OPEN AUDITIONS
HANDS ON A HARDBODY
book by Doug Wrigh
lyrics by Amanda Green
music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green
directed by Kate Swan
music direction by Markus Grae-Hauck
WHEN: Wednesday, March 18th, and Monday, March 23, at 7:00 PM. Sign-up begins at 1/2 hour prior to the audition start time, and anyone auditioning must arrive no later than 8:00 PM. Callback date and time will be announced soon.
WHERE: Westminster Arts Center, 449 Franklin Street in Bloomfield, easily accessible by train or bus from Manhattan; directions are available at www.4thwalltheatre.org/directions.
Based on the true events depicted in the 1997 film documentary of the same name, 4th Wall’s production will be presented at Westminster Arts Center on the campus of Bloomfield College, where the company is in residence. Rehearsals will begin in early April, and performances are scheduled for June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14.
ABOUT THE SHOW
The show takes place at a Nissan dealership in Longview, Texas, where 10 contestants try to outlast each other to win a brand new red truck by keeping at least one hand on it as long as they can. Every character needs the truck to help change their lives for the better, to win their American dream, and we watch them struggle through the heat and exhaustion with humor, ambition, and hope.
4th Wall is seeking 9 men and 6 women; see character breakdown below for details. In addition to the multi-racial casting needs of the show, non-traditional casting will be strongly considered. Age ranges are somewhat flexible.
- Prepare two contrasting 32-bar selections from contemporary musical theatre and/or country songs that show off your voice in the range and style of the character(s) you are auditioning for.
- Bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided.
- Also bring a headshot and resume stapled together, and be prepared to provide all potential conflicts for evening and weekend rehearsals beginning April 1st.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
SEEKING 6 women and 9 men (Texas accents definitely a plus, unless otherwise noted) to play the following very real characters:
- KELLI MANGRUM: Female, 22 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano, A3-E5)
A pretty UPS worker with steel ambition and big dreams. Sings “I’m Gone.” - HEATHER STOVALL: Female, 29 (Range: Mezzo-Soprano, A3-D#5)
A flirtatious restaurant hostess. Used to bending the rules and getting away with it. Sings “Burn That Bridge” and “It’s A Fix Reprise.” - CINDY BARNES: Female, 34-50 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)
Former Miss Gregg County, still fond of pageant hair and pastels. Works in Public Relations at the Nissan dealership. Chorus singing. - NORMA VALVERDE: Female, 35-45 (Range: Low Mezzo, D3-G5)
A stout Latina woman, kind and hopeful, quiet until moved by the spirit. Infectious laugh. Sings “The Joy of the Lord.” - VIRGINIA DREW: Female, Mid 50’s (Range: Mezzo-Soprano, G3-C5)
A one-time beauty queen settling into middle-age. JD’s wife. Sings “Alone With Me.” - JANIS CURTIS: Female, Mid 60’s (Range: Low Mezzo, D3-Bb4)
A tough old bird with sun-burnished skin and missing teeth. Comic and full of integrity. Married to Don. Sings “If She Don’t Sleep” and “It’s a Fix.” - GREG WILHOTE: Male, Early 20’s (Range: Tenor, D3-B4)
A cute young man in a baseball cap. Generous and determined. Sings “I’m Gone.” - JESUS PENA: Male, 20’s (Range: Tenor, E3-B4)
A hard-working, smart first generation Mexican-American. Slight Mexican accent. Sings “Born In Laredo.” - CHRIS ALVARO: Male, 20’s (Range: Tenor, Ab2-Ab4)
Well-built under his hoodie, a pair of aviator glasses conceal his eyes. Military steeliness and hidden vulnerability. Sings “Stronger.” - RONALD MCCOWAN: Male, 35 (Range: Tenor, F3-B4)
A good-natured African-American guy with a slight Louisiana accent and a love of Snickers bars. Sings “My Problem Right There.” - MIKE FERRIS: Male, Late 30’s (Range: Tenor, Eb3-Bb4)
Boyishly handsome, wears a cheap tie with a Nascar clip. Questionable ethics. Works at the Nissan dealership. Sings “Burn That Bridge.” - BENNY PERKINS: Male, Mid 40’s (Range: Tenor, C#3-G#4)
Weather-beaten face, ingratiating grin, and lots of homespun philosophy. Our narrator of sorts. Also a very angry man. Sings lead in multiple songs, including “If You Can’t Hunt with the Big Dogs,” The Opening, and “God Answered My Prayers.” - FRANK NUGENT: Male, Mid 50’s (Range: Bari-Tenor, Eb3-Gb4)
Radio personality, a diehard good ole boy dressed in a Stetson. Sings “Hands on a Hardbody.” - JD DREW: Male, 60 (Range: Baritone, G2-D4)
A “good old boy” with pomaded gray hair and a high wattage grin. Virginia’s husband. Sings multiple songs including “Used To Be” and “Keep Your Hands On It.” - DON CURTIS: Male, Mid 60’s (Range: Baritone, A2-Bb3)
Wears a cardboard sign on his head that proclaims “I LOVE YOU JANIS, GO BABY GO!" Sings “If She Don’t Sleep.” - DOCTOR STOKES: Male, Age Flexible (Probably same actor who plays Don Curtis) A professor from LeTourneau University.
www.4thwalltheatre.org. Non-union. No pay.
