Rumors Audition Packet

7/27/2019 Rumors Audition Packet

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RUMORSA farce by Neil Simon

Directed by Mr. Dan Fabrizio

AUDITION PACKET

Attached to the back of this packet is an audition sheet.

Please fill it out, detach it, and bring it with you to your audition.

Audition Dates: May 29 & 30, 2012Callback Date: May 31, 2012Show Dates: November 1, 2, & 3, 2012

in the Performing Arts Center

Questions

E-mail Mr. Fabrizio ([email protected]) orMr. Brown ([email protected])


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Play SynopsisAct 1

Chris and Ken Gorman, a well-to-do couple dressed for a dinner party, are frantically trying topiece together the scene of an apparent crime. Upon showing up to their friends the Brocks home tocelebrate their anniversary, Chris and Ken find that the help is nowhere to be found, the food is sittinguncooked in the kitchen, Myra Brock is missing, and her husband Charley is in his bedroom with agunshot wound through his ear. Chris frantically calls Charleys doctor, Dr. Dudley, to get him help, butKen insists on lying to him, not wanting rumors of what seems to be an apparent suicide to ruin theirfriend Charleys reputation, as he is the deputy mayor of New York.

The two agree to hide the truth from the rest of the party guests just as the doorbell rings. Kengoes to try to help Charley and disappears into the bedroom as Chris answers the door. Lenny and ClaireGanz, another wealthy couple and friends of the Gormans and Brocks, enter in a disheveled state,having just gotten into a minor car accident in their brand BMW. As Claire tends to her swollen lip andLenny nurses his whiplash-stricken neck, Chris tries to explain away the absence of Myra, Charley, Ken,and Mai Li, their cook. Lenny phones Dr. Dudley (who also happens to be hisdoctor), but hes seeingThe Phantom of the Opera.When Chris goes to check up on Charley and Ken, Claire and Lenny have a

chance to discuss the fishy events of the evening. They worry that some gossip they had heard is true,that Charley has been having an affair. They deduce that Myra had found this out and left him.

When Ken comes down from Charleys bedroom, Lenny and Claire confront him with theirsuspicions that something is afoot. Ken gives in and tells them all that he knows that Charleys beenshot through the ear and that it looks like a suicide attempt the bottle of Valium he found on thebedside table supports this theory. Ken reports that Charley had what seemed like a suicide note in hishand but he flushed it down the toilet before anyone could read it. They all agree its best to keep thisstory from the rest of the dinner guests just as the doorbell rings.

At the door are Ernie and Cookie Cusack, late for the anniversary party. Claire, Lenny, and Christry to keep calm as Ken invites the newly-arrived couple in. Cookie is suffering from severe back spasmsand tries to take a seat. Chris invents a story that Charley and Myra are still upstairs getting ready but, asa surprise for their guests, they sent the help home so that they could all cook together, just like in thegood old days, before the wealth. While not thrilled at the prospect, Cookie, who is the host of her owncooking show, agrees to cook dinner. As they start towards the kitchen, a gunshot is heard up inCharleys bedroom. Lenny convinces the Cusacks that Myra and Charley have been blowing upballoons and one of them mustve popped. Not fully convinced, the couple exit to start cooking dinner.

Having checked upstairs with Ken, Lenny reveals to Claire that Ken was trying to hide the gunfrom Charley when he slipped and the gun went off, making him temporarily deaf. Dr. Dudley calls andLenny answers, not knowing that Chris had called him again from upstairs looking for help to restoreKens hearing. Chris takes the call in the other room. With his hearing completely gone, Ken goes to liedown in the guest room. A crash rings out from the kitchen and Ernie bursts in, nursing burnt fingertips.

He relates that Cookie dropped her bag of ice and caused a series of incidents that resulted in Erniesburns and scratches from shattered glass on Cookies arms.

