IAQs – Infrequently Asked Questions about Jekyll & Hyde Auditions at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre

by Liz

Even if you didn’t think you had access to ask, didn’t think you should ask, didn’t think to ask–ask away! I’m directing J&H for CPT and auditions are June 17, 2023. See CPT’s website for the logistical audition information.

What are you looking for?

Can you sing the role? When you speak and listen, do I believe you? What are your conflicts? How do you take direction? Do we ‘get’ each other? Are you interested in going in the direction this production is headed? Do you have technique/craft/skills you can consciously and consistently deploy? Are you enjoyable to be around?

But what are you looking for in ___ role specifically?

I get why you ask this, but I refer you back to the above and the character descriptions in the audition announcement. Additionally, let me assure you that I want diversity in the composition of my cast. I’m looking for human texture. This show takes place in London and a bunch of size 4s within two decades of each other’s ages isn’t what I’m looking for. I want a cast full of different ages, shapes, sizes, colors, and identities. That feels like London to me. As for individual roles, the “look” is way down on the list. I care more about everything I listed above.

Are you doing something weird or a traditional take?

I’m interested in telling the story. I won’t do anything contrary to the text. But I’m going to tell that story as wholly as I can using all the elements of theatrical design available to our production. Not all the details are to be found on the page. It won’t be like any other production because it will be ours, but it’s all based on the text.

Who is on the production team?

Krista Davies is the Producer. Carynn Butler is the Production Manager. I’m the Director. David Martin is the Music Director. Sunny Simkins is the Choreographer. Ashley Weller is the Stage Manager. Justin Lee is the Fight Director and Stunt Coordinator. Jordan Fowler is the Lighting Designer. Krista Davies is the Sound Designer. Nita Smith and Jeana Forthman are the Costume Designers. Shelley Swensen is the Wig Designer. Kristin Alley is the Make-Up Designer. Sharla Jordan is the Properties Designer. Truxton Moulton is the Set Designer.

Are you cutting anything?

Yes. I like shows that run for two hours with intermission. I think Wildhorn’s show takes too long to get to the first transformation. Within the engagement party scene, two songs are cut, Emma’s duets with Simon Stride and her father. There are also places where dialogue is cut from almost every named character in the show. I’m not keeping everything the show has Jekyll sing. These cuts are all about propelling the story forward and revealing character without redundancy or tangents. Feel free to ask about specific cuts concerning the character(s) you are interested in.

How dark are you going?

Well, the subject matter necessitates violence and sexuality and I’m not walking away from that. It would be no service to the story to dilute the dichotomy of good v. evil and violence and sex are consequential elements for that discussion. I’m not interested in chasing the audience out of their seats either. I feel confident we can respect our audience and still serve them the story. There is some adult language in the script and score. The clothing will be a period-appropriate level of scandalous as needed.

A stunt from Peter and the Starcatcher at CPT in 2020

What kind of safety precautions are in place for this show?

Justin Lee has been engaged to direct the fights and stunts. Ashley Weller is the Stage Manager for this show. This production is in such good, conscientious hands. CPT has robust safety policies and procedures.

A hands-on moment from Oliver! at CPT in 2017

This will be a consent-forward production. While the director will be the only IDC-certified Consent-Forward Artist on the production team, the entire team is undergoing ongoing training and discussions in the pre-production process on the CRISP framework for consent. Additionally, I’m certified in both mental health first aid and physical health first aid and CPR.

An intimate moment from A Streetcar Named Desire at CPT in 2019

Do you have your people? Do I have any chance if we haven’t worked together before?

This show is not precast. I care about the questions I listed at first. If we’ve worked together and I’ve learned positive things about you from that experience, that’s cool but not a guarantee. I don’t need us to have worked together for me to see potential and get very excited about the opportunities. Auditions and callbacks can show me that you are enjoyable to be around, take direction, have skills, and if we ‘get’ each other.

I’m thrilled to be working with David and Sunny for many reasons. One of those reasons is that I hope the fact that the three of us are working together for the first time gives you the vibe that these auditions are truly open and we don’t have “our people.” Maybe you’ve worked with one of us before, maybe none of us–either way, you are warmly welcome to audition.

What material are you asking for at auditions?

I want you to audition with the show’s material which CPT will provide. I don’t want to wait for callbacks to give you a chance to sing the role you want. I want to hear every auditioner sing for the role they want in this show. I can’t call everyone back. I care too much about respecting your time. This way, I can consider you in the role you care about. I want you to have every possible chance. Asking you to sing two contrasting pieces is so you can show me some range and shoot your shot at more than one character. The spoken sides are a chance for you to show me some more and for me to hear your RP (proper British) and Cockney dialects.

Will I be disadvantaged by submitting a video audition?

No way. I LOVE video auditions. They respect your time and your effort. They make it so you can truly put your best foot forward. They also cut down on the number of times you have to commute to the theatre before you know if you are cast or not, and I like that. Both David and Sunny are whole-heartedly committed to fair and sincere consideration of the video submissions as well. An in-person audition slot will be available for those who feel more comfortable exercising that option. Please make your audition choice based on what you feel comfortable doing without worrying about supposed inequities between the options that the production team doesn’t perceive.

Photo by George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-young-black-woman-setting-up-smartphone-before-shooting-podcast-6954220/

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