UPDATE: Video Auditions

WaterTower Theatre (Equity)

WaterTower Theatre invites LOCAL AEA & Non-AEA actors to submit video auditions for its production of Mel Brooks' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, which will take place in the 2020-2021 Season. Due to the current health crisis and recommendations of the CDC, WTT was forced to cancel in-person auditions for this production; however we are proceeding with casting via video submitted auditions, and have agreed to the approved provisional rules for conducting these auditions electronically per Actors’ Equity Association guidelines.

It’s 1934 and the villagers of Transylvania Heights are celebrating the death of their neighborhood mad scientist, Dr. Victor von Frankenstein, sure the doctor’s neurosurgeon grandson will never appear. Once he arrives, to everyone’s surprise, chaos reigns as the younger scientist is convinced to take up where his grandfather left off. A highly entertaining musical comedy with an endless dose of vaudeville-style humor, the cast is rounded out with a beloved hunchback, a yodeling lab assistant and, of course, the famous monster. This Mel Brooks musical is sure to leave audiences in stitches.

SEEKING:

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein – Male, age 30/40s. Brilliant brain surgeon, professor, and grandson of mad scientist Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein. Baritone. Tap dancing a plus.

The Monster- Male, age indeterminate, imposing stature. The misunderstood creation of Dr. Frankenstein. Baritone. Must be able to emit howling/monster/grunting sounds. Tap dancing a plus.

Igor – Male, age unimportant. Frederick’s faithful, bright-eyed, eager servant and friend–with a hunchback. Baritone. Cockney accent.

Inga – Female, age 20/30s. Frederick’s bubbly, naive young assistant. Sexy, attractive. A resident of Transylvania. Soprano w/ belt & yodeling. Must tap dance. German accent.

Elizabeth Benning – Female, age 30s/40s. Self-loving, “madcap”, boisterous fiancé of Frederick. Mezzo w/ strong belt.

Frau Blücher– Female, age 40-60s. Intense, stern housekeeper of Frankenstein estate. Former lover of Victor Frankenstein. Alto. Romanian accent.

Inspector Hans Kemp – Male, age 40-60s. Head of the police in Transylvania, with a wooden arm and leg. Justice-driven. Baritone. German or Romanian accent. Also plays Blind Hermit.

Felix – Male, age 20s/30s. Well-intentioned village idiot. Baritone. Also is a member of the ensemble for chorus numbers.

Ensemble – Diverse ensemble cast with strong tap & theater dance skills. To portray various feature roles including a barbershop quartet, gravediggers, villagers, medical students, passengers, and mad scientists. Ability to speak with accents a plus.

Rehearsals begin September 29, 2020. Performances run October 22- November 8, 2020.

WaterTower Theatre is dedicated to diversity and inclusion as a core value, and as such we strongly encourage actors of all ethnicities, abilities, genders, and ages to audition.

WHO:

Book By: MEL BROOKS AND THOMAS MEEHAN

Music By: MEL BROOKS

Producing Artistic Director: Shane Peterman

Associate Producer: Elizabeth Kensek

Directed by: Cheryl Denson

Music directed by: Adam C. Wright

Choreographed by: Kellie Carroll

WHEN:

Video submissions must be received by end of day, Friday, April 24, 2020.

Dance Callback: TBD

Principal Callback: TBD (likely via ZOOM)

WHAT TO PREPARE:

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS: Your video should consist of one 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show (musical comedy). When emailing, please include a video link (DO NOT attach to email), headshot, and resume (with union status indicated) and use this subject line indicating any roles which you are interested in: “Submission for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN- [role].” Submit your video to WTT Associate Producer Elizabeth Kensek at ekensek@watertowertheatre.org

All submissions must be received by end of day, Friday, April 24, 2020.

NOTE: We know that not everyone has access to a studio and an accompanist at this moment. If you have sheet music that you would like to create a track for, we are happy to provide you contact information for local accompanists who can record an electronic accompaniment track for you. Please reach out to EKensek@watertower.org if you need to be put in touch with such a resource. HOWEVER, lack of funds should never preclude our professionals from auditioning! It is completely acceptable to record your audition with a YouTube or karaoke track! What is most important is that we can see and hear you clearly on your video. Don’t be afraid to show some humor too- we can all use a laugh during this challenging time. Thank you.

AEA and Non-AEA roles are available. All roles are local hire. No housing or travel can be provided.