Auditions
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Auditions for Union and Non-Union Disabled Performers
The Coterie seeks union and non-union disabled performers for the world-premiere musical, Just Ask!
WHO WE ARE
The Coterie is a non-profit organization, established in 1979, with the mission of providing professional classic and contemporary theatre which challenges audience and artist and provides educational, dramatic outreach programs in the community. We seek to open lines of communication between races, genders, and generations by redefining children’s theatre to include families and diverse audiences. Learn more about us HERE >>
**SPECIAL NOTE**
We are a theatre dedicated to creating work that is fully inclusive of young people. Our spaces are specifically designed to encourage interactive engagement from our young audiences. The Coterie productions often serve as an introduction to the arts, and we passionately seek artists who will both ensure our young audiences feel welcome in our spaces and encourage active participation in storytelling.
The Coterie is joyfully and boldly committed to ensuring the diversity and equity in casting of each of its productions. Performers of all types regardless of race, gender, age, or disabilities are welcome!
Synopsis
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
As they work to create a garden, young people with different abilities are getting to know one another. Young Sonia is new, and there is something she hasn’t told the others about herself. Will they accept her? With multicultural music and joyful choreography, this world premiere musical illustrates how to “just ask” about what makes each of us unique. Just Ask! is based on The New York Times best-selling book by Sonia Sotomayor.
Production Team Details
- Playwright and Adapter: Fran Sillau
- Composer and Lyricist: Mark Kurtz
- Director: Fran Sillau
- Puppets: What If Puppets
Developmental Workshop Dates
*Daytime availability preferred
Actors have a chance to work with the creative team on workshopping the new piece with a final staged reading presentation at the end of the week
- Monday 7/29
- Tuesday 7/30
- Wednesday 7/31
- Thursday 8/1
- Friday 8/2
Production Schedule
- Rehearsals start: 1/7/2025 *Daytime availability preferred
- Tech begins 1/22/2025 *Daytime/Evening
- Previews: 1/29/25-1/31/2025 *Daytime previews
- Opening night: 1/31/2025
- Closing: 2/23/2025
Pay rate
- TYA Equity- $598/wk
- Non-Equity- $410/wk
Character Breakdown
Looking for seven dynamic performers with daytime availability 18 years old and up to authentically depict young characters of varying genders and abilities. Puppetry experience a plus!
One of which is:
- SONIA, a problem solver, who loves to try new things. Sonia has diabetes
The other six characters are chosen from these possibilities:
- RAFAEL, an individual with asthma who enjoys painting
- ANTHONY, the “project manager” of the garden; uses a wheelchair
- MADISON (or ARTURO), loves to go exploring, a blind individual
- VIJAY, loves to dance, a deaf individual
- BIANCA, an individual with dyslexia; the garden’s “designer”
- JORDAN, loves dinosaurs, an individual on the autism spectrum
- TIANA, loves to chase butterflies, a non-verbal individual on the autism spectrum [Note: Tiana is optionally part of the scene with Jordan.]
- ANH, an individual who speaks with a stutter
- JULIA, loves to help around the garden, an individual with cerebral palsy
- MANUEL, an artful and thoughtful individual, an individual with ADHD
- NOLAN, loves to interact with animals, an individual with a peanut allergy
- GRACE, loves to sing, an individual with down syndrome
When and Where
Date: Monday June 17, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Whole Person Community Room located at 3710 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Who Will be There
- Khalia Davis- Producing Artistic Director
- Fran Sillau- Playwright and Director
- Mark Kurtz- Composer
What to Prepare
Please bring a headshot and resume and prepare material that shows you off in your best light that does not exceed 2 minutes
- A 60 second monologue, speech, poem, or other work of literature of your choice and a 16-32 bar cut of a song
A piano accompanist and a bluetooth speaker will be provided.
How to Sign up and Submit
Want to audition in person?
*Please bring a photo of yourself and relevant performance experience
Want to audition via video submission?
Submit your headshot, resume and send your video submission as an unlisted Youtube link, shareable google drive folder, or accessible video player to casting@coterietheatre.org
Additional Material Welcome
The Coterie is always looking for additional stage managers and teaching artists to add to our roster! If you have interest in being a part of our production team, teaching artist, or in-school performer for our upcoming season, please send any relevant materials to casting@coterietheatre.org to sign up for an interview!
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to casting@coterietheatre.org
We look forward to seeing you at auditions!
