The Spitfire Grill
by Austin Playhouse
Oct. 09 - Oct. 25 (2023)
Based on the hit film and featuring a gorgeous, folk-inspired score, THE SPITFIRE GRILL is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption and perseverance. Ex-convict Percy Talbott moves to Gilead, Wisconsin, a tiny town that has seen better days and isn't looking to help a stranger. What she finds will help both town and outsider find their way to renewal.
AUDITION NOTICE!. . .Austin Playhouse is seeking actors who sing for the upcoming musical THE SPITFIRE GRILL - music and book by James Valcq, lyrics by Fred Alley.
Rehearsals will begin January 2024. Performances are January 26 - February 18, Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 or 5 pm. . .
Actors of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to audition. All roles are compensated.
Roles to be cast:
Percy Talbott (Female, 20’s) A young woman recently released from prison and serving her parole in Gilead, a place where nobody knows her past; rough-edged, sharp-tongued, very tough and determined, with a core of sadness. Her accent has a southern Appalachian cadence; strong folk/country belt to 'D', some head voice required.
Hannah Ferguson (Female, 60’s/70’s) Tough-skinned and flinty with a short, no-nonsense manner; mezzo/alto chest range.
Shelby Thorpe (Female, 30’s) Soft-spoken and shy, but very competent and observant; shimmering folk soprano with strong high belt to 'D'.
Caleb Thorpe (Male, 40’s) Former foreman of the stone quarry and Hannah’s nephew; Suspicious of change, especially where it affects his family; solid folk/rock voice with an edge (Top 'G').
Sheriff Joe Sutter (Male, late 20’s to early 30’s) Gilead’s Sheriff, kindhearted with dreams to leave his hometown; strong folk tenor to a 'G' (touches an 'A').
Effy Krayneck (Female, 30’s-50’s) Postmistress and busybody, a woman focused on the news and business of Gilead, always has the best intention of the town in mind; mezzo/alto chest range.
The Visitor (Male, 40’s) A mysterious figure who never speaks; an actor with powerful eyes and a very strong sense of his body.. . .
Please prepare two 32-bar excerpts no longer than 90 seconds each, one up-tempo and one ballad, in the style of the show (country/folk).Please slate your audition video with your full name and the role for which you are auditioning. Film your audition in front of a simple background with no backlighting and little ambient noise. If possible, use a secondary audio source to play the accompaniment music so that it is audible in the tape.
Submissions are due Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
All callbacks will be in person at Austin Playhouse on November 4 & 5, 2023.
Email a shareable link of your video via Google Drive or YouTube, headshot, and resume to auditions@austinplayhouse.com with subject line: “Last Name, First Name, SPITFIRE GRILL.
The play is directed by Lara Toner Haddock with musical direction by Lyn Koenning.
