Audition Notice:
THE MINUTES
by Tracy Letts
directed by Jeff Siuda
AUDITIONS: Sunday, September 27th from 5-8pm
CALLBACKS: Monday, September 28th from 6-10pm
***BLACKFRIARS’ MISSION IS TO HIRE LOCAL ACTORS ONLY; WE DO NOT PROVIDE MEALS, TRANSPORTATION, OR HOUSING***
*Please email info@blackfriars.org no later than Friday, Sept 25th at 12pm to sign up for an audition slot. Scroll to bottom of listing for video submission information if you cannot be present on Sept 27th—we do not provide alternate initial audition dates.
THE AUDITION:
Initial auditions will take place in one-hour groups and will consist of cold reads from the script with other artists in your audition group. You can familiarize yourself with the show using the script link at the bottom of this page. Please bring a headshot or up-to-date photo, your resume, and your calendar with you to list any conflicts with the rehearsal schedule. If you are not available for callbacks, please let us know at the time of your audition.
THE SYNOPSIS:
The Minutes opens with a meeting of the Big Cherry Town Council where the newest member arrives to discover that one of his fellow councilmen is mysteriously missing. As secrets unfold, we reveal a troubling tribalist mentality and uncover the truth about the town’s White-washed history.
THE PROCESS:
Rehearsals: rehearsals begin as early as December 13th
Tech: Jan 23-27 (NO WEEKEND/EVENING CONFLICTS)
Performances: Jan 28, 29 30, 31, Feb 4, 5, 6, 7 (NO CONFLICTS)
*Hold dates for added performances are Jan 30 and Feb 6 at 2PM (NO CONFLICTS)
***BLACKFRIARS REHEARSES 4-6 TIMES/WEEK ON WEEKNIGHTS AND WEEKENDS—FINAL SCHEDULE PENDING CAST AND TEAM CONFLICTS
CASTING: 11 actors of various ages, body types & ethnicities. One-time honorarium of $400.00 for each role. Casting only actors aged 18+.
MR. PEEL - male, any ethnicity, 20s-30s | The newest member of the city council and the closest thing to a protagonist. He missed the previous meeting and is curious, headstrong, and determined to get straight answers regarding the secret minutes and a mysteriously absent councilman.
MAYOR SUPERBA - male, any ethnicity, 50s-60s | The authoritative, charismatic, and folksy head of the council. He has a firm grasp on the team, knows how to play the political game, and guards the town's institutional secrets.
MS. JOHNSON - female, any ethnicity, 30s-40s | The meticulous, cautious, and assertive city clerk. She is responsible for documenting every single detail of the meeting amid rising disruptions and secrets.
MR. CARP - male, any ethnicity, 40s–60s | The seemingly missing councilman whose sudden absence and the redaction of the prior week's minutes kick off the central mystery. He is described as truthful, diligent, and well-intentioned.
MR. BLAKE - male, any ethnicity, 40s–60s | A smooth, calculating, and outlandish council member motivated entirely by what serves his personal interests best. He is adept at political maneuvering and rhetorical persuasion.
MR. HANRATTY - male, any ethnicity, 30s-50s | A well-intentioned, passionate, and verbose councilman. He constantly tries to advocate for what is best for the town, but frequently struggles and fails.
MR. BREEDING - male, any ethnicity, 40s–60s | One of Mayor Superba's most closely aligned allies. He is opinionated, self-aggrandizing, and dismissive of others.
MR. ASSALONE - male, any ethnicity, 40s–60s | The mayor's other major right-hand man. He lives up to his name by acting as a confrontational, aggressive bully on the council.
MS. INNES - female, any ethnicity, 60+ | The second-longest-serving member of the council. She tends to focus exclusively on her own personal agenda items.
MS. MATZ - female, any ethnicity, 30s-40s | A distracted, erratic, and flighty council member who often struggles to complete her actionable items and lives in her own head.
MR. OLDFIELD - male, any ethnicity, 65+ | The longest-serving member of the council. He is irritable, long-winded, and testy, often rambling over trivial meeting details.
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Blackfriars practices color-conscious and body-positive casting. There can be no conflicts during tech week or performances. If you are involved in another show that overlaps with any part of this process, please email us the conflicts at info@blackfriars.org prior to submitting for auditions. Auditions will take place at Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St, Rochester 14605.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS: Video submissions must be submitted to info@blackfriars.org no later than Friday, Sept 25th at 12pm. The office is closed Saturday through Monday, so late requests may not be seen prior to auditions. Please include two (2) scenes of one minute or less from the script; they may be two readings for one character or one separate reading each for two different characters; frame should be tight enough to see emotions; you must choose a monologue or have another person reading lines with you off camera (please do not read a two-person scene by yourself as both characters). Actors who cannot make it to callbacks may be asked for additional material to be submitted by Monday, Sept 28th at 8pm.
QUESTIONS? Visit our AUDITION FAQs page! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for please email info@blackfriars.org.