Upcoming Auditions Dates
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Director & Audition NotesThis show will be directed by Corey Rauscher and Music Directed by Mark Dudley. For questions regarding auditions or the show, please email [email protected].
Auditions will be on Sunday, July 21st at 3 PM and Monday, July 22nd at 6 PM. Attending both auditions dates is encouraged, but not required. Tuesday will be held for callbacks if needed. |
Performance Dates
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Show Synopsis & Information
Tony Award Winner "Fun Home" is a real and important story to tell. We want all to be aware that this production contains strong language and mature content including homosexuality, abuse, suicide, and mild sexual content. This is an emotionally heavy show about a character diving into their traumatic past growing up. This could potentially be hard for people to accurately depict on stage. We want to ensure mental well-being in this process by having open communication and cool down sessions after rehearsals.
Adapted from Alison Bechdel's groundbreaking graphic novel, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Adapted from Alison Bechdel's groundbreaking graphic novel, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Audition Materials
Please note that memorization of audition materials is not required. Feel free to review the materials below.
For a copy of the script, please CLICK HERE.
Sides/Scene Auditions - CLICK HERE to view the audition sides.
Music Auditions - All of the music cuts are in one document. CLICK HERE to view it.
Auditions Tracks - We'll be using the following tracks for auditions:
For a copy of the script, please CLICK HERE.
Sides/Scene Auditions - CLICK HERE to view the audition sides.
- Side A: Small Alison, John, Christian, Bruce
- Side B: Bruce, Helen, Small Alison, Christian, John, Roy, Alison
- Side C: Small Alison, Bruce, Helen, Alison
- Side D: Bruce, Roy
- Side E: Medium Alison, Joan, Alison
- Side F: Bruce, Helen, Alison
- Side G: Helen, Medium Alison, Joan, Alison
- Side H: Helen, Medium Alison
- Side I: Bruce, Alison
- Side J: Alison
Music Auditions - All of the music cuts are in one document. CLICK HERE to view it.
- For those auditioning for any of the adult female characters, you may choose between the cut of "Telephone Wire " or the cut of "Days".
- For those auditioning for Medium Alison, you will be singing a cut from "Changing My Major".
- For those audition for any of the adult male characters, you will be singing the cut from "Edges of the World"
- For those auditioning for Small Allison, you will be singing the cut from "Ring of Keys".
- For those auditioning for Christian or John, you will be singing the cut from "Come to the Fun Home".
Auditions Tracks - We'll be using the following tracks for auditions:
Character Descriptions
All are encouraged to audition no matter how you identify! Actor ages do not have to reflect characters ages. If swings are cast, swings are guaranteed at least one performance.
ALISON BECHDEL – 43 years old, a cartoonist. The narrator of this story. Now a self-aware adult, she is able to reflect insightfully on her own life and her relationship with her father before his tragic death. (Range: E3-D5)
MEDIUM ALISON – 19 years old, a college freshman. Alison Bechdel as a freshman at Oberlin college, discovering her sexuality. For an incredibly well-read, hyper-intelligent teenager, her uncertainty about who she is makes her socially awkward at time. Medium Alison does appear on stage in pajamas. There will be intimacy between Medium Alison and Joan (kissing). (Range: G3-E5)
SMALL ALISON – around 9 years old. Alison Bechel as a child who is precocious and opinionated. On the cusp of finding herself and forming her own views on how a girl her age should behave and dress. (Range: A3-E5)
BRUCE BECHDEL – Alison’s father. A high-school English teacher and funeral home director, who spends his spare time on the historic restoration of his home. A complex man with a hot temper as a result of years of repression. He can be caring and attentive to his children but is also quick to anger. (Range: A2-G4)
HELEN BECHDEL – Alison’s mother. Frustrated and exhausted by her tumultuous marriage. She has spent her life trying to be a good mother and wife while turning a blind eye to the irreverent activities of her husband. (Range: A3-E5)
CHRISTIAN BECHDEL – Alison’s older brother, around 10 years old when we meet him. As the oldest of the three children he strives to be the leader, but is sometimes overshadowed by Alison’s strong personality (Range: C#4-D5)
JOHN BECHDEL – Alison’s younger brother, around 6 years old when we meet him. Like most boys his age, he is full of energy with a quirky imagination. Looks up to his siblings. (Range: C#4-E5)
JOAN – A student at Oberlin. She exudes a confident, sexual energy, with a dry sense of humor. Unlike Alison, Joan is very comfortable in her skin and openly identifies as a lesbian. Joan may appear on stage in pajamas. There will be intimacy between Medium Alison and Joan (kissing). (Range: G3-G4)
ROY – a young man Bruce hires to do yard work (Range: G3-A4 (opt. D#5))
MARK – a high school junior
PETE – a mourner who visits the funeral home
BOBBY JEREMY AND THE SUSAN DEYS – a band in Alison’s imagination
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
*Those auditioning for Medium Alison, Roy, and Joan MUST be 18+ at auditions.