A car is heard pulling up in the driveway. Looking out the window and seeing an Audi, the guestsfigure out that Glenn, who is a candidate for state senate, and his wife Cassie have arrived. Chris issurprised that they are out together, as she had heard theyd been having trouble. The couple enter,clearly on edge, and proceed to bicker. After every other guest excuse themselves for various reasons,Glenn and Cassie find themselves alone in the room. Cassie accuses Glenn of recklessly flirting andkeeping a mistress. Stressed, she produces her crystal, which she rubs to calm herself down. As sheexcuses herself to the bathroom, the other guests re-enter, and various reasons for Kens temporarydeafness are told, including a head-cold, an exploding manhole cover, and a punctured can of shaving


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cream. When another couple calls to wish Charley and Myra a happy anniversary, Glenn bangs on thedoor of the powder room to get Cassie to talk to them on the phone. She screams and storms out intothe living room, wildly upset because the noise of the banging startled her and caused her to drop hercrystal into the toilet and down the drain. As Lenny frantically handles the telephone call, Kendrastically mishears everything said, and Glenn desperately tries to calm down his wife, Ernie andCookie enter with a delicious looking meal.

Act 2

Dinner is over and it is clear that, during the meal, Lenny revealed the true story to Cookie, Ernie,Cassie, and Glenn. Ken still cant accurately hear a word anyone is saying. They discuss Cassies lostcrystal which upsets her and she exits again to the bathroom. Ken reminds everyone that they should bechecking up on Charlie, which leads to a discussion about how everyones reputation is at stake basedon what really is happening here at the Brock residence. Suddenly, the bathroom door opens and Cassiereemerges, clearly made-up in such a way as to attract attention from all of the men (except Glenn,whom she ignores). As she flirts with the male guests, the intercom on the phone buzzes. Lenny answersand reveals that Charley is on the other end he says he needs some time to think. Miraculously, Kens

ears pop and his hearing is suddenly super acute. Upset that no one is paying her any attention, Cassiestorms out and Glenn follows her to the driveway.With the Coopers outside fighting, Chris deduces that it might actually be that Myrais having an

affair and that the other man is Glenn, which would explain Charleys suicide attempt. As the guestsdiscuss how to approach Charlie, Cookie notices from the window that the couples fight has escalatedand Cassie has hit Glenn in the nose. The phone rings a mysterious female voice asking for Glenn.Lenny suspects it is actually Myra, but after speaking with her on the phone, decides it sounds more likeMeryl Streep. The woman hangs up. Glenn bursts in the door and reveals that a cop car has just pulledinto the driveway. Looking out the window, Cookie can see that the two officers are questioning Cassie.The woman calls back and asks for Glenn, who takes the phone. The doorbell rings, causing panic.

They quickly decide that they will lie they never heard the gunshots because they were

listening to very loud music. It is decided that one of the men will have to pretend to be Charley, since itwould seem suspicious if the owner of the house was missing. Lenny loses a game of odds and evensand heads upstairs to be summoned at a later time, playing the part of Charley Brock. Claire turns on themusic and they start dancing just as Officers Welch and Pudney burst in.

Officer Welch tries to get a grasp on the situation but can sense that the guests are beingextremely evasive. Finally, he asks whose car is the near-totaled mess in the driveway. He reveals thatthe car that hit Lennys BMW had been stolen off the lot earlier that day, and that it had been purchasedby Myra Brock as an anniversary gift for her husband Charley. Ken comes forth as Lenny, since the realLenny is upstairs waiting to pretend to be Charley. The guests actually manage to convince Welch thateverything is okay. As the officers are leaving, Glenn accidentally mentions the gunshots, which neither

Pudney nor Welch had previously brought up. Concerned, Welch resolves to stay until the owner of thehouse reveals himself and explains what is going on. Lenny descends from the bedroom wearingCharleys bathrobe and proceeds to tell an elaborate story to explain away the events of the night to theofficer, culminating in an accidental gunshot wound to the head as he (Charley) tried to protect himselffrom a perceived intruder, and Myra getting accidentally locked in the basement after she tripped andfell down the stairs. Welch says the story is crazy enough to be true and leaves with Pudney. Lennyreveals that he made up the entire, impressive story on the spot. The guests are endlessly relieved whenthe intercom rings it is Charley, who is ready to tell them what really happened. As the group ascendsthe stairs, they hear a pounding on the basement door and a voice, yelling for help. It is Myra,demanding that someone let her out.


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Character Breakdown12 characters (6 men, 6 women)

Ken Gorman (40) A well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but by no means pretentious. Takescharge of the situation. Married to Chris. Halfway through the show, a gunshot causes his

temporary deafness.

Chris Gorman (mid-30s) Another lawyer, married to Ken. Beautiful, easily flustered.Frantically tries to maintain normalcy at the party. Has recently quit smoking, whichdrives her to drink a bit more.

