Bay City Players :: Casting Calls

Escanaba in Da Moonlight

Auditions / NOV 16 & 17 @ 6:00 PM

Must be at least 18 years old to audition

Performances / JAN 29-31 & FEB 5-7, 2027

DIRECTOR / Chris Krause

from the director

There are some stories that are so impactful, so singularly unique and magnetic that historians of theatre can point to them and designate a clear before and after. Stories that forever change how people view the artform, the industry, and the very idea of what we consider theatre itself.

This is not one of those stories. But it is really damn funny.

Escanaba is the hunting story to beat all hunting stories. We all have a tall tale in our respective families or friend groups. A story that seems to grow every time it’s told, and facts are more a suggestion than a necessity. But sometimes how true a story is doesn’t matter. What matters is the heart of characters involved. Yes, this story is ridiculous, in turns slapstick and borderline absurdist, but the connective thread is that this is, at it’s core, a story about close friends and family who care about one another, and get to have a singular and unbelievable experience at a deer camp.

As you come into this audition, all I ask is come ready to play, make bold choices, and enjoy the insanity that is this story.

Chris Krause

Director

WHAT TO PREPARE

Fill out the Audition Form
Review the Tentative Rehearsal Calendar
1. Mark ALL conflicts within the rehearsal timeline, including the dates in white. We will adjust the rehearsal dates in yellow to accommodate cast conflicts. Red dates will not change.
Review the provided sides
If you would like to read the script, it can be found here

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Albert Soady (Male Presenting) – Late 50s – Early 70s

The Soady Family Patriarch. He’s a touch grumpy and set in his ways, but above all, he loves his family and he loves telling a good story. Is the story he’s telling true? He’s not too concerned with that, but he would be someone that would tell you fiction can be truer than fact, as long as it captures the heart of the matter.

Reuben Soady (Male Presenting) – Late 20s-Late 30s

The oldest Soady brother. Reuben has gone 30 years being the only brother to have never shot a buck. He views this failing as more than just being a bad hunter: Hunting is how he relates to his family. He tries to hide it, but Reuben is doubting his value as a family member, and he’s willing to try ANYTHING to finally prove his worth.

Remnar Soady (Male Presenting) – Late 20s – Mid 30s

The youngest Soady brother. Despite being the youngest, and someone very prone to being set in his ways, Remnar has a protectiveness over his older brother. Once he realizes how serious Reuben is about trying to change his bad luck, he’ll do whatever he can to help. Even upset his hallowed deer camp traditions.

Jimmer Negamanee (Male Presenting) – Ageless

A legend. Jimmer was abducted by aliens and came back…different. He no longer talks in a normal way, and he can drink like a fish. Despite being more a force of nature than a man of flesh and blood, Jimmer is fiercely loyal, and willing to do whatever he can to help his friends, or really anyone he comes across. HIGHLY PHYSICAL ROLE.

Ranger Tom T. Treado (Male Presenting) – Late 30s – 40s

A DNR ranger who normally lives his life exactly by the book, but a supernatural run-in has him questioning everything he thought he knew. He’s looking for answers, but he’s also pretty sure he met God in the woods of da UP.

Wolf Moon Dance Soady (Female Presenting, Native American) – 30s

The wife of Reuben. She loves him regardless of wether or not he bags a buck, and despite that fact that she knows her husband and his family is a bit ridiculous.

*LANGUAGE NOTE – All characters except Wolf Moon Dance and Ranger Tom will speak in a heavy Yooper accent. We’re also not opposed to Wolf Moon Dance having one, but all the Soady men will as it is explicitly written into the dialogue. Come to the audition with your best Yooper accent ready.

Payment:

Albert, Reuben, Remanar, Jimmer – $450 stipend

Ranger Tom – $400 stipend

Wolf Moon Dance – $300 stipend

Finding Nemo Jr.

Auditions

DEC 18 / 5:00 – 8:00 PM

DEC 19 / 12:00 – 3:00 PM

open to ages 17 & under

Performances / MARCH 12-14 & 19-20, 2027

co-DIRECTOR / Emma Dorsey

Co-Director / Kyle Groulx

Music Director / Maranda Ginop

Choreographer / Faith Dore

from the directors

We are so excited to bring this heartwarming story to life and can’t wait to see all the wonderful talent at auditions! Our goal is to create a fun, welcoming, and encouraging environment where every performer can grow in confidence, make new friends, explore their creativity, and have an amazing theatrical experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping on stage for the first time, we encourage you to take a chance, make bold choices, and more importantly, have fun! So bring your energy, your imagination, and your biggest smiles. Remember, no matter what comes your way, just keep swimming! See you at auditions!

