Auditions
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (A Musical Thriller)
Must be 16 years of age (see Director’s note)
Auditions:
April 28 – 7:00-10:00 PM
April 29 – 7:00-10:00 PM
Callbacks:
April 30 – 7:00-10:00 PM
Performances:
July 25-28, 2024
Reference the tentative schedule above and mark all conflicts on your audition form.
Director: Meagan Eager
Assistant Director: Paul Chesny
Music Director: Jim Hohmeyer
Movement and Fight Coordinator: Meagan Eager
Producer: Greg Burke
From the Director:
Hello all and welcome to the dark world of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! We will have a murderously good time and I’m so excited to bring this world to life with you all! Some things of note….there WILL be blood. Stage blood, of course. But, nonetheless, blood….so, if you’re squeamish, this one might not be the one for you. But, if you love a good thriller, and you also happen to love to sing, act, and dance, you’re in the right place!
Due to the nature of this show, I ask all auditioning be 16 years of age or older (excluding the role of small boy, who must be at least 6 years old) at the time of starting the rehearsal process.
The rehearsal schedule is attached, so please communicate any conflicts you have on the audition form. Dates listed in bold are mandatory and any excusals will be made by the production team if needed.
Now let’s have a bloody good time!
– Meagan Eager
Character Breakdown:
Sweeney Todd: A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him. He is Johanna’s father, singularly focussed on taking bloody revenge.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 35 to 50
– Vocal range top: Gb4
– Vocal range bottom: F2
Mrs. Lovett: An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner. She’s been in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture.
– Gender: Female
– Age: 35 to 50
– Vocal range top: E5
– Vocal range bottom: G3
Beggar Woman: A deranged woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret.
– Gender: Female
– Age: 35 to 50
– Vocal range top: F5
– Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Anthony Hope: A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Todd return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 18 to 30
– Vocal range top: F4
– Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Johanna: A 16 year old spritely girl, full of innocence, constantly yearning for her freedom. Sweeney Todd’s long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin’s ward.
– Gender: Female
– Age: 16 (Actress must be 18years or older)
– Vocal range top: A5
– Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Tobias Ragg: A poor youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. He finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 16 to 20
– Vocal range top: Ab4
– Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Judge Turpin: A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning and transporting Todd.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 50 to 65
– Vocal range top: Gb4
– Vocal range bottom: E2
Beadle Bamford: A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Judge Turpin and the pseudo power he gets from it.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 40 to 55
– Vocal range top: D5
– Vocal range bottom: D3
Adolfo Pirelli: A flamboyant rivaling barber; an “Italian” charlatan with a secret past.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 30 to 45
– Vocal range top: C5
– Vocal range bottom: B2
Jonas Fogg: The owner/operator of Fogg’s Asylum. He sells the hair of madmen to wigmakers.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 35 to 60
Small Boy: A local child brought before Judge Turpin who is sentenced to death for minor crimes.
– Gender: Male
– Age: 5-7 (actor must be at least 6 years old and appear young and small)
Ensemble
Townspeople; Policemen; Lunatics
– Gender: All
– Ages: All
What to Prepare:
- Those interested in auditioning should prepare 32 bars of a Sondheim show. Please, DO NOT sing from the show, and no a cappella auditions will be accepted.
- Please provide clearly marked music for the accompanist provided for you at the audition and come vocally warmed up. DO ACT. Seeking strong musical performers.
- Movement auditions will also take place, so please dress appropriately and have appropriate footwear.
Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script and singing some selections from the score. If you are called back, it will help you to be familiar with the show.
Bay City Player’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement:
The theatre has long been a haven for self-expression and restoration of the spirit. However, we recognize there is great inequity in our world. We embrace the opportunity to learn from the worldwide call for allyship with respect to the voices of all marginalized people. We understand that impactful and long-lasting change takes time and a shared commitment. Bay City Players is dedicated to authentic Diversity, Inclusion and Equity across all spectrums and will continue to seek innovative ways to achieve this.
Bay City Player’s Makeup Policy
Bay City Players has implemented a new Makeup Policy for the safety of cast members. Each cast member is asked to purchase their own Ben Nye makeup kit to keep with intent to reduce the spread of germs resulting from sharing makeup. Cast members do not have to purchase a kit if they have a Ben Nye kit from a previous show. The kit cost approximately $26 per kit. Kits last approximately two years if taken care of properly and Ben Nye has colors for EVERY skin tone. Should you not be able to cover the cost of your kit, scholarships are available and kept confidential. Scholarships can be requested after casting on the Cast Bio form. The Makeup Chair will meet with cast to help them select the correct kit and Bay City Players will order all the kits. Payment will be collected when the kits are handed out via cash, check, or credit card.