Lenny Ganz (Late 30s, early 40s) A wealthy accountant, distraught over the recentdestruction over his new car. Starts the show with an extreme case of whiplash. Intolerantof the gossipy-lifestyle that he is often involved in.

Claire Ganz (Late 30s) Claires wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers andothers). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip.

Ernie Cusack (Early 50s) a psychiatrist. Affable, smokes a pipe. Loves his wife verymuch. Tries to be as helpful as possible cooking the evenings dinner.

Cookie Cusack (40s) has her own cooking show. Suffers from extreme back spasms.Loves her husband very much. A bit absent-minded at times.

Glenn Cooper (30-40) A handsome man running for State Senate. Worried about hisown reputation. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair(which he may or may not be).

Cassie Cooper (late 20s, early 30s) Glenns beautiful wife. Obsesses over herhusbands relationships with other women. Quick to anger. Must rub her quartz crystal tocalm herself down.

Officer Welch (M) (30-50) A city police officer having a rough night. Does nottolerate lying. Sees through the classy faade that these high-society types put up.

Officer Pudney (F) (20-30) Welchs partner. A strong but silent type.


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The Audition Process

All interested auditioners will be asked to memorize and present one 1.5 2 minute monologue at theiraudition. This monologue should be contemporary and comedic. If possible, look for something fromanother Neil Simon play, or perhaps another contemporary comic writer such as Christopher Durang,Alan Ayckbourn, Steve Martin, etc. A monologue from Oedipuswould be an example of an undesirablechoice.

Rumors is a farce that relies heavily on strong characters, physical comedy, and quick wit. Therefore,Mr. Fabrizio is looking for actors who are unafraid to take risks, who exhibit a dynamic physicality, andwho have a good sense of comic timing.

During your audition, you may be given some feedback and asked to perform your monologue again.You may also be asked to do a brief improvisation exercise.

Callbacks

Callbacks will occur the day after auditions, immediately after X-block. Actors will be reading sides fromRumors. It is suggested that any actors called back preview the sides, which will be made available theweek of auditions (both as hard copies and on Theatreink.net). Reading Rumors is also advisable, asbeing familiar with the plot and characters will be useful during this process.

A cast list will be posted as soon as possible, no later than the following Monday.

The Rehearsal Process

Rehearsals will occur every weekday after all school obligations have finished (this includes X Block).All rehearsals will last two and a half hours and will include any combination of warm-ups, table work,character work, scene-blocking, and feedback.

There will be one or two preliminary meetings/rehearsals before we break for summer. The rehearsalprocess will officially get underway when we return in September.

Tech Day will be Saturday, October 27, 2012. All involved with Rumors will be expected to be inattendance from 9 AM to 6 PM. During Production Week (October 29-November 3) actors will be heldlater than normal in order to accommodate dress rehearsals. Dinner will be provided on Monday,

Tuesday, and Wednesday, but not on show nights (November 1, 2, and 3).


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Audition Sheet

Please detach and bring this with you on the day of your audition.Actor Information

Name __________________________________________________________ DOB: ____________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________________

Grade: ____________ HR: ____________ Cell #: _______________________________________________

Preferred E-mail Address: _________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Info:

Name __________________________________________________________________________________

Phone # ________________________E-mail __________________________________________________

Please briefly list any past theater experience you have had (or attach a rsum):

What special skills or talents to do you have?

What do you think is your biggest strength as an actor?

What do you think is your biggest weakness as an actor?


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Please circle your answer:

Would you cut/color your hair for this performance? Yes No

Have you read Rumors? Yes No

Are you comfortable using harsh language (swearing, etc.) onstage?Yes No

Is there a role youd prefer to play? Yes No

o If yes, which? ___________________________

Is there a role that you would not accept? Yes No

o If yes, which? ___________________________

Conflicts:

Please list any weekly conflicts that you have between the hours of 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM fromSeptember 11 October 26.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Please list any one-time conflicts you may have between Sept. 11 and Oct. 27. Note that noconflictswill be allowed during production week (October 29 November 3).

