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Announcing Open Auditions for
our March 2018 Production
A New Brain
Music and Lyrics by WILLIAM FINN
Book by WILLIAM FINN and JAMES LAPINE
our March 2018 Production
A New Brain
Music and Lyrics by WILLIAM FINN
Book by WILLIAM FINN and JAMES LAPINE
Directed by ROBERT ROSSMAN and JAILYN TAFOLLA
Music Direction by KEN GETZ
Open Auditions will be held at the following times (select one):
Saturday, October 14--11 am or 12 pm
Monday, October 16--6 pm or 7 pm
If you would like to audition but are unable to make any of these times, please contact auditions@sierrastages.org.
Saturday, October 14--11 am or 12 pm
Monday, October 16--6 pm or 7 pm
If you would like to audition but are unable to make any of these times, please contact auditions@sierrastages.org.
Gordon Schwinn is a frustrated composer for a despotic children’s television show host. When he is diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain, he is confronted with the very real possibility that his musical legacy will be cut short. William Finn’s semi-autobiographical musical is energetic, sardonic, and poignant in its exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art. (A New Brain is presented all in song: There is very little dialog.)
Auditions will take place at:
Sierra Stages Studio
343 Railroad Avenue
Nevada City CA 95959 (map)
Directions from Grass Valley: Take 49 North. Exit at Sacramento Street in Nevada City. Take a sharp right onto Railroad Avenue at the stop sign at the end of the off-ramp. Follow Railroad Avenue past Tri-Counties Bank. The studio is two buildings down on the left, next to Nevada City Automotive.
Directions from Nevada City: From Broad Street, take Sacramento Street (past the Stone House). Go through the stop sign, and take a left onto Railroad Avenue after the Chevron station. Follow Railroad Avenue past Tri-Counties Bank. The studio is two buildings down on the left, next to Nevada City Automotive.
Callbacks will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6PM to 9PM. If you are called back for one or more roles, we'll email you with scheduling and other information. Not every actor who auditions will be asked to the callbacks, and casting some parts may not require a callback audition.
NOTE: All roles in A NEW BRAIN are unpaid.
Important Information about Scheduling Auditions:
In order to streamline the auditions, please pick one time slot.
Please make sure you fill out the Audition Scheduling Survey, so that we can make best use of your valuable time.
Auditions will take place at:
Sierra Stages Studio
343 Railroad Avenue
Nevada City CA 95959 (map)
Directions from Grass Valley: Take 49 North. Exit at Sacramento Street in Nevada City. Take a sharp right onto Railroad Avenue at the stop sign at the end of the off-ramp. Follow Railroad Avenue past Tri-Counties Bank. The studio is two buildings down on the left, next to Nevada City Automotive.
Directions from Nevada City: From Broad Street, take Sacramento Street (past the Stone House). Go through the stop sign, and take a left onto Railroad Avenue after the Chevron station. Follow Railroad Avenue past Tri-Counties Bank. The studio is two buildings down on the left, next to Nevada City Automotive.
Callbacks will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6PM to 9PM. If you are called back for one or more roles, we'll email you with scheduling and other information. Not every actor who auditions will be asked to the callbacks, and casting some parts may not require a callback audition.
NOTE: All roles in A NEW BRAIN are unpaid.
Important Information about Scheduling Auditions:
In order to streamline the auditions, please pick one time slot.
Please make sure you fill out the Audition Scheduling Survey, so that we can make best use of your valuable time.
You can also fill out the audition form ahead of time, so you don't need to do it when you arrive at the auditions. Please download, print, and fill out the form, if you can. You can also fill out the form online, if you'd prefer.
Also, please join our mailing list so we can keep you up to date about future auditions and events.
What to Bring:
A song from a similar-styled musical, 1 minute maximum length (cut to ensure brevity) with written-out sheet music (please, no charts/lead sheets) in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. If you have questions about an audition song, contact the musical director (click the link to send email, or call 530-346-3210). You may be asked to read lines from the show; materials will be available at the audition.
Reference Materials:
What to Bring:
A song from a similar-styled musical, 1 minute maximum length (cut to ensure brevity) with written-out sheet music (please, no charts/lead sheets) in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. If you have questions about an audition song, contact the musical director (click the link to send email, or call 530-346-3210). You may be asked to read lines from the show; materials will be available at the audition.
Reference Materials:
- You can find a digital copy of the script here. If you cannot access that link, perusal copies of the script are available, on request. Please contact auditions@sierrastages.org, or call 530-346-3210 for more information.
- Amateur performances of the entire show (performed by young adults of varying skills) are available here and here.
- Original cast CD (about 2/3 of the music in the show) available on YouTube, listed in the following table:
Rehearsal Schedule:
Staging rehearsals generally occur on Sundays (2 PM to 5PM or 5PM to 8PM), and Mondays through Thursdays (6PM to 9PM), starting on Jan 2, 2018. Singing rehearsals will start earlier, at the convenience of the actors. You must be able to schedule time with the music director in November and December 2017.
Performances:
The show will run from March 1 through 24 at the Nevada Theatre.
Preparing for the audition:
1. Download, print, and fill out the audition form, or fill in the audition form online and we'll have it at the auditions, ready to go.
2. Fill out the audition survey and choose a time.
3. Prepare a song, and bring a printed copy of the song, in the correct key, to the audition.
See you there!
For specific details, contact auditions@sierrastages.org, or call 530-346-3210.
A NEW BRAIN CAST INFORMATION
At this time, all roles are open.
Suggested ages refer to the age of the characters in the show, not the ages of the actors.
At this time, all roles are open.
Suggested ages refer to the age of the characters in the show, not the ages of the actors.
Character |
Description |
Gender |
Vocal Range |
Age Range |
Gordon Schwinn |
A lovable but sarcastic composer, working on music for Mr. Bungee's TV show |
Male |
Tenor (G2-G4) |
25 to 45 |
Mr. Bungee |
The slightly tyrannical director/producer/star of his own children's TV show; a frog |
Male |
Baritone (B2-G4) |
40 to 65 |
Mimi Schwinn |
Gordon's loving yet slightly unstable mother |
Female |
Mezzo/Alto (F#3 - C#5) |
50 to 70 |
Rhoda |
Gordon's agent and best friend |
Female |
Mezzo/Soprano (A3 to E5) |
30 to 60 |
Roger Delli-Bovi |
Gordon's charming and affectionate boyfriend |
Male |
Baritone (A2 to G4) |
30 to 60 |
Richard |
A kind and compassionate nurse |
Male |
Baritone (G2 to G4) |
25 to 50 |
Homeless Lady |
Intelligent, caring, yet rough around the edges |
Female |
Mezzo Belt (F3 to Eb5) |
25 to 65 |
Dr. Berensteiner |
An unsympathetic doctor |
Male |
Baritone (G2 to E4) |
30 to 65 |
Priest |
A somewhat clueless man of the cloth at the hospital |
Male |
Tenor (C3 to A4) |
30 to 65 |
Waitress/Nancy D |
The waitress is overbearing; Nancy is a mean nurse |
Female |
Soprano (A3 to G5) |
20 to 40 |
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact us at auditions@sierrastages.org or call us at 530.346.3210.
