Auditions for the two spring plays, Golden Boy and Martyrs' Crossing, are coming up on Monday, December 9th. They will be held in room C-202 (the theatre room) after school. Sign ups for specific times will be posted on Wednesday, Dec. 4th.
For the audition, you will need a 30-60 second monologue from a contemporary play (written after 1900). No singing or dancing will be needed for either show.
Auditions are open to ANY and ALL Hillcrest students: beginners are welcome! A wide variety of actors will be needed - boxers, female warriors, Italian immigrants, etc. Roles for both genders and all types of characters are available in both shows.
If you need help finding a monologue or have any questions, please contact a theatre presidency member. Hope to see you all there!
Golden Boy Character Guide:
Everything inside quotation marks is from Clifford Odets’ own description of the characters.
***All actors in this show must possess the ability to communicate honestly and live truthfully in every moment. I must believe that you ARE these people, not that you are merely acting like them.***
JOE BONAPARTE: A 21 year-old second-generation Italian immigrant. At heart a musician, he has been laughed at and hurt by people against whom he longs to fight back. The fame and money he earns in the boxing ring make retaliation possible, but brutalize him and change his personality. His journey is one of a young man desperately searching for meaning and fulfillment in life in many of the wrong places. This actor must be physically strong and fit, but more importantly, he must be able to be vulnerable and reveal to the audience all of the nuance and minor changes going on inside Joe’s soul.
LORNA MOON: A young woman who is engaged to Moody, but who falls in love with Joe throughout the course of the play. “There is a certain quiet glitter about this girl, and if she is sometimes hard, it is more from necessity than choice. Her eyes often hold a soft, sad glance.” She has lived a tough life and longs to connect. This actress must be able to portray both the hard outer shell, and inner longings of this complex character while revealing the motivations behind both sides of this woman.
TOM MOODY: In his forties. Successful fight manager for many of the great boxers before the depression hit. He becomes Joe’s manager. Tom is going through an ugly divorce while being engaged to Lorna at the same time. “His explosiveness covers a soft, boyish quality, and at the same time he possesses a certain vulnerable quality which women find very attractive.” In addition to those vulnerable qualities, this actor must be mature and authoritative with a powerful presence that does not come across as teenager-ey.
MR. BONAPARTE: Joe’s father. He is an optimistic and passionate Italian man who struggles with his son’s decision to abandon music. Probably in his fifties, he speaks in a heavy Italian dialect. This actor must be incredibly sincere and able to create the most important relationship in the play (with Joe). He must be able to play age in an honest and believable way.
ROXY GOTTLIEB: An outspoken boxing manager who buys in to be a part of Joe’s managing team. Probably in his thirties or forties. An overwhelming presence who says things he probably shouldn’t. This actor needs to be vocally dynamic, physically imposing, and overwhelmingly confident, without going over-the-top.
EDDIE FUSELI: A menacing Italian gangster and gambler who buys a piece of Joe’s management. “A thin dark man…an inarticulate look on his face…a renowned gambler and gunman.” This actor must exude confidence, danger and excitement. This would be an easy role to turn into a cartoon or caricature. Don’t do it. The audience should always be suspicious of him, but he must have qualities that attract Joe to him (apart from the fact that he represents the rich lifestyle).
TOKIO: Joe’s sympathetic and even-keeled trainer. He has trained for Moody for many years. He is a quiet man who listens well. This is what allows him to create a strong relationship with Joe where the other men from the boxing world can’t. His connection with Joe is key. A variety of actor types could play this role, but they must create a strong, wise and compassionate human being.
SIGGIE: Joe’s brother-in-law (married to Anna) who is in his twenties. He dreams of owning his own taxicab business and getting ahead in life. He is uneducated and a little ignorant, but has an inner fire and fight that pushes him forward. This actor has to be able to contrast the Bonaparte family. He is a bit outspoken, and a tad brutish. Still lovable though.
ANNA: Joe’s sister. She is just older than Joe. Anna is a vigorous woman who has a spirited relationship with her husband Siggie. “She is energetic, good-natured, and adenoidal.” This actress must be able to bring a spark to the room without being annoying or fake.
FRANK: Joe’s older brother. He is the oldest of the three Bonaparte children and a labor union representative for the Congress of Industrial Organizations. “Simple, intelligent, observant.” Frank is used by the playwright to show what Joe could have been. He is happy and content assisting the world in simple ways.
MR. CARP: Mr. Bonaparte’s Jewish friend who likes to discuss philosophy and other intellectual subjects. He is an older man (in his fifties or sixties) who has a healthy sense of pessimistic humor. He owns the nearby candy and stationary store. This actor must be able to portray age both physically and vocally, but with an additional touch of wit and humor.
PEPPER WHITE: A cocky and fairly dumb boxer. This actor must be physically well-built, confident and charismatic.
Other Minor Roles:
(The actors who play these roles will also play boxers in the scenes at the training gym and the locker room, as well as in fights that will be staged during scene changes. Therefore they must be physically strong and athletic.)
BARKER: The manager of The Baltimore Chocolate Drop (a boxer).
MICKEY: Pepper White’s trainer.
LEWIS: A sportswriter.
DRAKE: A sportswriter.
DRISCOLL: One of The Baltimore Chocolate Drop’s seconds.
SAM: Pepper White’s second.
CALL BOY: A call boy at the gymnasium.
Martyrs’ Crossing Character Descriptions:
WOMEN
Historians—influential women in history that look back on Joan of Arc’s story to take courage and wisdom from her experiences. As storytellers they set the stage for the audience and ask them partake in this experience.
Catherine— A Martyr and Christian Saint who goes on a journey of being a guardian angel to Joan. This is her story of how she experiences Joan’s life along with her by talking to her, revealing unseen truths, and strengthening her in challenging times.
Margaret—Along with Catherine, Saint Margret, also a martyr, comforts, and inspires Joan. She was Catherine’s guardian angel and continues to help her as she helps Joan.
Joan—Joan of Arc. Led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII of France. Lead by Catherine and Margret to do her work, Joan becomes a martyr at the age of 19.
MEN
Michael, the Archangel—The most experienced angel who lives by his name: “He who is like God.” He aids Catherine and Margret in their mission of guiding Joan.
Charles, the Dauphin—Exhiled prince who is brought back to France due to Joan’s battles and constant effort to reunite him to his throne.
Courtiers—Advisors to Prince Charles
French soldiers—Soldiers that fight with Joan, under her command
Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick—Personal advisor to Henry VI. Impatient man, strongly against Joan. Convinces Cauchon to commit her to heresy and burn her at the stake.
Pierre Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais—Catholic bishop who is caught between religion and politics. He gets caught up in Warick’s lies and leads Joan to her death.
English guards—In opposition to Joan they mock her and put her through challenging trials
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