AUDITIONS
AUDITIONS –Friday, April 14th from 7-9pm and Sunday, April 16th from 1-4pm
The Tin Shop Theatre
108 Roe Street Buchanan, MI 49107
Callbacks will be held on Sunday, April 16th from 5-6pm. If invited to attend callbacks, additional readings may be requested.
“The Normal Heart,” is an award-winning drama by Larry Kramer which focuses on the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. Ned prefers loud public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favored by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner. Their differences of opinion lead to frequent arguments that threaten to undermine their mutual goal: to advocate for gay rights and stop this unknown virus from spreading.
Produced by The Tin Shop Theatre in Partnership with The Amarok Theatre
The Normal Heart is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
What to expect: The production will take a modernistic approach under the guidance of Director David Ferrell. Auditions will include cold reads from the script. The production of “THE NORMAL HEART” is seeking to cast an inclusive set of performers to fill the following roles. All are encouraged to audition. Flexible casting and rehearsal schedule beginning in April, with performances: June 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17 Virtual auditions available upon request. All audition questions and inquiries should be sent to the director: David Ferrell at david.dferrell@gmail.com Please bring a list of all possible conflicts to auditions.
CAST: 8 M, 1 W
Craig Donner: (Featured) Young, vibrant gay man at the prime of his life. The first person in the play to be diagnosed with Aids. He is dating Bruce Niles. (Mid-twenties)
Mickey Marcus: (Supporting) He is Craig’s friend and works at the New York City Health Department. He is predominately responsible for helping spread awareness about Aids to the entire community. He is Jewish. (Mid-to-late thirties)
Ned Weeks: (Lead) Headstrong and confrontational. He works as an activist and is very interested in the new epidemic, so much so that he starts an organization to spread awareness to the gay community. Has never been in a serious romantic relationship. He is in love with Felix. He is Jewish. (Mid-to-late thirties)
Dr. Emma Brookner: (Supporting) Strong, independent, determined. Primarily responsible for the diagnosis and research to find the cause of the epidemic. Wheelchair bound due to Polio. She develops a friendship with Ned, who also shares her passion. She is German. (Mid-to-late thirties)
Bruce Niles: (Supporting) Former Green Beret. Attractive and charming, he works in finance. Closeted mainly due to his career, openly gay within the gay community. Bruce is the President of Ned’s support organization. Ned often argues with him because he takes a moderate approach towards the organization’s affairs. He is also someone who loves to have casual relationships and might be infected with the disease. (Late thirties)
Felix Turner: (Supporting) Masculine, attractive, and charming. Originally from Oklahoma, has a slight southern accent which he attempts to hide. He has a son he is unable to see. Closeted gay man, mainly due to his career. He is a writer at the New York Times. Relationship oriented. He is in love with Ned. Later he is diagnosed with Aids and dies at the end of the play. (Early thirties)
Ben Weeks: (Supporting) Ned’s older brother. Heterosexual. He is a lawyer. He does not approve of Ned’s homosexuality and refuses to help Ned with his organization. (Mid-to-late forties)
Tommy Boatwright: (Supporting) A true southerner. Very flirtatious. He is a volunteer for Ned’s organization and a very energetic man. He loves to run errands for the firm and has a secret crush on Ned. He is a hospital administrator. (Mid-to-late twenties)
Hiram Keebler: (Featured) Entitled, pompous, and rude. Heterosexual, or closeted homosexual. The New York City Mayor’s Assistant (to Edward Koch-Democrat). Shows no empathy for those dying from the epidemic. (Late Forties)
*ENSEMBLE ROLES: David, Grady, Examining Doctor, Orderlies