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Bridgewater State University Theatre Department
Auditions for
Small Mouth Sounds
By
Bess Wohl
Directed by Ava White
Auditions for the Theatre Department at Bridgewater State University’s production of Small Mouth Sounds will take place on Monday, December 7th, from 6 pm to 10 pm in RSU 026B. Callbacks by invitation will be on Tuesday, December 8th, starting at 6 pm in RSU 120.
“And if, after all this, after accepting and sitting with this, you still feel alone? Well, I’m sorry but…You are not alone.”- Bess Wohl, Small Mouth Sounds
Word of Advice:
This play is about connection. Human connection in a variety of different ways, and much of the connection takes place without words. Physicality will be a big part of this show and process, and I encourage everyone to explore bold physical choices. In places of silence, find ways to communicate without words. This play should take time but not drag on. Find the urgency and sincerity of the piece. Each character in this story, including the teacher, is struggling with something in their lives and looking for change and connection. I highly encourage reading this piece before auditioning. Be as familiar as you can with the material, words, or lack thereof, so new things can be discovered in the room. Also have fun! This play is weird and wacky, and I hope that everyone embraces that and finds sincerity and connection in the weirdness and wackiness.
Rehearsals:
Our rehearsals will be Monday through Friday, 6 pm to 10 pm. We will be rotating between 026B and 026C. Many nights the full cast will be present, but it will not be every night. Please list all conflicts you have, especially recurring conflicts.
Work Day:
February 13th, 10 am-6 pm
Crew Watch:
February 18th, 6-11 pm
Tech Rehearsals:
Q to Q: February 21st, 12-10 pm (NOTE – this is a Sunday rehearsal)
Tech Rehearsal/Final Dress/Photo Call: February 23rd, 6-11 pm
Performances:
February 25th, 6-10 pm
February 27th, 6-10 pm
February 28th, 12-4 pm
STRIKE: February 28th, 4-9 pm
What to prepare:
Please choose two different characters to read for from the sides provided (see attached files). You can read the same side twice but not as the same character. You may also read two different sides for two different characters. You can mix and match as you please! Please also prepare a movement piece to the monologue given. For this portion of the audition, I encourage you to think about how you can communicate the message of the monologue without words. However, you may speak the monologue with your movement piece if you desire. The sides do not need to be memorized; however, please be familiar with the material. The monologue is not required to be memorized; however, I would suggest trying to memorize it for the sake of using your body with your movement piece.
For individual auditions:
Please sign up for one 5-minute slot. There will be a reader present for you at auditions, and there will also be physical copies of the sides made available for you. We will also have a Bluetooth speaker if you wish to play any music during your movement piece.
For auditions with a partner:
Please sign up for two 5-minute slots back-to-back with both names in both slots. You will perform your sides together but do each movement piece individually.
Callbacks:
Callbacks will consist of sides, physicality work, and monologue work. Please come prepared to move.
If you cannot make the initial audition, please email stage manager Zach Rojas at @G1ROJAS@student.bridgew.edu to submit a video audition, due by 10 pm on Monday, December 7th.
To sign up for an audition slot, follow the link below! Be sure to add everyone’s names if auditioning with a partner. If you have any trouble, please reach out to Zach Rojas at the email above.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AABA822A3F9C16-66770092-small
Character Breakdown:
Note: These character descriptions are very detailed and important, but mostly for background information. I encourage each person to make their characters their own. Interpret their words, or lack thereof, for yourself.
Teacher: (Any Gender) Disembodied, androgynous voice that does not appear onstage. Tends to pause in. Weird. Moments. Please observe punctuation. VOICE ACTING OPPORTUNITY. This character would be pre-recorded before rehearsals start and would not be seen onstage but would receive credit in the programs.
Joan: (Femme-Presenting) Late forties, sex educator in colleges and a therapist. She is incredibly angry and has been since her parents got divorced when she was six. She was raped in college and then turned to meditation and yoga. Her rage still comes to the surface on occasion, even though she tries to breathe through it. She might leave, just when you need her most.
Judy: (Femme-Presenting) Around fifty, Joan’s partner. Works at O Magazine. Likes to be in control of her image. Got a diagnosis of ovarian cancer that doctors told her “will not have a good outcome.” She came to spirituality to find a cure for an eye tic, but is not into it anymore. She knows she should meditate but doesn’t have time. She loves Joan madly and is very afraid she will leave, just when she needs Joan the most.
Alicia: (Femme-Presenting) Thirty-ish. Manages to make a lot of noise even when in “silence.” She was a child actor and beauty pageant star. She and her ex-boyfriend Fred have a complicated history, but she is still very much in love with him. She spends all her time stalking Fred on various social media sites. She is looking for someone to make her feel okay.
Ned: (Male-Presenting) Around forty and has had a long run of bad luck. He went rock climbing and fell and cracked his skull in eight places, spent two years in and out of the hospital, during which time his identity was stolen, his house burned down, and his wife cheated on him with his younger brother. The two then fixed the house and kicked Ned out of it. All of these events led Ned to pursue a life of spirituality, including saving up to go on this specific retreat with this specific teacher he admires.
Rodney: (Male-Presenting) Mid-thirties. Ageless, fit, gorgeous, teaches yoga classes. He is extremely comfortable with his body. His wife Nadine used to be his student, and now both teach yoga. They have had articles written about them. Rodney has had multiple affairs with students and pursues them to combat his fear of aging and death.
Jan: (Male-Presenting) Fifty-ish from Finland. Does not speak English well. Very sweet and kind. He is a pastor at a small Lutheran church in Finland, and his church sent him on a one-year sabbatical to explore religious life around the world. He came to religion after the death of his six-year-old son. He is hoping this retreat will have answers for him.
Content Considerations:
There are mentions of rape, suicide, death, and cancer; however, many are not mentioned explicitly in the dialogue. Characters in this show will also require intimacy. Some forms of intimacy include kissing for a prolonged period of time/making out and simulated sexual acts (Rodney/Alicia). Other forms include some possibilities of undressing. Examples are taking off shirts (Jan), possibly undressing fully (Rodney), and undressing down to underwear/swimsuit (Alicia). Just like a professional production, these moments will be HIGHLY CHOREOGRAPHED with an intimacy coordinator. There are conversations being had regarding nudity in this show; however, everything is up to the comfort level of the actor. Whoever is cast in these roles will have conversations with the director, costume designer, and intimacy coordinator regarding their comfort level with any of these actions.
Auditions are open to all actors and casting will not discriminate based on race, gender identity, neurodiversity, or sexual orientation. Any actor is welcome!
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