Bright Star
Book and Lyrics by STEVE MARTIN and EDIE BRICKELL
Directors: Chris Manasco, Kendall Sirkis
Music Director: John Mark Wilson
Production Manager: Sylvia Crews
Audition Workshop: June 22, 4:00-5:30 PM
Auditions: July 13 at 2:00; July 14 at 5:30 PM; Potential Callbacks July 15 at 5:30
Performances: September 10-13, 7:00 PM
Location: Cultural Arts Center, 909 S. Saint Andrews St., Dothan, AL
Questions? Email crews.sylvia@gmail.com
Description: Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. More information.
Please fill out the online registration form or fill out a walk-in form at auditions. Attend as many audition sessions as possible.
The cast list will be posted within 48 hours of the final audition at SEACT.com and on SEACT's social media pages. You are expected to check the cast list and report to the first read-through on Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 PM if you are cast.
Rehearsals typically take place Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30-8:00 PM and Sundays from 2:00-5:00 PM. Additional rehearsals will be added closer to show week.
All conflicts between July 17 and September 13 must be provided at registration. Adding additional conflicts after casting is grounds for reduced stage time or dismissal from the production. Conflicts do not mean you won’t be cast, but they might affect how you are cast.
Actors of all backgrounds and experienced levels are encouraged to apply! Age minimum: 16. A parent/legal guardian must provide consent to audition for any actor under the age of 18.
Character Breakdowns
Alice Murphy: Alice is portrayed both as a late teenager in the 1920s and an older version of herself in the 1940s. As a young woman, she constantly works to create her own powerful voice despite being stifled by gender norms in her town. In her thirties, she is hilariously blunt and honest, demanding respect both because of her intellectual capacity and confident attitude. She is more reserved than her romantic younger self, but she still retains her caring spirit and adventurous side.
Jimmy Ray: Jimmy is a late teenager in the 1920s and an adult in the 1940s. As a teenager, Jimmy Ray is eager to explore the world, learn, and find something meaningful to do with his life. He is confident and witty, matching Alice's adventurous spirit as their love for each other grows. In the 1940s, Jimmy Ray still has his confidence and playfulness but is filled with guilt and a fear that he can't fix what has been broken in his life.
Billy Cane: Billy is a young man who has just returned home from World War II. He is filled with an energetic optimism and youthful passion for life, determined to see beauty in the world despite the hardships he faced in the war. At times naive and idealistic, Billy's energy propels him to follow his aspirations. He is self-assured and remains hopeful that his eloquent writing can contribute something important to the world.
Margo: Margo is a young woman in Hayes Creek who runs her own bookstore. She is kind, clever, supportive, and hard-working. She is always there for Billy when he needs her and strives to be someone that others can lean on. She values the community around her, which she finds both in her own bookstore and in Billy. Margo at times struggles with the balance. between remaining hopeful and being realistic, but she grounds herself through her work and connections with others.
Mayor Dobbs: Mayor Dobbs is a powerful man consumed by his ideas of tradition and structure. He wants the best for his son, Jimmy Ray, and believes in the power of consistency, however, he is willing to do anything to keep the image of his perfect life. He acts as a counterpoint to Alice's core beliefs and the messages of the show, demonstrating how societal pressures can infringe upon doing what's best for loved ones.
Daddy Murphy: Alice's father. In the 1920s, he struggles between his love of tradition and social standards and his love for his daughter. While Alice forges her own individual path, Daddy Murphy looks to the Bible to gain clarity, but he later realizes how he failed to account for his daughter's needs. In the 1940s, Daddy Murphy begins to understand his daughter's view of the world and wishes to repair what has been broken.
Mama Murphy: Alice's mother. More so than Alice, she has been forced into the gender roles presented by the small town of Zebulon. However, she fights as best as she can for Alice and what she believes is right. She takes immense care to protect her daughter however she can, attempting to do so in the frame of her town's social standards.
Daddy Cane: Daddy Cane is incredibly kind and faithful. He raises Billy to be strong and optimistic. Daddy Cane comes from a humble background, but he wants the best for Billy, who is his whole world, and does all he can to make sure Billy can live the life he wants.
Lucy Grant: Lucy is a young woman who works for Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. With her witty lines and lively nature, she is often a source of much needed levity, and lights up the room whenever present. An uncompromising "modern woman," she is unapologetic in her convictions, giving her a magnetism that draws others to her
Daryl Ames: Daryl works for Alice at the Asheville Southern Journal. He is often drily sarcastic, but is always ready to let loose and party. Being a formidable editor, he is hard on Billy's writing, but also harbors insecurities about his own work which he pens in pseudonym and hopes will one day earn the respect of Alice.
Ensemble Characters
We will be casting an ensemble of 4-6, which will include these roles as well as others. Actors in the ensemble may be cast to play more than one role. We will be looking for passionate and energetic singers, actors, and dancers capable of bringing the world of Bright Star to life!
Stanford: Mayor Dobbs' lawyer. He is very professional and hard-working. He is caught up in the same societal expectations as Mayor Dobbs, enforcing every one of the Mayor's wishes. The community in Zebulon is very important to Stanford, and he feels strongly about upholding its standards and traditions.
Horence: Florence works at Margo's bookstore. She is a very supportive friend to Margo, always willing to help out. She is a romantic and often gets caught up in dreams.
Tona: Edna works at Margo's bookstore as well. She is energetic, hard-working, and optimistic. Along with Florence, Edna is an essential part of the strong community surrounding Margo.
Max: A young resident of Zebulon who frequents the bookstore. He's naive and very earnest. His blossoming relationship with Edna displays a sense of community and continuity in the town beyond the main plot.
Dr. Norquist: As Alice's doctor in Zebulon, Dr. Norquist values the picture of a perfect community and, along with Mayor Dobbs, tries to preserve Zebulon's image. At times valuing that preservation above Alice's own wellbeing, Dr. Norquist's influence on Alice displays an important conflict in the show.