Mark your calendars!
CASTING CALL FOR Season 16 – Open Auditions
Shows included: Good, Bad People, Picadilly, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Minutes
Event Address: The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, 33901 (Corner of Second Street & Woodford) (in the theater)
WHEN: Saturday, June 8th, from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm Monday, June 10th, 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 Saturday, June 8th, from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm or Monday, June 10th, 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.
Registration open now! Come play with us!
**WORLD PREMIERE**
SHOW INFO – Piccadilly
Book and Lyrics by Dr. Robert Hilliard, music by W. Earl Sparrow
A musical set near the end of WWII
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Bil l– American GI 20s-30s, from Iowa, focused on having fun while on his two week break.
Joe – American GI 20s-30s, Corporal, loves history and is more focused on the history of England than the women.
Mike – An American GI 20s-30s, Friend of Bill and loves
Sally – Prostitute 20’s-30’s, mother figure to Lil and plans to leave the prostitute life behind once her husband returns.
Lil – Prostitute 20’s-30’s. She hides the fact that she is a prostitute.
Fishermen– 50s-60s Wizened. Does not like his wife much.
Aggie – Wife of Fisherman 50s-60s. She is an older prostitute who hates her husband.
Eve -African American woman 20s-30s café singer.
Tom -An American GI 20s-30s husband to Sally. Loyal and straight lace has been away from his wife in France for the past several months.
Three kids
REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals will start late June
TECH WEEK is mid-August
PERFORMANCE DATES: August 21 – 25
Audition Requirements: Please sing 32 bars of any song from the 30s or 40s.
SHOW INFO – Good Bad People
By Rachel Lynett
Written by Rachel Lynett, Good Bad People opens during the aftermath of the death of Amiri Johnson, a 23-year old Black man living in Los Angeles who was shot by a police officer while taking out the trash. His sister June returns home to help her family and finds that her father has disappeared, her mother is refusing to leave her bedroom, and her sister Audre is doing everything in her power to control public perceptions of Amiri’s death. Old resentments begin to boil over as the three women attempt, in very different ways, to negotiate their private grief against the public outrage that Amiri’s death has sparked.
“…a well-balanced, hard-hitting, thematically resonant and genuinely funny play that asks us to sit with the gravity of Black lives lost.” – Arts ATL
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
June Hanson: 33 years old. Black, not exactly a tomboy, but not super feminine either. Lawyer.
Audre Johnson: 31 years old. Black, June’s sister. Beautiful, feminine, lawyer.
Miriam Johnson: Late 60s. Black. Their mother, incredibly educated, incredibly cutting.
Lucy Buchanan: Early 30s. White redhead, a reporter for the LA Times.
Camille Son: 22 years old. AAPI, Firey, brilliant.
REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals start late November
Tech Week is mid-January
PERFORMANCE DATES: January 22 and 23 (half-price previews). The show opens on January 24, 2025, and runs until February 8.
Audition Requirements:
Please prepare a dramatic monologue of up to 90 seconds.
SHOW INFO – Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
This rock opera has been captivating audiences for over 50 years! Told from Judas Iscariot’s point of view, the show focuses on the final week of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. This award-winning show is not to be missed!
From its electrifying score to its revolutionary storytelling, “Jesus Christ Superstar” continues to captivate audiences around the globe with its powerful message and unforgettable music. Set against the backdrop of Jesus Christ’s final days, this groundbreaking musical takes audiences on a riveting journey through faith, betrayal, and redemption. With its dynamic blend of rock, gospel, and contemporary music, “Jesus Christ Superstar” transcends the boundaries of traditional theater, creating an immersive experience that speaks to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
“A conceptual and artistic triumph.” – The New York Times
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Jesus Christ – Male – 20-35 – Baritenor (A2–G5) – Title role, leader of the twelve disciples, called the “Son of God” and the “King of the Jews.” Jesus has a difficult time accepting his fate without answers on why he must die. This role requires an actor who can show leadership, confusion, strength, vulnerability, and optimism, often at the same time.
Judas Iscariot – Male – 20-40 – Tenor (D3–D5) – One of the twelve apostles of Jesus, concerned for the poor and the consequences of Jesus’ fame. Judas believes in Jesus’ teaching but has started to grow weary of those in power coming after him and his followers. The role requires an actor who can show frustration, yearning, weakness, dismay, and pessimism, often at the same time.
Mary Magdalene – Female – 20-35 – Mezzo-Soprano (F3–E♭5) – A female follower of Jesus who finds herself falling in love with him. The role requires an actress who can show grace, stability, weakness, and compassion.
Pontius Pilate – Male – 30-50 – Tenor (A2–B4) – Governor of Judea who foresees the events of Jesus’s crucifixion from beginning to aftermath in a dream and finds himself being presented with that very situation. The role requires an actor who can show authority, rage, fragility, and fear.
