Auditions for Murder Ballad at Patio Playhouse
Written by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash
Directed by Matt FitzGerald and Rachel Mink
Musical Direction by Jerrica Ignacio
AUDITIONS:
Still seeking male identifying actors for the roles of Tom and Michael. Email resume to mattfitzgerald@patioplayhouse.com for consideration
Video Submission or in person on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Callbacks by invitation only Tuesday, August 2, 2022
AUDITION & PERFORMANCE LOCATION:
Patio Playhouse
116 S Kalmia St
Escondido, CA 92025
THE MUSICAL:
A steamy exploration of the complications of love, the compromises we make and the betrayals that undo us. Murder Ballad is the dramatic story of a love triangle gone wrong, centering on Sara, an uptown girl who seems to have it all, but whose downtown past lingers enticingly and dangerously in front of her.
SHOW RUNS: October 14, 2022 to November 6, 2022
PERFORMANCES: Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm and Sundays at 2pm
REHEARSALS: September 5-October 13 (please come to auditions with details about all potential conflict dates)
This is a non-equity, volunteer position.
In order to ensure the safety of the production, we are requiring that everyone involved be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Patio Playhouse encourages diversity and prioritizes safety in their productions. For more info, please read our Policies and Procedures on Diversity, Inclusion, and Consent.
AUDITION INFORMATION:
Soliciting either video submission or live audition.
Please prepare a 45 second song in the style of the show. Have a resume and headshot available and knowing future conflict dates through rehearsal period and performances (Sept. 5-Nov. 6).
Video submissions should include all of the required materials, audition video may be included in the email or uploaded to youtube and have a link attached. Submissions can be emailed to mattfitzgerald@patioplayhouse.com no later than July 31st, 2022.
In person auditions are only on Aug. 1. You can either bring a track to sing with or sheet music (an accompanist will be provided), along with your other documents. No a capella, please.
Callbacks will be by invitation only on August 2 and will consist of sides from the scripts, songs from the show, and potentially some movement.
Content Warning: This show contains sensitive subject matter, including violence and sex. Patio Playhouse and the Murder Ballad production team are dedicated to consent based practices and the safety and well-being of all participants. Both directors have training in staging intimacy from a leading theatrical intimacy organization.
Due to the nature of the content of this production we will not be considering actors that are not 18 or older.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
All roles are open for all ethnicities. Roles are gendered and will be open to anyone comfortable portraying that gender. We are considering all ages (18 and over) for all roles as the play takes place over the course of many years, there is no age range for any of the roles.
NARRATOR (Female) – The storyteller providing all the transitions between the various scenes and occasionally speaking for the characters themselves. Philisophical, poetic, and a little opinionated. This character engages in stage combat and acts of violence as well as simulated drunkeness. The Narrator should play as younger than Sarah.
SARAH (Female) – Once Tom’s lover, she is an ambitious starving artist and musician. Initially depressed and jaded towards men after a sordid relationship. Michael helps her find happiness again through their marriage. She ends up straying from the marriage. This character engages in physical intimacy with both Tom and Michael including kissing and simulated sex. This character also engages in stage combat and acts of violence, as well as simulated drunkeness.
TOM (Male) – Sara’s first lover and an ambitious starving artist and actor. His alcoholism, constant affairs, and general selfishness put a strain on his relationships. He becomes obsessed and stalker-like in his mannerisms toward Sara. This character engages in physical intimacy with Sarah including kissing and simulated sex. This character also engages in stage combat and acts of violence, as well as simulated drunkeness.
MICHAEL (Male) – A poetry PhD who Sara elicits and her eventual husband. Sweet and calming, he is willing to provide nothing but the best for those he loves. He shows how cold he can become when he finds out about Sarah’s affair. This character engages in physical intimacy with Sarah including kissing and simulated sex. This character also engages in stage combat and acts of violence, as well as simulated drunkeness.
NOTE: UNDERSTUDIES may be cast for this production. There is no guaranteed understudy performance scheduled. In event of need, a put-in rehearsal will be scheduled if possible.
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For additional information or questions, contact Matt FitzGerald: mattfitzgerald@patioplayhouse.com
Murder Ballad is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com