Pageant, the musical
by The Stage
Jan. 09 - Jan. 10 (2023)
A beauty contest musical conceived, directed and originally choreographed by Robert Longbottom. This hilarious original Off-Broadway show was nominated for four Outer Critics Circle Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. This musical comedy features 6 men who play female beauty contestants, all competing for the coveted title of Miss Gamouresse 2023, led by one comedic singer who serves as the Emcee.
The show will be directed by Jim Lindsay, with choreography by Jim Lindsay and Laura Lund, and produced by The Stage Austin.
We seek to cast 6 actors for six leading roles, one of which will double. All roles are open and ethnic diversity is strongly encouraged. All performers will need to act and sing well, have strong comic timing, and dance in musical theatre style, unless otherwise noted. Actors seeking roles as contestant will need to be proficient dancing in at least 2” heels.
The characters available are women (not drag queens) played by men or actors who identify as male. They are over the top in almost every way but rooted in a strange, personal sense of their own reality. Skills in broad comedy required. If you have runway or pageant modeling experience, we would like to know that in your audition information, however this skill is not a requirement.
Roles (age ranges are 18 and over):
MISS BIBLE BELT, RUTH ANN RUTH – Believes that she, plus God, equals a majority in any situation. She sees even the cheesiest part of the Glamouresse Beauty Regimen as part of His Plan. This gives her a unshakably righteous attitude, but she also has the manic cheerfulness of the newly saved. Big belter voice. Perhaps strongest singer in the cast who performs the Act One Finale. Talent Spot: Singing and playing handbells.
MISS DEEP SOUTH, LAURINDA SUMMERFORD – The Southerner in the show; even though others may have fabulous hair, only she knows how to work it. At the same time she is The Lady. She has a very narrow and ritualized sense of “femininity,” which is frequently outraged by the other contestants’ behavior and attitudes. She is exceedingly funny in her passive aggressive Southern attitude. Talent spot: Singing and ventriloquism.
MISS GREAT PLAINS, BONNIE LOUISE CUTLETT – Utterly sincere in her belief in the values promoted by Glamouesse, though some of them seem quite exotic to her. She is honored to represent the great heartland of this nation and to show what honest country folk can do. In the present contest she is agape and aglow. Not necessarily the “prettiest” contestant. Talent Spot: Dramatic Poetry Interpretation.
MISS INDUSTRIAL NORTHEAST, CONSUELA MANUELA RAFAELLA LOPEZ – Included among her regional winners mostly due to Glamouresse’s belated sense that the times they are a-changin’ and the Northeast’s notable lack of interest in the contest. She is feisty, Her talent has been culled from watching the variety show “Sabado Gigante” on Spanish television. Talent Spot: Roller skating while playing the accordion.
MISS TEXAS, KITTY-BOB AMES – The Professional of the group. With her father’s money and a shrewd selection of contests, she has never lost a competition. Her skills may not be outstanding by themselves, but her attitude says “Winner” all the way. Talent spot: A big musical theatre, tap, and comedy number. Tap skills required, but this number may not be done in tap shoes.
MISS WEST COAST, KARMA QUINN – Like Miss Great Plains, is sweet-natured, but Karma is a lot less focused. She has tried to parlay her vagueness and I’ll-try-anything-once attitude into a comprehensive mystical spirituality but it hasn’t jelled. This pageant is the most structured event of her entire life. Actor should have dance skills. Talent spot: Modern/Interpretive dance.
FRANKIE CAVALIER – Our genial host, is certainly that. Frankie is a third or fourth-tier celebrity who is known to the audience where the pageant is being performed, perhaps as a weekend weather-report reader or a spokesman for a used car dealership. This role has already been cast.
Perusal script is unavailable but you can access any number of promotional materials others theatres have posted on You Tube.
For preliminary auditions: January 9 and 10, 2023 from 7 PM -10 PM.
Location: Saint Martin’s Lutheran Church, 606 W 15 th Austin, TX 78701
(Parking lot and street parking available)
Sign Ups for your audition slot will go live between January 1 and 8, 2023. Follow the auditions page at The Stage (click HERE).
Final Call Backs will be held on January 15, 2023 7-10PM, if required.
Instructions for call backs will be sent in invitation.
Video Submissions
We will accept video submission if this is the conveyance that you prefer. The opportunity will be open from January 9-11, 2023 only.
Instructions for Video Submissions will go live between January 1 and 8, 2023:
Auditions – What to Prepare
Whether you choose video auditions or in-person, prepare one uptempo song in its entirety, preferably one that showcases a comic element of your abilities. Song should also showcase your range, vocal strength.
You will also submit one side (forthcoming soon). You may choose any of the sides that resonate with you, if you are not familiar with the show. If you are familiar with the show, you can choose the side you prefer for the role you are auditioning for.
Bring/submit 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.
At call backs, we will also teach one dance combination and have readings from the script, provided on site.
Please come to auditions prepared to provide your most transparent understanding of your rehearsal conflicts for the following dates:
Rehearsals January 17- March 2, 2023. Generally, Tues-Friday 7-10 PM and Saturdays 2-6 PM and Sunday 1-5 PM or 7 PM-10 PM (Cast availability will help finalize this schedule.)
Performances March 3, 4, 9, 10, 11,16, 17, 18, 2023 (8 PM Shows)
March 5 and 12 (2 PM or 5 PM shows)
March 11, 18 (2 PM shows)
March 8 and/or 15 (possible added shows)
All performers will be expected to dance in march, musical theatre, pageant style.
Parts, music, and harmonies, which will be accessible via drop box.
Rehearsals will take place in differing locations across East and Central Austin.
Performances will take place at Ground Floor Theatre, Springdale Road, Austin, TX
