Big Fish – Young Performer Audition Notice

ANNOUNCING AUDITIONS FOR THE ROLE OF “YOUNG WILL” IN BIG FISH AT THE CONTEMPORARY THEATRE OF OHIO

This is an open invitation from The Contemporary to submit for the role of YOUNG WILL in Big Fish with music by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, directed by Leda Hoffmann. The Contemporary is seeking young actors ages 6-10.

The Contemporary’s vision is to become a nationally recognized, anti-racist contemporary theatre company, anchoring a thriving Columbus theatre ecosystem in an empathetic, equitable world. Our purpose is to harness the transformational power of theatre that engages with our current moment to inspire a community of empathy.

Character description:

YOUNG WILL (he/him)*, age 6, any ethnicity. Vocal Range: F3 – C4.
Edward and Sandra’s son. Seeking connection.

*Pronouns listed are what’s written in the script. We invite actors of all genders to submit for this role.

Auditions are on Tuesday, July 16 2024, 6:30 PM – 8 PM at the Riffe Center – 77 S High St, 4th Floor, Studio Three

Sign up for an audition slot and submit your information.

Parents/guardians should accompany the young performer in the lobby at auditions, however, will ask that they wait in the lobby during the audition itself.

In the audition room, the following personnel will be present:
Leda Hoffmann, Director of Big Fish and Artistic Director of The Contemporary
Summit J Starr, Casting & Administrative Coordinator

The Contemporary is unable to provide housing to non-local actors, local actors only please.
This young performer role is not paid.

Please ignore signage for the Riffe Center Parking Garage that says “closed” or “full,” including any reserved signs on individual parking spaces. The garage is open and free to everyone after 6:00 pm on week days, and anytime during the weekends. If the gate is down, push the call button and say you are with The Contemporary.

We will meet you at the G2 elevator to escort you to the 4th floor where auditions will be held.
Click here for additional information about parking at and near the Riffe Center.

Instead of bringing a hardcopy headshot and resume, please share your information here.

Come ready to read this section from the script for your audition. It does not need to be memorized. We will have hard copies of the scene available for you to reference if needed.
Please also come ready to sing a little bit of your favorite song to sing (no more than 1 minute).

Deadline: Monday July 15, 2024, 9 PM.

If you cannot attend in person, videos can be submitted via video link (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive). Please record a little bit of your favorite song to sing (no more than 1 minute long) and this scene from the script for your audition. It does not need to be memorized.

Please submit your info and video here.

Please note The Contemporary is unable to provide housing to non-local actors, local actors only please.
This young performer role is not paid.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule:

A tentative rehearsal schedule can be found here. Specific call times are subject to change. Actors will only be called to rehearsal when we are working on their scenes. During regular rehearsals, young performers will be released at 9pm at the latest. Later nights may be necessary during tech rehearsals and will be during performances. Actors must be available for all tech rehearsals and performances.

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings with Sunday matinees. The first two performances are preview performances with rehearsal continuing through opening night on Saturday.

Commitment to Diversity:

The Contemporary is committed to diversity and inclusion in our casting practices. We strongly encourage actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, and ages, as well as actors with disabilities, to audition for any role.

Characters’ pronouns are listed for reference. We invite actors of all genders to submit for any roles they identify with. We will list race/ethnicity when specific to the characters and are otherwise seeking actors of all races and ethnicities. We will also list disability when specific to a character and are otherwise seeking actors with disabilities and well as without disabilities for all roles.

Accessibility:

Please email casting@thecontemporaryohio.org with information regarding any accommodations you need in an audition, rehearsal or performance space.

We want to work with you! If you would like to be considered for future productions with The Contemporary, please send your headshot and resume to casting@thecontemporaryohio.org.