OPEN AUDITION NOTICE:
1776
directed by Roseanne Ruggiero
WHEN: Sunday, February 24th, 2pm to 6pm and on Monday, February 25th, from 7pm to 10 pm.
WHERE: Barn Theatre is located at the end of Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ. For directions to the theatre, please see http://www.barntheatre.org/directions.asp
Performance Dates: May 17, 25, 31, June 1 ,7 & 8 at 8pm and May 18, 19, 26, June 2 at 2pm. Also Potential Benefit Performances May 23, 24, 30 & June 6 at 8pm
Actors are asked to arrive to sign in within the first hour of the audition start time. All roles are available and casting is open; newcomers are especially welcomed! Crew and other volunteers are also needed for the event. If interested, please contact info@barntheatre.org
IMPORTANT: You will be asked to list ALL potential conflict dates AT THE TIME of your audition (not after casting as the director reserves the right to replace anyone who develops too many conflicts AFTER casting). Please be prepared with your calendar and out-dates, as a rehearsal schedule will be generated based upon availability of staff and cast.
It's the summer of 1776, and a fledgling nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.
Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
CAST BREAKDOWN:
John Adams (40s) force behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence… pushes hard and antagonizes almost everyone in Congress…“obnoxious and disliked” but committed to independence. Vocal Range: Baritone, C to F#.
Benjamin Franklin (70s) witty and playful and insightful, tends to be somewhat of a leveling influence in Congress…quick to quip but acutely analytical. Vocal Range: Ab to Eb - Must Waltz well.
John Dickinson (40s) theatrical bursts of energy…stylish man of property, enjoys the good life… fiercely articulate champion and proponent of his class. Vocal Range: Bari-tenor A to E.
Thomas Jefferson (30s) very tall, soft-spoken, contemplative and seemingly shy… quiet exterior masks an incisive mind. Vocal Range: Baritone, C to G
Edward Rutledge (25-35) handsome and charming with an aristocratic grace cloaking a barely concealed force and fury. Vocal Range: C to A.
Richard Henry Lee (35-45) Virginia aristocrat…ambling, enthusiastic and gregarious buffoon, full of energy and charm almost to the point of being overbearing. Vocal Range: Baritone, Bb to G (or Ab).
Abigail Adams (30-40) warm with gentle understanding…dignified and resolute… intelligent with a sense of humor… inner serenity contrasting to John’s aggressiveness…anchor to their relationship. Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano, Db to F
Martha Jefferson (20-30) The young and beautiful wife of Thomas Jefferson, Martha adores her husband and is a true charmer. Vocal Range: Mezzo/Soprano - Must waltz
John Hancock (40+) caustic when irritated, intelligent but bored with the daily affairs of Congress. Vocal Range: Bari-tenor.
Robert Livingston (30+): A New York delegate, Robert Livingston is a member of the committee assigned to write the Declaration. Vocal Range: Tenor
Roger Sherman (40+): A Connecticut delegate, Roger Sherman sides in favor of independence and is on the committee to write the Declaration. Vocal Range: Tenor
Courier (15-25): A young messenger for Congress. Vocal Range: Tenor
Dr. Josiah Bartlett (30+): A New Hampshire delegate, Dr. Josiah Bartlett sides in favor of independence.
Stephen Hopkins (50+): A Rhode Island delegate, Stephen Hopkins is given to indulgence in alcoholic beverages.
Lewis Morris (35+): A New York delegate, Lewis Morris abstains from the original vote.
Reverend John Witherspoon (35+): A New Jersey delegate, the Reverend John Witherspoon, argues for, and wins, the inclusion of the Supreme Being in the Declaration.
James Wilson (30+): A Pennsylvania delegate, James Wilson casts the final vote to approve the Declaration, not because of his own belief in the cause, but because he does not want to be remembered in history as “the man who prevented American independence.”
Caesar Rodney (50+): A Delaware delegate, Caesar Rodney works hard for independence, despite the fact that he is suffering from skin cancer.
Colonel Thomas McKean (45+): A Delaware delegate, Colonel Thomas McKean is Scottish and very vocal. Good Scottish accent is a MUST.
George Read (35+): A Delaware delegate, George Read is opposed to independence and sides with Dickinson.
Samuel Chase (35+): A Maryland delegate, Samuel Chase always seems to be eating and is portly. He initially sides with Dickinson.
Joseph Hewes (30+): A North Carolina delegate, Joseph Hewes sides with Rutledge on the slavery issue, demanding the Declaration allow slavery.
Dr. Lyman Hall (35+): A Georgia delegate, Dr. Lyman Hall initially sides with Dickinson.
Charles Thompson (35+): The secretary of the Congress.
Andrew McNair (50+): The custodian and bell-ringer.
A Leather Apron (12+): A leather worker.
A Painter (25+): An artist who paints Benjamin Franklin’s portrait. (may be doubled with Witherspoon).
