AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:

Announcing Auditions for the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY's production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, directed by Hettie Barnhill.

Come to one of the in-person, "open call" auditions

on 9/27 or 9/28. 

Please note that we will be conducting in-person auditions on:

Friday, September 27 at 6:30 PM (Open Call)

Saturday, September 28 at 6:30 PM (Open Call)

Callbacks: Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 PM. 

Audition/Callbacks Location: First Congregational Church of Albany

405 Quail Street 

Albany, NY 12208

Performances: February 6-16, 2025 at theREP on the main stage

251 N. Pearl Street

Albany, NY 12207

If you submit an audition tape, you do NOT need to attend the in-person, "open call" auditions on 9/27 and 9/28. We will contact you if we need you to come to callbacks on 9/29 at 4 PM – thank you for keeping this time free. We look forward to hearing from you!

Self-Tape (Recorded) Audition Information:

What to Prepare:

Slate: Before you begin, please introduce yourself by stating your name and the title of the song you will be performing.

Song: Record yourself singing a short excerpt (approximately 32 bars or a verse and chorus) from a contemporary musical theater piece in the style of Once on This Island, or a selection from a soul, gospel, or pop song that best showcases your voice. Accompaniment or a cappella performances are both acceptable. 

Dance: Learn and record the dance combination provided at the link below, set to the song “We Dance.” A music track is included to accompany your performance (dance begins at the4:54 timestamp ). Dance LINK: Once On This Island Dance Audition Phrase**  Music Track Cued LINK: 'We Dance' Music Whole Track 

Upload Videos- Please ensure that all videos are uploaded to (THIS GOOGLE FORM) by September 26, 2024.

Call 518-833-2621 for any questions or concerns.

**Please note: this video refers to this production as being a co-production between Black Theatre Troupe and theREP, but it is solely a Black Theatre Troupe production.

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

This production intentionally emphasizes not only race but also skin color, reflecting the original story's focus on colorism. "Once on This Island" premiered Off-Broadway in 1990 and has seen numerous adaptations on Broadway and beyond.  Our production will use the original script, which centers on the theme of colorism on a Caribbean island, as depicted in Rosa Guy's novella "My Love, My Love." We aim to represent the full spectrum of Blackness in the diaspora, including Black, Afro-Latino, Afro-Dominican, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Puerto Rican, mixed race, and more.   I also encourage all gender identities to audition for any and all roles. 

"Once on This Island" is an ensemble-driven show. I will include some devised elements, adding to this beautiful, complex narrative. All characters also serve as storytellers, and will tell this story with their voices, bodies and spirits. Lastly, most of the cast will be onstage for much of the show and should be comfortable with movement.

Character List

Ti Moune -20’s,  Black, Female (self-identifying): Ti Moune is a Black peasant girl. She is the central character of the story, known for her love of Daniel Beauxhomme. This role requires a strong singer and dancer, who has darker skin.

Little Ti Moune / The Little Girl / Storyteller-  Age range 10-14y, Black:  This role is Ti Moune as a child, a Black girl who narrates the tale of Ti Moune. The actor must have singing and dancing abilities.

Daniel Beauxhomme / Daniel's Son- 20’s, Non-Caucasian, Male (self-identifying): Daniel Beauxhomme, is "grand homme" or upper-class, and is Ti Moune's love interest. This role requires a strong singer with dancing abilities who has lighter skin.

Papa Ge / Storyteller - Non-Caucasian, Any Gender: Papa Ge is the sly Demon of Death and the main antagonist of the show. This character can be played by any self-identifying gender and must be a strong singer with a vocal range from baritone to alto. 

Erzulie / Storyteller- Non-Caucasian, Female(self-identifying): Erzulie is the Goddess of Love,  with a soprano or high soprano voice. This character is integral to the story and requires a strong singer.

Agwe  / Storyteller - Non-Caucasian, Male(self-identifying): Agwe is the God of Water, This role calls for a strong singer with a tenor or baritone voice, bringing to life the elemental power of water.

Asaka  / Storyteller - Non-Caucasian, Any Gender): Asaka, the Mother of the Earth, this role requires a strong singer who has a mezzo-soprano with a high belt voice. The actor must be a commanding presence and a strong mover, embodying the nurturing yet powerful spirit of the earth.

Mama Euralie / Storyteller- Age range 40+, Black, Female(self-identifying): Mama Euralie is Ti Moune's adoptive mother. This role requires a strong singer who can portray a deep, maternal strength and warmth, and who has darker skin.

Tonton Julian  / Storyteller- Age range 40+, Black, Male(self-identifying): Tonton Julian is Ti Moune's adoptive father. The actor must be a strong singer, able to convey both paternal care and resilience, and have darker skin.

Andrea Deveraux / "Madame Armand" / Storyteller- 20’s, Non-Caucasian, Female(self-identifying): Andrea Deveraux is Daniel's promised wife and part of the grand homme class. This role requires a strong singer who has lighter skin.

Armand Beauxhomme / Storyteller-Age range 40+ Non-Caucasian, Male(self-identifying): Armand Beauxhomme, Daniel's stern father. This role requires a strong singer who can portray authority and rigidity, who has lighter skin.

Gatekeeper /  Ancestor / Storyteller- Non-Caucasian, Male(self-identifying): The Gatekeeper is the fierce guard of the Hotel Beauxhomme and an ancestor of Armand Beauxhomme. This role is for a strong singer, portraying a formidable presence, who has lighter skin.

Ensemble: The ensemble will play Storytellers and various roles, including Grands Hommes, and peasants. We are looking for all ages, races, and genders. Our ensemble will also cast understudy roles.