• Men (both Caucasian and African American), age range 16-30
• African American Females, age-range 16-70.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The workshop is being performed a concert/reader’s theatre performance – no memorization of lines is required, but some actors will be reading dialogue from the script.
• Rehearsals begin the week of May 5; most rehearsals will be at Westminster.
• Actors must be available every night during the final week of rehearsals (May 26-29), and for performances May 30-June 1.
• Actors must have transportation to rehearsals and performances.
• General rehearsal schedule will be Monday-Thursday, 7-10pm and Sundays from 1-4pm.  Not everyone will be needed at every rehearsal.  We will work around schedule conflicts wherever possible.
• As this is a workshop, no actor stipends are available for this show; however the opportunity for you to do some professional audio recording may be possible later this summer.
• Because this is a workshop, some non-traditional casting is possible. Actors of diverse backgrounds who do not fit the specified age range or racial background indicated are welcome to audition.

WHAT YOU NEED TO AUDITION

• Please call Lisa Norris at 515-288-9163 or e-mail unexpectedco@mchsi.com to schedule a private audition.  Use the word “Audition” in the subject header of your e-mail messagePlease come prepared to sight sing from the score. You may also be asked to cold-read dialogue from the script. If you would like a copy of a lead sheet in advance, please contact us.
• If you would like to sing something you have prepared, either a cappella or with a recorded accomanpaniment, please come prepared.
• If you have a resume and headshot, please bring them.

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LEAD ROLES

Robert (Bobby) Bradford (Tenor) age range 17-25. White male, only child, tending toward studious and obedient nature. He has a practical streak, though still seeks adventure. Lives a bit vicariously through his friend, Jack Carville. He’s grown up in Gettysburg, the son of a lawyer.  Falls in love with Sarah.

Sarah Jordan (Alto). age range 17-25. White female. She’s the Quaker girl from Iowa whose Ohio home is a stop on the Underground Railroad. Not pretty in the conventional ways, she is devoted to her cause and does not see romance having any part of her life. Robert’s interest in her is hard for her to accept and take seriously, though she finally does.

Jefferson (J.C) MacKenzie, Jr. (Tenor) age range 17-25. White male, sole surviving son of a Georgia plantation owner.  As the heir-apparent but not the ‘favored’ son, JC is not a perfect fit for his destiny. His half-hearted acceptance of his father’s outlook and attitude causes him conflict. He is a Southerner more by duty than nature.  Fall in love with Eileen.

Eileen O’Casey (Soprano) age range 17-25). White female. The daughter of  Irish actor Seamus O’Casey and a well-bred Southern belle,  Eileen is a physical beauty “in the rough.” She is bright, direct, with a fiery aspect to her personality. She is fiercely devoted to those closest to her, but vows she will never allow herself to fall in love.

Elijah (Baritone) Age range 25-45. Black male.  Born a slave in Maryland and won by Seamus O’Casey in a poker game, Elijah has become a defacto member of the O’Casey troupe of traveling players.  Treated more like a member of his family, Elijah reads, writes, and is being allowed to work towards buying his freedom.  He has developed a particular (platonic) friendship with Eileen  He’s still technically the O’Caseys’ property, but enjoys a latitude of freedoms unknown to plantation slaves.

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SECONDARY LEADS

Jack Carville (Tenor) age range 17 -25. white male. Robert’s buddy. Wilder than Robert, a joker. Smart, but rougher around the edges than Robert. More interested in adventure than in work.

Seamus O’Casey (Tenor/Baritone) Age range 45 - 60. White male. An itinerant actor, Eileen’s father, head of the acting company. He’s Irish, charming, loquacious, likeable, untrustworthy.  (This role is cast.)

Colonel Jefferson Carter MacKenzie, Sr. (Bass or Baritone). Age range 50-60. White male, father of J.C.   He’s the alpha male of the MacKenzie plantation. Tough, self-made, religious, demanding. He’s “in charge” wherever he goes and likes it that way.

Nathan Bradford (Baritone) Age range 40 - 50. White male. Robert’s father, a Gettysburg lawyer. He’s open to some new ideas, but regarding his son, he’s a bit of the old square. (This role is cast.)

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ONE SCENE WONDERS

(The following characters appear in only one scene each, but each has a dynamite featured solo.  We would like to cast actors who are also willing to sing in the Ensemble, but would be willing to consider casting you for the one scene only if your time for rehearsal is limited and you give a fantastic audition.)

Amelia Bradford (Soprano) Age range 40-50. White female. Robert’s mother. The counterpart to Nathan, she encourages her son to leave and ‘take on’ his life, despite wanting him to stay home. (This role is cast.)

Mother Miriam (Alto/Mezzo) Age range 40-60. Black female. Harriet Tubman-like character, she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad.  She’s strong and knows what her life is about. Her work is compassionate, but she’s very “no nonsense” about its dangers and rewards.

The Recruiter (Baritone) Age range 30-50, White male.  Union army recruiter.  Fast talker, good salesman.  Charismatic – can whip a crowd up into a patriotic fervor. (This role is cast.)

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ENSEMBLE

Singing roles are available for male and female ensemble members (SATB) ages 16-70.  Some solos and speaking roles, singing in 2-6 group numbers, depending on casting.

Caucasian roles include friends and/or relatives of lead characters, townspeople, soldiers, and appear in crowd scenes.

African-American roles include slaves, fugitive slaves and free blacks and appear in crowd scenes.

Non-traditional casting of actors who are neither Caucasian nor African American will be considered.    We are also willing to fudge the age range if you are a bit older or younger than the role requires. The primary consideration for casting is that you can sing well.

Non-singing roles: Although we would prefer to cast actors who can also sing, there are a limited number of potential non-speaking roles available for both male and female actors in the 16-70 age range. Please contact us if you are interested in auditioning for one of these roles.

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For more information on the project or to schedule a private audition time, please call Lisa Norris at 515-288-9163, or email unexpectedco@mchsi.com.

Want to Know More?

If you would like more information about Unexpected Company or any of its productions or services, please send an e-mail to unexpectedco@mchsi.com.

Mailing Address: Unexpected Company; P.O. Box 12218; Des Moines IA, 50312-9404.

Phone: 515-288-9163 or toll free at 877-250-0124

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This page was last updated on April 30, 2008.