Parkland Theatre will be hosting auditions for their spring production of the musical Memphis on Saturday, January 20th from 9 a.m. to noon at the theatre. Memphis (which is honestly one of my favorite musicals) is set in the 1950s and deals with the racial tension surrounding the story of one of the first white DJs to start playing black music. Here’s some info from the press release, including a breakdown of casting:
“Memphis director Jeff Dare is casting 27 actors, 15–60 years old (8 African-American women, 8 African-American men, 4 Caucasian women, and 7 Caucasian men). This show is set in the American South during the 1950s, when racial tensions were a reality of the era.
Actors must be able to sing in the style of the show’s music and must prepare a brief excerpt from a song. The show is largely in the rock, blues, and RnB styles. It is suggested that you focus on these areas for your music selection. In addition to your song excerpt, actors must prepare one of the monologues that can be found at theatre.parkland.edu/auditions.html. Alternatively, choose a 30-second monologue from American theatre that shows off your acting skills as they relate to this show. Memorization is preferred.
All members of the community as well as Parkland and U of I students are invited to audition; Parkland Theatre celebrates diversity in casting and strives to create an atmosphere where inclusivity is the norm. Actors of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome.”
Performances will take place from April 5th to April 22nd in Parkland Theatre’s Harold and Jean Miner Theatre.
For more information on the auditions process, or to sign up for a time slot, click here.
Photo from Facebook.