Auditions
AUDITION NOTICE: Smoke on the Mountain
DIRECTED by Chris Cotten
MUSIC DIRECTED by Eileen Kuo
Because of current conditions, open auditions for Smoke on the Mountainwill now be held entirely by video submission. The auditions previously scheduled for April 11 and 12 are cancelled. Live callbacks may be held at a later date. Submit your video audition, along with a current resume, to ccotten64@gmail.com on or before April 18, 2020. The show runs September 4-20, 2020.
Smoke on the Mountain is the first in a trilogy of musicals about the Sanders Family Singers, a family bluegrass gospel group, who, on a night in 1938, are performing together for the first time in five years at a small country church.
We’re looking for an ensemble of strong actor-musicians for this cast who play one or more of the following instruments well: guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, violin, piano.
Your video audition should consist of the following:
- At least 16 bars of a bluegrass gospel song or hymn. The song can be from the show, but that’s not required. However, it is strongly encouraged that you accompany yourself on one of the above instruments. Otherwise, please use an accompanist or recorded track. No a capella submissions. If you’re having trouble finding accompaniment, contact music director Eileen Kuo at eileen.kuo@gmail.com.
- At least one minute of one of the monologues provided. You may perform the entire monologue if you choose.
Feel free to contact the director with any questions at ccotten64@gmail.com.
Character breakdown is below. The part of Burl Sanders has been cast. All other roles are currently open.
Vera Sanders (adult female; alto) – The matriarch of the Sanders family. Can quote most of the Bible from memory.
Stanley Sanders (adult male; baritone) – Burl’s brother. A little rough around the edges.
Dennis Sanders (teen-young adult male; tenor) – One of the twins (he’s the boy). Wants to be a preacher.
Denise Sanders (teen-young adult female; alto-mezzo) – She’s the girl. Wants to be a movie star; believes Christians should not be limited to seeing Disney movies only.
June Sanders (young adult-adult female; non-singing, non- musician role) – The oldest Sanders child. She doesn’t sing, she signs. Strong comedienne.
Rev. Mervyn Oglethorpe (adult male, bari/tenor; instrumental ability helpful but not required) – The pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
Thanks to a generous grant from the city of Germantown, artists participating in this production are eligible to receive a $100 gas stipend payable via a gas card on opening night of the production.