**Roy, Pete, Mark, and Bobby Jeremy will be played by the same person.
*** The Susan Deys are played by Medium Alison and Joan.
ALISON BECHDEL – 43 years old, a cartoonist. The narrator of this story. Now a self-aware adult, she is able to reflect insightfully on her own life and her relationship with her father before his tragic death. (Range: E3-D5)
MEDIUM ALISON – 19 years old, a college freshman. Alison Bechdel as a freshman at Oberlin college, discovering her sexuality. For an incredibly well-read, hyper-intelligent teenager, her uncertainty about who she is makes her socially awkward at time. Medium Alison does appear on stage in pajamas. There will be intimacy between Medium Alison and Joan (kissing). (Range: G3-E5)
SMALL ALISON – around 9 years old. Alison Bechel as a child who is precocious and opinionated. On the cusp of finding herself and forming her own views on how a girl her age should behave and dress. (Range: A3-E5)
BRUCE BECHDEL – Alison’s father. A high-school English teacher and funeral home director, who spends his spare time on the historic restoration of his home. A complex man with a hot temper as a result of years of repression. He can be caring and attentive to his children but is also quick to anger. (Range: A2-G4)
HELEN BECHDEL – Alison’s mother. Frustrated and exhausted by her tumultuous marriage. She has spent her life trying to be a good mother and wife while turning a blind eye to the irreverent activities of her husband. (Range: A3-E5)
CHRISTIAN BECHDEL – Alison’s older brother, around 10 years old when we meet him. As the oldest of the three children he strives to be the leader, but is sometimes overshadowed by Alison’s strong personality (Range: C#4-D5)
JOHN BECHDEL – Alison’s younger brother, around 6 years old when we meet him. Like most boys his age, he is full of energy with a quirky imagination. Looks up to his siblings. (Range: C#4-E5)
JOAN – A student at Oberlin. She exudes a confident, sexual energy, with a dry sense of humor. Unlike Alison, Joan is very comfortable in her skin and openly identifies as a lesbian. Joan may appear on stage in pajamas. There will be intimacy between Medium Alison and Joan (kissing). (Range: G3-G4)
ROY – a young man Bruce hires to do yard work (Range: G3-A4 (opt. D#5))
MARK – a high school junior
PETE – a mourner who visits the funeral home
BOBBY JEREMY AND THE SUSAN DEYS – a band in Alison’s imagination
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
*Those auditioning for Medium Alison, Roy, and Joan MUST be 18+ at auditions.
**Roy, Pete, Mark, and Bobby Jeremy will be played by the same person.
*** The Susan Deys are played by Medium Alison and Joan.
Click the box below to register for auditions!
