Auditions
Safe, a live staged reading and concert
Saturday, April 12th @ 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 13th @ 7:00 PM
CENTERstage Productions announces open auditions for the musical SAFE with book, music, lyrics by Frank McGinnis.
Synopsis: In a small town, a young couple faces one half’s looming departure for college at the end of the summer. Due to an unexpected sequence of events, their plan to spend every available moment together is thwarted and the young man faces disconcerting consequences. He must spend every day working for an elderly man who hasn’t left his own house in decades. However, none of the mythical theories for this legendary hermit’s reclusivity turn out to be true. The real reason he never leaves doesn’t live up to the local lore.
Presented by: CENTERstage Productions
Director/Music Director: Frank McGinnis
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Madison Anthony
Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.
Performances: Friday, May 23rd at 8PM, Saturday, May 24th at 8PM, and Sunday, May 25th at 3PM
Seeking:
Actors and singers from teens to seventies to read, act from a seated position, and sing an original musical by a local playwright and composer for a one weekend performance with live musical accompaniment.
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.
Please prepare:
To familiarize yourself with the style of the music, you can find demos of a few songs here: https://safemusical.bandcamp.com/album/score-samples
Before auditions, actors are encouraged to send videos of them singing live, whether they’re during a performance or recorded at home on their phone. This is to give folks an opportunity for a performance they’re most happy with to be seen by the production team. Please send links to frank.p.mcginnis@gmail.com
For auditions, please prepare a minute and a half or so (32 bars, length isn’t terribly strict, please try to keep it to a verse and a chorus and certainly not a whole song) of a pop-rock song or song from a modern, pop-rock musical, i.e.: Spring Awakening, Once, Next To Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, and the like. Anything at all that really shows off your voice best and you’re very comfortable with will also do!
Auditions will include reading of sides from the show, as well as a couple atypical exercises that aren’t common at auditions, but the team believes this will give actors the opportunity to connect with the themes of the show, each other, and overall do more than sing a song and try a cold read or two.
Rehearsals will be minimal (six regular rehearsals, two tech rehearsals before opening).
All proceeds from performances will go to The CENTER.
Questions: Contact Director at frank.p.mcginnis@gmail.com
Casting Breakdown
Holly (18) - A comfortably confident recent high school grad. She’s looking to her last summer at home before moving far away for college with wistful appreciation and cautious excitement for the future.
Josh (18) - An unbridled and passionate recent high school grad and boyfriend of Holly. Though he’s always had ambition, he’s so swept up in love that he hasn’t thought about his own future. He’s looking to the last summer before Holly leaves like something he wishes to hold onto as long as he can and ring out for all it can give him.
Jim (mid 70s) - A legendary figure in the town who hasn’t stepped out of his own decrepit house on main street in decades. Myths and folklore have swirled around about the reasoning for his solitude for generations. He is feared. He knows this and uses it to keep people from bothering him.
Christine (mid 70s) - A warm and energetic woman who’s been away for many years. She lives on her own in a small city about four hours from the central location. She still feels a pull towards home for one particular reason.
Young Jim (mid to late 20s) - An optimistic, bright eyed young man looking to share his heart, if all a bit too completely, with no room for his own dreams.
Young Christine (mid to late 20s) - An energetic, self-assured, adventurous spirit. She only sees the road ahead as a calling and a question mark as a challenge.
Mr. Woolever (40s) - A hardworking, discerning father. Concerned his son Josh isn’t taking his future seriously.
Mrs. Woolever (40s) - A warm, caring mother. She’s concerned for Josh, but more for his heart as she watches him pour it all in one direction.
Max Harland (18) - A tried and true troublemaker. Willing to cross some lines for the sake of a thrill, but there’s a heart in there waiting for a chance to redeem itself.
Roughly Six Ensemble (Teens to adult) - To play bullies, townspeople, sheriff, and more.