Upcoming Auditions

FOOTHILL MUSIC THEATRE

Announces Auditions for

 

Casting Violet the musical set in the deep south during the Civil Rights Movement with music by Jeanine Tesori, (Caroline, or Change; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Shrek; Fun Home) and book & lyrics by Brian Crawley (Little Princess).

Gospel, Rock, Country, and Rhythm and Blues score by Jeanine Tesori, and its well-crafted book and lyrics by Brian Crawley that are not afraid to deal with important, sensitive issues. Violet  features a strong ensemble cast with bravura roles for the leads.  Based on the short story "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts. It tells the story of a young disfigured woman who embarks on a journey by bus from her farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma in order to be healed. In its off-Broadway run, it won the Drama Critics' Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award as Best Musical. Violet received four Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 2014.

Milissa Carey – director

Audition Dates & Times:   Please submit headshot, resume, short video of you singing a 2-3 minute song in the style of the show, songs from the show are acceptable.  A capella is OK.  

Submission to careymilissa@fhda.edu. 

Callbacks:   In-person and by Appointment MAR 25-31

Performance Dates:   JULY 21- AUGUST 7, 2022, Lohman Theatre

Thursday 7:30; Friday & Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.  12 performances.
Rehearsal Schedule:  Music rehearsals begin June 6^th, 2022

Weekday evenings + Sat & Sun afternoons / Expanded Tech schedule

FMT actively supports equity, diversity and inclusion in all productions.  We are interested in looking at a diverse pool of actors for all roles.  

Character Descriptions

All roles are open and all ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

VIOLET | F | 20-35 | Caucasian | Mezzo with strong musical theatre belt | The title character, a young North Carolina woman whose face was scarred in a childhood accident. She is stubborn and prickly, but filled with equal parts hope and obsession that she may be healed and made beautiful.

FLICK | M | 20-30 | African-American | Baritone with strong musical theatre belt | A soldier; a dreamer and go-getter. He doesn’t enjoy the army, but enjoys the respect it garners him. There is something gentle and good about him, not to be interpreted or confused with weakness or lack of authority.

MONTY | M | 20-30 | Caucasian | Tenor | A paratrooper and Flick’s friend from basic training. Rough around the edges. Self-consumed, but not necessarily purposefully so. Fighting his own demons.

YOUNG VIOLET | F | 10-13 | Caucasian | Mezzo | Not quite as guarded or prickly as her older self, but still tough and stubborn. She has a keen curiosity and the rough edges of being brought up solely by her father

FATHER | M | 35-45 | Caucasian | Baritone | A simple, widowed man who lovingly raises his daughter alone doing the best he can with little knowledge or resources. Stern but friendly, smart but uneducated. Accidentally scars Violet’s face while he is chopping wood.

OLD LADY | F | 45-65 | Any Ethnicity | Alto | A former beauty in her heyday. Staunch, tired and frustrated with life. Must be able to play both sweet and “down and dirty.”

PREACHER | M | 35-50 | Any Ethnicity | Tenor | An impassioned, theatrical man who preaches with all the bravado he can muster. Once had a true healing touch but has lost it in his quest to become a showman. Dismissive and egotistical.

VIRGIL | M | 20-35 | Caucasian | Tenor | The Preacher’s assistant. Knows the smoke and mirrors of the Preacher’s show and must begrudgingly deal with anyone who might derail it.

MUSIC HALL SINGER | F | 35-45 | Any Ethnicity | Alto/Mezzo with strong blues belt | The solo performer at a dance hall in Memphis.

LULU BUFFINGTON | F | 40-70 | African-American | Alto with strong gospel belt | A soloist in the volunteer choir that sings for the Preacher’s telecast. Sings for God with passion and power.

LEROY EVANS | M | 45-70 | Caucasian | Baritone | A citizen of Spruce Pine with a dog named Roscoe. Not very bright.

Strong singing acting ensemble to play various roles including: 

• Old Lady 2: Passenger, Tulsa to Fort Smith. She's sure that whoever is supposed to pick her up forgot. 
• Mabel: Passenger Tulsa to Fort Smith. Talkative. Tired of sitting. A bit man crazy. Three straight husbands tried to teach her to drive before she figured out how to do it. She once hit a traffic cop and subsequently married him after he got out of the hospital.
  
  •  
  • Woman with Fan: Rides from Fort Smith to Tulsa.
  • Landlady: Almeta. Identifies as African-American. Flick's friend.  Runs boarding house in Memphis. Agrees to let them stay when Flick pays her $20. Tells Flick to use the back alley exit if they leave the premises. 
  • Woman Knitting: A quiet woman.
  • Bus Driver 1: Johnson, aka Mr. Wallace Weatherman. Looks forward to Sal's Barbecue and greasy food. Gets off at Nashville.  
  • Rufus: A mechanic in Memphis. Along with the other mechanic, accosts Flick.
  • Radio Singer: Memphis boarding house radio singer.
  • Bus Driver 4: Tulsa to Fort Smith. Johnson, aka Mr. Wallace Weatherman. Wants Dan's Irish Stew, blackberry pie and beer when he gets to Fort Smith.
  • Waiter: Non-African-American. Racist. In Kingsport. Blunt about Violet's scar. 
  • Mechanic: In Memphis. Gets into fight with Flick.
  • Radio Soloist: Memphis. Part of the boarding house radio trio.
  • Bus Driver 3: Memphis to Fort Smith. Sings "Lonely Stranger."
  • Earl: Tulsa to Fort Smith. Flea circus owner, former midway barker. A strange character on the Greyhound bus who sneaks smokes in the bathroom and is carrying a smelly suitcase he claims holds a flea circus.
  • Creepy Guy: Tulsa to Fort Smith. A "Jesus freak."
  • Bus Driver 2: On the Nashville to Memphis leg.
  • Radio Singer: Memphis. Part of the boarding house radio trio.
  • Billy Dean: Violet's first sexual encounter–on a $5 bet. An Elum brother.

 

 

Foothill Music Theatre is not-for-pay.

 

For More Information:   Milissa Carey  /  careymilissa@fhda.edu

Website:  https://foothill.edu/theatre/auditions.php

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