Auditions

Audition Announcement: Performers With A Drag Sensibility for The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate…Murder At Checkmate Manor

Bag&Baggage Productions, Hillsboro’s resident professional theater company, is holding auditions for 2 roles in their upcoming October production of Walter Zerlin Jr.’s The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production Of A Murder At Checkmate Manor.

Auditions are by appointment only and will be held at B&B’s new home, The Vault Theatre, in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday August 26^th.

About the Show: Farndale Avenue is a quiet, rural English hamlet and the Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society is renowned! (For being absolutely freaking terrible.) Everything that can go wrong does, all the time, constantly, for no good reason other than the actors and crew are just freaking awful. Think “Noises Off” meets “Monty Python” meets “Agatha Christie” in drag. Or, think The Play That Goes Wrong (since that play is mostly inspired by the Fardale series) meets RuPaul. A group of terrible amateur actors produce a clusterf**k of a murder mystery…with all of the actors in drag. Yep. It is gonna be hilarious.

Roles Available/Actor’s Sought:
Mrs. Pheobe Reece: The manager of the Guild, an overbearing know-it-all with no talent and an ego as large as the London Parliament building. Thinks she can sing, but can’t. Thinks she can dance, but can’t. Thinks she can act, but really really really can’t. Actor Sought: Big bodied, gorgeous, flamboyant drag performer aged 35+, must be able to do a solid RP British accent, and walk in towering heels.

Mercedes Blower: the “ingénue” of the troop, married to Farndale’s only plastic surgeon (Mr. Blower), with enormous enthusiasm and a perky outlook on life (with a little help from prescription drugs). Sleek, sexy, sassy, feminine, shameless drag performer age 21+, must be able to do a regional British accent and work those heels, gurl.

Note: we are eager to work with performers who identify as queer or gender fluid for this production. Previous drag, improvisational comedy, and professional acting experience also helpful. Be able to throw shade and read like the library is open.

Rehearsals/Performances
All rehearsals take place in Hillsboro at The Vault Theatre, usually Sunday (12 – 6), and Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday (6-9:30). Performances begin October 12 and run through October 31, 2017. Interested performers must be available for all rehearsals as this show is highly collaborative.

Pay

Both roles are paid, based on an hourly rate: $1,575.

TO AUDITION:

Send a resume and headshot (both in pdf format), two acting or performing references, along with a short description of your relevant experience to scott@bagnbaggage.org by 5pm Wednesday August 23^rd. Auditions are by invitation only.

General Crew Opportunities

Paid crew positions available for productions may include: Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Run Crew, Head of Props, Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, Set Construction crew, and Front of House Manager.

To be considered for a paid crew position, you should have previous professional experience, access to reliable transportation (or ideally be based in Washington County), and be available and willing to attend rehearsals and work in Hillsboro. Preference will be given to applicants who posses either significant Educational Theatre experience at a college level and/or Professional Experience.

To be considered for a crew position, please send an electronic resume to our Managing Director Beth Lewis in PC format (.doc or .pdf), including references and contact information for your references (send to: beth@bagnbaggage.org). Please also be sure to indicate what crew position(s) most interest you. Applicants selected for consideration will be contacted to arrange an interview time. Hired crew members will be offered a competitive wage, based on the crew role and production.

Internships

Backstage Tech Internships

Any student who will be either a Junior or a Senior during the 2016-17 school year can apply for crew positions for and Bag&Baggage show by submitting a short letter of interest to Bag&Baggage Director of Advancement Cassie Greer via email at cassie@bagnbaggage.org. In the letter, please identify what area of production you are interested in learning, and what previous experience you have had working on theatrical productions with you school or other theatre groups. Interns who are selected may fill roles such as: run crew, light board operator, sound board operator, or set construction/installation crew. Preference will be given to students who live and/or attend a school in Washington County. Applicants (with the exception of those interested in set construction/installation) must be available during all technical rehearsals and performances. All interns are paid a small stipend.

Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in ushering or assisting in other methods of support for the Company. Please send an email to info@bagnbaggage.org expressing your level of interest and availability for volunteer opportunities.