Auditions

Auditions for Woodford Theatre’s BIG FISH
Based on the novel by DANIEL WALLACE and the Columbia Motion Picture written by JOHN AUGUST
Director: Vanessa Becker Weig
Music Direction: Alyssa Sturgill and Clifton Grimm
Choreographer: Jordan Guffey

AUDITIONS
Saturday July 29 & Sunday July 30 1:00-4:00 pm at Woodford Theatre. Please only attend one audition date and plan to stay the entire time.
Callbacks: Sunday, July 30 5:00-8:00 pm
Rehearsals will begin August 8
Performances are scheduled for October 6-8, 13-17, and 19-23
You do not need to prepare anything for your audition ahead of time. We will sing from the score, read from the script, and do a dance combination. If you have tap shoes, bring them for the dance combination. If you do not have them, tennis shoes are fine.
Please bring a photo and resume if you have one. Be prepared to list your conflicts. Please email vanessabeckerweig@woodfordtheatre.com to sign up for a Saturday or Sunday audition.

ABOUT THE SHOW
BIG FISH: A Musical of Mythical Proportions. Rollicking fantasy set in the American South. Centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom, whose impossible stories of his life’s epic adventures frustrate his son Will. Now, with Edward on his deathbed, Will must embark on his own journey to find out who his father really is, unraveling the man from the myth, the truth from the tall tales.
The novel was first published in 1998. Tim Burton directed the 2003 film starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Helena Bonham Carter.

ROLES
Roles available for adults and youth!

Edward – Older man (father and beyond, actor ages 35-60). Edward is a charming, charismatic storyteller. A devoted yet absent father nearing the end of his life and wanting to reconnect with his son. As a young man, he leaves his small town in search of adventure. Indentured with a traveling circus, he eventually meets the love of his life, Sandra, and begins family life with their son, Will. But Edward’s heart is on the road, where he works as a traveling salesman. Edward maintains his tall tales are true — which in a way, they are, as a reflection of the way he sees the world and wants his son to live. Comedic, charasmatic storyteller. Excellent singer and a serious character actor. Vocal range: Strong tenor/baritone, F below middle C/F above middle C.

Young Edward – Young man (everything before fatherhood, actor ages teen-30) Young Edward is an enthusiastic, optimistic, energetic romantic. He needs to steal our hearts and make us buy into the fabulous myths that he enters. He is the quintessential hometown boy hero. Excellent singer and mover. Vocal range: Strong tenor to high C.

Sandra – Older woman (married and beyond, ages 30-55) Edward’s wife, the love of his life. She is patient and calm, the perfect balance to Edward’s enthusiasm. She adores and appreciates Edward and tries to bring reconciliation to her husband and son, both of whom she loves. Excellent singer. No dancing. Vocal range: Mezzo or soprano with strong mix to Eb

Young Sandra – Young woman (before married, ages teen-30). Young Sandra is a lovely, sweet, fresh-faced, innocent young girl excited by the possibilities of life. She appreciates young Edward’s romantic viewpoint. Excellent singer with a big voice and a good dancer. Mezzo or soprano with strong mix to E-flat/F.

Will – Edward’s son (ages 20-30). Will is a critical part of the story. He is an earnest, serious, thoughtful young man wanting to reconnect with his storytelling father, but unable to appreciate Edward’s romantic view of life. He is a successful professional and a new husband. He has to be able to take us on the journey of understanding and make us believe the complex relationship and final heartfelt embrace of his father’s legacy. Excellent actor with a strong voice. No dance. Vocal range: Tenor with sustained G.

Young Will – (age 8-12) The young version of Will is intrigued by his father’s stories, but already starts to doubt their truth. With his father always on the road, he feels he is the man of the house. MUST be a good singer with strong acting chops. Vocal range: B below middle C to octave above middle C.

Josephine – (age 20-30) Will’s lovely and funny wife. She is pregnant through most of the story. She’s charmed by Edward, and happily inserts herself into his stories. She is successful, sweet, intelligent, and organically compatible with Will. Josephine acts as the bridge between Edward and Will, explaining the deeper meaning of the stories. Strong actress, no dance, little singing. Vocal range: Mezzo soprano.
Karl – The Giant (age 18-50) Edward’s best friend. Karl is shy, exceptionally intelligent, sad-sack loner, and has a quiet charisma. He needs a booming voice and a large personality. The actor doesn’t need to be a “giant” but should be at least a large man who is DECENTLY TALL (6’2”+). Vocal range: Bass with a solid low E.

The Witch – (age 20-60) Commanding female performer with great confidence and storytelling ability. Proprietress of a backwoods gin joint; also sells fortunes for 50 cents. When she meets Edward Bloom, she immediately knows he’s special. She convinces Edward to pursue a Big Life without fear. The Witch is a powerful and tragic. Excellent singer with big voice!! Vocal Range: Big belt to F# and lives up in that range.

Jenny Hill – (teen- 30 actress plays Jenny as a teenager and aging to her mid-50s). Jenny is Edward’s first girlfriend in high school, a cheerleader. She is trusting and beautiful, but not terribly bright. She takes Edward at his word when he promises he’ll return after seeing the world. Later in life a series of bad choices leads her to living in a swamp shack, ready to be killed by an impending flood. Vocal range: Mezzo soprano to D-natural.

Amos Calloway – (age 20-60). Amos is the rather eccentric, quirky owner of the circus that employs young Edward. He is a down-market P.T. Barnum with a secret. He promises to tell Edward the name of his true love in return for years of back-breaking labor. Performer needs STRONG comic chops. Big vaudeville part, a singer .Vocal Range: Baritone to sustained A-flat.

Featured Roles (also in ensemble)

Don Price – (age teen-30) Edward Bloom’s life-long nemesis (high school, college, and aging to mayor). Don is Sandra’s first fiancé and a snarky hot-headed bully. Performer needs STRONG comic chops and bigger than life acting style. Vocal Range: Baritone to sustained E#.

Zacky Price – (age teen-30) Don’s younger brother (high school, college, and aging to later). Zacky is somewhat nerdy and easily-spooked, a shadow of the older brother he idolizes. He ultimately becomes instrumental in helping save the town of Ashton. Performer needs STRONG comic chops. Vocal range: Tenor to sustained A-flat.ather

Doctor Bennett – (older man) Edward’s physician and good friend. He is warm, kind, frank, soft-spoken, and the epitome of a great small town doctor. MUST have strong acting chops. No singing or dancing necessary.

Red Fang – (age teen -40) World War II villain. No singing necessary. MUST have specific fight choreography experience.
Ashton Mayor – (age 40-60) Typical small town good-guy mayor personality. Some singing and movement. No dancing.
Alabama Lambs – (ages teen-30) Dancers. Perform with Sandra at the circus. MUST have strong singing and dancing skills.

Ensemble
Men (ages teen and up): Strong movers and singers for a range of characters, including salesmen, USO dancers, Cowboys. Wide variety of types. Acrobatics and stage combat/fight choreography and circus skills a plus.

Women (ages teen and up): Strong dancers and singers for a range of characters, including townsfolk, USO dancers, Cowgirls, and MERMAID Tap dance, ballet, acrobatics and circus skill a plus.