Opportunities at Firehouse

AUDITIONS

Peter and the starcatcher by rick elice

The New Theatre at Firehouse is announcing auditions for the Tony Award-winning play with music Peter and the Starcatcher, written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker. Directed and Choreographed by Producing Artistic Director Nathaniel Shaw, with Music Direction by Kim Fox.

Synopsis: 

Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A wildly theatrical experience packed full with marauding pirates, jungle tyrants, unwilling comrades, and unlikely heroes. Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair... and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.

A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.

Seeking: 

Firehouse seeks a diverse ensemble of collaborative, hardworking, KIND actors who support one another and are invested in the overall success of the project. BIPOC, female, non-binary, and trans-identifying performers are encouraged to audition for the ensemble of male characters. We seek both AEA and non-union actors who sing, who are comfortable with a British dialect, and light movement and choreography, for the following roles:

BOY/PETER (male identifying): A nameless, homeless, and friendless boy at the beginning of the play and a hero by the end, Peter is brave and competitive, a survivor, and someone the other boys come to look up to. More than anything in the world he wants a home and a family. He doesn’t trust adults and, thus, never wants to grow up to be one. If he could grow up, he’d fall for Molly.

PRENTISS (male identifying): Ambitious, logical, and a little bit older than Peter, Prentiss wants to be the leader but he knows he will never be one.

TED (male identifying): Called “Tubby” by Prentiss because of his obsession with food, Ted is the most talented of the boys, an easy wit, a natural actor. He is fed up with Prentiss, but hungry for companionship

LORD LEONARD ASTER: The very model of a Victorian English gentleman, Lord Aster is a loyal subject of the queen, devoted father, and faithful friend.

MOLLY ASTER (female identifying): Thirteen-year old girl and a natural leader, Molly was raised to believe females can do anything males can. She is fearless, curious, passionate, and devoted to her father, her country, her Queen, and the cause of the Starcatchers.

MRS. BUMBRAKE/TEACHER: Molly’s nanny, Mrs. Bumbrake is British through and through, no-nonsense, and not afraid of anything; but she likes a good time. She still has girlish charm, even though she’s older. Formerly a salmon, Teacher is now an ancient, knowledgeable mermaid. (This role is cast. Seeking an understudy or replacement if necessary.)

CAPTAIN ROBERT FALCON SCOTT/as cast: Commander of the fastest ship in Queen Victoria’s fleet, The Wasp, Captain Scott is an old schoolmate of Lord Aster.

GREMPKIN/as cast: Mean and nasty, Grempkin is the schoolmaster from St. Norbert’s Orphanage for Lost Boys.

FIGHTING PRAWN/as cast: King of the Mollusk natives and the son of Jumbo Prawn and Littleneck Clam, Fighting Prawn is kidnapped by British sailors and brought in chains to England where he served as a sous-chef. Since returning to his island kingdom, he has vengefully murdered any English person who dared set foot on his island.

THE BLACK STACHE: A ruthless, heartless pirate captain who captures The Wasp, Black Stache started shaving at age ten. He is proud of his magnificent facial hair and is partial to the poetical and the theatrical. (This role is cast. Seeking an understudy or replacement if necessary.)

SMEE: First mate to Black Stache, Smee is simple-minded and single-minded to his captain’s every whim. (This role is cast. Seeking an understudy or replacement if necessary.)

BILL SLANK/as cast: A vicious captain with no ability to lead his crew, Slank is also an orphan. He is cruel to Peter and the boys and would sell his own mother for a ship to command. Prince of the Mollusk natives, Hawking Clam is the son of the great Fighting Prawn.

ALF: An old seadog who is far more proud of his rank of “Mister” than he should be, Alf is always in search of a damsel, any damsel.

Audition Dates and Times: 

Monday April 29th 6-11pm AUDITIONS (by appointment)
Sunday May 12th 5:30-11pm CALLBACKS (by invitation only)

Location: 

All auditions are at the Firehouse Theatre:
1609 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220

To schedule an appointment: 

Please email auditions@firehousetheatre.org, with your preferred time and role, and we will provide you with your appointment date and time prior to auditions. 

What to prepare: 

-Please prepare a brief comedic monologue (under 2 minutes). British dialect preferred but not required.

-Please prepare 16-32 bars of an upbeat song that shows off your vocal strength and range.

-If you are called back, sides will be provided from the show.

Rehearsal and Performance Dates: 

Rehearsals will begin on Saturday July 13th. Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends.

Performances run August 14th through September 1st. Please note this is Labor Day weekend.

Compensation: 

AEA Special Appearance- Tier 2. All non-union actors are paid a weekly salary, paid in two lump installments. The first upon opening night, and at the second following the closing performance. 

Education and Training

FIREHOUSE LADDER APPRENTICESHIP 

Firehouse Theatre is assembling a team of highly motivated and collaborative individuals who are interested in joining our Firehouse Ladder Program. Apprentices have opportunities to learn and work across production, performance, and management based on each participant's interests and Firehouse's production needs.

Expectations and schedule will be agreed on before beginning the program. Work hours are flexible and based on the needs of production, but expected to fall within 10-20 hours per week, for a period of at least one month. The Ladder Program is an unpaid educational opportunity. Apprentices must arrange and cover their own housing and travel expenses, as well as any college credit that may be available.

To apply please submit the following materials in a single PDF document: A current resume and a cover letter (a) introducing yourself, (b) stating your specific area of interest, (c) explaining why you think you'd be a good fit for Firehouse's Ladder Program, and (d) your schedule/availability.

Please submit all materials or questions to evial@firehousetheatre.org

VCU FEDERAL WORK STUDY PARTNERSHIP

Current and Incoming VCU students may apply to join the VCU Work study program, which partners students with Firehouse Staff to receive a financial aid based award, in exchange for job experience in a working professional theatre.

All levels of experience are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is based on Federal Financial Aid awards, and VCU award selection processes. All Applicants must apply through Handshake Job Boards. For more information on the VCU Work study program and eligibility, please contact the VCU Work study Office (workstudy@vcu.edu) or evial@firehousetheatre.org for more details on the partnership.