Come From Away

Book, Music and Lyrics by
IRENE SANKOFF and DAVID HEIN

Open Auditions Sunday July 26 from 2-5 pm
& Monday July 27 from 6-9 pm

Show Dates: September 17, 18, & 19 at 7:30 pm & September 20 at 2 pm

Directed by Kate Kale Wolf
Music Directed by Mary Villani
Choreographed by Maria Perehinec

Auditions will be held in the ACT Rehearsal Hall, 1213 12th Street, Altoona PA 16601

Auditionees need only attend one night of auditions unless asked to attend callbacks, expected to be held the evening of Wednesday July 29 if needed.

Please prepare 16-32 bars of a Folk Rock or modern Broadway song for singing audition, preferably in the style of the show.  Bring your own prepared piano sheet music in the correct key for our audition accompanist.  No tracks or acapella. No additional music will be provided.

Wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes for a short choreography sequence audition.

There will also be scene readings from the show.

Please have your calendar so you can clearly mark in all August and September rehearsal schedule conflicts on your audition form.

Rehearsal Schedule Important Dates:

• Read Through/Listen Through Sunday August 2 from 6-9 pm
• Rehearsals will mostly be Sundays through Thursdays 6-9 pm (subject to adjusting for cast conflicts)  A full detailed rehearsal calendar will be distributed at Read Through
• Load-In to Mishler Theatre Saturday September 5
• Technical Rehearsals Sept 8-15
• Sitzprobe Saturday Sept 12
• Student Preview Sept 16 and Shows Sept 17-20

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Come From Away tells the true story of when seven thousand people from across America and around the world landed on the doorstep of Gander, Newfoundland… and the people of Gander “put the kettle on”. When 38 planes were diverted to a small, Canadian community on September 11, 2001, the town’s population doubled in an instant.  While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind on the news, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the spirited people who comforted all those who had come from away.  This amazing story of light in the face of darkness is told with simplicity and humor and heartfelt energy.

Time and Place:

September 11 through 16 of 2001 , and Sept. 11, 2011 in Central Newfoundland, on 38 airplanes, plus New York, Texas, California, England and other locations.

Casting:

12 adults – 6 male presenting and 6 female presenting

A diverse group representing multiple characters from different countries, cultures and religions ranging in ages from 20’s through 60’s.  These characters are all based on real people and so must be played with honesty, respect and compassion.

Each actor plays multiple roles.  All actors move through the choreography and the set and the switching of characters at an upbeat pace.  The set is simply 12 chairs and 3 tables that move around a lot to indicate different locations.  Realistic props and small costume pieces also help to indicate the changes in scenes and characters. A unique feature of the show is that the musicians are onstage for the show so there is no conductor in pit to give the cast singing cues.

Read more about the available roles here, including vocal ranges and character descriptions.

Accents:

The Newfoundland accent will be something we work on throughout the rehearsal process and will not be expected at auditions.  There is a study guide with the script and additional online resources.  A few basics – Newfoundland rhymes with Understand (noo-fun-LAND, stressed on last syllable like understand.)  I’d describe it as a mix of Canadian, Irish and Minnesota.

There are also characters with a New York accent, a Texas accent, an African accent, a Middle Eastern accent, a British accent and lines are spoken in Spanish and Hebrew.

To Learn More:

There is a Broadway ProShot of Come From Away streaming on Apple TV right now that is excellent if you get a chance to watch it.  If you don’t have Apple, ACT will be hosting a watch party of that ProShot with Director Kate Kale Wolf on June 22.

Come From Away is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com