AUDITIONS: BEN HUR

AUDITIONS: BEN HUR

TITLE: BEN HUR (A Comedy)

AUTHOR: Patrick Barlow (based on the novel by General Lew Wallace)

DIRECTOR: Gregory Cohen

RUN: February 24 – March 23, 2024

Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events.

This is a volunteer community theater production.  Non-Equity.  There is no pay. 

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Tuesday, Jan. 2 & Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions.)

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

Callbacks: By Invitation Only.

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Times: 7pm – 10pm

REHEARSALS:

First Read-Through: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 – Noon – 4pm

Regular Rehearsal: Starting Monday Jan. 6, 2024: Mon.-Thurs., 7pm – 10pm. Possible rehearsals on Saturday mornings, if necessary, from 9am – Noon.

(Please see Beginning Rehearsal Schedule BELOW for specific dates and times.)

Location: Long Beach Playhouse

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring headshot and resume. 

Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions.  (Also available BELOW.)

SHORT SYNOPSIS: 

From the playwright who brought us the hilarious The 39 Steps, comes BEN HUR, the epic tale based on one of the best-selling books of the nineteenth century, now told with only four actors! An ill-equipped and understaffed theatre company mounts a full production of the classic biblical epic made famous by the Charlton Heston film classic, complete with chariot race, sea battle, stage combat, and actors struggling with professional rivalries and offstage romances. Can this plucky band of thespians retell one of the largest stories ever told?

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

NOTE: Looking to cast wonderful character actors with imaginative minds,  great comic timing, and high energy physical comedy skills!

All ethnicities and gender identities will be considered for all roles.

DANIEL VEIL   (M, 20s – 40s) The owner, producer, director of the Daniel Veil Theatre Collective (who also happens to be the star of this production).  He is highly confident of his theatrical abilities (not so much in his ability to win the love of Crystal, his leading lady).  He plays Judah Ben Hur, Melchior, and a Nubian dancer.

CRYSTAL SINGER (F, 20s) Pretty, sweet, and smart leading lady (and object of Daniel’s affections).  She plays Mary, Tirzah, Esther, Ancient Slave, Nubian Dancer, Catalinya, Naboth, and Mrs. Pilate.  Ability to do a wide variety of characters and accents a necessity. (Must be comfortable with kissing Omar.)

OMAR LORD (M, 20s – 30s) Very good looking local weatherman/game show host type making his debut in this production and the object of Crystal’s affections.  He plays Messala, Jesus, Caspar, Archangel Gabriel, Galley Captain, Roman Captain, Galley Slave, Nubian Dancer and Valentinyo. Ability to do a wide variety of characters and accents a necessity. (Must be comfortable with kissing Crystal.)

EDGAR T. CHESTERFIELD (M, 40s – Death) Classically trained Shakespearean actor past his prime.  He plays Balthasar, Sarah, Centurion/Slave-Driver, Quintus Arrius, and Pontius Pilate. Ability to do a wide variety of characters and accents a necessity.

1 MALE and 1 FEMALE ENSEMBLE/UNDERSTUDY (20s-40s) These understudies will not only be understudying all the roles, but will appear in every performance as “backstage crew that are understudies.” These will be very funny additions to the main cast.

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUDITION PROCESS:

SIDES: