Audition Notice

Footlite Musicals announces open auditions for Ragtime, the first main stage production of our 2019 – 2020 season.  The staff is seeking an ethnically diverse cast of men and women ages 16 – 65+.  Additionally, there are 2 parts for children (boy and girl – stage age 9 – 12) available

Audition Details

DATE AND TIME

Sunday – July 21, 6:30 p.m.  – children between the ages of 9 and 15

Sunday – July 21, 7:00 p.m. – Adults 16 and over

Monday – July 22, 6:30 p.m. – children between the ages of 9 and 15

Monday – July 22, 7:00 p.m. – Adults 16 and over

Tuesday – July 23, 7:00 p.m. – Potential call backs

Anyone who is under that age of 18 MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian

LOCATION

Footlite Musicals – 1847 N Alabama St., Indianapolis, IN 46202

CONFLICTS

If you are interested in auditioning, but cannot attend the formal auditions, please contact director Paula Phelan – phelanpaula@netscape.net  – as soon as possible.

PRODUCTION DATES

September 27 – 29, October 3 – 6 & 10 -13

Curtain times – 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 2:30 p.m. on Sunday

How to Prepare

Please dress to impress.

Please prepare 16 measures from any show that you are comfortable singing and shows your range.  Please bring sheet music in the correct key.  An accompanist will be provided.  NO A CAPPELLA SINGING.  You may sing a song from Ragtime, but please do not sing “Wheels of a Dream” or “Your Daddy’s Son”.

Everyone will be required to participate in the movement audition.  Please wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to move.  Basic choreography will be taught that will reflect the style of the show.   It will not be necessary to change into dance attire.

Many dance rehearsals will be held at Dance Magic Performing Arts Center – 10400 Pleasant St., Noblesville, IN.

If transportation is a problem, please talk to us.  Arrangements can be made.

Please bring all known conflicts with you to auditions.

Please, no conflicts after September 14.

There will be no rehearsal Labor Day weekend but we will be working in the theater.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE –  Ragtime is set during the turn of the 20 century.  One of the most important elements of this show is the lack of racial equality.  The language that is used often in Ragtime to describe non-white people is often shocking, but was used consistently during this time.  It is our belief that conversation brings about change.  There will be talk backs with the audience and the actors after our Sunday performances on September 29 and October 6.

For more information, including a complete character breakdown, please visit the Footlite website: www.footlite.org.

MTI provides a complete synopsis and other information about Ragtime on their website

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

All ages are stage age

All vocal ranges are top to bottom

Booker T. Washington – The dominant figure in the Black community of the United States at the turn of the 20^th century.  Founder of the Tuskegee Institute.

Age 45-55

Vocal range  – E5 – C4

Mother – a strong, kind woman who defies social norms to do the things she believes are correct

Age 30-40

Vocal range – E5 -G3

Sarah – The love of Coalhouse Walker’s life who is taken into Mother’s home when her newborn baby is found in Mother’s garden.

Age – 18-22

Vocal range – F5 to G3

Sarah’s friend – also a member of the ensemble – Sings solo in ”Till We Reach that Day”

Age 18-22

Vocal Range – D5-D3

Tateh – An immigrant who travels under great hardship to America to search for his dream.

Age – 30-45

Vocal Range – F5 – A3

Willie Conklin – chief of the all Irish volunteer Fire Brigade.  His racism precipitates the crisis in the community.  Also a member of the ensemble.

Age – any

Vocal range – F5 – D4

Grandfather – Mother’s father. A retired professor, irritated by everything.

Age – Mature

Will sing as part of the ensemble occasionally

Henry Ford – American industrialist who made his wealth with the use of the Assembly Line.

Age – Mature

Vocal range – F5 – D4

There are currently no plans to use this actor in the ensemble.

Harry Houdini – The most famous escape artist of his day.  Originally an immigrant.

Age – 25-35

Vocal range – G5 – C4

There are currently no plans to use this actor in the ensemble.

Anyone who is auditioning for this part should not be afraid of heights and be prepared to learn sleight of hand/magic tricks.

J.P. Morgan – Financier whose influence continues to be felt to this day.

Age – Mature

Vocal range – F5 – D4

There are currently no plans to use this actor in the ensemble.

Little Girl – Tateh’s daughter.  Still reeling from the death of her mother and leaving her home, she speaks very little.

Age – 8-11

Vocal range – D5 – A3

Little Boy (Edgar) – Mother & Father’s son. Wise beyond his years, an interested and prescient observer of all that goes on around him.

Age – 10-12

Vocal range – D5 – A3

Coalhouse Walker, Jr. – A proud, sophisticated musician who fights to follow the law of the land as it continually turns it’s back on him.  He only wants to be heard and have vindication, but even that is denied him.

Age – 25-35

Vocal Range – B5 – G3

Emma Goldman – Russian born radical anarchist who fought strongly and loudly for equality for all

Age – mature

Vocal range – D5 to B3

Evelyn Nesbit – the original Gibson girl, the Kim Kardashian of 1906.

Age – 18 – 22

Vocal range – D5 – B3

Father – Conservative, well-traveled , but does not understand why his life and everything around him is changing.  He is truly confused by this, but is also kind of a bigot.

Age – 30-45

Vocal range – F5 – A3

Younger Brother – a young man in search of his reason for living

Age 20-25

Vocal Range – F5-B3

Ensemble – Large, extremely busy ensemble that will play the citizens of Harlem and New Rochelle, immigrants, and all supporting roles not listed previously