Auditions: Parade in Concert

Parade: In Concert-

In 1913, Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Marietta, Georgia. When Leo is accused of the murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor’s false testimony seal Leo’s fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience and, his wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.

Presented in concert format, Parade promises to be a show you cannot look away from, both intense and hopeful in it’s story, Parade is a show that asks us to look at some of the darkest moments in our shared history and in the power, and dangers, of faith, family, and community.

Rehearsals –

Rehearsals will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, within the range of  6 p.m – 10 p.m.

Important Dates –

First Rehearsal: November 6th

Saturday 9 – 5: December 30th

Q2Q: January 7th

Tech Week: January 8th – January 11th

Shows: January 12th – January 14th

PREPARATION

Woodstock Arts is deeply committed to building an inviting and inclusive arts community that celebrates individuality and diversity and treats everyone with fairness and respect. We invite artists of all genders, races, ages, sizes, and sexual orientations, as well as artists with disabilities to participate. We want to represent diverse communities in our organization and welcome you here.

Woodstock Arts is taking measures to ensure your safety and well-being. We want to make this experience as comfortable, safe, and fun as possible for everyone involved.

Auditions will be in-person on Sunday, October 22nd from 6:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m. and Monday, October 23rd from 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m

Video audition submissions will be accepted until Sunday, October 22nd at 9:00 pm. You can send your Video Submission to zach@woodstockarts.org. Please Slate before your video audition. (NOTE: you will still need to fill out the online audition form along with a video submission.) 

In-person callbacks  will take place on Wednesday, October 25th from 6:00 pm until 10 p.m.

Information about callbacks will be emailed separately.

For your audition please prepare- Please prepare a 16 – 32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show or from the show itself.

There will be no accompaniment for this audition, so please send a track to zach@woodstockarts.org prior to your audition to be played in the room for you. 

PARADE Character Breakdown – 

*Doubling May Occur In Casting Breakdown*

• LUCILLE FRANK (female, white, 20s – 30s) – A young woman, religiously Jewish but culturally Southern, who is married to Leo Frank. Gentle and mousy, but resourceful and resilient. Despite her husband’s feelings, she is a true Southerner through and through but can see through the deception. Mezzo Soprano,  G3 – E5.

• LEO FRANK (male, white, 20s – 30s) –  A young man, religiously and culturally Jewish, born in Brooklyn and wishes he never left.  Leo is not an easy man to like.  Though married to Lucille, he is physically and emotionally displaced. He is accused of the murder of 14 year old Mary Phagan. He is also decent, kind, pathologically hard-working, and – most importantly – capable of change. Baritenor, F4 – Gb2.

• JIM CONLEY (male, black, 20 – 40) –   Janitor who works for Leo Frank at the National Pencil Factory. Secretly, he is a convict on the run. Presents as cheerful, friendly, and guileless, but he is smarter than almost everyone he meets. Tenor, Bb4 – D3

• GOVERNOR SLATON (male, white, 40+) – As the Governor of Georgia, he is highly concerned with public perception. Flirtatious and fun at times. Strives to maintain his values. Baritone, F4 – Bb2

• JUDGE ROAN (male, white, 40+) – Serves as the Judge on the infamous trial. Motivated by bigotry and racism, he is dangerously committed to the ideals of the Confederacy. Baritone, F4 – Bb2

• NEWT LEE (male, black, 40s+) – He is the night watchman at National Pencil Factory. A bit too old to possess the job. Perhaps physically intimidating, but a gentle giant. Db4 – Bb2.

• MRS. FRANCES PHAGAN (female, white, 30+) – Mary’s mother, a working-class Southern woman whose husband has died.  She is poor and life has dealt her every bad hand imaginable; she will grab at any way to hang on to her dignity and pride. Mezzo-Soprano

• SALLY SLATON (female, white, 30+) – The wife of Georgia’s Governor, JOHN SLATON.. Mezzo-Soprano

• MINOLA (‘MINNIE’) MCKNIGHT (female, black, 30+) –  Housemaid in the employ of Leo and Lucille Frank, Minnie has been ill-treated most of her life and still lives in fear of dire consequences. Mezzo-Soprano

• CONFEDERATE SOLDIER (male, white, any age): A Confederate soldier; sings the opening song (“The Old Red Hills of Home”).  Also doubles in a number of smaller roles throughout. Tenor.

• MARY PHAGAN (female, white, 13+) – A factory worker at the National Pencil Factory who is murdered. Innocent, but moments of sassiness and playfulness. Mezzo Soprano, D5 – Eb4

• HUGH DORSEY (male, white, 30 +) – Atlanta’s District Attorney. He is a devout Christian, brute and manipulative at times. Hungry for political success and recognition. F4 – B2

• BRITT CRAIG (male, 25+) –  Down-on-his-luck newspaperman whose career is revived by the Leo Frank trial. Tenor, G4 – Eb3.

• FRANKIE EPPS (male, 15-20) –  An acquaintance of Mary, Frankie is good-natured, impulsive, and a bit of a fool. Mary’s death changes Frankie in a fundamental way. Tenor, Bb4 – Bb2

• IOLA STOVER (female, 13+) –  A friend of Mary’s, probably a bit of a troublemaker.  A bit of a leader in her peer group. Mezzo Soprano

• ESSIE, MONTEEN (female, 13+): Two other young women who work at the pencil factory with Mary and Iola.  Both essentially well-meaning, if easily led. Mezzo Soprano

• THOMAS EDWARD WATSON (male, 50+) – A longtime populist politician and now a widely circulated writer and newspaper publisher.  Watson is a virulent racist and anti-Semite. Baritone

• LUTHER ROSSER (male, 50+) –  Leo’s defense attorney.  He is not exactly incompetent, but he is profoundly lazy and easily manipulated.