UWGB Theatre and Dance announces auditions for the Spring 2021 production of The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. The production will be directed by Rebecca Stone Thornberry.
Both traditional and non-traditional UWGB students from any major or discipline are encouraged to audition. The director specifically encourages auditions from students of all communities, including BIPOC actors, actors of all abilities, trans and gender non-conforming actors, and other members of historically and currently marginalized communities that are not well represented or are misrepresented onstage.
The Play
The Laramie Project is based on interviews conducted by the Tectonic Theater Project after the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. The incident was covered extensively by the press and the company travelled to Laramie and interviewed residents of the town.
Casting
Director Rebecca Stone Thornberry is looking to cast a diverse group of flexible actors who can each play multiple roles and create characters who are physically and vocally distinct. The production will be recorded and edited to be streamed online in April 2021.The rehearsal period is scheduled to begin (virtually) in February 2021 with plans to record in University Theatre on the UWGB main campus in late March and / or early April.
Auditions
There are two ways to audition.
1) by scheduling a virtual audition with the director by Jan. 27 or
2) by uploading a video of your audition to TEAMS using code j5k6ece (or your own YouTube or similar site) by Jan. 27.
Auditions will consist of prepared monologues from the play.
Perusal Script and Audition Monologues can be found at: Laramie-Project-script_82205 and Laramie Project Audition Sides (choose TWO)
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare two monologues from the script.
You are strongly encouraged to read the whole script, available here (Laramie-Project-script_82205) and on TEAMS (see below). Choose pieces that you connect with and feel free to explore roles that are not your type, age or gender. You do not have to memorize the pieces, but you should be well prepared. Please make the characters different physically and vocally and focus on what the character wants from the person to whom they are speaking.
LINK to Audition Sides in TEAMS Use Code: j5k6ece
(“Sides” is a term for portions of a script selected for auditions)
Laramie Character List
AUDITION OPTION 1 (Preferred):
Virtual Audition on Zoom January 21-27, 2021
Schedule a short virtual audition by emailing the Director, Rebecca Stone Thornberry at stonethr@uwgb.edu.
You will receive a ZOOM meeting link for your audition time through campus email.
Complete the The Laramie Project Audition Form and save as a Word Document with the name:
[your last name] + Form (for example, “Smith Form”) Upload the completed form to Laramie Project Video Audition Link in TEAMS at least 24 hrs. before your audition. Code: j5k6ece,
The ZOOM Audition- when your audition time begins, start by introducing yourself and both pieces. Example: “Hi, my name is Theodore Geisel and I will be doing ‘Dennis Shepard’ and ‘Matt Galloway’ Please stand back a few steps so I can see most of your body. You shouldn’t use me to speak but direct the piece slightly to your right or left (I should still be able to see your face). Feel free to use a chair for one piece (but don’t talk to the chair). You may use props but this is not required. Pause briefly between the two pieces, change positions, and then begin the 2nd piece. At the end say “Thank You.” You may be asked to try something different with one or both of the pieces or I may engage you briefly in conversation. If you have any questions-ask!
AUDITION OPTION 2
Submit a Self-Taped Audition Deadline, January 27, 2020 by 11:59 pm
Complete the The Laramie Project Audition Form and save as a Word Document with the name:
[your last name] + Form (for example, “Smith Form,”) Upload the completed form to The Laramie Project Audition Site in TEAMS: Laramie Video Auditions on TEAMS Code: j5k6ece
Make a video of yourself performing the monologues. (You will submit a separate file for each piece.) A smartphone, tablet or laptop is fine for recording. Use a medium shot (waist up) for one monologue so that most of your body is visible and a closer shot (chest up) for the second piece. DO NOT edit the files but feel free to record as many times as you want and pick the best. (At the beginning of each piece introduce yourself and your piece. After each piece, physically and vocally transition back to being yourself, say “thank you” and pause briefly.
Make a video of yourself performing the monologues. (You will submit a separate file for each piece.) A smartphone, tablet or laptop is fine for recording. Use a medium shot (waist up) for one monologue so that most of your body is visible and a closer shot (chest up) for the second piece. DO NOT edit the files but feel free to record as many times as you want and pick the best. (At the beginning of each piece introduce yourself and your piece. After each piece, physically and vocally transition back to being yourself, say “thank you” and pause briefly.
Save your files (Mp4 preferred) with the name [your last name] + “video 1,” or “video 2” (for example, “Smith Video 1,” and “Smith Video 2”). Please keep files under 100 GB (lower resolutions are fine).
Upload your audition files and forms to TEAMS: Laramie Project Video Audition Link in TEAMS Code: j5k6ece
Once in TEAMS, go to “auditions” (in the menu on the left), then click on “files.” At the top, click “upload” to post your files. Please check to make sure your videos will play.
OR
Post your videos to your private YouTube channel (or another similar service). Include the link on your Audition Form. _______________________________________________________________________
Casting will be announced by Jan. 29. The cast list will be emailed to everyone who auditions and will also be posted on the Theatre and Dance blog by Jan. 29.
Students are able to work on both Twilight and The Laramie Project.
Students cast in the production should plan to enroll in Production Practicum: Performance THE 336-0002 (course code 2417) as soon after you are cast as possible (before Feb. 1 to avoid a $15 late fee).
A sample of a self-recorded audition monologue can be viewed at: Sample Auditions. Code: j5k6ece
Mac and iOS (iPhone and iPad) users: Teams for Safari is in beta testing and will not work. If you try to enter Teams via Safari, you should see that information, as well as a download link for the Teams app. Mac users can download the desktop Teams app for the smoothest user experience on laptops or desktops. An app is also available for iPhone. Please note that you can enter Teams via Firefox or Chrome on Mac (recommended).
Once you are in Teams, find the control that allows you to join or add a team. (This will be a visible text button on the Mac or a plus sign on the iPhone—both will be located at the upper right corner of your screen.) From there, you should be able to see a place to enter the code (j5k6ece), which will take you to the Laramie Project Auditions channel.
If you have questions about the production, your audition, or need help submitting your files, please contact Rebecca Stone Thornberry (stonethr@uwgb.edu).