NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2024 AUDITIONS

THE 2024 LBP NEW WORKS FESTIVAL AUDITIONS

AUDITION NOTICE

TITLES:

Show 1: IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME

Show 2: FIRST AID

AUTHORS:

Gerry Rodriguez (If I Could Turn Back Time)

Jeff Kaufman (First Aid)

DIRECTORS:

Brandon Ferruccio (If I Could Turn Back Time)

Jason Edward Brown (First Aid)

RUN: Stage Reading of  IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME on March 29, 2024 at 7pm.  Stage Reading of FIRST AID on Saturday, MARCH 30, 2024 at 7pm. There will be a talk-back after each reading.

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

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 (One night only for both plays.)

Times: 7 pm – 9 pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

REHEARSALS:

There will be 3-4 rehearsals (usually one per week) before the stage reading arranged between the directors and the actors cast.  Rehearsals will start immediately.

(Please see Beginning Rehearsal Schedule BELOW for days when rehearsals could possibly be scheduled.)

For Each Specific Show:

IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME – 

The Rehearsal Schedule will consist of a total of  3-4 In Person Rehearsals at the Long Beach Playhouse with additional 2-3 remote Zoom rehearsals.  (at least one per week – at director’s prerogative)

FIRST AID – 

First Read-Through: Monday, March 4, 2024; 7pm – 9pm.

Regular Rehearsal: March 11, 18, 25, 27;  7pm – 9pm

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring headshot and resume. Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions. 

NEW WORKS FESTIVAL INFORMATION:  

This annual festival nurtures emerging and established playwrights to develop new scripts. Reading 100+ scripts a year, the New Works Literary Committee chooses two top plays (one local to southern California, one non-local) to receive a stage reading with critical feedback from professional theatre critics and an audience talk back.

As it is a stage reading, there will only be 3-4 rehearsals, and actors will not need to memorize their scripts.  The stage reading of their show will only happen one night, and there will be a talk back with the audience after the reading.

SHOW 1:  IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME

by Gerry Rodriguez

Stage Reading March 29, 2024

Directed by Brandon Ferruccio

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

After the sudden death of their sister, Julio must return to their family home in South Texas for the funeral. Once there, Julio must grapple with the grief of losing their sister as well as confront their estranged family who do not approve of their involvement in the drag community. Encouraged by their sister, and in an effort to summon strength and confidence, Julio makes the decision to live as their drag persona, Sharona, for the remainder of their visit. Sharona is able to make connections with her family that she was unable to make before. It is in this way that Sharona is finally able to let go of people who have caused her pain and accept the death of her sister.

Genre: Drama / Dark Comedy

Themes: Latinx, LGBTQ+, Toxic Masculinity, Catholic family expectations, Grief over the loss of a loved one.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

DIRECTOR’S NOTE: Since this is a staged reading – the age brackets listed are quite broad. I am extremely flexible with this.

 Julio/Sharona should be played by someone within the LGBTQ+ community,  drag community or by someone who is gender-nonconforming. 

We would like to highly encourage auditioners of all ethnic backgrounds, especially those of the Latin/Hispanic community.  

JULIO/SHARONA (Male / Gender non-conforming, 30-40s): Grief-stricken over the loss of their sister, Angela. Feels more confident in their drag persona, Sharona. Passionate and dealing with family scars.

ANGLEA (F, 20-40s):  She is dead but remains as a ghost who can only be seen by Julio/Sharona. Julio/Sharona’s sister. A balance of good advice and playfulness. Always ready to give her 2 cents, even if it stings.  

ELVA (F, 50-60s): The mother ofJulio/Sharona and Angela. The wife of Luis. Devout Catholic and quiet. She doesn’t like confrontation. Keeps busy with tasks to avoid the obvious pain in her life. 

LUIS (M, 50-60s): The father of Julio/Sharona and Angela. Elva’s husband. Abrasive and dominant. The “man of the house.” Ashamed and dismissive. 

GABRIELA (F, 50-60s): Elva’s sister. She likes to be in control. She is

blunt, and she speaks before she thinks. Often putting her foot in her mouth. 

CARMEN (F, 50-60s): Elva’s cousin. She believes she knows what

is best no matter the situation. She likes to know everybody’s business. The “town gossip”.  

MATTHEW (M 20-30s): Gabriela’s son. Quiet, kind and obedient. Somewhat a disappointment to his family. Needs help finding his voice. 

FATHER PHILIP (M 60-70s): The priest of the church the family attends. Gentle and kind. He always sees the silver lining and sees the best in everyone.

SHOW 2:  FIRST AID

by Jeff Kaufman

Stage Reading March 30, 2024

Directed by Jason Edward Brown

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

Set in the 1960s, after an impulsive decision, a polished legislator’s wife finds her life in upheaval. When her path crosses with a young, queer, black woman, the two challenge each other’s beliefs and identities.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

PAT (F, 56) A strained white woman. Politician’s wife. Prim, demure, but currently disheveled; the way she presents herself to others means everything. Even if its untrue or harmful.

CAT (F, 21) A sincere black woman. Kind and uncomplicated; she has experienced the world’s heartbreaks and has grown wise as a result. LGBTQ+ highly encouraged to audition. 

PIZZA DELIVERY GUY (M, mid-20s to mid-30s) A confident, white man. Less charismatic than he believes himself to be.

BOYD (M, 30s to 40s) An attractive, white man. Political campaign manager. Calculating, effortlessly commanding; he knows how to weaponize his charm when necessary. 

JESS (F, 30s to 40s) A white woman. Lawyer. Is willing to do whatever it takes.

FRANK (M, mid-40s to mid-50s) A white man. Ex-military. Regimented in the face of atrocities.

STAGE DIRECTION (Open to all) A charismatic storyteller with a strong sense of pace and timing. (This role is responsible for reading the show’s stage direction.)

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (Shows all of the possible dates a rehearsal could take place):