Audition FAQ's
What is the overall audition process like
The process is different for straight plays versus musicals, and may also depend on who is directing the show. All auditions include an introduction to the Director and committee members, and all participants fill out an audition form. Audition lengths can vary depending on the number of people who come. Familiarize yourself with the play/musical you are auditioning for before you come to the auditions. We recommend keeping an eye on this page and our Facebook page for more information on each aduition session!
What are Musical auditions like and how do you prepare?
Musical auditions are usually made up of three parts: choreography, vocals, and scene reading (reading from the script of the show). However, some musicals do not contain choreography so this section may be omitted from the audition process.
- Choreography: The choreographer will teach the group a routine. You then perform it as a group. You can prepare for this portion by watching videos of other productions of the show ahead of time. This will expose you to the type of choreography you will be taught.
- Vocals: You're encouraged to bring a 16 to 32 bar (30-45 sec.) cut from a song in the style of the show. We provide an accompanist and there is a speaker available if you have tracked music. If you do not bring your own music cut, the musical director or accompanist will teach the group a portion of a song from the show. You will then be called up to perform this song individually or as a group. The best way to prepare for this is to listen to the soundtrack for the show ahead of time.
- Scene Readings: Portions from the script will be distributed to participants, you normally receive lines for the part you are auditioning for, sometimes the director will hand you different part to ascertain your range as an actor. The best way to prepare for this is to read the script ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the character you wish to portray.
What are Straight Play auditions like and how do you prepare?
Straight play auditions consist of scene readings. Occasionally, a play can demand a certain type of movement so there may be a portion of the evening in which the director will work with you to see how well you can move and adapt to the needs of the script.
- Scene Readings: Portions from the script will be distributed to participants, you normally receive lines for the part you are auditioning. Sometimes the director will hand you different part to ascertain your range as an actor. The best way to prepare for this is to read the script ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the character you wish to portray.
Who casts the show?
A deliberative body called the casting committee. The committee is made up of the director, choreographer (if applicable), and guests who are experienced in theatre arts. The casting committee acts as a sounding board and another set of eyes and ears for the director who makes the final decisions.
How do you make your decisions on who to cast?
- Availability- Rehearsal is incredibly important. If your schedule inhibits you from attending rehearsals you may not be cast. This will be clarified at the beginning of auditions, and included on your audition form.
- Talent- Vocal ability and acting.
- Physicality- Some roles require specific looks, accents, age, etc. Some shows require specific dance choreography/movement.
- Chemistry- When casting, the committee is required to look at the cast as a whole and see how and IF you fit into that puzzle. For example, You may be right for Role A & B, but if you are cast as Role A, there may not be someone for Role B. You may be cast as Role B if there is a second option for Role A.
How do you find out why you were cast, or not cast, for the part you wanted?
Backdoor Theatre is a teaching theatre. We encourage all participants to reach out and ask this question. We will provide constructive feedback on how you can improve your skills. Please email us by using the form on this page.
Do you need to have experience to try out?
Not at all! We will teach you what you need to know. However, you are expected to be familiar with the show and material. Please email [email protected] to receive a script for the show. If you are trying out for a musical, familiarize yourself with the songs.
What do I wear to auditions?
Whatever your comfortable in and closed toe shoes. If your audition involves dancing, bring appropriate footwear and wear clothing you can move around in.
Do I need to come to both nights of auditions
It's not required but encouraged.
What do I do if I don't get cast
There are several reasons you might not get cast. Please reach out and ask for constructive feedback. Come to more auditions, and don't give up! Being a part of a Backdoor production is an experience you will never forget. If you don't get cast, we also suggest asking the director about being apart of the Tech Crew!
Does Backdoor Theatre precast shows
On a rare occasion, some parts may be precast. This will be listed in character descriptions on this page and all audition announcements.
What about callbacks?
When referring to callbacks, we may not always need everyone to read or sing again. This does not mean that you are not being considered for a role or not cast. The Casting Committee makes the decision on callbacks for various reason.