SWEAT by Lynn Nottage
Summary
In one of the poorest cities in America, Reading, Pennsylvania, a group of down-and-out factory workers struggles to keep their present lives in balance, ignorant of the financial devastation looming in their near futures. Sweat is a topical reflection of the present and poignant outcome of America's economic decline.
Please Note: This play was suggested by students and then selected by the Play Selection Committee. Several seniors have been pre-cast for their senior projects. The roles listed are the remaining OPEN roles.
AUDITION INFO:
Live Zoom Auditions: December 7th and 8th.
Call Backs: December 10th
Please prepare a 1-minute contemporary monologue and familiarize yourself with audition sides available through the link below. Complete and submit the audition form by December 4th by 12:00AM (PST).
Audition Form Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScItBcLnAZDp_KZRfzSvYqGOU8jACmpj82BHc8IJkOuUCrdOg/viewform
Audition Sides Link:
Questions: Contact Carolyn.Ratteray@pomona.edu for audition information.
Performance Stream: May 13-16th
Virtual Rehearsal: Feb 15th-March 3rd
In Person Rehearsal/Filming: March 8th-22nd pending college approval of student return.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Stan: Friendly but stern, a former steel worker who was injured at the plant; he is now the bartender at the local bar that the plant workers frequent; he has watched the lives of his customers play out and is deeply empathetic with their struggles. His word is the rule of law; it would be a mistake to cross this man. White.
Jessie: A steel worker; former hippie, with a warm disposition and easy access to her humor; drowns her sorrows in booze; a sloppy drunk whose anger and disappointment with the cards she’s been dealt bubble up when she drinks. White.
Jason: A steel worker with deep working-class roots, he is proud of his blue-collar heritage and still has faith that his life will be spent in the factory; youthful, tough, funny and charismatic; in prison he hardens into a white supremacist, his optimism transforming into rage. White.
Oscar: A busboy at the local bar; he keeps to himself, always conscious that in this community of the disenfranchised and powerless he is at the bottom of the heap; when the steel plant locks out the workers, Oscar is willing to risk everything to cross the picket lines and seize the opportunity to better his life; although he was born in Berks County, he is still considered an outsider. Latinx.
Brucie: Chris’ father and Cynthia’s estranged husband. A former textile factory worker, now a smooth-talking heroin addict. He was once charismatic but has fully succumbed to his addiction; still capable of being charming, but as his circumstances become increasingly desperate so does his behavior. Black.
Evan: Firm, direct and no-nonsense; a career parole officer; he is committed to helping his parolees succeed through a mixture of tough love and challenge; he can more than take care of himself. Black, BIPOC.
LITTLE WOMEN, The Musical
BOOK Allan Knee
MUSIC Jason Howland
LYRICS Mindi Dickstein
BASED ON BOOK BY Louisa May Alcott
First Produced in 2005; 2 ACTS; Musical, Drama, Romance; Multiple Settings
TIME & PLACE
1860's Concord, New York City & Massachusetts
AUDITION INFO
Self-Tapes due Friday, Dec. 4 by 6:00pm
Musical Theatre Song - 32 bars or 2-minutes (in the style of Little Women)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAomaa1uu-7gHeU2GftToLzet5tMPxPJO
Audition Form Link: https://forms.gle/6Y87Njm7jr71VDhYA
In order to be considered for any role, please complete and submit an audition form by 12/4/2020 by 6:00pm.
CALLBACKS
Tuesday, Dec. 8 & Wednesday, Dec. 9
Contact Director Giovanni Molina Ortega for more information at giovanni.ortega@pomona.edu
UPDATED PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
Decisions regarding production format will occur by Tuesday, Dec. 15. The decision for virtual filming will occur by Tuesday, Jan. 5. All decisions are made based on guidelines provided by the College Consortium and the department will implement Covid-19 safety measures and protocols in line with current Industry Standards.
The production will be streamed March 4-7 and virtual rehearsals will begin during the first week of Spring semester.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN/ ROLES
Understudy - Marmee March (Mezzo Soprano)
The girls' mother. She is the strong backbone of the family, who is courageous in spite of the difficult odds she faces.
Understudy - Meg March (Soprano)
The world-weary, yet hopeful, oldest sister who yearns for a great life. She marries John and has twins with him.
Understudy - Josephine ‘Jo’ March (Soprano)
Our story's protagonist. Passionate, adventurous, and brave. She has the idea of writing Little Women and eventually becomes engaged to Professor Bhaer.