Conflict Date


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IMPORTANT THEATRE INKPARTICIPATION

INFORMATION FOR ALL AUDITIONING STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS

THEATRE INK CASTING POLICYBoth student and staff Directors always strive to cast fairly, with the guidingobjective of assembling the overall cast that will best serve the directorial visionfor the show. This requires many hours of careful analysis by the Directors andMr. Brown, who take their responsibility in this area very seriously. Mr. Brown

watches every audition and participates as a mediator and guide through everycasting process.

Theatre Ink casting decisions are not based on seniority !grade level in school", oryears of participation in the program. This is a firm programmatic value arrived atafter years of assembling casts, and seeing the exciting results that come fromhaving students collaborate across the grade spectrum from freshman to senior,each cast solely on his or her fit for a given role as revealed through a rigorous and

thoughtful audition process.Auditioning for a show can be competitive and sometimes daunting. In keepingwith the programs emphasis on theatre as a vehicle for learning and individualdevelopment, Mr. Brown is available to coach and support students as they seek toimprove their speaking, presentation, and performance skills through the auditionprocess. We also offer Audition workshops for each production

DIVERSITYTheatre Ink values and celebrates diversity of all kinds. Encouraging diversity of participation isan overall goal of the program. Theatre Ink actively encourages all students to participate inproductions as members of cast or crew. All students who audition are considered equally in an

inclusive environment and in accordance with Theatre Ink casting principles. Theatre Ink hopesto be a reflection not only of the varied backgrounds and experiences of Newton Norths staffand students but also of diverse world cultures, life experiences, and theatrical traditions. Bycarefully selecting a range of different shows each year we strive to tell theatrical stories thatrepresent the richness of our world while offering a wide range of opportunities for all students.

ON CASTINGCasting is a very complex process. In the end, the Directors must choose the students whobest fit the roles in many dimensions, both by the individual skills they present in audition, butalso in the dynamics that develop between actors who will be creating the driving energy of theshow in scenes together. Such dynamics are a large part of what is explored in the Callbackround of auditions. For students, auditioning is an exciting, yet difficult, process that can bring

about greater success, whether cast in the production or not. The more a student auditions, thebetter they will become, especially if they seek and receive feedback and guidance. The feelingof rejection over not getting cast seems disappointing at first, but we strongly urge you toencourage your child to get right back to work as soon as possible so they can sharpen theirskills for a future audition. In theatre, as in life, all of us experience both disappointment andsuccess. Our goal is to teach our students how to deal with both, so when they leave NewtonNorth High School they will be well prepared to navigate their way toward success in a complexworld.


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TO PARENTS:Due to the large audition pool Theatre Ink shows typically experience, your childs auditiondoes not guarantee him or her a role in the show. If your child is not cast !and also if he or she iscast", we strongly suggest that !s"he meet with the Directors and/or Mr. Brown to obtainvaluable feedback while it is freshly in mind, in order to further develop skills for futureauditions.

While disappointment for some is an inevitable part of the experience in any competitive tryoutsituation, be it an academic, athletic or artistic pursuit, one of the hallmarks of Theatre Ink isthatthere are many other ways to get involvedworking on the production if you are notcast in an on#stage role. These include technical crew !set design and construction, lights,sound"working with Mr. Barrington#Haber, Theatre Inks Technical Director; or on the manyother teams, such as props, costumes, publicity and makeup. There are also opportunities to bea student producer or stage manager, which you can discuss with Mr. Brown or the Directors. Ifslots of interest are not available in the current show, please consider looking into suchopportunities in an upcoming show. The wide range of types of shows, and the large number!11#13 per year"is designed to make as many theatre arts opportunities available to as manystudents as is feasible within the resources provided by the Newton Public Schools. We also

strongly encourage each student to take a Theatre Arts and Speech class ##offered as an electiveto all grade levels ## and go to Improv Club during X#blocks. These theatre educationexperiences will further enhance your childs skills in these areas and give them more confidencefor the audition process. The wonderful spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that developsduring shows is equally shared by on#and off#stage participants. Talking to students who haveworked in various roles and jobs will confirm this for your student. Keep an open mind, andseek out a new experience!

GET INVOLVED!If you and/or your child are not satisfied with the casting decisionand wish to inquire asto the reasons for it, the first step is for the student to meet with the shows Directors. Iffurther discussion is desired, the student should then meet with Mr. Brown. If, after thosemeetings, you and/or your child do not feel you received valuable feedback or information you

are satisfied with, you are then encouraged to make a joint parent/student appointment withMr. Brown. Please be assured that a students future participation in Theatre Ink will not bejeopardized in any way by seeking to have concerns addressed according to this establishedprocess.

