Rhinebeck Theatre Society Bat Boy Audition Notice
Based on a story in The Weekly World News, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a comedy/horror musical about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal” boy by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him, prodded by the machinations of Dr. Parker, who secretly despises Bat Boy. (Broadway Licensing)
Rhinebeck Theatre Society is proud to announce auditions for Bat Boy, a campy, horror-comedy rock musical from the composer of Heathers and Legally Blonde. We are seeking a small cast of strong character actors/vocalists, age 18 and up, to portray a wide variety of characters.
Audition Dates: Saturday, July 20th at 1:00 pm & Sunday, July 21st at 7:00 pm at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572). Callbacks by invitation to follow.
Virtual Auditions Submissions: Email a YouTube link or Google Drive link of your singing audition to rhinebecktheatresociety@gmail.com by Sunday, July 21st at 7:00 pm.
Please prepare a brief cut of a song to share. Please sing something from or in the style of Bat Boy. Your cut should not exceed 60 seconds.
Bring sheet music or a backing track, whichever is easier for you. If possible, download or save the backing track locally to not rely on Wifi. If nerves have you tied in a knot, consider a duet with a friend.
We also will be doing a movement/dance exercise at the audition, so please wear something you can move in!
Bring a resume detailing your theatre experience or be prepared to list your performance experience.
Bring your schedule and be prepared to list conflicts through October 27th.
Click HERE to view the Callback materials. Please note that only select actors will be invited to callbacks.
Who will be in the room?
Director - Lisa Delia (she/her)
Assistant Director - Kelsey Wertheim (she/her)
Music Director - Karen Dalmer-Sheehy (she/her)
Choreographer - Brooke Wallace (she/her)
Stage Manager - Christine McCarthy (she/her)
Producer - Rena Gavigan (she/her)
Rhinebeck Theatre Society is committed to providing community-minded, safe theatre experiences. We seek to present stories in a way that reflects a richly diverse world. Feel free to email directors Lisa Delia (she/her) & Kelsey Wertheim (she/her) with any questions at rhinebecktheatersociety@gmail.com. Please contact us about accessibility and accommodations.
COVID NOTE: While we will not be requiring actors to be vaccinated, we will be practicing COVID safety by requiring masks at choreography rehearsals, and may request masking at other rehearsals depending on current recommendations.
Performance Dates: October 11th-27th at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572). Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm.
Bat Boy Character Breakdown
*Note: With the exceptions of Edgar, Meredith, Dr. Parker, and Shelley, all actors may double as multiple characters of multiple genders.
Edgar - The Bat Boy. Having been discovered in a cave, he is taken to live with the Parker family, who try to teach him to be a proper young man. He struggles with his two natures fighting within him. (Age: 18+ to play 17-18. Range: Rock Tenor, Bb3 to C#5. Kisses Shelley. Strong physical actor. Speaks with an English accent.)
Meredith Parker - Wife to Thomas and mother to Shelley, Meredith is an empathetic and protective woman. She promises Edgar she will “find a home” for him and teach him to be a proper young man. Her relationship with Dr. Parker hasn’t been great for some time now. (Age: 35-50. Range: Mezzo Belter, F3 to F5, opt G#5. Strong vocalist.)
Dr. Thomas Parker - Husband to Meredith, father to Shelley, and the town veterinarian. Generally well-respected among the townsfolk, and the one they turn to for guidance when the Bat Boy is discovered. His relationship with Meredith hasn’t been great for some time now. (Age: 35-50. Range: Tenor, Bb3 to A4.)
Shelley Parker - Meredith and Dr. Parker’s teenage daughter. She’s a bit whiny and judgmental, but has potential to grow. Dating Rick Taylor, but doesn’t seem happy with his antics. She helps her mother teach Edgar, and the two grow close. (Age: 18+ to play 17-18. Range: Soprano with a Belt, G#3 to F5. Kisses Rick and Edgar.)
Sheriff Reynolds - The generally level-headed sheriff of Hope Falls. He’s coming up for reelection soon, but he’s not worried. Tries to do what’s best for everyone. (Age: 40-60. Range: Baritone, C#3 to E4. Doubles as: Doctor #2. Speaks with an Appalachian accent.)
Rick Taylor - Ron and Ruthie’s older brother, and Shelley's boyfriend. Together, the three siblings discover the Bat Boy in a cave. Crass, rowdy, and quick to anger. (Age: 18+ to play 17-18. Range: Rock Tenor, E3 to Cb5. Kisses Shelley. Doubles as: Mr. Dillon)
Ron Taylor - Rick and Ruthie’s middle brother. Together, the three siblings discover the Bat Boy in a cave. Much meeker than his older brother. (Age: 18+ to play 16-17. Doubles as: Lorraine.)
Ruthie Taylor - Rick and Ron’s younger sister. Together, the three of them discover the Bat Boy in a cave, where he attacks Ruthie. She is largely hospital-bound after the attack due to her mysterious injuries. (Age: 18+ to play 15-16. Doubles as: Ned.)
Mrs. Taylor - Mother to Rick, Ron, and Ruthie. Fiercely (and ineffectually) protective of her children. (Age: 35-50. Range: Tenor or Alto, E3 to F4. Doubles as: Daisy. Speaks with an Appalachian accent.)
Reverend Billy Hightower - A preacher and faith healer who holds a traveling tent revival/barbecue. Spirited and inspirational. (Age: 25+. Range: Tenor or Alto, Eb3 to Bb4. Doubles as: Roy, Institute Man)
Pan - The Greek satyr-God of nature. Encounters Edgar and Shelley in the woods. (Age: 20-50. Range: Tenor or Alto, Eb3 to A4. Doubles as: Bud, Doctor #1.)
Mayor Maggie: The mayor of Hope Falls. When the ranchers’ cows start dying off en masse, she has to figure out what, or who, is to blame. (Age: 30-50. Doubles as: Clem. Speaks with an Appalachian accent.)
Lorraine, Daisy, Mr. Dillon, Bud, Ned, Roy, Clem, Doctors 1 and 2, Institute Man: Various townsfolk. Most speak with an Appalachian accent. All double as the above characters.