Dead Serious
By Eve Smyth
A Teen Scene production in collaboration with Ashland Children’s Theater
Directed by Jax Kalberer
Open Auditions: August 12th and 13th, 7-9pm.
Callbacks by invitation only on August 14th, 7-9pm.
Rehearsal Timeframe: August 27th-October 4th; Monday-Thursday 7-9pm.
Evening Performances (7:30): October 5th
Matinee Performances (2:30): October 5th and 6th
Content Label: PG - Discussions of offstage violence, brandishment of firearms
The Majestic Theatre (a division of the City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation department) is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a safe place for actors of all backgrounds to explore their craft. We are particularly eager to work with artists of color and other artists from marginalized communities. All auditions are free and open to the public. This audition is for an amateur, volunteer production. The Majestic Theatre staff and volunteers do not discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race, gender, ethnic background, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any protected class.
Teen Scene is a youth-led theater company. We invite actors aged 12-17 to audition.
Auditions will be held in person at the Majestic Theatre.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
It’s Los Angeles in the Spring of 1943 at the studio of the radio program “Dead Serious.” What happens when a murder actually takes place on the set of this popular murder mystery program? When a poorly disguised man appears at the door of private detectives, Gail Bennett and Rita Miller, the story begins to unfold - revealing more questions than answers. A meddlesome tabloid reporter, a vindictive sister, a couple of thugs with issues, and you’ve got the makings of a romp through the black and white world of noir – but this time in living color and with laughs along the way.
FROM THE DIRECTOR, Jax Kalberer
Dead Serious will be Teen Scene’s debut production at the Majestic and I couldn’t be more excited to bring this story to the stage! Murder, romance, backstabbing, secret codes, spies, and donuts—this show has something for everyone. I’m looking for actors that are ready to engage in a fast-paced and creative environment!
PREPARATION NOTES
You do NOT need to prepare a monologue or a piece of music. Wear comfortable clothes to audition. Be ready to move (within your comfortable ability to do so), collaborate, make choices, and have fun.
Auditions will consist of group warm ups, theater games, and cold reads from the script.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
All characters do not have a specific race or ethnic background; we're excited to see a diverse pool of actors audition for all roles. The written names and pronouns of the characters in the script may be subject to change based on casting.
CASTING NOTE
Teen Scene is a youth led theater company. We invite actors aged 12-17 to audition.
Gail Bennett
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Female presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: Smart, down-to-earth, and witty. The “brains” behind the detective duo, she works side by side with her partner Rita to crack the code and solve the mystery.
Rita Miller
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Female presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: Any. Might handle a prop gun in one scene that is not fired.
Character Description: A quick-thinking, brave, and humorous detective. She works efficiently and sometimes in disguise to infiltrate the details of the mystery.
Danny
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Male presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement/intimacy: Any. They playfully flirt with Rita, but there will be no staged intimacy.
Character Description: The goofy and loyal secretary of the two detectives. While he is still inexperienced, he is eager to help solve the case.
Lois Edwards
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: The radio host who manages the show and keeps things running. They are sincere and sharp, and know more than what they are letting on.
Rose Montgomery
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Female presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement/intimacy: Any.
Character Description: The leading actress on the radio show who is framed for her fiance's murder. She flees the scene and employs the detectives to help clear her name.
Sandra Archer
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Female presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: Rose’s best friend and fellow actress. She is concerned about her friend's whereabouts and is just a bit too melodramatic.
Ellen Foster
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: An actor on the radio show. They are a kind friend and are determined to prove that Rose is innocent.
Jack
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Male presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: –
Character Description: The radio engineer and foley artist for the show. A good-natured guy and a fantastic storyteller.
NOTE: This character has no written lines. They speak only in pantomime to create the sound effects on the show and to communicate with the other characters. While a wide range of movement would be needed to portray this, I would encourage actors of any ability to audition for this role who are able to tell a story without words.
Victoria Weston
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Female presenting
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: The producer of the radio show and the older sister of Joe; the femme fatale. Her “grief” for her brother is not as authentic as it seems, and she is secretly working with the Germans.
Clarence
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: A goofy hoodlum trying their best to do their job. They work side by side with Melvin, and there is one brain cell shared between the two. May be doubled with the role of Joe Weston*.
Melvin
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: A lovable dork. Exasperated by Clarence’s antics and eager to please their boss. Fast comedic timing. May be doubled with the role of Joe Weston*.
Darlene Thompson
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any..
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: The tabloid reporter who will do anything to get the story. They are exuberant and their fierce determination occasionally gets them in trouble.
Paloma Balcazar
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: A mysterious person who speaks in gibberish and goes under many identities. They always seem to be lurking in the background as if they are spying on something. Doubled with Francis Chapman.
Francis Chapman
Character Race: Any.
Character Ethnicity: Any.
Character Gender: Any.
Desired Actor Gender: Any.
Ability/movement: Any.
Character Description: An OSS agent who went undercover as Paloma to keep an eye on the whole operation. Doubled with Paloma Balcazar
*The character of Joe Weston is seen only when he is dead. This role will be double with Clarence or Melvin.