Student signature_____________________________________________

Date____________________

Parent signature______________________________________________

Date___________________


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Theatre Ink Production Agreement!Please read and fill out the following Theatre Ink Agreement"

I agree to the following terms in this agreement and promise to abide by the conditions andexpectations set forth by my director, technical director, producer, and fellow cast andcrewmembers. I will dedicate myself as a true team member to this production process in orderto present a show that we as a cast, crew, and production team will be proud of.

1.All actors and technical stage crewmembers should have fun working on thisproduction as collaborative artists. We expect a positive attitude, open communication,and ownership from beginning to end.

2. All actors and technical stage crewmembers must be in good academic standing toparticipate in and remain in this production. All actors and technical stage crewmembersare expected to be in school during the day in order to participate in rehearsals and

performances after!

school. It is also required that a progress report be completely filled outevery two weeks and returned to Mr. Brown via your stage manager. You will not be allowed toattend rehearsal if this is not turned in on time.

3. All participants must be passing a minimum of 20 credits each marking period orthey will be removed from the process when the report card is issued. Ns in a class donot count as passing.

4.All actors and technical stage crewmembers must be on time to all scheduledrehearsals and technical crew duties. If late for three rehearsals, you may be cut from theproduction.

5.All actors and technical stage crewmembers must be present at all scheduled

rehearsals. Rehearsals will be afternoons as soon as all academic obligations have ended!this includes X Block" They will last for 3 hours from September 19th to October 28th.Tech week rehearsals may last longer.If you have three unexcused absences from rehearsal, you may be cut from the production.In order to be excused you must have a legitimate note explaining why. Valid excuses are an illness, a deathin the family, etc. It is also important to turn in all notes to the director and notify them directly in advanceif you cannot attend a rehearsal. In case of emergency, you must call 617!559!6306 and leave a message.Communication is the key to good relationships during a production.

6.All actors and technical stage crewmembers will keep the rehearsal spaces, stage,dressing rooms and costume room clean throughout the rehearsal and performanceprocess. There will be no food or drink allowed on the stage at anytime. Water Only!

7.All actors and technical stage crewmembers are responsible for their props andcostumes. If props or costumes are damaged or lost while in your possession, you areresponsible for the replacement cost.

8.All actors and technical stage crewmembers will use the rehearsal processproductively. Actors who are waiting to work on stage should be memorizing lines, reviewingblocking, or reading materials related to the production.Remember: you are a student first, so you must stay current with your class assignments. We stronglyencourage you to do homework at rehearsal if there is time.Please bring snacks and water in case you are hungry.


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9.All actors and technical stage crewmembers must stay in the rehearsal area duringa rehearsal unless given permission to leave. Your presence may be called upon atanytime while you are at rehearsal.

10.All actors and technical stage crew must be supportive of each other's roles inthis production. It is important to communicate with one another in a respectful manner.Whether onstage or offstage, all roles in this production are equally important.

11.All actors will complete 4 technical theatre shop/stage crew hoursduring therehearsal process. This may include painting, set construction, lighting, costumes, props, orother related areas as designated by the technical director or producer.

12.All actors and technical stage crewmembers are requiredto take part in a fullstage strike directed by the technical director, Michael Barrington!Haber, on theMonday after the production. All cast and crew will remain until the strike is complete andthe stage, costume room, dressing rooms, music rooms and shop are cleared and cleaned.Any cast or crew member who misses strike will not be allowed to work on the next show unless they put inthe hours they missed with the technical director.

The spirit of this agreement is to ensure that all actors and technical stage crewmembers

are treated fairly as creative, collaborative artists who are working towards the same goal.Mr. Adam Brown, Director of Theatre Ink; Mr. Michael Barrington!Haber, TechnicalDirector, and Mr. Fabrizio will enforce this agreement to the best of their ability in thespirit of a high quality theatrical production process.

This production can be an incredible experience if the entire cast, crew, andproduction staff work together, create together, and have fun together!

Actor/crew name _______________________________

Actor/crew signature _______________________________ Date______________

Parent Signature ____________________________________ Date____________

Rumors Audition Packet

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