Open Auditions for Grey Gardens

The Custom Made Theatre Co is holding an open call for:
Grey Gardens book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie
Directed by Stuart Bousel; Musical Direction by David Brown

At Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough St (at Bush) SF, on Tuesday, July 22, with 30 minute slots available from 6:30pm-10:30pm and Sunday July 27 from 8:30pm-11:0pm. You must make an appointment (see below.)

Save the Date: Callback will be Tuesday July 29 6:30pm-10:30pm.

You can sign up for an appointment here: https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=360707&typId=49178&step=2

The Characters and Vocal Ranges
Edith Bouvier Beale/”Little” Edie Beale – One multi-faceted actress plays mother Edith in act one and daughter Edie in act two. She should play about 50 years old. Vocal range: legit soprano or mezzo-soprano to F-sharp 5, mix/belt to D5. It is highly recommended that this actress be familiar with the film, as Little Edie is a unique character with many specific traits that we will want to reference in the second act.

“Big” Edie Beale – Primarily appearing in Act two, Big Edie is an eclectic woman who fondly recalls her days of glory entertaining guests at lavish parties in the heyday of Grey Gardens. She should play in her 70s. Vocal range: character alto E3-C5. It is recommended that this actress also be familiar with the documentary film.

Young “Little” Edie Beale/Sister Marla – This 20-something actress will portray young Edie in act one, and participate in the ensemble in act 2, with a major solo as Sister Marla in the church choir scene. Vocal range: mix/belt to D5, soprano to B-flat 6.

Joseph Kennedy, Jr./Jerry – This 20-something actor plays handsome Joseph Kennedy in act one and handyman Jerry in act two. Vocal range:tenor, C3-G4.

Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale – 70-something actor playing the strict, domineering patriarch of the Bouvier family in act one, and the beloved minister and author of “The Power of Positive Thinking” in act two. Vocal range: baritone, C3-E4.

Brooks Sr./Brooks Jr. – This 30-something African-American actor will portray loyal family servant Brooks Sr. in act one, and landscaper Brooks Jr. as well as a member of the ensemble in act two. Vocal range: baritone, C3-E4.

The role of George Gould Strong has been pre-cast.

The following two child roles will NOT be read at these auditions but young actors are invited to submit a HS/Resume to [email protected] for consideration.

Jacqueline Bouvier/Ensemble – This pre-teen actress (plays 13) plays young Jackie in act one – lovely, poised, and well-mannered, although dearly in love with her wacky Aunt Edith and her performances. In the second act she participates in the ensemble. Vocal range: juvenile mix belt, C4-E5

Lee Bouvier/Ensemble – This child actress (plays 10) is young Lee in act one – tomboyish, energetic, and joyful, sharing her sister Jackie’s love of her Aunt Edith. In the second act she participates in the ensemble. Vocal range: juvenile mix belt, C4-E5.

Please prepare one, 1-2 minute contemporary monologue and 16-32 bars of a song with accompaniment (a cappella songs will not be heard).
Rehearsals will begin around April 01. Performances will be Thurs-Sun evenings starting on May 21 2015 running though June 21 with a possible extension through July 05.

$200 base stipend for all roles + $10/each extended performance.

About Grey Gardens
Based on a true story (and feature length documentary), Grey Gardens is a musical exploration of the American dream gone wrong and what it means to become a social pariah. It’s an exploration of women, the relationship between mothers and daughters and how love can turn into dependency. In a society where women’s roles and options are limited, particularly in the aristocratic class, the very things that make one exceptional could ultimately be what damns them to a life in decay and shadows. Featuring an intimate, musical score that borrows as much from Stephen Sondheim as the eras in which it is set, Grey Gardens is the perfect chamber musical that will use the intimacy of Gough Street Playhouse to haunt as well as delight.

Audition for the 2012/13 Season

Audition for the 2012/13 Season

General auditions for San Francisco’s Custom Made Theatre Co. 2012/13 Season are Sunday April 29th (afternoon) and Monday April 30th (evening) and now Tues May 1 (Happy May Day!) in the evening. Please prepare 2 contrasting, modern 2-minute monologues.

