AUDITIONS – Open Call

The Sparks Fly Upward Foundation, in Association with The Temple Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, Ohio, announces auditions for The Sparks Fly Upward, a musical drama/opera that follows three German families in Berlin through the Holocaust, to be staged before an audience at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, Cleveland, Ohio from June 9-12, 2022.  The production will also be live-streamed.   Cast members will be paid. 

 

Open auditions will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 and Sunday, January 30, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Temple Tifereth Israel, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, OH  44122 for lead AND CHORUS roles.  Please bring a bio and come prepared to sing one piece in the style of the show.

 

If you are not able to attend auditions in person you may submit a video audition to our director, Jeffrey Lesser, along with a headshot and resume, to lesnix@aol.com by no later than Thursday, January 27, 2022 at midnight.  Please state in the audition video what role you are interested in and if you are willing to take any role.

 

ALL AUDITIONERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF FULL COVID-19 VACCINATION BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO AUDITION.

 

Rehearsals will begin on May 5, 2022.  Rehearsals will be held in the evenings and on weekends.

 

A sample of the music from Sparks can be heard on youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UiV2GtTFtI&t=262s

 

Lead roles:

Julius Rosenbaum                      Tenor or High Baritone                 40s-60s Patriarch of one of the Jewish families who guides his family through the Holocaust years

Jacob Rosenbaum/God               Baritone                                    early 20’s

Eldest son of the Rosenbaum family who takes on the role of “God” in the narration of the Biblical story of Job.

Max Rosenbaum/Satan               Bass                                          early 20’s 

Middle son of the Rosenbaum family who takes on the role of “Satan” in the narration of the Biblical story of Job.

Karl Rosenbaum/Job                  Tenor                                        late teens/early 20’sYoungest and most sensitive son of the Rosenbaum family who takes on the role of “Job” in the narration of the Biblical story of Job.

Rita Rosenbaum                       Soprano                                     mid to late teens

Youngest sibling of the Rosenbaum family who is most effective by being separated from her parents.

Hans Weber                              Baritone                                    40s-60s

Christian neighbor of Jewish families, and work colleague of Julius Rosenbaum who, along with his wife, Ruth, arranges for the protection of the two Jewish families.                      

Roles played by chorus members:

Berta Grynszpan                        Soprano                                     22

Actual historical figure who was deported to Poland from Germany in 1938 and contacted her brother, Herschel, by letter with news of the family’s deportation.

Herschel Grynszpan                   Tenor                                        17

Actual historical figure who, upon receiving news of his family’s deportation to Poland in 1938, shot a German official in Paris, which the Germans used as the pretext for Kristallnacht.

Cantor                                      High Tenor

Leader of the Jewish Community and featured in key synagogue scene.

Rabbi                                       Tenor

Leader of the Jewish Community and featured in key synagogue scenes.

Chorus

The piece features a large chorus, and we welcome all singers who are interested to audition for the chorus!