CASTING CALL FOR Season 16 – Open Auditions
Shows included: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors and Christmas with the Crawfords.
Event Address: The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, 33901 (Corner of Second Street & Woodford) (in the theater)
WHEN: Saturday, March 20tth, from 4 pm – 6 pm and Tuesday, April 2nd, from 7 pm – 9 pm
Callbacks are by invitation only.
A NOTE ON THE LAB’S STANCE ON COLOR-CONSCIOUS CASTING
What is color-conscious casting, and why is it important? Color-conscious casting intentionally chooses an ethnically diverse cast for shows originally written without diversity in mind. It’s important because representation matters. Theatre is better when all stories are told, not just those of a single segment of society. Intentional color-conscious casting goes hand-in-hand with seeking shows that have a universal appeal to audiences of all ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations.
While some playwrights dictate specific ethnicities in their work, The Laboratory Theater of Florida is committed to offering opportunities on our stage for ethnically diverse actors. We encourage everyone to audition for our straight plays on either March 30th from 4 pm – 6 pm or April 2 from 7 pm – 9 pm. Registration is encouraged. The theater will accept walk-ins in order of arrival as time allows. If you don’t have a monologue, the theater will provide one.
Come play with us!
SWFL PREMIERE
SHOW INFO – Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen.
A fun twist on the classic story of Dracula, with blood and vampires, and mixed with the comedy of Mel Brooks and Monty Python. Filled with quick changes and quicker wordplay, this gender-bending romp features five actors who play over a dozen roles!
“Sexy and campy…I didn’t stop laughing for 90 straight minutes….You don’t want to miss this campy and vampy production.” – Forbes
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
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Actor 1 Harker/Suitors/Bosun/Gravedigger.
Actor 2 Dr. Westeldt/Renfield/Captain
Actor 3 Lucy/Kitty/Driver
Actor 4 Older male to play females Mina/Van Helsing
Actor 5 Sexy male to play Dracula
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Dracula: (Commanding European dialect) Hugely sexy, Manetically handsome, rock star presence with a killer body, he is a narcissist whose greatest love is himself – and his leather pants. Bored with women falling all over him, he becomes obsessed with Lucy when he hears of her strength and adventurousness. The less she needs him, the more interested he is. He travels to Whitby to find her and make her his bride for eternity.
Jonathan Harker: (RP British dialect), prim and proper and obsessive-compulsive real estate agent, frightened of his own shadow. Engaged to his childhood crush Lucy Westfeldt and enamored of her fearlessness. Once bitten, he loosens up..a lot…and becomes a Tom Jones-style rock star in leather pants.
Lucy Westfeldt: (RP British dialect) Brilliant plucky earth scientist daughter of Dr. Westfeldt, she is full of energy and the spirit of adventure and often underestimated because of her beauty. Engaged to Jonathan, but when Dracula moves to Whitby, she is curious about his strange ways and impressed by their similar interests.
Mina Westfeldt: (RP British dialect) The less attractive, less intelligent Westfeldt daughter, she lives in her sister Lucy’s shadow and is desperate for attention. She is immediately (pathetically) receptive to Dracula’s charms.
Dr. Van Helsing: (German dialect ala Mel Brooks): Brilliant and sturdy German vampire-hunting doctor from the University of Schmutz. Deadly serious in the way Germans can be, she is accustomed to people not believing she is a real doctor. Strong, shmart, unt bold, she is a woman of action.
Renfield: (Cockney dialect and salivary issues): Insane patient of Dr. Westfeldt who lives to serve and loves to eat bugs. In a word, the dude is nuts.
Kitty: (Cockney dialect): A dotty, kleptomaniac patient of Dr. Westfeldt’s, she serves as a maid in his house. Think Mrs. Lovett but servile and easily distracted.
Lord Cavendish: (Scottish dialect): Lucy’s suitor, a Scottish dolt.
Lord Windsor: (RP British dialect) Lucy’s suitor, posh, British, and petulant.
Lord Havemercy: (Elvis dialect) Lucy’s arrogant suitor from Memphis, ala Elvis.
