OPEN AUDITIONS FOR NEXT TO NORMAL AT ETC

Island ETC (East-End Theatre Company) is pleased to announce open auditions for all roles in their upcoming production of the musical NEXT TO NORMAL. Auditions will be held on Sunday and Monday, December 4th and 5th beginning at 7:00pm on both evenings. Auditions will be held at ETC, 2317 Mechanic Street in Galveston.

NEXT TO NORMAL is a contemporary rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. This modern musical is a powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact. NEXT TO NORMAL is a deeply moving piece of theatre that has rocked the musical scene since its Broadway debut in 2009.

Rehearsals for NEXT TO NORMAL will begin on Sunday, January 29th. Rehearsals are held Sunday through Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00. Performances are March 17th through April 8th. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm. There will be one Sunday matinee on March 26th at 2:30pm. All actors at ETC will receive a production stipend at the end of the run.

Those auditioning are asked to please sign up for a 10 minute audition slot at http://etcvolunteers.bringit.bz/public/4857e8. Please come with sheet music to a prepared contemporary musical theatre piece. Once you have registered for an audition time, you will receive an appropriate cut from a song from the show. You will audition with both pieces. An accompanist will be provided. (No a cappella or self accompaniment.) Also, please bring a current headshot and resume.

Roles: (Color blind casting. All ethnicities are encouraged to attend.)

DIANA: Female (30 – 50) – A sexy and sharp housewife, who is bi-polar depressive with delusional episodes who’s been on medication for 16 years. Seeking a strong singer-actress who can cover the full emotional range that this role requires, including a crucial and deadly sense of humor.
Vocal range: Belt/mix to an E.

DAN: Male (30 – 50) – Diana’s husband and the father to Gabe and Natalie; an architect, he is handsome and genuine. He provides non-ending support for his family as he fights to keep his wife’s mind and illness stable. Though a constant in Diana’s tumultuous life, he has grown tired and weary.
Vocal range: High baritone/tenor to an A.

GABE: Male (17 – 25) – Diana and Dan’s son; dashing, brilliant and playful and everything a mother could want in a son. (His stage age is 18.)
Vocal Range: Rock tenor to a B with a falsetto and comfortable mix.

NATALIE: Female (16 – 25) – Diana and Dan’s daughter; attractive in her own way, bright, contentious and trying to be perfect. She is an accomplished pianist and hardworking student who’s struggles are excerbated by her mother’s behavior. (Her stage age is 16.)
Vocal Range: Belt/mix to an E.

HENRY: Male (17 – 25) - Henry is a classmate of Natalie’s and eventually her boyfriend. He is a jazz musician, a romantic, a stoner, a slacker and a philosopher king who supports Natalie during one of the roughest times in her life. (His stage age is 17.)
Vocal Range: High baritone/tenor to an A.

DR. MADDEN: Male (36 – 65) – Diana’s doctors; as Dr. Madden he is assured, charismatic, a rock star of psychiatry. He is on the young side of ageless.
Vocal Range: High baritone/tenor to an A with a rock sound.

For more information regarding ETC, NEXT TO NORMAL or auditions, please contact the director Kim Mytelka at kimdmy@aol.com. (Please put NEXT TO NORMAL in the subject line.)