How to Audition!

“The play’s the thing.” On that point we are all agreed. But before the play, the audition. And auditions for the Bobcat Players’ 2019 season are fast approaching. In order to encourage novices and veterans alike to join us, here’s a quick and easy guide to this utterly painless process.

First, save the date. You have three chances: Saturday, January 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, January 17th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, January 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Schedule soon, and we’ll try our best to give you the day and time that work best for you. We have a direct link from our webpage, www.bobcatplayers.com, to our audition schedule via the artistic director. It’s effortless as a click of the mouse.

Second, find a monologue. We’re not going to lie. Most actors find this the most stressful step of the process. But it doesn’t have to be. We are asking for only one minute memorized. Yes, memorized please. We are very accepting. We challenge you to find material that suits you and showcases your talents and your range. Sources for monologues are almost endless. Pick up almost any script from Shakespeare to Neil Simon and you’ll find numerous options. Browse YouTube videos. Google monologues and you’ll discover specifics for gender, age, and type. Revisit a favorite movie. There’s something out there for you. We guarantee it.

Next, check out our season plays. This doesn’t have to be exhaustive; there won’t be a quiz. But familiarity with just the basics of the plays can be very helpful. This year we have a host of shows boasting characters of all ages, shapes, sizes, classes, and locations. We have strong leading vehicles for both men and women, ensemble pieces allowing performers to take on multiple roles, iconic characters, and select but memorable cameos. Again, our website offers capsulized summations of the four shows, but you needn’t stop there. All the scripts are easily accessible. Most of the plays have at least scenes online.

Third, grow familiar with our process. Our goal is to give everyone who steps on our stage a fair and thorough audition. We schedule performers in half-hour increments, usually two to four people at a time. After delivering your monologues, we determine which shows you will be available for and have you do cold readings from the scripts. We encourage headshots and resumes, but they are not necessary. We also have you fill out a brief, basic application. We try to run on time as much as possible, but it is best to allow for at least one hour of your time in our theater.

Finally, stand by for casting results. Patience is a virtue, especially here. It is customary for us to debrief and to meet approximately one to two weeks following our final audition date. Then we cast all the shows at one time. Our respective directors reach out to the actors they intend to use. But all this takes time.

That’s it in a nutshell. We have more than thirty roles this season; that’s an ambitious number to fill. Hopefully there’s something for almost everyone. And for those who need more details. . . show by show what we need in brief:

Enchanted April revolves around beautifully developed women aged twenties to seventies. It challenges females to use British and Italian accents. But there are also cleverly crafted supporting male roles that enhance the show and provide great comic relief. One male in particular is capable of stealing the show.

One Man, Two Guvnors is a tour de force for a magnificent male lead. (James Corden played the original on Broadway.) But it also is uncannily ensemble in nature and offers actors the opportunity to play affected actors, lowlife gangsters, mournful lovers, and more. And did we say slapstick? It’s a very physical show. And oh yes, it’s British. And somewhat musical. And tremendously fast paced.

A Streetcar Named Desire is our classic for the season, and it’s filled with iconic roles: Blanche DuBois, the fading Southern belle; Stanley Kowalski, the gruff, no-nonsense husband made historic by Marlon Brando; Stella, the gentle, star-struck bride; Mitch, the fumbling, good-natured suitor. Even the minor roles are masterful: the ever-battling Steve and Eunice, the poker guys.

Finally, our special, Red Herring, is just that – very special, not to mention quirky. Entirely ensemble in nature, this show is the opportunity to stretch actors and to truly demonstrate their range. The show has everything: spies, cops, priests, government clerks, young innocents and hardened old-timers. It needs some accents, primarily Eastern European and Bostonian.

So don’t delay. Schedule with the Bobcat Players as soon as possible. Make a New Year’s resolution to become a member of our company. We’ve laid the framework with the selection of shows. But it’s up to you, our potential actors, to build upon that frame. Join us on our audition dates, and join us in bringing to life our slogan: Fall in love with the theater.