Understudy - Beth March (Soprano)
The second youngest sister who tragically dies of Scarlet Fever. Peace-maker, lover, and an optimist who is always encouraging her sisters to dream.
Understudy - Amy March (Soprano)
The youngest, most energetic sister with a rather pompous air about her. She later marries Laurie.
Auntie March (Soprano)
A formidable, over-bearing matron and great-aunt to the March sisters. The wealthy socialite in town. Can double as Mrs. Kirk.
Professor Bhaer (Baritone)
Professor who exemplifies proper manners.
He is a boarder in Mrs. Kirk's boarding house and eventually falls in love with Jo.
Mr. Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence (Tenor)
The bright-eyed boy-next-door with considerable charm. He loves Jo but later falls in love with Amy.
Mrs. Kirk (Mezzo-soprano)
The owner of the boarding house in which Professor Bhaer and Jo meet.
Mr. John Brooke (Tenor)
Laurie's tutor and a rather stiff man; shows very little emotion. He later marries Meg and changes.
Mr. Laurence (Baritone)
Laurie's grandfather. A stiff and stern elderly man who eventually shows his softer side and gives
Beth the beloved piano that belonged to his dead daughter.
ENSEMBLE Roles:
CLARISSA: The heroine of Jo's operatic tragedy.
RODRIGO: The determined and brave hero of Jo's operatic tragedy.
SIR BRAXTON PENDERGAST: An evil villain ruthlessly pursuing Clarissa.
KNIGHT: A tired and lonely old man who gives Clarissa his sword in return for her kindness to him.
HAG: A mysterious creature who shows Clarissa the way through the forest in return for her combs.
TROLL: A greedy monster who takes Clarissa across wild rapids in return for her necklace.
RODRIGO II: The real hero of Jo's operatic tragedy – Clarissa's long-lost sister.
MONKS, CHORUS OF HAGS & CHORUS OF TROLLS
Seeking a company of 12-14 Actors to play multiple roles. Doubling will be determined after company is cast. Please indicate parts you are most excited to play and parts you are unwilling to play.
Audition Information:
Audition Submission Deadline: December 4th by 12:00am PST
Audition Dates: Video Auditions will be reviewed December 5th-9th.
Zoom Callbacks: Thursday, 12/10, and if needed Friday 12/11.
Audition Requirements:
- Attach a video of a 1-minute classical monologue or 2 contrasting pieces.
- Monologue(s) should reflect the part(s) you are interested in.
- A headshot or a photo of good quality. (It does not need to be a professional headshot, it can just be a good photo taken at home.)
- Completed Audition Form
The audition form will close Dec 4 at midnight (PST)
Audition Form Link: https://forms.gle/jLR6UMN2PDYxKvwe8
More Information:
The Pomona College Theatre Department's production of Much Ado About Nothing will stream April 15-18th, 2021. Remote Rehearsals will begin January 26th, 2021 and continue until we record, pending College’ decision regarding students return to campus.
We encourage people from all schools, majors, backgrounds, and walks of life to audition!
If you have any questions about the audition form or rehearsal process, please feel free to contact the stage manager at: kira.edsell@pomona.edu.
Character Descriptions:
PRECAST: Benedick, Beatrice, Hero
All other Roles to be cast. (i.e., casting 9-11 more actors) Significant Roles include:
Leonato: Governor of Messina
Father to Hero, Uncle to Beatrice. Strong Moral Compass, Kind, Generous
Don Pedro: Prince of Aragon, Friend of Leonato’s, Strong Leader, Loner, Practical Joker
Count Claudio: a young lord who falls in love with Hero, Playful, Dramatic, Fickle
Leonato’s Brother/ Sister: Loyal, Problem Solver
Don John: Don Pedro’s Brother, bad news, jealous, petty
Borachio: Don John’s henchman. Active social calendar and seduces ladies for sport.
Conrade: Don John’s other henchman. Interesting character, looking for trouble.
Margaret: Hero’s Lady-in-Waiting, sensual, active social calendar, fools around with Borachio
Ursula: Hero’s Lady-in-Waiting, spunky sense of fun
Dogberry: Master Constable in Messina, has trouble with getting to the point
Verges: Dogberry’s partner/ sidekick, takes things very seriously
George Seacoal: Leader of the Watch
Sexton: Town Clerk, very serious, unsure of jokes, very much a straight man in terms of joke telling.
Friar: holds fast to Hero’s innocence, performs marriage rites
May be trimmed as needed:
Watchmen, Messengers, Boy, Musicians, Lords, Attendants