo-Soprano)
Frau Bergman: Wendla’s mother
Fräulein Knuppeldick: an associate of Headmaster Knochenbruch Frau Bessell: Martha’s mother

2 (Mezzo-Soprano)
Fräulein Grossebüstenhalter: Georg’s piano teacher
Frau Gabor: Melchior’s mother
Frau Bessel: Martha’s mother
Doctor Von Brausepulver: Wendla’s doctor

3 (Bari-Tenor)
Herr Sonnenstich: a schoolteacher
Herr Stiefel: Moritz’s father
Herr Neumann: Ilse’s Father

4 (Bari-Tenor)
Headmaster Knochenbruch: the school headmaster
Father Kaulbach: Local Pastor of the church
Herr Gabor: Melchior’s father
Schmidt: the Abortion doctor

Venue: 4th Floor of STEAM Building on MSU Campus
Directed by: Rob Roznowski

Rehearsal Dates: Friday afternoons from 12:00-4:00 PM in the AUD.  The week of performance rehearsals move to the STEM Building from 5:30-9:00 April 8-12. 

Performances: April 13 and 14 at 7:00 and 15th at 2:00 

This is not a required show for BFA Actors, you may choose to audition for this or not. You may receive a THR 300 for this show but not a 300 A or C.

CAST

Ben Barber
Sophia Catella
Brooke Cousins
Mandy Marsili
Natalie Palencik
Sam Smelser
Rileigh Belle Wine
Zhanna Yakubova

Description

After the Blast by Zoe Kazan is a contemporary look at future events after a cataclysmic environmental accident force everyone to live underground. Anna and Oliver are trying to get approval to have a baby from the government. Oliver brings Anna a robot to help with her depression and the relationship between Anna and Arthur (the robot) grows deeper and deeper.  

Character Descriptions 
The casting notice from the playwright notes that “The world has been intentionally populated with an eye toward racial and ethnic diversity.” This includes any role that may have originally been played by a specific gender could shift.  

Anna—a depressed person who yearns for a baby
Oliver—Anna’s spouse who is trying to help Anna out of depression 
Arthur—the robot. Actor will be live and puppeteering the robot and providing the voice 
Carrie–  Anna’s friend 
Patrick—Carrie’s spouse 
Sam—A worker for the underground government 
Lowes–  a technician and agency worker 
Margarita—must speak Spanish. A person who adopts Arthur 

Directed by: Ryan Patrick Welsh
Schedule: April 29 – May 3
You must be available for every day of filming to work 10-12 hour days. The film will be done as one-shot.

Description
20-Minutes to Curtain is about a stage management team working to get everyone set for top of show. Everything is business as usual until they discover the brownies left in the green room were not all that they appeared. With a cast rapidly descending into baked madness, a house manager ready to seat impatient patrons, and a show minutes away from curtain, this fearless band of SMs will have to pull out all the stops to make a miracle happen – after all, the show must go on.

Character Descriptions
Cast of 10-12. Roles TBD

Hello Spartans!
The Michigan State University Department of Theatre invites all enrolled students to audition for our Spring 2024 productions. Please closely follow the instructions below to ensure a smooth and equitable audition experience for all!

Audition Prep

Step 1: Read this information in its entirety.
Review the production details below, note rehearsal and performance dates, read the scripts and synopses available.

Step 2: Sign-Up and Complete Forms

A. Sign-up for an Audition Slot. Auditions will take place on Monday, October 30 starting at 6PM in the Auditorium Building, 542 Auditorium Rd at Room 12 (Hollander Lounge)
THE SIGN UP WINDOW HAS CLOSED. 

B. Complete the Intimacy Notice Form
Click here for the Intimacy Notice Form. You will not be allowed to enter the audition room until this form is received. Please complete it ahead of time.

C. Complete the Audition Form
Click here for the Audition Form. You will not be allowed to enter the audition room until this form is received. Please complete it ahead of time.

    • CONFLICTS:
      All conflicts MUST be listed on your audition form. No conflicts will be accepted after casting.
      Scroll down and click on the title of the show to see an outline of the rehearsal and performance schedule for each show.
    • GENERAL REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
      Mondays – Fridays 6:15PM – 10:15PM, Saturdays & Sundays: No Rehearsal (Until Tech & Performance. See below for information about Tech/Performance dates)

Step 4: Read the scripts.
Perusal copies are available in the Theatre Department’s Main Office Mailroom, Suite 113 in the Auditorium Building at 542 Auditorium Road. The perusal scripts cannot be removed from the office. You can also access them digitally by clicking here.

Step 5: Prepare your audition materials.
NOTE: Please indicate which productions you are auditioning for on your audition form. BFA Acting majors are required to audition for all shows except for After the Blast. 

  • To Audition for Waiting for Lefty, After the Blast, or 20-Minutes to Curtain:
    • One 1-minute dramatic monologue.
  • To Audition for Spring Awakening or What If Wilhelmina:
    • Please prepare a contemporary pop/rock song, approximately 1-minute in length, that equally showcases your vocal and acting ability. The selection may be from either a musical or outside a musical. When in doubt, your song should still feel dramatic and/or theatrical by way of telling a story, connecting with an “other,” or a high stakes narrative. You may use sheet music or a backing track. If using sheet music, bring printed music, 3-hole punched and in a binder.  If using a backing track, bring your own device to play the track. A speaker will be provided with both a regular audio jack as well as a dongle for an iPhone lightning jack or a USB-c jack. BFA Acting students who are required to audition, but have little or no musical theater auditioning experience, may choose to sing “Happy Birthday”.
  • Dance Call will only be for Spring Awakening callbacks.

Step 6: Attend Your Audition
The Check-In/Information Table will be in the Hollander Lounge of the Auditorium Building at 542 Auditorium Rd, in the lower level of the building. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your audition slot to allow time to allow time for check-in.  You will audition your song first and then be directed to a second room to complete your monologue audition. 

Callbacks
Callback materials will be posted at a later date.
You will be notified via the email you provide on your audition form whether or not you have been called back. 

  • Stevie and the Real World: No callbacks
  • What If Wilhelmina: 5:30p Wednesday, Nov 1
  • Waiting for Lefty: No callbacks
  • Spring Awakening: Vocal Callbacks 7:30p Wednesday, Nov 1; Dance Call & Scene work 6:00p Thursday, Nov 2
  • Film Project: Callbacks will be via Flipgrid
  • After the Blast: No callbacks

Casting
Cast lists will be emailed directly to the email address you provide on your audition form.

Questions
Email Production Manager Abbie Tykocki atykocki@msu.edu with all questions, concerns, or issues. You can also find me at the audition information table on Monday.