CENTERstage Productions presents
CABARET Auditions
Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Sunday, October 8 at 7pm
Monday, October 9 at 7pm
Callbacks: Tuesday, October 10 at 7pm (callbacks by invitation only)
Location: The CENTER for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.
Director: Peter Risafi
Choreographer: Tamara Cacchione
Musical Direction: JoAnne and Paul Schubert
Stage Manager: Jenny Bideaux
Producer: CENTERstage Productions
Performance dates: Saturday, Jan 6 – Sunday, Jan 21, 2024. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm. Additional performances Saturdays 1/13 & 1/20 at 3pm
Audition Requirements:
1. Bring 16 -32 bars of a song of your choice. Songs from the show are preferred, but bring any song you are comfortable with. Either bring piano sheet music for our accompanist or a recording of your music.
2. Callbacks will include dance/movement audition and scene work.
3. Be prepared to list any rehearsal conflicts.
4. COVID AUDITION PROTOCOL: AT THIS TIME, WE WILL BE USING ONLY FULLY VACCINATED CAST, CREW, BAND AND PRODUCTION TEAM. Please be prepared to show proof of up-to-date vaccination status.
We strongly encourage women, persons of color and LGBTQ+ individuals to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our work.
Overview:
Welcome to Berlin, 1932.
Cliff Bradshaw, an American novelist, comes to Berlin to find material for his next book. He stumbles into the free-spirited world of the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub where everyone is welcome, and anything can happen. He meets Sally Bowles, a performer from England, who talks her way into his room and becomes a part of his life. While this unlikely relationship unfolds, we also meet Frau Schneider -- the landlady of his flat, Herr Schultz -- a Jewish fruit seller, and the other residents of the boarding house.
The story takes a serious turn as the emerging Nazi party become an ever-growing threat. Overseeing all the action is the Emcee, the master of ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub, whose musical numbers comment on the story and the characters.
It is a play with humor, humanity and incredible musical moments. Cabaret reminds us that doing nothing and saying nothing can often lead to terrible consequences.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Emcee: The gender bending Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub. They Embody the spirit and energy of Berlin: progressive, permissive, and sexy.
Age: 20 – 45. Very strong singer and strong mover. Speaks English with a German accent. Can be played by performer of any gender. Vocal Range: TBD
Sally: An upper-class British girl who has escaped her very proper, very straightlaced upbringing and run off to Berlin. She has more nerve than talent or experience. Outwardly brash but inside she’s an insecure little girl. She is oblivious to what is going on around her.
Age: 22 to 30. Strong singer who moves well. Speaks with an English accent. Vocal Range: Top C5, bottom A3.
Cliff: An American writer. He has ended up in Berlin trying to find something to write about. He teaches English lessons to Germans to pay the bills. Conflicted about his bisexuality, he’s trying to discover who he is and what he wants. Cliff sees what is happening in Germany and its awful implications.
Age: 25 to 35. Not a major singing role but should be able to sing well. Vocal Range: Top: E4, bottom A2
Frau Schneider: Cliff’s landlady. A middle-aged very proper German woman. Her boarding house used to be filled with quality people. Now she’s renting the rooms to less-than-ideal tenants. She’s been through a lot and has survived by being realistic and practical. She never dreamed that romance would come back in her life. Speaks English with a German accent.
Age: 45 – 65. Must be a strong singer and move well. Vocal Range: Top A flat 4, Bottom D3
Herr Schultz: A resident at Fraulein Schneider’s, he owns a fine fruit shop. He’s a Jewish widower who is very fond of Fraulein Schneider. Gentle, sweet and charming, he’s a man who is very comfortable in his own skin. He thinks the rise in antisemitism will pass and the Nazis will eventually go away.
Age: 45 – 65. Must sing and move well. Speaks English with a German accent. Vocal Range: Top high F, Bottom Low G
Fraulein Kost: A sex worker who lives at the boarding house. She is slightly past her prime for her chosen profession. She has a very tenuous relationship with Fraulein Schneider, who disapproves of her activities but needs her weekly rent payment. She is always looking for new clients and thinks fast on her feet. A Nazi sympathizer. This role may double as the Chanteuse at the Klub.
Age: late 20s to 40s. Must sing well. Speaks English with a German accent. Vocal Range: Top high F, Bottom Low A flat
Ernst: A businessman who meets Cliff on the train to Germany. Charming and easygoing, he quickly becomes a close friend to Cliff and introduces him to Berlin.
Must be able to fool Cliff and Sally and the audience into believing he is a good person. We eventually find out that he is a Nazi operative who manipulates unsuspecting foreigners into his “business” dealings.
Age: 30 to 40. Must sing well. Speaks English with a German accent.
Kit Kat Klub girls and boys: Each performer has a distinct personality and style. All must be able to sing and move well. These roles are open to all genders.
Rosie, Lulu, Frenchie, Texas, Helga, Fritzie, Bobby, Victor, Hans, Herman
Kit Kat boys double as the young sailors who visit Fraulein Kost.
Max: the owner of the Kit Kat Klub. A bit of a thug. This role may double with German Customs Official.
Age: 35 to 45. No singing required. Speaks English with a German accent.
Karl and Klaus: Max’s waiters/bouncers at the Klub. Any age.
For any questions, please contact: Peter.risafi@gmail.com