Western Reserve Playhouse auditions for
“Heathers- The Musical”
Written by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe
Directed by Kevin Kelly – Musical Direction by Deborah “Ingy” Ingersoll –
Choreography – Kristy Cruz

SYNOPSIS:
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, Heathers is the story of Veronica Sawyer, a senior at the fictional Westerberg High. Veronica longs to be cool like the clique of it-girls that runs Westerberg: the unaffected, unattainable Heathers. Unfortunately, in addition to awesome levels of popularity, the Heathers are also cruel, choosing to mock and bully their kingdom into submission. When Veronica uses her skills as a forger to get the Heathers out of detention, she impresses their leader Heather Chandler— so much so that they agree to let her into their exclusive club. At first, Veronica is thrilled—until she finds out that being one of the Heathers means bullying the same kids she used to call friends. Meanwhile, Veronica finds herself attracted to a mysterious newcomer at school named Jason Dean (JD). When an innocent drink mix-up results in the accidental poisoning of Heather Chandler, JD convinces Veronica to stage Heather’s suicide. The results are so successful that Veronica and JD, exhilarated with their newfound power, resolve to rid Westerberg of the cruelly popular elite forever. Featuring a raw, edgy, and culturally relevant score.

Audition Dates: April 22 & 23, 2019 from 6:30-9PM
Callbacks: April 24, 2019 from 6:30-9PM as needed
Please sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054EADA92AA5F85-heather

Rehearsals: Begin Sunday June 16th and continue Sunday thru Thursday 6:30 to 9:30PM Saturday rehearsals TBD by production team if necessary.
Performances: July 26-August 10, 2019 Friday & Saturdays at 8PM with a Sunday matinee on August 4th at 2PM

Location: Western Reserve Playhouse – 3326 Everett Road, Bath, Ohio 44286

Audition requirements:

Please prepare two contrasting musical excerpts containing 32 measures or a short musical theatre song that displays contrasting styles. Please make selection that can present a demonstration of a belt. Those auditioning are required to bring sheet music in your appropriate key to the audition. (Bound and double sided would be appreciated). A piano accompanist will be provided. If you have a one-minute monologue to share, please do. Please bring a headshot and resume to auditions. Headshots and resumes are appreciated, but not required. Any headshots of resumes provided may not be returned. Please bring all conflicts for the proposed rehearsal schedule to the audition.

Audition and Callback:

During auditions you will be asked to read and sing provided excerpts from the show. Callbacks will include also include dance, please bring appropriate dance clothes and shoes for movement.

Casting:

ALL roles are open to all ethnicities. No equity contracts at this time.

The age requirement is 18+. While it is a high-energy black comedy, the show opens conversations about dark issues, including bullying, teen suicide, sexual assault and violence in schools. The ages of the “high school” characters will be determined from the audition pool.

Roles:

Veronica Sawyer: F, 18-30 She burns to be both cool and kind but doesn’t know yet how to be both at the same time. Fierce sense of right and wrong, keen sense of ironic humor. Thinks she’s an old soul, but she’s still innocent enough to be blindsided by love/hormones (or shocked by cruelty). Voice: high belting required, up to high G, high Ab preferable. Must have dynamic and stylistic range.

JD: M, 18-30 He is darkly charismatic, compelling, attractive, charming on the outside yet very damaged on the inside. Keen smarts and strong inventive comedy. Voice: strong, confident belt to at least an Ab, A preferable; wide emotional range.

Heather Chandler: F, 18-30 Richest, hottest, most magnetic, cruelest girl in town. Relishes power and wields it like a scalpel – no fear, no patience, no mercy. Voice: strong belt to D, Eb preferred.

Heather McNamara: F 18,-30 Beautiful, innocent, stupid, can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: strong belt to D, Eb preferred.

Heather Duke: F, 18-30 Whipping-girl of the three Heathers. When she finally becomes Queen Bee she wields power like a bulldozer. Voice: strong belt to C, D preferred.

Martha Dunstock: F, 18-30 Nicknamed “Martha Dumptruck,” the opposite of hot, confident, or popular. Beautiful soul, optimistic even in the face of rejection. Voice: strong belt to E or F, wide vocal expression.

Ram Sweeney: M, 18-30 Linebacker. Big, insensitive to the feelings of others, ruled by appetites. Voice: strong baritone, belt to F#, G preferred, some falsetto useful.

Kurt Kelly: M, 18-30 Quarterback and Captain. Big, chiseled, rude, entitled, cocky. Mean, thinks he’s the brains in the friendship with Ram. Voice: tenor, strong belt to Ab or A, some falsetto.

Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean: M, 40-55 Ram’s Dad is a former football player turned suburban dad who has never outgrown his glory days in high school. Hates weakness, but capable of soul-searching when tragedy strikes. Actor also plays Big Bud. Voice: baritone/tenor.

Dean: M, 40-55 JD’s single dad. Big jolly personality that barely conceals the enormous rage bubbling just below the surface. Quite possibly a serial bomber. Voice: baritone/tenor, power country/gospel belt to Ab.

Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom: F, 40-45 Ms. Fleming is an aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth. Actor also plays Veronica’s Mom, who is easygoing, distant, yet capable of laying down the law. Voice: great belt up to C