OPEN AUDITIONS - The Great Gatsby

The Great Gtasby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald, adapted by Simon Levy

Directed by Laura Blackwell

Open Auditions: July 7 & 8, Callback July 9

Rehearsal Timeframe: July-September

Evening Performances (7:30pm): September  26, 27, Oct 3, 4

Matinee Performances (2:30pm): September 28, Oct 5

Content Label: PG-13 

This script portrays physical and emotional abuse between spouses/partners, threats of and minor physical assault, adultery, blatant racism/classism/misogyny, murder by vehicle and firearm, and suicide by firearm. The directing team and Majestic staff are deeply committed to making this production from auditions to strike as physically and emotionally safe as possible, while still staying true to the realism of the story and time period. We plan to do this by fostering open dialogue, trained staff to guide and choreograph, and education around the history of the period. The director, Laura Blackwell, has chosen to scale back on a majority of the graphic stage directions and find more artistic and symbolic actions than those written in the text. Please feel free to reach out to her with concerns and questions at blackwell.act@gmail.com

This theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a welcoming place for actors of all backgrounds to explore their craft. We are 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. 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.

Auditions will be held in person at the Majestic Theatre.

SHOW SYNOPSIS

Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age come to the stage in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, and in Simon Levy’s adaptation, approved by the Fitzgerald Estate.

FROM THE DIRECTOR Laura Blackwell

I have loved The Great Gatsby since reading it in 9th grade. It is a timeless story of misguided love, privilege, and the harsh reality of “The American Dream”. Even though it is set in 1922, the themes are still just as meaningful and prevalent in today’s society. We get to witness the lives of these very real characters through the lens of Daisy’s cousin, Nick, who describes himself as a man “within and without”. Nick, aware of his advantages, aims to make his own way in the world and meets Jay Gatsby, who has worked to improve his situation for the woman he loves only to be literally shot down due to her willful ignorance and privileges. We still see this happening every day from politicians, celebrities, and those one-percenters who own the world. The cover-ups and lies often fall on those who are merely chasing that elusive slice of the pie. What I find fascinating about this story and this very closely adapted script, is the viewpoint we as the audience get to experience. We are guided through this world by a narrator who, because of his own experiences and desires, sees people for how they really are and the heart within them. 

I have held onto this script for over five years because I wanted to submit it at the right time. I originally was aiming for 2022, 100 years since the play is set, but due to the pandemic, I held off so I could make sure that it was safe enough to put it on how I have envisioned it. 2025 is the 100 year anniversary since The Great Gatsby was published, so it only made sense for this story to be produced now.

PREPARATION NOTES

Please plan to attend both nights of auditions, callbacks will be by invite only. If you are not invited back for callbacks, that does not mean you have not been cast! (Conversely, please be aware that being invited to callbacks does not guarantee that you will be cast.) If you are unable to attend both nights of auditions, you are still welcome to come out! Please reach out to the director so that she can plan for this.

Plan to partake in a short dance audition- not all characters need to dance, but we want to gauge how well you stay in character for the party scenes and if you can pick up on choreography.

Auditions will consist of games, group choreography, side reads, and monologues (which will be provided the first night and performed on the second night).

Audition sides will be posted two weeks prior to auditions so that you can prepare.

Scripts are available for check out- please reach out to the director, Laura Blackwell, if interested or have any questions: blackwell.act@gmail.com

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

All characters are presenting their listed genders, but actors of any gender identity will be considered for any of the roles. BIPOC actors are very much encouraged to audition for any of the roles, however, due to the spoken content of TOM BUCHANAN and DAISY BUCHANAN, they are the only two characters where white passing actors will be heavily considered. All ages listed are the approximate age of the characters themselves- actors do not need to be those ages for consideration. Actors 14+ are invited to audition with signed approval from a parent or guardian, however, the leading/supporting roles will only be cast by actors 18+ due to intimacy, violence, and content.

NICK CARRAWAY

Character age: 29/30

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: Dance- required to take part in dance audition, able to walk up and down stairs, ability to lift and move small set pieces

Line Burden: Heavy

Character Description: Nick is our narrator- the one who leads us through this world with an understanding of both sides of the coin, he describes himself as a man “within and without”. A gentle realist and hard worker who recognizes his own privileges but still has dreams for a better world. Becomes friends with his neighbor Jay Gatsby, dates Jordan, and is cousin to Daisy and cousin by marriage to Tom who he went to college with. 

