Join us for auditions for RTW's Spring 2020 Production of Next to Normal.

Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.

Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, substance abuse, and “typical” suburban life.

AUDITION DATES:
Tuesday, November 12th, 7-10pm
Wednesday, November 13th, 7-10pm
Thursday, November 14th, 7-10pm – Callbacks

AUDITION INFORMATION:
Please bring a current headshot & resume.

Initial auditions will consist of singing only. This is a sung through show mostly, so focus will be on vocal ability.

Please prepare one full song (you may not sing all of it) that you are comfortable with, allows you to present a character relevant to the one you are auditioning for, and shows off your range. The song should be in the style of the show – contemporary pop/rock. Singing from the show is not allowed. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key. No a cappella singing will be allowed.

AUDITION SIGN UPS:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054CA4A722A5F58-rtws

Callbacks will consist of singing from the show and potentially some reading. For those called back, we will let you know the call back songs to prepare in advance. You will likely be asked to ‘act’ the songs, engaging with other actors, so familiarity and comfortability with the songs will be important.

PRODUCTION DATES:
March 6, 7, 8 (matinee), 12, 13, 14 (matinee)

REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will start in early December. Because this is such a music heavy show, we will likely schedule music rehearsals leading up to the holidays to tackle as much music as possible before the break. The expectation is that you will return in January with a majority of the music memorized.

Starting in January, rehearsals will be Sunday afternoons, Monday & Wednesday Evenings*

*This may change depending on the availability of those cast

Tech weeks starts February 23rd, so there can be no conflicts after that date.

PRINCIPAL & SUPPORTING ROLES AVAILABLE:

NOTE: All roles below require STRONG SINGERS who can act. All roles are open to all ethnicities, gender identities and body types unless otherwise noted.

Diana
Delusional, bipolar, and depressed. The sexiness of her yesterdays has only recently begun to soften. She is determined to make her family perfect but is tortured by the past.
Gender: Female identifying; Age range: must look 38 to 45
Vocal range top: F#5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Gabe
Diana & Dan's son. Dashing, athletic, and bright. He is a playful man and everything a mother could imagine.
Gender: Male identifying; Age range: must look 17-20
Vocal range top: C5; Vocal range bottom: B2

Dan
Diana's husband. He is handsome and genuine. Though a constant in Diana's tumultuous life, he has grown tired and weary of her antics.
Gender: Male identifying; Age range: 40 to 45
Vocal range top: B4; Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Natalie
Diana & Dan's troubled daughter. An accomplished pianist and hardworking student, her struggles are exacerbated by her mother's behavior. She greatly admires Henry.
Gender: Female identifying; Age range: must look 16 to 18
Vocal range top: G5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Henry
Natalie's classmate. The all-around musician, philosopher, and slacker. Henry has an intoxicating capacity for sympathy and romance.
Gender: Any identification; Age range: must look 16 to 18
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G#2

Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine
Diana's handsome doctor and psychiatrist. Dr. Fine is a serious Doctor. Dr. Madden is quite assured in his practice and considered somewhat of a rock star.
Gender: Male identifying; Age range: 25 to 50
Vocal range top: A4; Vocal range bottom: A2

Stage Direction by Justin McCoubry
Musical Direction by Luke Molloy
Stage Managed by Jean MacFarland
Produced by P.J. Terranova

**Riverside Theatre Works does not offer compensation to our actors and is not affiliated with Actors Equity Association**

If you are unable to make the audition dates we also will accept video submissions. Please send to info@rtwboston.org **Deadline for video submission is Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 2019. You must be available for callbacks to be considered for casting.

For questions, or additional information, please email info@rtwboston.org