<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Beck Center, in association with Director/Choreographer Christopher Chase Carter (Artistic Director of Mercury Theatre Chicago) is thrilled to announce auditions for <i>ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Appointments are now being taken for </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:red;letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Saturday March 11^th </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">and </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:red;letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Sunday March 12^th</span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">. Appt. slots will occur between 4PM and 6PM each of the two days and can be reserved by calling the Beck Center Box Office during regular business hours at 216-521-2540.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Performers are asked to prepare one 60 to 90 second vocal selection, ideally from the musical theatre canon. Bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">If preferred, performers may choose to submit a video audition with the same requirements. Please send to Beck Center Artistic Director Scott Spence at <a href="mailto:scotts@beckcenter.org" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">scotts@beckcenter.org</a> <u>Deadline</u>: March 10th, 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Callbacks will occur the weekend of March 18/19.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">It is anticipated that two AEA contracts will be available for this production. All non- Equity performers 18 and older will receive a stipend for their participation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">Out of Town performers are welcome to audition, but please know that Beck Center is unable to provide housing. Stipending will not begin to cover Room/Board.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt"> opens July 7^th and closes August 6^th. Rehearsals will begin in late May/early June date tbd.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt"><u>Staff includes</u>: Christopher Chase Carter (Director/Choreographer), Larry Goodpaster (Musical Director) and Libby White (Production Stage Manager)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Breakdown</span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">About the show</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: This creative team will take an ensemble musical/story theatre approach to the play with all performers playing storytellers stepping into the characters. The production will explore Afro-Caribbean inspired spirituality and rituals.<br><b>About gender</b>: Come as you are. Audition for the role you want. Whatever your gender expression — you are welcome and will be considered.<br><b>About colorism</b>: The story features colorism as a plot point, and casting will reflect that in some characters, relative to the entire cast.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 15.75pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Director’s Statement</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt">I believe in diversity and representation in casting that encourages actors of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.</span><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(49,49,49);letter-spacing:-0.3pt"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Seeking</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt"><br></span></u><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Ti Moune</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: She/her. Black, 18 – 25. A beautifully spirited peasant girl full of restless energy and optimism. Tries to break social barriers to be with her love, Daniel. Moves well. High belt, vocal range G3-E5.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Daniel</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: He/his. Black, 18 – 25. Ti Moune's love interest. A handsome, aristocratic young man who struggles with crossing social barriers. Sensitive and poetic. Struggles with the privilege and burdens that his lighter skin and wealth afford him. Tenor, vocal range C#3-F#4.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Mama Euralie</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: She/her. Black, 30s – 50s. Ti Moune's adoptive mother. Caring, over-protective, superstitious, fiercely loving, and strong-willed, her similarities often lead to clashes with Ti Moune. Alto, vocal range Gb3-B4.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Asaka</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: She/her. Black, 30s – 50s. Mother Earth. A mentor to Ti Moune. She is generous and good humored on the surface, but like all the gods, feared by the islanders; her motherly facade is not to be trusted. She is powerful, funny, and ironic. Mezzo/Soprano with strong high belt, vocal range A3-E5.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Erzulie</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: She/her. Black, late 20s – 50s. Goddess of Love. A mentor to Ti Moune and foil to Papa Ge. Loved by the people. Set out to prove that love is stronger than the fear of death—by love, she means the power of the human heart. Soprano, vocal range A3-C#5.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Tonton Julian</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: He/his. Black, 30s – 50s. Ti Moune's adoptive father. He teaches Ti Moune that love has no limits and he goes to great lengths to support her wishes. Caring, loving, and practical. Baritone, vocal range G3-E4.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Agwe</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: He/his. Black, late 20s – 50s. God of Water. A mentor to Ti Moune. Larger than life, mysterious. Commanding voice and presence. Baritone, vocal range B2-E4.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Papa Ge</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: He/his. Black, 30s – 50s. God of Death. Antagonist to the other gods. Cunning, sly, manipulative, seductive, cynical, and teasing, he is feared by the people because of what he represents: the unknown that is death. The other main instigator of the drama. Tenor, vocal range C3-G4.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Andrea Deveraux/Madame Armand</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: She/her. Black, late 20s. Daniel’s betrothed; an elegant, aristocratic young woman, enjoying the privileges of light skinned society; she seems cold at first but turns out to be both humane and determined. Strong soprano.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Monsieur Beauxhomme/Armand</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: He/his. Black, 30s – 50s. Black, Daniel’s stern father; reminds Daniel of the harsh realities of life; not deliberately cruel but determined; represents the heart of aristocratic, light skinned society. Strong baritone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">Ensemble</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:0.1pt">: Age 10 to 50s. Black. These 6 to 8 storytellers weave in and out of the show, and include young Ti Moune among others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:15.6933px;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p></div>