Acting in Atlanta
The cast of Breaking Legs at Kudzu is going to Breaking Legs at Stage Door Players this Saturday night. It’s always interesting to see other productions of what you have done; to see how a different director, venue and cast perform the very same play that you have been in.
So a cast reunion. We will meet for dinner before hand, probably Italian, and then see the show.
Stage Door Players announces non-equity auditions for the Regional Premiere of Ken Ludwig’s new play, Leading Ladies. Auditions will be held July 16th and 17th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the theater. Show runs September 22nd through October 15th, and will be directed by SDP Artistic Director, Robert Egizio. All actors paid a stipend. Casting: 2 women age range 25-35, 1 woman to play 70-80, 3 men 25-50+. The roles of Jack and Leo have already been cast. Please bring headshot and resume, and be prepared to read from the script. For more information or directions to the theater, call 770-396-1726 ext 7, or click on the link above.
There were 30 people for callbacks on Thursday night. That’s 3 people for each role. Lane Teilhaber told us that there were nearly 100 people who auditioned for Play On! That’s huge for a community theatre. I knew upon arriving that I probably would not get a part.
Brink Miller, who has done many shows at Kudzu Playhouse as well as Stage Door Players, was also reading for HENRY. Brink looks the part age wise. I have seen Brink in 3 plays that I remember and he is very good. Remember HENRY is a 50+ character and, well, I look early 30’s.
Lane did tell us that he would only be calling those who received a role by 1 PM the next day. Already knowing that I did not receive a part, I get a phone call from Lane just before noon. I was a little shocked. Lane had called me to let me know that he could not use me in this play, but hoped that we could work together again. Lane is a great director to work for.
I am sure Lane has a superb cast for Play On! I plan on seeing it when it opens at Kudzu Playhouse.
Damn it to hell! It never fails that when I audition for Robert Egizio at Stage Door Players I screw up. It really annoys me that I do very well at other theatres but not here. Of the 4 times I have auditioned for Robert, I blew a monologue twice, and for a musical I forced my voice as if I were singing to 10,000 people without a microphone.
Last night, after blowing my monologue, I read the part of the Father. Robert said there are 4 characters similar in nature and so a reading of one would do for all of those 4 parts. The Father, HARRY LAMBERT, was described as a “politically correct Archie Bunker” and “blustery”. The side was read with HARRY’s wife, EDITH. So instead of reading it like a “blustery Archie Bunker” like Robert described, I read it like a morose husband, somewhat sympathetic to EDITH but appalled that he may be the butt of a joke.
Another audition I did for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, after reading a side with one actress and was to read again with another actress, I was told that the character was a lawyer. I did not think about it right then, but did after I left. I read the side like I heard other people doing, as an angry person. It should have been read in an analytical way. The lawyer is logically stepping thought what he will do to achieve his goal and not angry.
Last night again, I did not really think about it and just read. I did not have much time to prepare and think about the side, but I did not read it like the director described the character.
What I need to do is to keep that information in my head like a mantra
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
“a blustery Archie Bunker”
even when I am reading the side. I need to force myself to spend 30 seconds and analyze what was told to me. This is critical in following the director’s instructions. I will never get anywhere if I do not.
This is one theatre I really want to do a play in. There are 4 levels of theatre in my opinion:
Professional/Community – Non-Equity only – open casting calls
Professional/Community – Non-Equity and Equity – open casting calls
Professional/Community ? Invitational only
Professional ? Equity only
Even though Stage Door Players states that it is a “metro-Atlanta non-professional theater that provides a venue to showcase the talents of up-and-coming local actors, directors and designers”, but will cast Equity actors, I still consider it a step above and would consider it an achievement if I were cast in one of it’s plays. This is just my opinion and impression of the theatre.
Still, not even a DQ Hot Fudge Sunday could console me on the way home last night.
Stage Door Players will hold non-equity auditions for Never Too Late, a comedy by Sumner Arthur Long, on Monday August 15, and Tuesday August 16, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM both nights. No appointment necessary.
“A married man in his fifties suddenly learns he’s becoming a father again. And since his 24 year old daughter and her husband live with him; she gets up for breakfast at lunchtime and he is curiously addicted to solitaire, he finds the prospect of another unthinkable. But then his previously meek little wife begins to lay down the law. Good old fashioned comedy.”
Looking to cast three men 50+, two men 30-40, one man 20-30, two women 50+, and one woman 20-30. Directed by Artistic Director Robert Egizio, rehearsals begin August 22, show opens September 22nd, and runs through the 16th of October. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, and Sunday matinee at 2:30. All performers paid a stipend. Bring headshot and resume, please prepare a 60 second comedic monologue, and be prepared to read from the script.
See you at the Stage Door!