Emma Dorsey & Kyle Groulx

Directors

WHAT TO PREPARE

Fill out the Audition Form
Review the Tentative Rehearsal Calendar
Review the Music Auditions
1. Prepare the song of the character you wish to audition for.
The dance call will be taught at auditions. Please wear movement-friendly clothing and shoes.
Readings from the script will be made available at auditions.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Nemo: A curious young clownfish who brims with excitement to explore the wonders that lie beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Born with a “lucky fin” – or what humans would call a limb difference (C4-D5)
Marlin: An anxious clownfish and Nemo’s overprotective father, who, after the tragic death of his wife Coral, prefers the safety of his anemone to the frightening unknowns of the open ocean. Forced to travel across the sea in search of Nemo, Marlin develops the courage to face the unpredictable ocean and the wisdom to trust others – including his own kid. (C4-Eb5)
Dory: An optimistic and bubbly blue tang, experiences frequent short-term memory loss and finds herself wandering through the ocean with no place to call home. Sparking friendships with whomever she meets, Dory immediately offers to help Marlin find his lost child, and the two set out on an adventurous journey through the ocean. Along the way, Dory’s kindness and bright spirit ease Marlin’s fears, and the unlikely duo finds comfort and family in each other. (B3-F5)
Coral: A loving mother-to-be clownfish, married to Marlin, who will stop at nothing to protect her eggs.
Sea Chorus: Angelfish, Damselfish, Barracuda, Moonfish 1-6, Jellyfish, Sea Turtles, Grouper, Lobsters (1 & 2), Octopuses (1 & 2), Electric Eels (1 & 2), & Seahorses (1 & 2).
Pearl: a friendly flapjack octopus who is quick to befriend Nemo.
Sheldon: an H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble who taunts Nemo to swim beyond the reef.
Tad: a self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish who joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo to swim past the Drop-Off.
Reef Parents: Roles include: Sheldon’s Parent, Pearl’s Parent, and Tad’s Parent
Professor Ray: A stingray and Nemo’s enthusiastic teacher, takes pride in sharing the curiosities and marvels of the world with the class and encourages every student to be a brave explorer.
Scuba Mask Dancer: A performer responsible for floating the diver’s mask through the water whenever it appears onstage.
Bruce: An intimidating great white shark, is the sharks’ ringleader. Despite Bruce’s best efforts to adopt a vegetarian diet, Bruce loses control and is sent into a frenzy, threatening to devour every fish in sight. Part of the Sharks.
Chum and Anchor: Two of Bruce’s shark friends, they try to live vegetarian lifestyles but are eventually forced to restrain an out-of- control Bruce from eating innocent fish. Part of The Sharks.
Fish “Friends”: Forced to attend the sharks’ party but aren’t quite so convinced that their hosts will be satisfied with a kelp-only diet.
Bubbles: Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A yellow tang who is captivated by bubbles, is the first to welcome Nemo to the tank. This friendly fish exclusively uses the word “bubbles” to communicate.
Bloat: Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. An open-minded and supportive blowfish, is proud to be part of the Tank Gang family and helps keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things seem bleak.
Gurgle: Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. Frightened of strangers and the germs they carry with them, is a royal gramma who enjoys the safety and regulated cleanliness of the tank.
Peach: Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need it.
Gill: Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A relentless and inspiring leader who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean. This Moorish idol fish believes in the Tank Gang and concocts countless plans to bust them out of the aquarium. Gill is the first fish Nemo has ever met with a similar “fin difference,” quickly becoming a mentor and inspiration for the young clownfish.
Nigel: A sharp-eyed pelican, Nigel is the Tank Gang’s feathered friend and only connection to the outside world. This bird is someone you can count on to know all the latest news on the happenings of Sydney Harbour.
Seagulls: A pesky group of birds who persistently try to snatch an unlucky VACATIONER’s snack on the boardwalk.
Sea Turtles & Sea Turtle Kids: Righteously mellow creatures featured in “Go With the Flow.” Roles include: Crush, Squirt, Kai, and Breeze.
Crush: a 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose and teaches Marlin a thing or two about being a good parent.
Squirt: offspring of Crush, fearlessly twirls through turbulent waters of the ocean and enjoys trying out cool new moves in the high-speed EAC.

Script Checkout

It is not required to checkout a script to audition but more of a preference. Scripts/vocal books for musicals are not available to checkout for auditions. You can check out a script for a play by placing a $20 refundable deposit. Scripts can only be checked out for ten days and must be returned prior to auditions. If cast in a musical, there is a $25 refundable deposit for script/vocal books. The deposit will be collected when materials are handed out.

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 costs $26. Kits last approximately two years if taken care of properly. Should you not be able to cover the cost of your kit, scholarships are available and kept confidential. Scholarships can be requested by informing your producer and/or emailing info@baycityplayers.org. 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 before kits are ordered.