Audition Notice:

THE NOTEWORTHY LIFE OF HOWARD BARNES

music by Michael Koomin | book & lyrics by Christopher Dimond

Directed by Danny Hoskins; asst. by Mary Tiballi Hoffman
Musical Direction by Amanda Meldrum-Stevenson
Choreography by Lani Toyama Hoskins

Auditions: Sunday, Feb 2nd from 5-9pm
Callbacks: Monday, Feb 3rd from 6-10pm

***BLACKFRIARS HAS A MISSION TO HIRE LOCAL ARTISTS--WE DO NOT PROVIDE MEALS, HOUSING, OR TRANSPORTATION***

THE AUDITION:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY — please email info@blackfriars.org to schedule your appointment no later than Friday, Jan 31st at 4pm; scroll to the bottom for video submission information.

Auditions will take place in two 60-minute groups with a dance call between them. Please arrive familiar with the musical and the characters. There is a link to a PDF of the script and score at the bottom of this page.

THE NITTY-GRITTY:

We will be scheduling auditions in two 60-minute groups with a dance call between them. Group A will sing from 5-6pm then dance with Group B from 6-7pm; Group B will dance with Group A from 6-7pm then sing from 7-9pm. You will be assigned to a group at the time of your appointment request—we will do our best to accommodate time constraints and requests.

Please prepare two 16-bar cuts of contrasting musical theatre selections that show your range and strong character/acting choices. Come with sheet music in a binder and in the correct key. DO NOT SING A CAPELLA, AND DO NOT SING FROM THE SHOW. You may be asked to sing only one piece. Please bring clothes you can dance in comfortably and appropriate shoes (jazz, character, or sneakers).

Please bring a headshot/photo, resume, and your calendar to complete the rehearsal conflicts (YOU MUST FILL OUT A COMPLETE CONFLICT CALENDAR AT AUDITIONS).

THE PROCESS:
Rehearsals: begin as early as Mar 24th, 2025
Tech: May 3-8 (NO CONFLICTS)
Shows: May 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25

*hold dates for possible added shows are Saturday, May 17th at 2pm and Saturday, May 24th at 2pm

Blackfriars rehearses 4-6 times/week on nights and weekends. We do not create a final rehearsal schedule until we have a full list of cast and crew conflicts after casting.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Casting 16-18 actors/singers/dancers of all ages/ethnicities/genders/body types. All actors must be 18+ (no exceptions).

HOWARD - male, any ethnicity, 30s, bari-tenor | An average man. A guy's guy, but a little awkward. Emotionally repressed. Stipend: $400.

MAGGIE - female, any ethnicity, 30s, mezzo/soprano | Howard's coworker. An aspiring actress. Quirky and neurotic. Stipend: $400.

VON SCHWARTZENHEIM - male, any ethnicity, 50s-70s, baritone | A giant in the musical theater industry and in his own mind. Stipend: $300.

GRACE - female, any ethnicity, 30s, alto/mezzo | Howard's ex. Poised, confident, dignified ... and a little scary. Appears in several forms. Stipend: $300.

NEIGHBOR - male, any ethnicity, any age, any voice part | Howard's chipper neighbor. Stipend: $300.

FITZ - male, any ethnicity, 30s-40s, any voice part | Howard's obnoxious co-worker. Stipend: $300.

ENSEMBLE - 10-12 performers of varying age/ethnicity/gender/voice part to play multiple roles and theatre tropes, including: Howard's exes, hockey fans, Dream Howard & Dream Maggie, an angsty teen, rappers, dumpster cats, The Phantom, The Fiddler, Marching Band Conductor, an orphan, Ben Franklin, and the "Experimentals." Stipend for all ensemble: $300.

There can be no conflicts during tech or performances. If you are involved in another show that overlaps with any part of this process, please email us the conflicts at info@blackfriars.org prior to signing up for auditions. Questions? Please email us at info@blackfriars.org. INITIAL AUDITIONS & CALLBACKS will take place at Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St, Rochester 14605.

VIDEO AUDITIONS

If you cannot make auditions and wish to submit a video audition, please submit to info@blackfriars.org no later than Friday, Jan 31st at 4:00 p.m. (late submissions will not be considered). Please provide video of yourself singing TWO 16-bar musical theatre selections that show range and strong acting choices, as well as a video of you performing the pre-recorded dance call. If you're not available for callbacks, we may request additional scenes/songs to record and send in by 8:00 p.m. on Mar 3rd.

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BT’s COVID SAFETY NOTICE:

— Performers will be required to follow all designated Covid protocols throughout the rehearsal process including mask-wearing, if necessary, prior to tech week and social distancing when possible.

—Detailed protocols will be provided and reviewed with those cast prior to any in-person rehearsals.