Auditions for Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein are coming soon! Do you enjoy singing, dancing, acting, complicated scenery, bizarre props, iconic costumes, and special effects? This is for those who would like to be IN the spotlight!
Please fill out THIS FORM if you are interested in auditioning.
(Optional) VOCAL WORKSHOP: Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th, both from 2pm to 4pm. These workshops are NOT the formal audition, nor are they a requirement for casting in the show (although they could help improve one’s audition prep). They are simply a practice opportunity, and an opportunity for music Q&A, with the music director, so as to better prepare everyone to show their full singing potential at auditions.
AUDITIONS: The acting and singing portions of the audition will commence on Saturday, October 10th at 9am. Musical selections are linked on the registration sheet.
The dance portion of the audition will commence that same day, at 1pm. Alyse Lacava (CHOREOGRAPHER) will teach you a short routine and then ask you to perform it in small groups – and evaluate your ability to keep a rhythm. Please dress to move! Saturday October 10 is the only day to audition, there will be no video auditions.
CALL-BACK AUDITIONS: Those who are considered for lead roles will be contacted for a call-back audition, which will be Sunday, October 11th at 1pm.
All auditions, callbacks, and workshops will be held at The Westmoreland Players Theatre: 16217 Richmond Rd, Callao, VA 22435.
You must attend the reading, music, and choreography portions of the audition to be considered for a role.
Synopsis: Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.
ROLES:
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
Gender: Male
A brilliant but skeptical scientist determined to distance himself from his infamous grandfather’s legacy. Intelligent, driven, and often exasperated, Frederick spends much of the show fighting against the chaos around him before ultimately learning to embrace it.
Looking for: Strong comedic timing, excellent acting skills, and the ability to balance sincerity with absurdity.
Igor
Gender: Male
Frederick’s loyal assistant and self-appointed right-hand man. Clever, mischievous, and endlessly entertaining, Igor seems to
know more than he lets on and enjoys keeping everyone slightly off balance.
Looking for: Excellent comic instincts, physical comedy, improvisational confidence, and strong character work.
Inga
Gender: Female
Frederick’s enthusiastic laboratory assistant. Bright, optimistic, confident, and unabashedly herself, Inga approaches every situation with excitement and curiosity. Looking for: Strong singer with comedic charm and confidence. *Yodeling skills are a plus!
Frau Blucher- This character has been precast.
The Monster
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Baritone (Ab2–G4)
The creature brought to life through Frederick’s experiment. Initially misunderstood and childlike, the Monster gradually discovers confidence, compassion, and his own voice.
Looking for: Strong physical performer capable of both comedy and heart.
Inspector Kemp
Gender: Male
The determined local authority figure. Serious, stubborn, and completely committed to maintaining order despite increasingly ridiculous circumstances.
Looking for: Strong character actor with deadpan comedic skills.
*Hermit
Gender: Male
A kind and lonely blind man who offers the Monster friendship a and acceptance.
Looking for: Warm presence and strong vocal ability.
*Victor von Frankenstein
Gender: Male
Frederick’s infamous grandfather. Appears in flashbacks and visions, encouraging Frederick toward his destiny.
Looking for: Strong character actor with larger-than-life presence.
Ziggy ( will be part of the Ensemble)
Gender: Any
The lovable village idiot.
Looking for: A strong character actor with good comedic instincts and a willingness to fully commit to the show’s over-the top style.
Ensemble (Ages 13 and up)
Villagers, Medical Students, Transylvanians, Patients, Party Guests, Townspeople, Additional Featured Characters
*Hermit and Victor Von Frankenstein could be cast as the same person.
AUDITION SIDES:
FREDERICK VON FRANKENSTEIN:
I Don’t care, I’m going in because I have to. And no matter what you hear in there, no matter how frantically I may beg…no matter how terribly I may scream, do not open this door, or you will undo everything I have worked for. Do you understand? Do not open this door!
A frightened Frederick cowers several steps backward. The Monster starts to move forward toward Frederick.
Let me out! Let me out of here! Get me the hell out of here! What’s the matter with you people! I was joking! Where’s your sense of humor? Don’t you know a joke when you hear one? Ha ha ha ha, ha ha! Jesus Christ let me out of here!