To sign up for a slot please go to https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=360707

Having problems? Can’t make it but still want us to have your headshot/resume? Contact Casting Director Gabe Ross at [email protected]

Our season includes: “The Play about the Baby” by Edward Albee, “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts, “Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them” by Christopher Durang, “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl, and “Prelude to a Kiss” by Craig Lucas

All performances, rehearsals and auditions are at Gough Street Playhouse, 1622 Gough St, San Francisco.

Actors receive a stipend.

Here’s the parts/breakdown/requirements of the season:
*note: the ages listed are “playable age”.  If you are 65 and can play 40, by all means go for it!
** note: unless the part has specific, required needs (see DONUTS and some characters in TORTURE) Custom Made is color-blind. We cast the best actor, regardless of ethnicity.  Always.

“The Play About the Baby” by Edward Albee (San Francisco Premiere)
Directed by Brian Katz
Rehearses August-Sept 2012
Runs Sept 7-Oct 7, can extend until Oct 14

Man: 40-65
Woman: 40-65
Boy: 18-28 (full nudity required)
Girl: 18-28 (full nudity required)

“Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts (San Francisco Premiere)
Directed by Marilyn Langbehn
Rehearses late Sept- early Nov
Runs Nov 2-Dec 2; can extended until Dec 16

Arthur Przybyszewski: Polish-American, 59 (no accent)
Franco Wicks: African-American, 21
Max Tarasov: Russian, 49 (accent required)
Kiril Ivakin: Russian, 39 (accent required)
Lady Boyle: Irish-American, 72 (accent required)
Officer Randy Osteen: female, Irish-American, 49
Officer James Bailey: African-American, 43
Luther Flynn: Irish/Italian-American, 28
Kevin Magee: Irish-American, 28

Why Torture is Wrong, and the People who Love Them” by Christopher Durang (Bay Area Premiere)
Directed by Claire Rice
Rehearses Dec-Jan 2012/13
Runs Jan 11-Feb 10; can extend until Feb 24

Felicity – a perfectly nice young woman of 25 to 34
Zamir – a charismatic young man of indeterminate ethnicity; dark-haired, probably Pakistani or Egyptian or Indian. But could look Italian or Greek too. Does not have an accent, sounds American. 25 to 39
Luella – Felicity’s mother, sweet, somewhat dazed/befuddled woman. Dresses well. Late 40s to mid 50s.
Leonard – Felicity’s father. Strong-minded, formidable, one hundred percent sure he’s right about everything. Late 40s to late 50s.
Revered Mile – a minister who directs porno movies. Late 30s to late 40s. Likable face, bit sexy, mildly debauched feeling like a Mickey Rourke or Kevin Spacey.
Hildegarde – a conservative, old-fashioned woman in her mid-40s to late 50s.
Voice/Narrator – 20s to 40s. Well-spoken, must make announcements. Also plays Loony Tunes (a hyperactive spy) and the sauve Maitre d’ Sings well.

“Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl (San Francisco Premiere)
Directed by Katja Rivera in collaboration with Brian Katz and Daunielle Rasmussen
Rehearses Feb-March, 2013
Runs March 15-April 14, can extend until April 28

Eurydice – Female, 20s
Orpheus – Male, 20s. Must be a capable musician.
Father – 40s to 50s
Loud Stone
Big Stone
Little Stone
Nasty Interesting Man/Lord of the Underworld – Male, 30s to 50s

“Prelude to a Kiss” by Craig Lucas
Directed by Stuart Bousel
Rehearses April-May, 2013
Runs May 17-June 16; can extend until June 30

Peter Hoskins – Male, 20s
Rita Boyle – Female, 20s
Old Man – Male, 60s-70s
Taylor – Male, 20s or 30s
Mrs. Boyle – Female, 50s
Dr. Boyle – Male, 50s
Aunt Dorothy/Leah – Female, 50s or 60s
Tom/Jamaican Waiter – Male, 20s or 30s
Minister – Male, 30s to 60s
Uncle Fred – Male, 50s or 60s