Auditions for Adult Professionals
The Coterie holds auditions for union and non-union adult performers for its mainstage season in the Spring prior to the start of the season. Check back here for updates on any upcoming audition opportunities.
The Coterie is always looking for additional stage managers and teaching artists to add to our roster! If you have interest in being a part of our production team, teaching artist, or in-school performer for our upcoming season, please send any relevant materials to casting@coterietheatre.org to sign up for an interview!
HOW TO SIGN UP AND SUBMIT:
Want to audition in person?
Want to audition via video submission?
On-Stage Opportunities for Youth/Teens
Callback auditions for The Coterie’s upcoming mainstage season are typically held August-October.
The Coterie does not offer general open call auditions for youth. Callbacks are by invitation. Our suggestion is to take a Coterie class to help us know you and your talent. We urge interested youth in grades 5-7 and grades 8-12 who would like to be a young professional on our mainstage to join a spring or summer Audition Lab class.
– Audition Lab class is for those auditioning just for the experience, or future mainstage seasons. The class is also an audition for The Coterie’s invitation-only Master classes. The final day of each Audition Lab culminates in an audition with professional directors of our mainstage season.
Helpful Hints for Young Auditioners
About youth auditions at The Coterie
Advice by Nancy Marcy, Coterie Master Class instructor emeritus
Usually auditions will entail:
- A one-minute to one and a half minute memorized monologue. No poetry, please.
- A short improvised momement pantomine. The improvisation will be described on the audition form that you fill out when you arrive. As you wait your turn to audition you should plan a beginning, middle and an end to the improvisation and then rehearse it to match the time limit given.
- A photo of yourself. School or family photos are fine but they will be kept by the theatre for future reference.
- A simple resume. If you have a resume, bring it with you. If this is not possible, there are questions on the audition form that will provide the theatre with necessary information.
You will be notified by email if you need to come to a “callback” to read for a specific part. It is important to clearly print an email address on the form that will be checked regularly. Please understand that sometimes these callbacks are held months after your initial audition! Do NOT call the theatre to ask about whether or not your are being considered for any role.
How a Play is Cast
By its very nature, the selection of a cast is a difficult and sometimes unpleasant process for all concerned. The actors who audition are risking rejection, and usually most of them come away empty-handed. Some win roles and some do not, so it is vital for young actors to develop a healthy perspective towards what this process is all about. No matter how many times one auditions, there will always be disappointment at not being cast. Rejection is rejection; it goes with the territory. An actor, no matter what age, must find a perspective for the audition process. The Coterie is looking for something specific in an actor to fill a given role. Whether or not you are called back or cast for a role depends upon production requirements, and there are very few roles for young actors. As difficult as it is to accept, rejection is seldom the result of an actor’s incompetence or lack of inherent talent.
How to Perform the Best Monologue
Choose something that is close to yourself in terms of age and experience. Never audition with a character you would not be cast to play – if you’re 13 years old, don’t audition with a 25 year old’s monologue. Rather than using monologues from “books of monologues”, you might try to find a monologue from a piece of literature that you love. You will know and understand the character and his/her story, and that will benefit your performance tremendously. Be sure the monologue stays within the time limit and that it is a self-contained selection that has or implies a beginning, middle, and end. Prepare your monologue – rehearse it “out loud” many times. You shouldn’t memorize it like you memorize material for a test in school. If you are just thinking the words, they will leave your brain when you need them the most. Keep in mind that the theatre is larger than your bedroom – practice with projection!
To Do’s…and NOT To Do’s
- Bring something to do while you wait. This will help to keep you focused and to avoid the “jitters.”
- Be polite to everyone you meet. Your audition begins the moment you arrive at the theatre, and your ability to be a cooperative team player is vital to casting. Everyone who works for the theatre is aware of the attitude and energy needed for a Coterie actor!
- Dress: don’t wear sandals, clogs, crocs, platforms, outrageous clothing, hats, dangling jewelry, or hair that covers your face – you don’t want to distract attention away from you. Maximize your assets.
- Do not apologize about yourself or your monologue. Audition with confidence – think “I’ve got something very important to share with you.”
- Do not explain the monologue. You need to simply state the name of the play or book that it’s from and the author.
- Avoid delivering your monlogue directly to those sitting at the table, or glancing at them while performing. Create a “fourth wall” for yourself.
Break a leg at your audition!
