*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! *Non-singing roles:* Several Nazi soldiers and various officials. *About the Title* The title comes from the Book of Job, from which the families in the opera read while they are in hiding. The logo artwork combines photos from the Neue Synagogue in Berlin, and Auschwitz, where scenes in the opera take place. For further information contact Jeffrey Lesser at lesnix@aol.com or 813-789-9692.