The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter, directed by Lara Oundjian
Auditions are May 30th-June 2nd. Show runs from November 27th- December 7th 2013 in the Calixa Lavallée Theatre in Parc LaFontaine.
Sign up to audition here http://musictheatremontreal.com/index.php?page=audition-application
A play grounded in realism and absurdity, The Birthday Party engages in the complexity of memory, the limits of language, and the joys and terrors of miscommunication. The characters’ mysterious histories and inner battles are unveiled through the tellings of multiple, contradictory truths.
Though we will approach the play as a straight theatre play, this particular production is also supported by live music, like a cinematic soundtrack. A few up-and-coming composers are being commissioned to write the soundtrack for the play, which will be played live during the show.
Note: This musical adaption will not make the play a musical. There will be very few sung lines. The music is a soundtrack that the actors occasionally interact with. Furthermore, the music will not be constantly playing throughout the play.
Character Descriptions:
Meg; 40s-60s. Owns a boarding house. She is maternal, passionate and particular. Can be high-strung, and also rather sensual.
Petey; 40s-60s. Meg’s husband. He is reserved, sensitive, stoic, secretly the most clear-headed of them although no less concerned.
Stanley; 20s-30s. The lodger. Is, or perhaps once was, a creative young man. He is dishonest, impulsive, manipulative, lazy, unstable, though somehow terribly loveable.
Lulu; 20s-30s. A naïve young woman. She is impressionable yet also clever and energetic.
Goldberg; 40s-50s. While not exactly a straight-laced gentleman, he is also traditional and old fashioned. He has a certain passionate, stubborn wisdom.
McCann; 20s-30s. Keen and motivated, traditional yet questioning, McCain is Goldberg’s second-hand man. He is faithful to him despite certain disagreements.
Please prepare:
~A short monologue (can be from a film or theatre piece, or written yourself) (1-2 minutes)
~There will be a cold read.
~There will be a short movement portion of the audition. Wear clothing that you are comfortable moving in.
~Optional: a short song or song excerpt in jazz, classical, or folk style (1 minute or less, to be sung a cappella, or with a CD. A CD player will be available. This is just to demonstrate your comfort level with music, not your singing ability.
Please note that acting is the most important feature of this audition. A lack of music or movement experience will not hinder your audition.
Quebec Drama 
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