Michael Gow`s Away Audition Information Pack

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Michael Gow’s
Away
Audition Information Pack
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1) Audition Information
2) Production Information
3) Key dates
4) About the show
a) Synopsis
b) Character information
5) Audition Form
Please read through all sections.
1) Audition Information
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Auditions will be held at Lalor Park Primary School on Wednesday March 25th
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Rehearsals commence from 7:30pm Monday 30th.
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Please request an audition timeslot by emailing [email protected]
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Callbacks will be held at the production teams discretion
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Please complete the attached audition form, print it, and bring it along on the night.
Ensure you check the important dates in your diary, and note any issues on your form.
Missing rehearsals when not previously arranged may result in you being asked to resign your part.

Prepare a monologue of your choice.

It is preferable that you perform your chosen piece from memory.
We want to see your understanding of the language, and interpretations of the characters.
It is hard to do this hiding behind a script and reading!

You may be asked to perform your piece more than once
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You may also be asked to perform a cold read piece
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2) Production Information
Production Team:
Director:
Jordan Anderson
Producer:
Daniel Conway [email protected] 0451 991 843
Cost
Production fee for this show is $50
Production fees cover insurances, rehearsal and performance venues, costuming and other production costs.
(You may be asked to provide some costume pieces.)
Performers must also be members of Blacktown Theatre Company
Membership is $15 per financial year(cost included in the amount listed above).
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at Lalor Par Primary School, commencing at 7.30pm.
There will also be some Sunday rehearsals.
A production schedule will be available in the first week of rehearsal
Fundraising
As a community run and organised group it is expected that all members participate in fundraising, such as
Bunnings BBQ’s, Blacktown Festival and Parade, Selling Chocolates. These events are designed to spread the
word about particular shows as well as generating income to allow for the company to run.
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3) Important Dates
These dates are non-negotiable and MUST be attended by all cast and crew members.
Performers and crew members are to commit themselves professionally, and with dedication. This ensures
a smooth–running show, and that fun is had by all.
Fundraising and promotion dates:
Bunnings BBQ – 3rd May 10am – 4pm (approx..)
Blacktown festival - 30th May 8am – 5pm (approx.)
Show dates:
Actors calls are one hour prior to performances.
Rehearsals commence
Production Fees due
Bump in
Tech rehearsal
Full Dress rehearsal
Opening night
Show
Show
Show
Show
Matinee
Closing Show & bump out
Bump out
30/03/15
05/05/15
TBA
08/06/15
10/06/15
17/06/15 @ 7.30pm
19/06/15 @ 7.30pm
20/06/15 @ 5pm
24/06/15 @ TBA
26/06/15 @ 8pm
27/06/15 @ 1pm
27/06/15 @ 7.30pm
28/06/15
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4) About the show
About the Play
Since its first performance in 1986, Away, by Michael Gow, has gone on to become one of Australia's
most recognisable and widely performed contemporary plays and has now been placed on the High
School Certificate syllabus for many Australian States.
The play details the holidays of three Australian families in 1968, each of whom have a particular
crisis that they hope this will holiday will help resolve. Through a series of events the families are
forced together on to the one beach and it is here that they finally begin to heal and accept their
situations.
Michael Gow has effectively used Shakespearean references, both blatant and subtle, to tell this
story and highlight the main themes of loss, class and relationships and how each character deals
with these ideas.
Casting
For this production of Away, the director is seeking a cast of 8 principal roles and an ensemble of 4-8.
All actors in the ensemble will have several speaking roles and will need to be able to change
between characters.
Each auditionee will be asked to prepare 1 short monologue of between 1-2 minutes in a
neutral/Australian accent. We will then ask for you to perform a cold read from a portion of the play.
Characters
Tom - male, 17-18
The son of Harry and Vic, born in England but recently moved to Australia. Frequently referred to as
Chips Rafferty's, Tom is a talented performer and generally seems confident in how he acts around
family and friends. However, this is mostly to hide the fact that he is dying from people and stop
them from worrying about him.
Coral - female, 40-50
The wife of Roy. Coral is suffering from depression after losing her son in the Vietnam war, as such
she does not respond well to the seemingly materialistic problems that other people seem to face
and withdraws into herself in group situations. However she is an expert at observing and makes
several observations about characters, which are later shown to be true.
Meg - female, 17-18
The daughter of Gwen and Jim. Accused by her parents of going through a rebellious phase, Meg just
disagrees with them placing monetary value over the sake of their relationship as a family and the
enjoyment of their holiday. She and Tom have a close friendship that developed from being in the
play together.
Gwen - female, 35-45
The mother of Meg and Wife to Jim. At first glance Gwen appears to be a stereotypical nagging
housewife, however everything she does is out of love for her family and a fierce necessity to protect
them and their future. However, because of this she and Meg fight quite often. She is very protective
and fiercely proud of her possessions and likes feeling that just a bit better then everyone else.
Roy - male, 40-50
School principal and Husband to Coral, Roy tends to view his responsibilities in that order. First and
foremost, how he is perceived by the school board and community in general, and second, the care
of his wife. He is dealing with the loss of his son by trying to move on and putting it out of his mind.
Harry - male, 35-40
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Father to Tom and husband to Vic. Both he and his wife are dealing with the secret that their son is
going to pass away and there is nothing they can do to stop it. As such in any scene with his son, he's
very positive and tries to keep up a front, but he knows they don't have much time.
Jim - male, 35-45
The husband to Gwen and father to Meg. Jim cares deeply for his wife and daughter but sides with
his wife, every time their is an argument. While he enjoys the holiday they're on, it almost seems to
be more going through the motions of a family on holiday, then doing anything really exciting.
Vic - female - 35-40
The wife to Harry and mother to Tom. Like her husband she tends to put up a front around Tom to
keep him from knowing that he is dying, but she tends to genuinely enjoy the holiday they're going
on and the chance to spend time as a family.
Supporting Roles
Leonie
Rick
4 campers
MC
Hotel guest
Campers
Miss Latrobe
Fairies
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Please attach (or insert
and print) a nonreturnable photograph.
This will not be
reproduced in any way
or used for any
purpose; it simply helps
us remember you!
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AUDITION FORM
FULL NAME:
DOB:
ADDRESS:
SUBURB:
POSTCODE:
CONTACT NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
Please ensure all of your details are correct in order to be
notified of your result and any further communication
Please specify the primary role you wish to be considered for: ____________________
Would you like to be considered for other roles? (Please circle)
Yes
No
If yes, please list up to 3 other roles you would like to be considered for below:
_____________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________
Are you a current Blacktown Theatre Company member? (Please Circle)
Yes
EXPERIENCE
(Attach resume if required)
Year
Show
Role
Company
No
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Briefly tell us why you would like to be involved in this production:
Do you have any prior commitments during the rehearsal period:
This includes involvement with other shows.
Please be honest with this information. We understand trying to balance competing priorities
If you are right for the role, this information will help us plan a schedule that maximises the rehearsal time
Medical Information:
BTCo are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all participants in this production.
Do you have any existing illness, medical conditions or injuries which may effect your ability to perform in this
production? Any information you provide will remain confidential.
DISCLAIMER: The information I have provided is true and accurate. If I participate in this production, I agree to
become a member of Blacktown Theatre Company and adhere to all the rules of the society. I under that
membership and show fees are to be paid by 1/3/2013.
SIGNED:_______________________________________ Date:______________
Auditionees under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian consent to audition for the show
Name of Parent / Guardian authorizing consent:
NAME (please print) _____________________________ Contact No:_________________________________
SIGNED:_______________________________________ Date:______________