Intimacy Breakdown: Two kisses with Jordan- one passionate and one jokingly, Daisy kisses Nick on the cheek, Myrtle sits on Nick’s lap, Nick and Jordan dance together

DAISY BUCHANAN

Character age: mid to late-20s

Character Ethnicity: Any, white passing is heavily considered due to content

Character Race: Any, white passing is heavily considered due to content

Character Gender: Female

Ability/Movement: Dance- required to take part in dance audition, able to walk up and down stairs, will be in character shoes (or something similar)

Line Burden: Heavy

Character Description: Daisy is the classic southern belle. Raised by money and married into money. She is beautiful and privileged but complicated. She longs for love, but craves comfort and security, she is naive but manipulative, delicate but tempered. Has a daughter that we never see. She is the lost love of Gatsby, wife to Tom, friend to Jordan, and Nick’s cousin. 

Spoken Content Breakdown: Daisy speaks about white privilege and beating down the non-Nordic races

Intimacy Breakdown: Multiple passionate kisses with Gatsby, kisses Nick on the cheek, hand holds/guided around with arm around/lower back touching by Gatsby and Tom, hugs/friendly snuggles with Jordan, hugs/snuggles with Gatsby, Daisy and Gatsby dance together

Fight Breakdown: Tom grabs Daisy away from Gatsby by her arm

JAY GATSBY

Character age: Early to mid-30s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: Dance- required to take part in dance audition, able to walk up and down stairs, involved in physical altercation (will be choreographed), ability to lift and move small set pieces

Line Burden: Heavy

Character Description: The ultimate idealist, Gatsby longs for the love he once knew now that he has proven to himself and the world that he is worthy. Involved in shady “new money” and spends most of his time alone, though surrounded by people. A true romantic to a fault. He is kind and trusting to the point of naivety. Charming, charismatic, and throws one heck of a party. He befriends Jordan and his neighbor Nick, Daisy’s lover, and becomes the enemy of Tom and George.

Intimacy Breakdown: Multiple passionate kisses with Daisy, guides Daisy around with hand holds/arm around/lower back touching, hugs/snuggles with Daisy, Gatsby and Daisy dance together

Fight Breakdown: Tom physically threatens Gatsby by grabbing his collar, Tom threateningly pushes Gatsby a few times, Gatsby is shot by George (shot seen on stage, but death/body not seen)

JORDAN BAKER

Character age: Late 20s-mid-30s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Female

Ability/Movement: Dance- required to take part in dance audition, able to walk up and down stairs, will be in character shoes (or something similar)

Line Burden: Heavy

Character Description: Athletic and confident, Jordan is a professional golfer. She loves the drama of her wealthy and privileged lifestyle. She is smart and fun in the way that rich freedoms allow you to be. Slightly sarcastic and playful, she is Daisy’s good friend, a summer fling for Nick, and a frequent party guest at Gatsby’s.

Spoken Content breakdown: Jordan responds to a comment about race from Tom that all people in the group are white

Intimacy Breakdown: Two kisses with Nick- one passionate and one jokingly, hugs/friendly snuggles with Daisy, Jordan and Nick dance together

TOM BUCHANAN

Character age: 30

Character Ethnicity: Any, white passing is heavily considered due to content

Character Race: Any, white passing is heavily considered due to content

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: multiple physical altercations (will be choreographed), able to walk up and down stairs, ability to lift and move small set pieces

Line Burden: Moderate-Heavy

Character Description: Described by his wife, Daisy, as “hulking”. Tom is an ex-polo player with long-time family money that has completely clouded his view of the world. He is more than content in his privileges and looks down on those without it. He speaks very openly about his pride in belonging to the Nordic race and believes that makes them superior to others. He is emotionally and physically rough with the women in his life. He and Daisy have a daughter that we never see. He is Daisy’s husband, Nick’s cousin-in-law and old college friend, enemies with Gatsby, lover of Myrtle’s, and cuckolds George.

Spoken Content Breakdown: Tom speaks openly and blatantly about pride and the need to maintain the white race against people of color, Tom also mentions poverty being a choice, he also speaks down on women

Intimacy Breakdown: hand holds/guided around with arm around/lower back touching with Daisy, hugs/snuggles with Myrtle, Tom and Myrtle dance together

Fight Breakdown: Tom slaps Myrtle across the face, guides/pushes Myrtle in and out of scenes, grabs Myrtle’s arm to pull her up, physically restrains Myrtle, grabs Daisy away from Gatsby by her arm, threateningly pushes Gatsby a few times, Tom physically threatens Gatsby by grabbing his collar, Tom grabs George’s shoulders and shakes him, Tom grabs police officer by shoulders when he is not listened to

MYRTLE WILSON

Character age: Mid-30s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Female

Ability/Movement: will be in character shoes (or something similar), light dance, involved in two physical altercations (will be choreographed).