Driver: (Eastern European or Russian dialect) The male, Transylvanian driver of the carriage carrying Jonathan to Dracula’s castle and tries to warn him. Borat meets Boris and Natasha.
Captain: (Sea Captain dialect) The salty captain of a doomed ship caught in a raging storm.
Bosun: (Irish dialect) The scurvy seaman who goes down with the ship in a storm.
Gravedigger: (Cockey dialect) A drunk gravedigger with a secret.
REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals will start in mid-August
TECH WEEK is Oct. 3 – Oct 15
PERFORMANCE DATES: October 16 & 17 (half-price preview nights), with opening night on October 18th and through November 9th.
Audition Requirements: Please prepare a 90-second comedic monologue.
SWFL PREMIERE
SHOW INFO – Christmas with the Crawfords
Created by Richard Winchester. Written by Mark Sargent
Based on the actual 1949 Christmas Eve radio broadcast from Joan Crawford’s mansion, this musical parody boasts appearances by Carmen Miranda, Hedda Hopper, Ethel Merman, Gloria Swanson, and more! This hilarious cast will spread unconventional and delightful Christmas cheer!
“Christmas With The Crawfords puts the fun back in dysfunctional…” – BroadwayWorld
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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
All of the characters are BROAD interpretations of actual celebrities
While most of the characters are women, several can be played by any gender
Joan Crawford: Domineering actress of the 1940’s “Mommie Dearest”
Tina and Christopher Crawford: – Joan’s adopted children
Jane: – Joan’s assistant
Patty, Maxine, and Laverne Andrews: – A popular singing trio of the 1940s
Hedda Hopper: – A Hollywood reporter/gossip columnist
Judy Garland: – Famous tipsy singer/actress
Gloria Swanson: – Glamourous silent screen actress
Mae West: – Bawdy actress sexpot comedienne
Carmen Miranda: – Brazilian singer-actress known for her fruit headdress
Ethel Merman: – Broadway diva with a distinct and powerful voice
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REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals start on October 21st.
Tech Week is late November – December 5
PERFORMANCE DATES: December 4 & 5 (half-price previews). The show opens on December 6th and runs to December 22nd.
Audition Requirements: Please prepare a one-to-two-minute comedic monologue and a one-to-two-minute jazz standard or show tune.
Video Auditions Open Year ‘Round.
WE WANT TO SEE YOUR SKILLS!
Available roles currently open for casting will be listed below.
But this is also the place to drop your information for directors to see for whatever upcoming projects might be in the works.
Intimacy and fight disclosures for any open roles may be found in the video audition registration portal.
IF THE LINKS BELOW DO NOT ACCEPT YOUR VIDEO, PLEASE EMAIL THE INFO TO theaterswfl@gmail.com.
Leave your resume, headshot, and reel (a video audition/self-tape) that has your information on it below. Even if you don’t see a role that fits you today, our directors work behind the scenes and sometimes have exciting new opportunities, so this is your chance to be first in line for those roles.
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, 33901 (Corner of Second Street & Woodford)
WHEN:
Video auditions for these roles, or to be considered for future roles at The Lab, need to be submitted here.
Callbacks are by invitation only.
A NOTE ON THE LAB’S STANCE ON COLOR-CONSCIOUS CASTING
What is color-conscious casting, and why is it important? Color-conscious casting intentionally chooses an ethnically diverse cast for shows originally written without diversity in mind. It’s important because representation matters. Theatre is better when all stories are told, not just those of a single segment of society. Intentional color-conscious casting goes hand-in-hand with seeking shows that have a universal appeal to audiences of all ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations.
While some playwrights dictate specific ethnicities in their work, The Laboratory Theater of Florida is committed to offering opportunities on our stage for ethnically diverse actors.
Come play with us!
Get all the details HERE.
VOLUNTEER!
Discover your best fit, and sign up to come play with us today! Currently seeking volunteers for our Build Team, our Front of House/Usher Squad, Props, Costumes, and Landscaping teams. Each Team is unique!
For more information – check out our Volunteer Registration Page.
