Footlighters Theater in Berwyn, PA is excited to announce open auditions for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.
Auditions:
We will be holding in-person auditions on the nights of June 19 and June 21 from 7pm-10:00 pm with callbacks by invitation on Monday, June 26 (6pm). The auditions will be held at Footlighters Theater - 58 Main Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312.
Audition requirements:
All auditioners are asked to prepare two 32 bar song selections. One should be in the style of the show, while the other should be a contrast in either style or character. You may bring a song from the show as one of the selections. Auditioners should also prepare either a short personal story about a time they gave themselves over to “absolute pleasure” or a comedic monologue. Stories and monologues should not exceed two minutes in length. No monologues from films, please. If possible, songs/monologues/stories should be memorized. You must provide music for the accompanist, even if singing from the show.
If necessary, call backs will be via invitation on Monday, June 26. Call back materials will be sent with your invitation and may include song and scene selections from the show. You should also be prepared to do cold readings, a dance call, and learn additional musical material from the show.
Production Details:
Rehearsals will be held three times per week starting the end July. All conflicts must be listed on the audition form and no additional conflicts will be accepted once casting is complete. Rehearsals will primarily be Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evenings. A complete rehearsal schedule will be distributed at auditions. The show will run for 8 performances October 20-29 and include three 11pm performances. Rehearsals and performances will be at Footlighters Theater - 58 Main Ave, Berwyn, PA.
Footlighters of Berwyn is a volunteer, membership based organization, all roles are open and non-paid. If cast in this production, you must be willing to become a member of Footlighters Theater (due: $25.00 adult or $15.00 senior\child\student). Membership benefits include voting rights in the annual Board elections. Cast members are also expected to contribute to other aspects of production, including but not limited to, building and painting sets, soliciting for ads and donations, and sourcing costumes and props. Some of the set builds will be included in the rehearsal schedule and are mandatory. Others will be on a volunteer basis.
The Rocky Horror Show was written in the early 1970s as a celebration of queer identities, inclusion, and sexual liberation. It has been long celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community for its inclusion of queer characters and challenges to the gender binary. However, despite their intentions, the author used language and characterizations that are now considered outdated and offensive. Times change, as does our understanding of and feelings about gender and sexuality. We believe that shows such as Rocky Horror need not be shelved because of changes in social norms and terminology, but instead be presented in context of the time period in which they were written. Like the original intentions of the work, this production will celebrate the wide scope of gender, sexuality, and queerness while being mindful not to perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Additionally, this show requires actors to be in various states of undress throughout the show, including wearing lingerie and high heels. What exactly those costumes will entail will be decided with a discussion between the actors that are cast, costume designer, and director. Ultimately, we want to serve the vision of the show the best we can while ensuring that our performers feel respected and comfortable. We encourage everyone to consider what they would be comfortable wearing for the roles they are auditioning for based on the character descriptions below and to communicate their comfort level at auditions.
Covid-19:
Masks are currently not required to be worn while at Footlighters Theater. Cast members may wear masks for rehearsals up until tech week. At that point, masks may not be worn for tech rehearsals and performances, unless there is a special circumstance that has been discussed with the producer and director.
Character Descriptions:
All roles are open and Footlighters strongly encourages all performers to submit for ANY role with which they identify, regardless of type, gender, age, ability, race, ethnicity, sexuality, neurodiversity, body type, and similarity to the movie or broadway casts. We especially encourage queer performers to come out and audition.
BRAD: Male, 22-35 (Range: Bari Tenor, Bb2-G4)
Quirky, but very much in love with his fiancé, Janet, and can be overly optimistic at times, like a puppy. Brad is stripped down to his skivvies by the Transylvanians and while he is initially modest about revealing his body and sexuality, he ultimately embraces it. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress and wearing high heels and lingerie.
JANET: Female, 22-35 (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, A3-Eb5)
Madly in love with Brad and always seems to be frightened of something. She keeps losing more of her clothes throughout the story as her intimate desires are revealed and embraced. Janet is initially emotionally weak, caving into pressure easily, but eventually takes control and becomes strong and wild. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress and wearing high heels and lingerie.