Line Burden: Moderate

Character Description: Brassy and bold, Myrtle dreams of a fancier life and believes that her lover, Tom, can provide that for her. She despises her poor and boring marriage to George. They live in the Valley of Ashes and live above George’s garage/gas station, but she also has an apartment with Tom in the city. She is sensual, flashy, and speaks her mind. She truly believes that one day, Tom will whisk her away, but ends up being collateral damage. She is wife to George, lovers with Tom, acquaintance to Nick, friend of Mr. and Mrs. McKee. 

Intimacy Breakdown: hugs/snuggles with Tom, Myrtle sits on Nick’s lap, Myrtle and Tom dance together, Myrtle’s dead body is held by George

Fight Breakdown: Tom slaps Myrtle across the face, George physically restrains Myrtle by holding her arms/shoulders/hands, Tom guides/pushes Myrtle in and out of scenes, Tom grabs Myrtle’s arm to pull her up, Tom physically restrains Myrtle, Myrtle is hit by a car (will be seen in silhouette with no physical contact- creating the illusion of being hit) 

GEORGE WILSON

Character age: Mid-30s-mid-40s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: involved in physical altercation (will be choreographed)

Line Burden: Moderate-Light

Character Description: The script describes George as “spiritless and anemic”. This man has had to work hard every day of his life just to survive. His blue collar life is all he has known and wants that to be enough for Myrtle, but knows that she is unsatisfied. He is hopeful for a business deal with Tom and believes that it may lead to his ticket to a better life out West. His insecurity makes him an easy target for his wife and Tom. He is husband to Myrtle, hopeful business acquaintance to Tom, acquaintance to Nick, and spoiler: murderer of Gatsby.

Intimacy Breakdown: George holds Myrtle’s dead body

Fight Breakdown: Physically restrains Myrtle by holding her arms/shoulders/hands, wields a gun- shoots Gatsby (shot is done on stage but death/body not seen) and shoots himself (indicated, action done off stage with shot sound effect), Tom grabs Wilson’s shoulders and shakes him

MEYER WOLFSHEIM

*part may be doubled with another role

Character age: 40+

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: Any

Line Burden: Light

Character Description: A character straight off Broadway, pompous and confident. He is a true Gangster and gambler but keeps his cards close to his chest. Guarded but charming- he is mysterious in that way. Investor and business partner to Gatsby, and acquaintance of Nick and Jordan’s. 

CHESTER MCKEE

*part may be doubled with another role

Character age: 30s-40s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Male

Ability/Movement: Any

Line Burden: Light

Character Description: A snobby, effeminate, and artistic friend of Myrtle’s who loves drama and gossip. He is a photographer and partier seen in one scene early on in the show. Married to Mrs. McKee, friend of Myrtle and Tom, and acquaintance to Nick.

MRS. MCKEE

*part may be doubled with another role

Character age: 30s-40s

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: female

Ability/Movement: Any

Line Burden: Light

Character Description: Vapid and gossipy, she revels in secrets and drama. A partier and muse to her husband Chester. She is seen in one scene earlier in the show. Married to Mr. Chester McKee, friend of Myrtle and Tom, and acquaintance to Nick. 

MRS. MICHAELIS

*part may be doubled with another role

Character age: Any

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Female

Ability/Movement: Any

Line Burden: Light

Character Description: Has two scenes near the end of the show. Owner of the diner up the road from George’s garage, she witnesses the car accident that kills Myrtle and is interviewed by the police officer, then talks to George about the accident. She speaks with a New York accent which is written into the lines.

POLICE OFFICER

*part may be doubled with another role

Character age: Any

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Any

Ability/Movement: Any

Line Burden: Light

Character Description: Has one scene with lines towards the end of the show, straight to the point and all business, speaks with a New York accent which is written into the lines, has a small physical altercation with Tom.

Fight Breakdown: Actor playing Tom will grab this actor when not being listened to. Will be choreographed.

DANCERS/PARTY GUESTS/STAGE CREW- up to six roles available

Character age: Any

Character Ethnicity: Any

Character Race: Any

Character Gender: Any

Ability/Movement: Strong dance skills- required to take part in dance audition, ability to lift and move set pieces, able to walk up and down stairs, female presenting dancers will be in character shoes (or something similar)

Line Burden: Party ad-libs, background conversation- very light

Character Description: background actors and stage hands who will be used in the party scenes and take part in scene changes. These actors will also mingle with the audience members before the show in the lobby and in the auditorium. Looking for fun, enthusiastic, and skilled dancers of any age, gender identity, race etc. Let’s have a party!