Vokes Players announce auditions for their Fall 2014 production of “Avenue Q” with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty.
Director – Laura Espy
Music Director – Howie Bowles
Stage Manager – Jean MacFarland
Production Dates – October 30-31, November 1, 6-8, 13-15, 21-22 at 8pm & November 8 and 15 at 2pm
About the Show:
AVENUE Q is a gut-bustingly hilarious modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city, seeking their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children’s show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned.
Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, AVENUE Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. AVENUE Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.
Rehearsal Days:
We will be rehearsing a mix of 3 or 4 days a week for this show. To prepare for music and puppetry work, please expect rehearsals to be 4 nights a week at the beginning of the process. From then on, we will determine if rehearsals will need to be 3 or 4 days per week based on cast availability. However, these rehearsals will be on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 7-10pm (unless scheduled with individuals for music rehearsal based on availability). The first rehearsal will be the week of August 24.
Audition Dates:
Auditions will be held at Vokes by appointment on May 18th and 19th. Please sign up for one time slot: 7-7:30pm, 7:30-8pm, 8-8:30pm, 8:30-9pm 9-9:30pm or 9:30-10pm.
Callbacks will be held on May 21st – approximately 7-11pm.
To schedule an appointment, please send an email avenueqvokes@gmail.com. Please include:
– Your name
– Your phone number
– The roles you are interested in
– The date you wish to audition
– Your preferred time slot
– An alternate time slot in case your first choice is not available
You will then receive a confirmation of your audition time. Please bring a headshot or any clear head and shoulders photo of yourself to your audition appointment. Audition forms will be provided when you sign up for a time slot or in person.
Audition Requirements:
Please prepare two contrasting musical theater selections no longer than 2-3 minutes combined. These songs should showcase both your vocal range and comedic skills. Please do not prepare a selection from AVENUE Q. As there is no monologue required this is your opportunity to show us your acting skills – show us a character in your song! Sheet music must be provided to the accompanist and must be in the correct key – no A cappella.
Auditions are by appointment. Contact avenueqvokes@gmail.com for an audition time or with questions.
Character List:
Important note: previous puppetry experience is preferred but not required.
Princeton/ Rod: Princeton: He is sweet, charming, cute and sincere. He has recently moved to Avenue Q where he learns life lessons the hard way from puppets and humans alike. Loveable and appealing…Rod: A conservative, uptight investment banker who is a closeted homosexual. Trying to come to terms with his sexuality with the help of Nicky, his best friend and roommate. Must be a strong singer/ actor with great comedic timing and the ability to differentiate these characters with specific voices and physicalities. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair. Ideally should be able to sustain a High G comfortably.
Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear: Nicky: An unemployed, cute twenty-something slacker who is Rod’s roommate. Charming and undeniably cute, he has no problems with Rod being gay. Trekkie Monster: He lives on Avenue Q in the same building that Princeton moves into. An odd monster who has a big heart, he invested in the internet and is secretly a millionaire. Bear: A cute and charming little boy bear who, with the help of his counterpart, girl bear, is a very bad influence on Princeton. Must be a strong singer/ actor with great comedic timing and the ability to differentiate these characters with specific voices and physicalities. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair. Ideally should be able to sustain a High A comfortably.
Kate Monster/ Lucy T. Slut: Kate Monster: A Kindergarten teaching assistant who dreams about eventually opening a school for monsters. She may look sweet, put together and conservative, but has a very feisty and opinionated Monster side. She quickly falls for the new guy on the block, Princeton. Lucy T. Slut: A vixenish vamp with a dangerous side who sings at a local café. The star of “girls gone wild” parts two, five, and seven. She sees other women as obstacles to men. Must be a strong singer/ actress with great comedic timing and the ability to differentiate these characters with specific voices and physicalities. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair. A mezzo-soprano / belt that can comfortably sing up to a D in a pop voice.
Mrs. T / Bad Idea Bear/ Ensemble: Mrs. T: An old spinster teacher who is bitter and conservative. She is Kate Monster’s boss. Bad Idea Bear: A cute and charming little girl bear who, with the help of her counterpart, boy bear, is a very bad influence on Princeton. Also serves as the right hand and puppeteer to many of the characters at various points in the show. Must be a strong singer/ actress with great comedic timing and the ability to differentiate characters with specific voices and physicalities. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair. A mezzo-soprano / belt that can comfortably sing up to a D in a pop voice.
Christmas Eve: 20s – 30s. An Asian actress. She wants to be a therapist and lives on Avenue Q with her Jewish husband Brian. She is smart, blunt and edgy, but also nurturing and kind. Must be a strong singer/ actress with great comedic timing. Vocal style: Must have a strong belt to an E flat in the style of a torch song.
Brian: 20s – 30s. A laid-back, wannabe comedian who doesn’t mind being unemployed. A good guy with a relaxed attitude who everyone always likes. Easy to be around. He is married to Christmas Eve, who is constantly badgering him to get a job. Must be a strong singer/ actor with great comedic timing. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair.
Gary Coleman: Mid 20s – 40s. African American. Former celebrity and now lives/works on Avenue Q. Funny and sardonic, with a unique and vivid presence. Has lived life. Must be a strong singer/ actor with great comedic timing. Can be any physical type. Vocal style: Contemporary musical theatre with a pop flair. A singer who can sing a Low D and belt to a B flat. Must explore low register.
