Auditions
Produced by: Dixon Place & Exequtive Entertainment
Directed by: Quentin Madia
Music Director: Lauren Pelaia
Associate Director: Téa Einarsen
Performances: September 28-October 21st
Rehearsing: Begins the week of August 22nd
Union: AEA Showcase Code Pending
Pay Rate: $1,700-$3,000
Show Description:
THE PICHER PROJECT is a new musical that explores the rise and destruction of the now-abandoned mining town of Picher, Oklahoma. Once the world's largest producer of lead and zinc, Picher became the EPA’s #1 Superfund site, deeming it the most toxic place in America. The Picher Project, based on interviews, personal stories and historic events, covers the town’s 100-year history from the opening of the mines to the town’s demise. While grappling with losing their homes, the town is forced to confront their complicated political divide, unpredictable natural disasters, and environmentally caused illnesses. Through the lives of Picher citizens and the often forgotten experience of the Quapaw Nation, The Picher Project shows the struggles of illness, pride, love and loss. The Picher Project ultimately asks the following questions: How do we take responsibility for our history? How do we treat the land we live on? How do we leave our home?
NYC Production:
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9-12 Performances (Depending on extension) at Dixon Place on the Lower East Side
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Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings starting September 28th (One Sunday performance on Oct. 15.)
Tour to Miami, Oklahoma:
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2 Performances at the Coleman Theatre
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October 10/11, as part of the Tar Creek Conference
To Submit:
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Vocal Audition: Two contrasting vocal cuts in the style of the show, up to 1:30 in length each. (Similar musical styling to Bright Star, Bridges of Madison County, Waitress)
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Headshot
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Resume
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Wildcard: Anything else you think we should know! Special skills? Playing instruments? Hidden talents?
Please send to auditions@exequtiveentertainmentllc.com & thepicherproject@gmail.com
Audition Window: July 27- August 4
Callbacks by invitation only: August 6- August 10th
Casting Complete by August 14th.
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CASTING BREAKDOWN
The Man M; White; Bass; Plays various roles, all representing positions of power. Range: G#2-C#4
Newscaster F; Open ethnicity; Alto; A method of communication. We see her through several decades. She is a time marker. Her clothes and hair will change to the extreme of each decade as she ages. Will double as 90-Pound Jo. Range: E3-E5 (non-belt)
Rebecca Jim F; Native/Indigenous Peoples; Mezzo; School teacher/counselor and activist. A town leader with a strong background in environmental science. Ages from early 30’s to her mid 60’s. Range: F3-F5 (belt)
Hoppy Ray M; White; Baritone; The quintessential Picher native. A miner, World War II vet, and family man, he and his pool hall became the cornerstone of culture in Picher, providing a spot to meet for the whole town. Ages from mid-40’s to his mid 80’s. Range: G#2-G#4
Rita Ray F; Open Ethnicity; Alto; Hoppy’s wife; Grandmother to Tucker. A graceful, poised woman who knows she has power in her kind eyes. Ages from mid-40’s to her mid 60’s. Range: F3-E5 (non belt)
Tucker Ray M; Open Ethnicity; Tenor; Hoppy and Rita’s Grandson. Drops out of high school. Dealing with how to move his grandfather out of Picher. Tucker reads from 1991 through the end of the show. Range: B3-A4
Young Tucker Ray M; Open Ethnicity; Hoppy and Rita’s Grandson. Rambunctious, energized, crazy kid. Tons of spunk. 9 years old. Range: A3-A4
Vick Charles M; Native/Indigenous Peoples; Tenor. A leader within the Quapaw town council. Environmental activist. Ally and friend to Rebecca Jim. Pursuing a land lease lawsuit. The best husband to Grace, and father to Brooke. Ages throughout the show from late 20’s-early 60’s. Range: A3-F4
Grace Charles F; Native/Indigenous Peoples; Soprano. Nurse working night shifts. Loving mother to Brooke, wife to Vick. Aids Rebecca Jim in testing children for lead poisoning. Ages throughout the show from late 20’s-early 60’s. Range: A3-G#5 (non-belt)
Brooke Charles F; Native/Indigenous Peoples; Mezzo. Driven student, we see her grow throughout the show into a fierce advocate for closing Picher. Inspires her father to pursue a land lease lawsuit. Brooke reads from “Infamous Woman” through the end of the show. Range: F3-E5
Young Brooke Charles F; Native/Indigenous Peoples; Mezzo. Driven student, smart, energetic, doesn’t take no for an answer. Around 9-12 years old.
Range: A3-C4
Lenna Sanders F; Open ethnicity; Soprano; Hardworking and dedicated. A fiercely loving and protective mother to Cayden. Seeking answers and medical assistance for her son gives her purpose. Ages from late 20’s to her mid 50’s. Range: A3-C6
Cayden Sanders M; Open ethnicity; Tenor; Lenna’s son; ailing from lead poisoning. He has learning disabilities and struggles with speaking because of it. He was born prematurely. Cayden reads from “Infamous Woman” through the end of the show. Ages throughout the show from 15 to 37.Range: C3-A4
Young Cayden M; Open ethnicity; Lenna’s son; ailing from lead poisoning. He has learning disabilities and struggles with speaking because of it. He was born prematurely. 7 years old. Range: A3-A4
Dusty Wright M; Open ethnicity; Baritone; The announcer for Picher High School’s football games. Was a miner, his family has lived in Picher for generations. Ages from mid-40’s to his mid 60’s. Range: B3-E4
Wilma Stone F; Open ethnicity; Soprano; Lived in Picher her entire life. Does not want to leave, but understands how the town has changed. On the school PTA. Ages from mid-40’s to her mid 60’s. Range: G3-G#5
Suzanna Hyde F; Open ethnicity; Alto; football coach; loud; believes Picher is safe. Ages from mid-40’s to her mid 60’s. Range: F3-E5 (non belt)
David Miller M; Open ethnicity; Tenor; Quarterback of the football team and student at PHS in the ‘80s. He is on the championship team. Ages from 16 to the mid 40’s. Range: B3-A4
The Miners These 4 tracks are the representation of how the past has built the present. They will be part of the ensemble throughout the show. The miners will play Guitar, Violin, Banjo, and Auxiliary Percussion.
90-Pound Jo F, Open ethnicity, 20’s-30’s (Doubles as Newscaster) Range: F3-E5 (non belt)
Boomerang M, Open ethnicity, 20’s-30’s, Range: A3-F4
Chip M, Open ethnicity, 20’s-30’s, Range: B3-A4