Nunsense
by City Theatre Company
Mar. 05 (2017)
Nunsense follows the crazy antics of five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken convent. When their cook accidentally serves up some tainted soup, 52 of the sisters are poisoned and die, leaving only five living nuns who were not at home the day of the toxic meal. When the convent’s first in charge, Reverend Mother Regina, splurges on a plasma TV, the sisters find themselves strapped for cash, as they still have four dead nuns to bury (whose bodies are being stored in the kitchen freezer!). The nuns decide to put on a benefit performance of the musical Grease in order to raise the rest of the money before the health department discovers their secret.
Jim Lindsay directs.
Auditions 7 - 10 p.m., March 5, 2017.
Austin’s City Theatre announces its open auditions for Nunsense. The show will be directed by Jim Lindsay, with choreography by Jim Lindsay and Laura Lund, musical direction by Austin Kimble and produced by City Theatre under the leadership of Andy Berkovsky. Set design and construction will be by Jim Lindsay and Andy Berkovsky. Company and Stage Management will be by Meredith Connely.
Auditions: Sunday, March 5, 7-10PM. Audition slots at 7, 8 and 9 PM.
Contact info@citytheatreaustin.org for your audition slot. Roles (age ranges are 18 and over)
Location: 3200 Tom Miller, Street, Austin, TX 78722 in the Mueller Development just east of Airport Road (click for map). Prepare one uptempo song in its entirety, preferably one that showcases a comic element of your abilities. Showcase your range, vocal strength. Bring one head shot and theatre resume. Clearly indicate any other talents where you are extremely proficient (ie: juggling, roller skating, gymnastics/splits, twirling). You may wish to have alternative vocal selections prepared, but we expect to hear only one. Wear 1-2” heels.
Call backs: Tuesday, March 7 at 7 PM (if needed and by invitation only). Instructions for callbacks will be sent in an email invitation.
To learn more about the show, use these two resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunsense AND http://nunsense.com
We seek to cast 5 actresses for various leading roles. Skills in broad comedy required. The characters are warm, loving, talented, and above all else, funny and individual. They are both real and over the top at times.
All performers will be expected to dance in march, musical theatre, tap, and showgirl style.
All roles are open and ethnic diversity is encouraged. All performers will need to act and sing well, have strong comic timing, and dance in musical theatre style and tap, unless otherwise noted. Actors seeking roles will need to be proficient dancing in at least 2” heels.
PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE AUTHOR’S NOTE (Vocal ranges, descriptions added):
I spent a great deal of my life around nuns. And most of my experiences left wonderful memories. I wrote Nunsense because I wanted to share what I knew to be “the humor of the nun.” Though it may be hard to believe after you read this script, each of the Little Sisters of Hoboken is based on a real-life nun.
SISTER MARY REGINA (Mother Superior) was to the outside world a model Mother Superior even if she was overweight. But to those who knew her, she was an outrageous, quick-witted soul who knew how to get a laugh. She tried to convince you that she was strict, but everyone knew that her “bark was worse than her bite!” The head of the convent, she is respected greatly by the sisters. While she is strict, she has a hard time keeping the craziness of the convent at bay. She keeps her guard up in front of the nuns, but has an extroverted side. Part requires some very physical humor and some tap skills. The character may be played with an Irish accent. MEZZO/BELTRESS
SISTER MARY HUBERT was a kind person who would always try to be understanding and diplomatic. She taught the Novices the ground rules, and was supposed to be dignified. But with the slightest bit of encouragement she was ready to kick up her heels. Hubert is in charge of novices, but fancies herself a Mother Superior and is constant competition with Mary Regina. She exudes maternal wisdom to novices, but also likes to let loose. Advanced beginner- intermediate tap skills needed. MEZZO/BELTRESS
SISTER ROBERT ANNE was a tough streetwise nun who had a heart of gold. All the kids adored her because she spoke their language. And she could hit a baseball “out of the park.” Once a child delinquent herself, this rough tough nun is a jokester and constantly challenging authority. She speaks with a thick Brooklyn accent and constantly displays her lack of refinement. Advanced beginner tap skills needed. MEZZO/BELTRESS
SISTER MARY AMNESIA was the picture of innocence. She couldn’t remember her past and so looked at each new day with a childlike joy. As the name suggests, she has lost her memory and does not know who she is except that she is a nun. She is spacey and incoherent, often slipping into displays inappropriate for a nun. Amnesia does a puppetry/ventriloquism number but experience with this talent is not required. Must be able to sing in classical and country styles with advanced beginner tap skills. HIGH SOPRANO/BELTRESS
SISTER MARY LEO had been a professional dancer before she entered the convent and was always eager to display her talent. She was very impressionable because she was young and could easily be led astray. Leo is the novice nun, still learning the way and coming to terms with her decision to give up "civilian" life. She is a ballerina and displays her talents through much of the show. She is also easily swayed to join in mischief. MEZZO/BELTRESS; BALLET/POINTE EXPERIENCE SOUGHT FOR THIS ROLE. Advanced beginner tap skills also needed.
In the context of Nunsense, Sister Mary Regina (Reverend Mother), Sister Mary Hubert, and Sister Robert Anne are the only nuns who actually worked in the Leper Colony. Sister Mary Amnesia and Sister Mary Leo only know of the Leper Colony through stories told by the others. Reverend Mother and Sister Hubert have a healthy rivalry (somewhat like Mame Dennis and Vera Charles). Each is always trying to outdo the other. But, Reverend Mother is always quick to remind everyone that she is the Mother Superior. Sister Robert Anne is Reverend Mother’s nemesis. She would probably be thrown out of the convent if it weren’t for the fact that Reverend Mother really knows that Sister Robert Anne is, underneath it all, a very dedicated nun. Everyone likes Sister Mary Amnesia because she is so innocent. Except for her rst entrance when she appears a bit shy, she is unafraid. When she realizes that the audience is friendly nothing can dampen her childlike enthusiasm. Sister Mary Leo is frustrated by Reverend Mother in her attempt to shine as a nun-ballerina. For this reason she is easily led astray by her “buddy” Sister Robert Anne.
Perusal script is available. Contact info@citytheatreaustin.org
You may also purchase one here for less than $10: http://www.samuelfrench.com/p/748/nunsense
If you have an audition conflict, please contact the director via email at nyintx70@sbcglobal.net We will also teach two dance combinations (one musical theatre and one tap) and have readings from the script, provided on site. Bring tap shoes.
Please come to auditions prepared to provide your most transparent understanding of your rehearsal conflicts from between March 25 and May 27. On site, you can reference the audition form for dates and times.
After a first read and sing through, actors will have several weeks off to learn parts, music, and harmonies, which will be accessible via drop box.
Rehearsals will take place in differing locations: 3200 Tom Miller, the Carver Museum (Wednesdays) and City Theatre and possibly one other location on Austin’s East side, location TBD.