IGOR:
And it’s always been my dream, ever since I was little, that one day I would work for you just as my grandfather worked for yours. Of course, the rates have gone up. Working at your side, master would be a joy. We could open up the old la-bore-a-tory, we could reconnect the voltmeter, dust off the lightening rods, and when everything’s in tip-top working order, we’ll go to the graveyard at midnight and dig up a nice big fresh corpse.
INGA:
I have a master’s degree in laboratory science from Heidelberg Junior College. I can fulfill your needs. I’m a very hard worker and, if necessary, I’ll even bend over backwards for you. I’m very high- spirited, Doktor. I hope you won’t hold it against me.
ELIZABETH:
How could fate tear us apart like this? Me, your adorable madcap fiancé, in a Park Avenue penthouse, dancing ’til dawn with one good-lookin guy after another, and you, all alone on the stormy seas, desperately clinging to your masthead. Oh, Freddie, I can’t let you go, I simply can’t let you go. (As.
Frederick leans in to kiss her on the mouth.) LIPS! The lipstick, darling.
INSPECTOR HANS KEMP:
I think it is about time we pay a visit oaths young Frankenstein. We’ll pretend to be welcoming him to Transylvania but instead we’ll be doing some serious world-class snooping! And so, we must all keep our ears open and our ears peeled for any strange or suspicious goings on here in the village itself, and be especially on the look out for… an enormous cart with creaking wheels, perhaps. Carry a giant freshly dug up corpse.. or a cart that could be illuminated by the swinging patterns of a pair of cloaked grave robbers.
HERMIT:
Oh, lordy, I’m praying’ to ya. Look down on your poor blind hermit. It’s been so long since I felt the touch of someone’s hand, so. Long since I heard the sound of someone’s voice. Every night, all I hear is the wind in the trees, and if I’m lucky, an owl or maybe…a cricket. Oh lord, let’s face it, we’re talking LONELY here.
MONSTER:
The MONSTER emits a low moan.
MMM…
(A beat or two he moans louder.)
MMMMMM!
The MONSTER moans even louder.
MROWRRR!
Yes, one in a million. Still… if the di-methyl-amino-azo-benzine-sulphonic acid in his subcortal brain fluid is in balance, then all I’d really have to do is stimulate his cortex. But how? Wait! I’ve got it! Does anyone have a hatpin?
THE CASTING PROCESS
Casting a show is a complex process. We want to help you understand better what factors go into casting decisions so that you will know what you can do and what you can’t do to get a part. There are some things you can absolutely do nothing about which may have a huge bearing on casting. These include your height, your overall “look”, and what part you sing (soprano, alto, etc.), as well as what specific parts are available in a particular production. There are also some factors that depend on other people. How tall are the other actors who have auditioned? What is the director’s “vision” of physical types for various parts? How is the “chemistry” between possible on-stage couples? However…there are some things you can do that may really affect the outcome of your audition.
PREPARATION: Prepare the best audition that you can. Research the show and learn about the characters and the plot.
You can even learn the music.
STAGE PRESENCE: We know that not everyone may be singing at the Metropolitan Opera or dancing in The Nutcracker at
this point in their life. But, you can get on stage and give 100%! Remember the two most important things a director looks for is confidence and enthusiasm.
Good advice… do what you can do, don’t worry about what you can’t do. Just go for it!
Who participates in the casting process? Basically, the artistic team for the show presides over auditions. This group generally consists of the director, musical director, and choreographer. The directors make the final decision in casting the show. This group has the best interest of the show at heart and wants each person auditioning to do his or her BEST. We are rooting for each of you!
How does the artistic team arrive at their decisions for casting the show? Basically, the director has developed a particular concept for the show. He or she has a general idea of character “types” to cast (i.e. hair color, height, or “look”, vocal range, acting ability.) During the audition about one to three minutes, a director must subjectively form an opinion as to which part an actor could best perform. The mind of the director and his/her artistic team shapes the final product.
How do I find out if I have been cast in the show? The director will call you and offer a part for the production. If you are not being considered for a part you will receive a personal note via email.
Now get out there and “break a leg”!
Marcia Peters
Director
For further questions, contact marciapeters646@gmail.com