Caiaphas – Male – 30-50 – Bass (C♯2–F4) – One of the main antagonists of the show. High priest who sees Jesus as a threat to the nation. He is a man in power who fears losing that power to Jesus. This role requires an actor who can show anger, power, and angst.
Annas – Male or Female – 20-40 – Countertenor (G2–D5) – One of the main antagonists of the show. Fellow priest at the side of Caiaphas who is persuaded by Caiaphas into seeing Jesus as a threat. Annas can seem more conniving than Caiaphas. This role requires an actor/actress who can show disgust, displeasure, and loathing.
Peter Simon – Male – 20-40 – Baritone (A2–G4) – One of Jesus’s twelve apostles; denies Jesus three times upon the night of Jesus’ arrest to save himself. Peter has an obsession with impatience. This role requires an actor who can show tenacity, worry, impatience, and regret.
Simon Zealotes – Male – 20-30 – Tenor (G3–B4) – One of Jesus’ twelve apostles; urges Jesus to lead his followers into battle against the Romans. Simon is under the belief that violence can solve all their problems. This role requires an actor who can show energy, youthfulness, and animosity.
King Herod – Male – Any Age- Baritone (C♯3–G4) – The King of Galilee; Jesus is brought to him for judgment after first being taken to Pilate. Herod is a comedic role. He starts very nonchalantly, and as his song progresses, he becomes more irritated when he doesn’t get his way.
Apostles – Male and Female – All ages – All Ranges – The Apostles will look as if from every walk of life. We will be casting both men and women as Apostles.
Ensemble – Male and Female – All Ages – All Ranges – The ensemble will play such roles as Prostitutes (both male and female), Buyers and Sellers in the temple, Lepers/Untouchables, Priests, Mob, Soul Sisters and Herod’s Harem.
REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals start in mid-December
Tech Week starts Feb. 11th.
PERFORMANCE DATES: February 19 and 20 (half-price previews). The show opens on February 21, 2025, and runs until March 23.
Audition Requirements:
Please be prepared to sing 32 bars.
SHOW INFO – The Minutes
By Tracy Letts
Prepare to be riveted by “The Minutes,” the electrifying new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts that has taken Broadway by storm! In this gripping and thought-provoking drama, Letts invites audiences into the heart of a small-town city council meeting, where the seemingly mundane proceedings take a dark and unexpected turn. As tensions simmer and secrets are unearthed, “The Minutes” offers a scathing exploration of power, politics, and the elusive nature of truth.
“Astonishing… a pitch black comedy about the current state of American politics.” – Chicago Sun-Times.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Seeking actors age 20s-80s, of all races and ethnicities, gender and sexual identities, and body types for the following roles:
Mr. Peel (Male, Late 20’s-Late 30’s): Newest member of Big Cherry’s city council. Dentist. Smart, Idealistic, Affable, Determined.
Mayor Superba (Male, 40’s-Mid 60’s): Mayor of Big Cherry. Strong Leader. Family Man. Firm in his Beliefs.
Ms. Johnson (Female, Late 20’s-Late 30’s): City Council Clerk. Reliable and dedicated public servant with a cordial demeanor. Shows backbone when necessary.
Mr. Blake (Male, Black, Mid 30’s-Mid 50’s): Big Cherry City Council member. Smooth-talking politician with fickle tendencies. Aware. Knows how to play the game.
Mr. Breeding (Male, 40’s-mid 60’s): Big Cherry City Council Member. One of the Mayor’s right-hand men. Impatient, Loud, Opinionated, Taking up Space.
Mr. Hanratty (Male, Mid 30’s-Mid 50’s): Big Cherry City Council member. Genuinely Caring. Passionate. Determined.
Mr. Assalone (Male, 40’s-mid 60’s): Big Cherry City Council Member. One of the Mayor’s right-hand men. Lives up to his name…Ass…alone.
Ms. Innes (Female, 65+): Second longest running council member. Forthcoming, Direct.
Ms. Matz (Female, Late 30’s+): Chairperson of the Council Rules Committee. Scattered, Skittish (on medication), Not Entirely Present.
Mr. Oldfield (Male, 65+): Longest running member of the Big Cherry City Council. Has overstayed his political years. Irritable.
Mr. Carp (Male, 45-60): Big Cherry City Council Member. Moral, Hardworking, Good-natured, Compelling.
REHEARSALS, TECH WEEKS & SHOWS
Rehearsals start in early February
Tech Week starts March 31.
PERFORMANCE DATES: April 9 & 10 half-price previews). The show opens on April 11, 2025, and runs until April 27.
Audition Requirements:
Please prepare a 90-second comedic monologue.
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
