Auditions

ONCE

Book by ENDA WALSH

Music & Lyrics by GLEN HANSARD & MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ

Directed by JONATHAN INFANTE

Assistant Director - TARA PITT
Music Director - PATRICK COPELAND
Choreographer - KELSIE BLACKWELL

An important note about casting: roles and instrumentation listed below are broken down based off the original production be. That being said, we are seeking performers of all backgrounds, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. The ensemble cast will be comprised of versatile performers who can sing, act, dance, and (potentially) play an instrument. Our goal is to assemble the best sounding cast we can, whose combined talents will most effectively tell this story. That may mean that every performer will play an instrument, or it might be a combination of actor-musicians and actor-vocalists being supported by additional band members.

The only roles that require an actor play a specific instrument are those whose musicianship we believe is necessary to the story. This includes the roles of Guy (guitar), Girl (Piano), Reza (Violin), and Bank Manager (Guitar). These parts will be as originally listed (asterisk in breakdown denotes mandatory instrumentation).

All performers cast in the production will receive a stipend
This is not a union production.

Essential Info: 

Auditions

Monday, October 9, and Tuesday, October 10
6:00 – 9:30 p.m.


Callbacks by Invitation Only

Wednesday, October 11


Curtis Theatre

1 Civic Center Cir
 Brea, CA 92821

www.CurtisTheatre.com


Rehearsals

Band rehearsals will begin in late October and run through the end of the year. Band rehearsal will be one night per week and will strictly focus on learning to play together as one group.


Early January TBD – February 8, 2024
Mon - Thurs evenings. Exact times TBD.

 

Performances

February 9 through 25,

Fridays 8:00 p.m., Saturdays 8:00 p.m., Sundays 3:00 p.m.


Performers cast in the production will receive a stipend.

What to prepare for auditions: 

Please come prepared with a resume and current headshot, as well as 16-32 bars of a folk song, a song from the show or in the style of the show.


For those that play an instrument, please be prepare to accompany yourself. No additional instruments needed other than what is already listed in breakdown.


For those that do not play an instrument, please bring sheet music in the correct key and the creative team will accompany you on piano or guitar.


Overall, we seek to cast our productions as expansively, inclusively, and mindfully as possible. We look forward to seeing you and cannot wait to start this process.


The following instruments will be available at auditions in the event you can’t transport your own:


  • Drum set
  • Cajon
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Bass amp and guitar amp
  • Melodica
  • Castanets
  • Accordion

Character Breakdown: 

Guy*

N/A. Male. 30-39
Vocal range: G2 to C#5;
Irish-born; a struggling musician who works with his father in a vacuum repair shop; he is brooding over an ex-girlfriend, but charismatic with extreme appeal. Bari-tenor with a rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish accent; must play guitar* well; disclaimer: character engages in costume change in view of audience.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities


Girl*
*N/A. Female. 25-35
Vocal range: C4 to G3;
Czech-born; direct, intelligent, resourceful and witty with a no-nonsense attitude; doesn't want sympathy from others; mezzo-soprano with a rock/folk voice; speaks with a Czech accent; must play the piano* well.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Reza*
N/A. Female. 25-35
Vocal range: C4 to A5; Czech-born; seductive, funny, and smart with a larger than life attitude; soprano with a rock/folk voice.; speaks with a Czech accent; must play the violin* well.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Eamon
N/A. Male. 25-49
Vocal range: G2 to G#4; Irish-born. music studio manager/engineer where Guy and Girl record their album; a tough nut to crack, but eventually appreciates Guy’s and Girl’s talents; Baritone with rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish accent; plays guitar, piano, melodica, cajon, and castanets.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Da
N/A. Male. 50-65
Vocal range: Baritone; Irish-born; Guy's father, who runs a vacuum-repair shop; a man of few words but caring and warm; Baritone with rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish accent; must play Mandolin well.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Baruska
N/A. Female. 50-69
Vocal range: G3 to C5; Czech; Girl’s mother; a caring woman with few inhibitions who likes a full house and full stomachs; Alto with rock/folk voice; speaks with a Czech accent; plays accordion and E concertina well.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Bank Manager*
N/A. Male. 35-45
Vocal range: G3 to B4; Irish-born; prim and proper bank businessman with a secret passion for music; Tenor with a rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish (Cork) accent; must play guitar* and cello*, and mandolin is a plus.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Andrej
N/A. Male. 25-35
Vocal range: C2 to G#4; Czech-born; an employee at a fast food chain with big dreams; earnest and kind. Baritone with a rock/folk voice; speaks dialogue with a Czech accent; must play electric bass well; ukulele and guitar a plus.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Svec
N/A. Male. 25-39
Vocal range: B2 to G#4; Czech-born; an eccentric guy who spends most of his time watching television soap operas and drinking coffee; Baritone with a rock/folk voice; speaks with a Czech accent; must play drums well, banjo, mandolin, and guitar; disclaimer: character removes trousers on stage.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Ex-Girlfriend
N/A. Female. 25-39
Vocal range: Mezzo-soprano; Irish-born; Guy's ex-girlfriend who now lives in New York; sensual and charismatic; Mezzo-soprano with a rock folk voice. Speaks with an Irish accent; must play violin well. Cajon a plus.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Emcee
N/A. All Genders. 30-49
Any gender, vocal range: G2 to G#4; Irish-born; good-natured and knows how to work a crowd at the local bar; Baritone/alto with a rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish accent; must play guitar well.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Billy
N/A. Male. 30-49
Vocal range: G2 to G#4; Irish-born and has one parent from Spain; owner of the music store where Girl plays piano; large, loud, and funny but also protective; Baritone with a rock/folk voice; speaks with an Irish accent; must play guitar, plus cajon, ukulele, and cymbals.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Ivonka
Girl’s daughter.
Gender: Female Age: 6 to 10