Once
by Zach Theatre
Jun. 19 - Jun. 21 (2018)
Based on the 2007 Academy Award®-winning film, “Once” is an enchanting, modern love story about the complexities of relationships and the power of music to connect us all. “Once” tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Winner of 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, this unique theatrical experience, with breathtaking melodies by Glen Hansard of the Irish band The Frames, will have you falling in love from the very first note.
Written by John Carne, based on the motion picture directed by John Carney
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Book for the musical written by Enda Walsh
Directed by Dave Steakley
Musical Direction by Allen Robertson
ZACH Theatre announces local auditions by appointment for ONCE on Tuesday, June 19th and Thursday, June 21st from 5:00pm – 11:00pm, in ZACH’s Whisenhunt building at 1510 Toomey Road. Callbacks will be scheduled for Friday, June 22nd from 5:00pm – 11:00pm at the same location.
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals begin August 21, 2018. Performances begin September 19, 2018, and closes on October 28, 2018, with six shows per week: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sundays at 2:30pm.
AUDITION APPOINTMENT INSTRUCTIONS (PLEASE READ THESE CAREFULLY
Actors will be seen BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
To schedule an appointment, please send an email to auditions@zachtheatre.orgwith the subject line that reads:
“(YOUR FIRST NAME, YOUR LAST NAME) ONCE Austin Auditions”
Please include in the email a resume and headshot attached in PDF or Word Document format, and please indicate your preferred audition time. All actors should bring a hard copy headshot and resume to the audition.
All AEA members will be seen, and all non-union members will be seen while appointments slots are available. If you are not able to be seen at this audition, ZACH will make all best efforts to schedule you for a later audition date.
AUDITION INSTRUCTION
We are seeking talented actor/musicians of all ethnicities, who can also act and sing.
Please sing a short folk/rock song (two minutes or less) in the style of the show, and be prepared to accompany yourself on the instrument that you are most proficient in. There will be a keyboard in the room. Actors must bring their own instrument(s) they intend to play for the audition. Please feel free to submit band reels and other promotional material for review.
Instruments needed in the production: Piano, guitar, violin, cello, double bass, electric bass, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, banjo, harmonica and drums/percussion.
You may be asked to sing an additional contrasting song of your choosing, so please bring another song, or your book if you have one.
Callbacks will consist of reading and singing from the show – script pages & sheet music will be sent separately to those asked to attend. There will also be a short movement portion led by the choreographer.
ROLES TO BE CAST
Note: All characters must play one or multiple instruments (piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, cello, upright bass, accordion, ukulele, etc.).
GIRL (20’s): Direct, intelligent, no nonsense and witty. Has had to work hard at life but doesn't think she deserves any sympathy. Must play the piano and sing extremely well.
GUY (20’s - 30's): A struggling Irish musician. Lost and a bit sad, but extremely appealing. Works with his Da in a vacuum repair shop. Must sing and play guitar extremely well.
BILLY (30’s - 40's): A large Irish man. Owner of the music store where GIRL plays piano. Loud, funny and protective of GIRL. Must sing and play guitar well.
REZA (20’s): A sexy, funny, smart Czech girl. Often a bit larger then life. Must sing and play violin/fiddle extremely well.
BARUSKA (50’s+): Mother of GIRL. A cool but caring Czech mother who likes a full house and full stomachs. Not many inhibitions. Must sing and play the accordion/piano well.
BANK MANAGER (30’s – 40’s): Seems quite prim and proper but has a secret passion for music. Must sing and play guitar & cello well.
DA (50's+): GUY'S dad. A man of few words, but a lovely and caring father. Must play guitar, ukulele/mandolin well.
SVEJC (20's - 30's): A real odd ball. Loves television and coffee. Must play guitar & drum kit extremely well.
ANDRE (20's): Earnest and kind. An employee at a fast food chain, but has big dreams. Must play guitar & bass guitar extremely well.
EAMON (30’s – 40’s): The music studio manager where GUY and GIRL record their album. A tough nut to crack but eventually gives into the musician's talents. Must sing and play guitar & piano well.
EMCEE (20's - 30's): The emcee at a bar. A good natured ball buster. Must sing and play guitar extremely well.
EX-GIRLFRIEND (20's): GUY'S ex-girlfriend who now lives in New York. Kind, lovely and likeable. Must play violin extremely well.
