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Audition Dates:Friday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 25 at 12:00 p.m.
Audition Location: Pleasant Valley Intermediate Building (3314 West Richwoods Blvd.)
Sign up for an audition slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845AAAD2DA6FD0-49262108-color
Show Dates:
October 4-6 and October 10-13
(7:30 shows- Sundays are at 2:00 p.m.)
*Please keep Saturday afternoon on the 12th and the 19th open for potential holdover shows as well as Wednesday, October 9th.
What to prepare:
16-32 bars of music (around 1 min) of a gospel, musical theatre, or pop song that showcases your voice. We will have an accompanist on hand if you’d like to bring sheet music or you can bring a karaoke/instrumental track from YouTube or another source. We will have a bluetooth speaker on hand. Please dress comfortably for a movement audition. If you want to be considered for a specialty dancer, we will teach you a few combinations.
Staff:
Director/Choreographer: Bryan Blanks
Assistant Director: Lisandra Mercado Torres
Music Director: Sarah Mayo and Gayle Cooper
Costumes: Jill Moritz and Darah Hannan
Set Design: Julie Wasson
Band Director: Maggie Slotter
Piano: Molly Slotter
Props Julie Duran
Sound: Jace McCance
Light Design: Wayne Carrey
Light Operator: Tricia Hunt Glen
Assistant Choreographer: T.B.A.
Synopsis:
This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story.
With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life. It premiered at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia and opened on Broadway on November 1, 2005, where it was nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The London off-West End production moved to Broadway in 2015, winning the Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical.
*Note from the Director:
This show is a dream show of mine to direct and I look forward to seeing who comes to auditions. I do want to make note that, as written, only black actors will be considered for roles in this show. I highly encourage new people to try out for this show. Have you never auditioned for a show? Come give it a try and bring a friend! Also, if you notice I’m not deeply concerned about ages with this show…my vision is Celie looking back and retelling and revisiting her journey. Furthermore, I’m a firm believer that Peoria audiences will forgive age if the performance is truthful and powerful. Also, auditions are early due to costume preparation. We won’t start rehearsals until the first of August, with a cast and crew meeting and social event prior to that.
Roles Available:
Celie
Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but really not, has a deep, hard soul, believes that she is ugly, has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.
Shug:
A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. She is loved by both Celie and Mister. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
Mister:
(Also known as ALBERT): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Gets his power for free. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms into a kind man by the end of the story. Needs a great singing voice.
Sofia:
Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger but beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Needs a great belt singing voice.
Harpo:
Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful, as Sofia is considerably stronger than he is. Harpo eventually establishes a jukejoint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
Nettie:
Celie’s younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.
Squeak:
Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. She is of mixed ancestry. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability.
Preacher: Energetic and motivational male who sings a big powerful solo with lots of range.
Doris, Jarlene, Darlene- A Trio that sings numerous solos throughout the show.
Ensemble Adult Singers:
Males and females, All ages. All types and singing ranges. Need fantastic singing voices and dynamic personalities. To play various roles in the ensemble The ensemble includes a trio known as Church Ladies, busybody types who are featured throughout the show.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Pleasant Valley Middle School, 3314 W Richwoods Blvd, Peoria, IL 61604-1027, United States,Peoria, Illinois
