The Real Thing Audition Info
By Tom Stoppard
Directed by David Widmayer
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is seeking seven actors for The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. In this Tony Award-winning play, Stoppard explores the complex nature of love and authenticity in relationships through the romantic entanglements of a London playwright.
Director David Widmayer invites actors interested in a collaborative creative process to audition, with roles available for actors in their late-teens to fifties (must be 16 to audition), and all roles open to all racial/ethnic identities. The roles are listed below with the gender of the characters as written, but actors of all gender identities may audition for any role.
Auditions will consist of an initial monologue portion for all actors, followed by additional group scene work for actors in consideration for the lead roles (Henry, Annie, Charlotte, Max). All auditioners should prepare a short monologue from stage or screen that they find exciting to perform: around 30 to 90 seconds, modern-ish, comedic or dramatic (or both!). You will be given direction during your audition and expected to adapt and change your performance. If you would like to be considered for a lead role, please also look over the audition scene beforehand. You can download the scene text using one of the links at the end of this notice.
Auditions take place Friday, September 22 from 6:30pm-9:30pm; and Saturday, September 23 from 1pm-4pm at the A2CT Studio (322 W. Ann St, Ann Arbor). Actors should only attend one of the two days, and may be asked to stay for the entire time - let us know when you arrive if you have any time constraints. Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out audition forms and list all known rehearsal conflicts. Please dress comfortably to allow your full range of movement.
IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT TO EITHER AUDITION DATE:
We are happy to accommodate video auditions, with a preference for a live Zoom audition. Please email djwidmayer@gmail.com to request this ASAP so we can schedule it. Requests must be received by Saturday, September 23.
Callbacks will be held Saturday, September 30 from 1pm-4pm. The first readthrough will be in early October, and rehearsals begin on October 16. Rehearsals will be scheduled each week Monday thru Thursday from 6:30pm-9:30pm. The production runs two weekends in the A2CT Studio: December 8-10 and 15-17. Please email director David Widmayer (djwidmayer@gmail.com) with any questions.
Auditions - A2CT Studio
Friday, Sept. 22 - 6:30-9:30PM
Saturday, Sept. 23 - 1-4PM
Callbacks - Saturday, Sept. 30 - 1-4PM
Performances - A2CT Studio
Dec 8-10 & 15-17
Fri and Sat @ 8PM - Sun @ 2PM
Character List
Henry - M, 30s-50s - A playwright, married to Charlotte and having an affair with Annie.
Annie - F, 20s-40s - An actress, married to Max and having an affair with Henry.
Charlotte - F, 30s-50s - An actress, married to Henry at the top of the play.
Max - M, 30s-50s - An actor, married to Annie at the top of the play.
Billy - M, teens-20s - An actor, attracted to Annie while working together.
Debbie - F, teens-20s - Daughter to Henry and Charlotte.
Brodie - M, 20s-30s - A Scottish soldier in prison whom Annie is working to free.
Audition Scenes
Each version below is provided as a PDF. Please let us know if you need another format, an editable version, or any other accessibility support. Printed copies will be available at auditions.
Medium Print (14pt sans-serif) – https://tinyurl.com/2b5ffufw
Large Print (18pt sans-serif) – https://tinyurl.com/2nu2ytrx
Dyslexia-Friendly Font (15pt OpenDyslexic) – https://tinyurl.com/bdedtzc4