auditions

Show: Alice By Heart
Category: Non-Equity Audition
Pay: $700 stipend

Description:

Kokandy Productions is currently accepting VIRTUAL SUBMISSIONS for the Chicago premiere of Alice By Heart, directed by Derek Van Barham and Brittney Brown, with music direction by Heidi Joosten. The show will be produced at The Chopin Theatre in Wicker Park. 

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1. INVITED VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CALLBACKS WILL BE SET UP ONCE THE SUBMISSION WINDOW IS CLOSED. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

From the Tony and Grammy Award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down as she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss and finding the courage to move forward. This Chicago premiere encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.

We are casting for all roles! Current principal character vocal ranges are listed below for reference. Genders and ages in character descriptions are an indication of the way the character is scripted, not of the actors that will be considered for that role. We encourage performers to audition for any roles they feel they suit and that suit their vocal range. Our team is open to all options and creative solutions for performers, where possible. Please share your comfortable vocal range with your submission materials. 

All cast members will need to be strong harmony singers and movers. 

This is an ensemble show, and as such cast members may be required to play a variety of ensemble roles throughout the show regardless of primary offered role. Doubling of roles may not match that of the original production.

ALICE SPENCER

A teenage girl full of questions and wonder; very driven for what she wants; very in love with Alfred and will do anything for him; entering a confusing time of transition in her body; living in a distressed situation, in a tube station; displaced from her family; wonderful imagination that allows her to escape her present situation

Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3

ALFRED / WHITE RABBIT / MARCH HARE

Alice’s ailing childhood friend and the boy Alice loves who had lived on the streets and contracted tuberculosis, also plays the White Rabbit and March Hare. Spends the show trying to get to the end of the story

Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B2

RED CROSS NURSE / QUEEN OF HEARTS

In the real world a strict Red Cross nurse tasked with taking care of the many people trapped in the tube station, the stress of the situation leads her to be harsh and even cruel. In Alice’s Wonderland she is the Queen of Hearts, a childish and short tempered ruler obsessed with aging.

Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F#3

TABATHA / CHESHIRE CAT

In the real world and Wonderland a street smart leader, helping Alice on her journey to accept her grief.

Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3

HAROLD PUDDING / MAD HATTER

In the real world a soldier who has lost his wits in the war who is manic, funny, charming. In Wonderland the chaotic Mad Hatter, preening; demanding; full of riddles.

Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3

DODGY / DUCHESS

In the real world a sensitive young man, who plays the role of the Duchess in Wonderland, a very funny and overdramatic older woman.

Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: C3

NIGEL / DORMOUSE

In the real world a frightened and traumatized teenage boy, struggling in the underground. In Wonderland he plays the sleepy Dormouse who accompanies the Hatter and the March Hare.

Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: E3

ANGUS / CATERPILLAR 1

In the real world a drug user who is trying to help those around him calm down, as well as in Wonderland as one of the Caterpillars. He is seductive, charming and funny.

Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: F3

BUTRIDGE / KING OF HEARTS / JABBERWOCKYIn the real world a hard of hearing and anxious doctor tasked with looking after the people in the tube station. He plays both the King of Hearts, a weak-willed counterpoint to the Queen, and the Jabberwocky, a monstrous expression of Alice’s fears.

Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range botto: C3

CLARISSA / MOCK MOCK MOCK TURTLE / QUEEN OF DIAMONDS 

In the real world a once wealthy young woman who attempts to hold onto that class in the war. She plays a variety of small roles in Wonderland.

Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3

Additional doubling and ensemble roles TBD. 

Time Commitment:

Rehearsals begin the week of June 3, 2024 (4-5 rehearsal per week; a mix of weekday evenings and weekend morning/afternoons). Tech begins mid-July. First preview Thursday, July 18. Opening night Friday, August 2. Regular performance week is Thur-Sat 7PM, Sun 5PM. The show will run through Sun, September 29, 2024.

Material to Prepare:

Please submit one 32-bar cut (around 1 minute) that best shows off your voice and allows you to display your storytelling, acting abilities, character energy and natural vibe. 

Please submit your headshot & resume along with your video, and indicate whether you are interested in a specific role(s) and your comfortable vocal range. If you have any specific dance, circus and instrument playing skills, please let us know. We’re very interested in the range of skills and talents that can be brought into our Wonderland.

Also include any major conflicts with the rehearsal and production period (early June-late September). This production will utilize swings and understudies, so some conflicts may be accommodated. 

Reply to Email: casting@kokandyproductions.com

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

VIDEOS: Please submit one (1) video file containing song submitted as either a direct YouTube or Vimeo link, or any method *not* requiring the video to be downloaded for viewing.

HEADSHOT/RESUME: Please submit together as one PDF file named LastName_FirstName. (ex. Burton_Timothy.pdf). 

TO SUBMIT: Please send one (1) email to casting@kokandyproductions.com with your full name in the subject line, your one (1) video link in the body of the email and attach your one (1) PDF with your headshot & resume. Indicate if there are specific role(s) that interest you. 

Submissions are due by Friday, December 1. If you have any difficulties formatting your submission as requested, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to find an alternative solution. Have fun, make magic!