OPEN AUDITIONS FOR: BLOOMS OF STEEL with book, music and lyrics by Kimberly Aldrich-Ceja. Directed by: Skip Corris Musical Direction by: David Blazer DATES: Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8 TIME: 7pm PLACE: LCCC Elyria Campus, Stocker Arts Center¹s Cirigliano Studio Theatre 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria OH 44035 BLOOMS OF STEEL is a new musical based on a play commissioned in 2008 by the Lorain County Metro Parks. The musical tells the story of the community that grew around the steel mill in Lorain through the family history of fictional steel mill retiree, Emil Hubiak. BLOOMS OF STEEL is being produced by the Lorain Historical Society; in partnership with the Lorain Palace Theater and Lorain County Community College¹s Department of Theatre. Performances will take place in the historic Lorain Palace Theater. Production dates: April 22 24, 2016 Rehearsals begin: Early February 2016 TO BE PREPARED: Please prepare a brief song that best represents your voice. Please provide sheet music for the piano accompanist in the key you will be singing.. No recorded accompaniment. Sides will be provided for cold readings. Please bring a resume to the audition. There are no AEA contracts available for this production TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION: Email jbenjami@lorainccc.edu. Please include ³Blooms of Steel Auditions² in the subject line of your email. Include your name and phone number. Resumes may be attached if desired. Please indicate which date you plan on auditioning. QUESTIONS: Please call Jeremy Benjamin, LCCC Director of Theatre, at 440-366-7120. www.lorainccc.edu/auditions CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS: EMIL (pronounced AY-mil) - Baritone 80¹s. Of Eastern European descent. A recent widower, he is in danger of losing his independence despite being in good physical and mental health. Retired steel worker and history buff. He has difficulty letting go and uses humor as a coping mechanism. He is the old Lorain that still exists, but struggles to stay relevant and positive as his world disappears. BILL (DANIEL/IRISH IMMIGRANT/PRIEST/ALEX)- Tenor Mid 30s. Emil's grandson who moves in with him after losing his home in Florida to foreclosure. After being the rock for his wife and kids, he's happy to fall into the safety net of his childhood home. He is an unappreciated gem with a great deal of untapped potential who found success on another path for many years, but is currently struggling to find a new identity. STEPHANIE (JOANNA/MRS. SAS/CLARA/YOUNG PEGGY) - Mezzo Mid 30s. Emil's grand-daughter-in-law. A former "it" girl in high school, she is ashamed to return to her hometown a failure. She is the negative voice that only sees what is and what was, not what can be. Since her life is out of control, she obsesses about whatever she can control. JOEY (MARKI/EMIL AGE 12 and 14) - Tenor 12-14, Emil's great-grandson. He inherited Emil's sense of humor. Seems to go with the flow, but is gradually slipping into a virtual world to escape his reality. He is the future in danger of falling away. EMILY (GRACE/BERTA/YOUNG AUDREY) - 8-10, Emil's great-granddaughter. The only family member not born in Lorain, she is confused about her new environment and eager to learn where she is. Vivid imagination. She and Joey are both nearly every nationality that came to Lorain. She represents what is possible. PEGGY (MRS. ROTH/BABA/OLDER SOFIYA) Mezzo 50s, Emil's daughter, the realization of her immigrant grandparent's dreams. Has never known hardships such as they endured. Coping with the death of her mother by trying to protect her father. LILLIAN (SOFIYA) - Soprano 20s-30s, Emil's late wife. Western European descent. She is fun loving with a sense of humor to match Emil's, yet clearly the adult in their relationship. YOUNG LILLIAN (YOUNG DAISY/HELENA/OLGA/ AUDREY) Mezzo - 12-14 YOUNG EMIL (MOXHAM/IMMIGRANT/NIKOLAJ/LARRY) - Baritone 20s-30s JASON (MR. LINDSEY/JACOB/MIKE/JUAN/JACK/USHER) - Baritone 20s-30s, Bill's best friend from high school. Hispanic descent HEATHER (TESSA / JEANNIE) Mezzo 20s-30s Stephanie's best friend from high school, now a successful lawyer in New York City. African-American descent. Jeremy K. Benjamin Director of Theatre Production Manager/Technical Director/Designer Lorain County Community College (440) 366-7120 jbenjami@lorainccc.edu -- ³Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.² T.I. Rubin