MR. BURNS, A POST ELECTRIC PLAY

directed by David Widmayer

**ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS**:

Friday, January 24 @ 7:00 PM and Saturday, January 25 @ 3:00 PM

**** AT THE CHILDREN'S CREATIVE CENTER: 1600 PAULINE BLVD ****

PERFORMANCE DATES: March 27-29 and April 3-5, 2020

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is seeking eight to sixteen actors for Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, by Anne Washburn, directed by David Widmayer, with musical direction by Jason Gong. Important note: while part of the production is a play and part is a musical, actors DO NOT need to audition for both sections, though they are very welcome to if they desire. We will be casting the musical section (Act 3) and play section (Acts 1 and 2) separately.

Actors must be age 16 or older to audition. All roles will be open to actors of any gender, and the age range is extremely flexible. This cast is a true ensemble, so individual character descriptions will not be provided - the characters are up to the actors to define during the rehearsal process.

AUDITIONERS FOR THE PLAY SECTION: Actors are encouraged to prepare a short (1-2 minute) monologue of their choice that demonstrates emotional range. For those who prefer to audition with a cold reading, a selection of monologues will be available at the audition. Actors should demonstrate a unique and thoughtful interpretation of whatever material they choose for their audition, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to directing notes given in the room.

AUDITIONERS FOR THE MUSICAL SECTION: Actors should choose a song they are comfortable singing within their vocal range, and prepare a short (1-2 minute) excerpt from it. We prefer that your audition song be memorized. If you have sheet music for the accompanist, please bring it with you and clearly mark the start and end points. Otherwise, you may sing a capella or with your own recorded instrumental accompaniment. Dance experience is not required - plans for expressive movement during the musical portion of the show will be determined AFTER auditions based on the comfort level and experience of those who are cast.

Our second round of auditions takes place Friday, January 24 at 7:00pm and Saturday, January 25 at 3:00pm at the Children's Creative Center (1600 Pauline Blvd, Ann Arbor). Actors should only attend one of the two days, and need not stay for the entire time, but should arrive a few minutes prior to the start of the audition to fill out forms and list rehearsal conflicts, and be present for the director’s introduction. If you cannot attend the scheduled auditions, please contact David Widmayer (djwidmayer@gmail.com) to request accommodation.

Details about callbacks (if deemed necessary) will be announced via email after the conclusion of Saturday's auditions. The first readthrough will be scheduled between January 27 and February 1, while rehearsals officially begin on February 2. Rehearsals will be scheduled each week Sunday-Thursday from 7:00-10:00. The production runs March 27 through April 5 at the A2CT Studio. Please email director David Widmayer (djwidmayer@gmail.com) with any questions.

A brief synopsis of the play, for those who are unfamiliar:

Act 1 opens on a group of survivors after the apocalypse sitting around a campfire, trying to remember and tell each other the story of the “Cape Feare” episode of The Simpsons (Season 5, Episode 2).

Act 2 takes us 7 years into the future, when the same group of survivors has settled in a town and built a rustic theater (one of several) specializing in producing old Simpsons episodes. We join them for a rehearsal of the “Cape Feare” episode, replete with reenacted commercials.

Act 3 takes us 75 years more into the future, when The Simpsons has become allegorical high art. We see an entire musical production of a now very different “Cape Feare,” which has morphed over years of retelling in a new post-apocalyptic oral tradition.