Auditions
OPEN CALL FOR ASSASSINS
Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is holding open auditions for ASSASSINS.
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, based on an original concept by Charles Gilbert Jr.
Artistic Director/Stage Director, Megan O’Toole; Musical Director, Curtis Heard
This is a fully staged production, with professional live orchestra.
This is a volunteer theatre performance.
Reimbursement/Per Diem will be offered for all roles.
DATES
REHEARSALS:
Begin March 7 and run Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-10:30pm and Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm.
PERFORMANCES:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm on April 28-30, May 5-7, and May 12-14.
*At this time all staff, volunteers, and performers must show proof of vaccination with booster to participate in auditions, rehearsals, and performances.
AUDITIONS:
Saturday, February 25 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, February 26 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm.
No appointment necessary.
Callbacks (if required) Tuesday, February 28 at 7pm
AUDITION INFORMATION
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Be prepared to sing 32 bars (or one minute) of music in the style of the show, and/or that demonstrates your vocal range and power. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music. Resume and headshot are not required, if submitted they will be viewed post-audition.
Auditions, rehearsals and performances are in the historic sanctuary at First Congregational Church of Long Beach at 241 Cedar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802. Direct questions to [email protected] or (562) 366-0085.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Stephen Sondheim’s darkly humorous musical Assassins is a scathing indictment of the “American Dream”, and the alienation and discontentment that comes from its impossible pursuit. This musical revue, set against a surreal carnival backdrop, depicts nine figures who set out to assassinate American Presidents. While some are successful and some are not, they all step up for their chance to “shoot to win” a spot in historical infamy. Assassinsconfronts the failed ideology of American rugged individualism and its link to disaffection, loneliness, and our nation’s embracing of guns and gun violence as the solution.
LONG BEACH LANDMARK CASTING COMMITMENT:
As a company we are committed to consistently evaluating our practices to better reflect and serve our vibrant and diverse community. We welcome non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We are seeking and encouraging all actors to audition, regardless of race/ethnicity, physical ability, body type, age, orientation or gender/gender identity.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS AND VOCAL RANGES
All Roles Open
Descriptions are a guide only and may be flexible. Some cross gender casting may be considered.
John Wilkes Booth – (1838-1865) Assassinated President Abraham Lincoln during a performance at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865. Foreman and inspirational celebrity to the other assassins.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 25 to 40 Vocal Range: F2 to G4
Charles Guiteau – (1841-1882) Assassinated President James Garfield in the waiting room of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station, Washington, D.C., on July 2, 1881. Dashing but mad.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 35 to 50. Vocal range: A2 to Ab4
Leon Czologosz – (1873-1901) Assassinated President William McKinley at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y. on September 6, 1901. A young poverty-worn radical.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 25 to 40. Vocal range: G#2 to G4
Giuseppe Zangara – (1900-1933) Attempted to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt as he greeted well-wishers in Bayfront Park, Miami, FL on February 15, 1933.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 30 to 40. Vocal range: B2 to A4
Samuel Byck – (1930-1974) Attempted to assassinate President Richard Nixon by hijacking a commercial jetliner. Hysterically irate loudmouth in a Santa Claus suit.
Gender: Male Identifying. Age: 40 to 60 Vocal range: D3 to G4
Lynette “squeaky” Fromme – (1948- ) Attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford at the Capitol Park in Sacramento, CA on September 5, 1975. A hippie in love with Charles Manson.
Gender: Female Identifying Age: 25 to 35 Vocal range: A3 to G5
Sara Jane Moore – (1930- ) Attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA, on September 22, 1975. A frazzled housewife with little sense.
Gender: Female Identifying Age: 40 to 55 Vocal range: F3 to Eb5
John Hinckley – (1955- ) Attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan as he left the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. on March 30, 1981. A love-obsessed and depressed college student.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 25 to 35 Vocal range: A2 to G4
Lee Harvey Oswald – (1939-1963) Assassinated President John F. Kennedy from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963. A suicidal, dejected shipping clerk.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 20 to 35 Vocal range: G3 to C4
Balladeer – A folk singer and the narrator of the show. The voice of America.
Gender: Open Age: 20 to 60 Vocal range: C3 to G4
Emma Goldman – (1869-1940) Turn-of-the-century Anarchist agitator and feminist. Terse and stubborn. An inspiration to Czolgosz.
Gender: Female Identifying. Age: 30 to 50
The Proprietor – A mysterious man who runs the shooting gallery at a carnival.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 30 to 60 Vocal range: Gb2 to F4
David Herold – (1842-1865) One of John Wilkes Booth’s confederates. Aided Booth in his attempted escape.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 20 to 30
Billy – Sara Jane Moore’s whiny son.
Gender: Male Identifying Age: 8 to 14
Ensemble – Bystanders; Tourists; Reporters; Photographers
Ages: 20s to 60s
Vocal Ranges: all vocal ranges sought