NARRATOR: Gender and Age Flexible (Non-Singing Role)
Follows our two heroes through the story by narrating directly to the audience. This performer should be comfortable being onstage wearing high heels and lingerie.
USHERETTE/MAGENTA: Gender and Age Flexible (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, Bb3-Eb5)
A Transylvanian who came to Earth with their sibling Riff Raff to serve their master, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, as the awkward and sexually charged maid of the castle. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie.
RIFF RAFF: Gender and Age Flexible (Range: High Rock Tenor, D3-B4)
A Transylvanian who came to Earth with their sibling Magenta to serve their master, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, as the creepy and zombie-like butler. Riff Raff often makes harmless conversation seem awkward and foreboding. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie.
COLUMBIA: Female, Age Flexible (Range: Mezzo Soprano Belt, E4-E5)
One of Frank’s servants. Columbia is a groupie and one of Frank’s previous lovers; now serves as a servant in the castle. She is jealous, vindictive, and usually the life of the party. Tap skills are a plus. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie.
FRANK 'N' FURTER: Gender and Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, D3-G4)
The Transylvanian Master of the castle who welcomes Janet and Brad with open arms…and legs. Frank is Obsessed with creating the perfect specimen of a man to be part of his sexual entourage. A master of seduction, Frank beds both Janet and Brad. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress and wearing high heels and lingerie.
ROCKY: Male 18-30 (Range: Tenor, A3-G4)
Frank’s magnificent creation. A perfect specimen of the male figure who oozes sex appeal, but is all muscle and no brain. Rocky spends the majority of the show wearing only tight shorts. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie. This role also requires a performer that is comfortable being massaged and touched by other performers.
EDDIE: Gender and Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, E3-F#4)
Ex-lover to both Columbia and Frank, half of Eddie’s brain was used to create Rocky. A total rock and roll junkie, Eddie comes back to life only to die again after his solo. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie. This role may be combined with Dr. Scott or an Ensemble track.
DR. SCOTT: Gender and Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, E3-F#4)
Brad’s former science teacher and close friend. He ends up at the castle while looking for his missing nephew, Eddie. This performer should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie. This role may be combined with Eddie or an Ensemble track.
4-6 PHANTOMS/TRANSYLVANIANS (SATB)
The ensemble of the show that will serve as the core dancers and act as multiple characters or even objects. These performers should be comfortable being onstage in various states of undress, as well as comfortable wearing high heels and lingerie.
Footlighters of Berwyn is a volunteer, membership based organization, all roles are open and non-paid. If cast in this production, you must be willing to become a member of Footlighters Theater (due: $25.00 adult/ $15.00 senior\child\student). Membership Benefits Include voting rights in the annual Board elections. Cast members are also expected to contribute to other aspects of production, including but not limited to, building and painting sets, soliciting for ads and donations, and sourcing costumes and props
* ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING: ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTAGIOUS NATURE OF THE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 AND THE INHERENT RISK OF EXPOSURE THAT EXISTS IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE PRESENT; AGREE TO COMPLY WITH ANY AND ALL PROTOCOLS OF FOOTLIGHTERS, CDC, STATE, AND LOCAL ENTITIES DESIGNED TO MITIGATE THE RISKS OF INFECTION BY COVID-19; VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO OR INFECTION BY COVID-19 AS A RESULT OF ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE AUDITION AND REHEARSAL PROCESS AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES; AND RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY FOOTLIGHTERS (AND ITS GOVERNORS, MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS) FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO OR INFECTION BY COVID-19 OR SIMILAR DISEASE WHICH MAY OCCUR IN CONNECTION WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE AUDITION AND REHEARSAL PROCESS AND PERFORMANCES.
To sign up please send an email to [email protected] with your preferred time slot and what role(s) you are submitting for. Performers must be 18+ at the time of the audition to submit for this production.
