The Empress Theatre is pleased to announce auditions for

 

 

ANASTASIA The Musical

 

 

Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. Illuminating the mysterious legend that arose out of actual events, the show provides a soaring score that includes the song favorites from the hit animated film, “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December,” ANASTASIA is the spectacular new musical about discovering who you are and defining who you’re meant to be.

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The Empress encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition. The Empress is committed to providing a space for community and inclusion free from discrimination.

 

 

PRODUCTION STAFF
Director: Michelle Groves
Full Production Team List and Bios available at a future date

 

 

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION
For this production, auditions will be done in person.

Audition dates for ANASTASIA are Tuesday, October 3 and Wednesday, October 4, 2023 6:30pm – 9:00 pm.

 

Those wishing to audition may come to either audition session.
Auditions will be taken on a first come basis and will last 5-10 minutes.
For the audition, individuals should state their name and prepare 16 - 32 bars of a song in the style of the show.
Cold readings will be required from script sides provided at the audition.
Please provide a headshot and resume at the audition.

Virtual auditions may be submitted if there is a conflict with the in-person audition dates. Email your virtual audition to busymic@msn.com.

 

Callback notices will be sent out no later than Thursday, October 5.
Callbacks will be by invitation only on Tuesday, October 10, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
All auditions and callbacks will be at the Empress Theatre.

 

 

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Callback Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
First Rehearsal Date: October 14, 2023 (may be changed, if necessary)
Rehearsal Schedule: Rehearsals will take place
• Monday – Thursday evenings (occasional Friday rehearsals may be called, as needed), blocked in the hours
of 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday mornings, blocked in the hours of 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
• Rehearsals may extend beyond these parameters, particularly during tech rehearsals.
Preview: Thursday, January 25, 2024
Opening: Friday, January 26, 2024
Closing: Saturday, February 10, 2024

 

 

DISCLOSURES

• Casting Authority: The Production Team with Artistic Director Approval.
• Individuals who may view your audition information: Production Director, Choreographer, Music Director, and Stage Manager. Other approved individuals may view the information as needed, including Theatre Artistic Management, Theatre Stage Management, and more.
• Who is at Callbacks: Production Team (Director, Choreographer, Music Director, Rehearsal Pianist, Stage Manager) and Theatre Artistic Management
• Portions of this audition and/or callback may be recorded or photographed at the Director’s discretion. All recordings will only be used by the production team and will be destroyed after callbacks.
• Actors will be expected to help build, paint, and strike the set.
• There may be understudies and/or standby performers for this production, at the discretion of the production team.
• This production will have a designated day off of Sunday, meaning no mandatory rehearsals will be scheduled on Sundays. Sundays may be utilized for optional activities, such as set building or review time.

 

 

AVAILABLE ROLES
All roles are available. Attributes provided describe the character, not necessarily the actor themselves, but must be qualities the actor can conceivably portray. All roles are open to individuals of any race, body size / type, gender identity, and more.
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Anya/ Princess Anastasia (female) – Appears late teens and mid 20’s as time passes: When we first meet Anya she is a lost soul, but with great strength, pride, determination and dignity. As the story
progresses, she begins to discover her sense of self and the possibility that she may be the missing daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. Anastasia is not a fairytale princess but is a tough survivor. When Anya is transformed into the beautiful Anastasia, it must produce the same surprise and effect as Eliza Doolittle entering the ball. Must possess wit, sense of humor and spirit. Soprano with belt range. Vocal range: A3-Eb4

 

Young Anastasia (female) – Young actor aged 7-12, but needs to appear to be the younger end of the age range: A sweet and impressionable young princess. Young Anastasia is the willful, brave, proud, and precocious youngest daughter of the Tsar. She has a special bond with her grandmother (whom she calls Nana). Sweet child soprano. Vocal Range: C4-C5

 

Dmitry (male) – Appears mid 20’s: An opportunist trying to make it on the streets of Russia by selling stolen objects from the Tsarist past. He is the prince of St. Petersburg’s black market. He creates the scheme to find an Anastasia impersonator in order to gain the reward for her safe return. He is smooth, persuasive and a real operator. Tenor. Vocal range: A2-G4 (A4

 

Vlad Popov (male) – Appears mid 40’s - 50’s: Before the revolution Vlad was a minor functionary at the empirical court. He is Dmitry’s right hand man and because of his romantic relationship with Lily he arranges a meeting between Anya and the

Dowager Empress. Actor must have wit, style, and be a character comedian with panache. Baritone. Vocal range: A2-F4.

 

Gleb Vaganov (male) – Appears mid-Late 30’s-40’s: Gleb is a son of the Russian revolution. As a career officer in the Bolshevik secret police, he is a passionate defender of the hard-won gains of the new order. As the play progresses we see him rise in power and position within the political party. His attraction to Anya puts him in violent conflict with himself. Baritone/Tenor. Vocal Range: A2-Gb4.

 

Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna (female) – Appears 60’s-70’s as time passes: She is the formidable and imperious grandmother of Anastasia. Anastasia is her favorite grandchild and she loves her with all her heart. She never truly gives up the belief that her granddaughter might be alive, but finally, after years of enduring Anastasia pretenders, she becomes hardened and bitter. It is only when she meets Anya that her old spirit begins to return. Must portray elegance, beauty, and a regal bearing. Alto.
Vocal Range: F3-Bb4.

 

Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch (female) – Appears around 40’s – 50’s: Lily is the confidante and lady-in-waiting to the Dowager Empress. She has been by the Dowager’s side since before the revolution. Lily is clever, dutiful, and, above all, fun (when not working for the Dowager). She deals with her exile from Russia with a sort of resigned dark humor. She and Vlad were once an item and re-kindle their romance upon reuniting. Must be a juicy character comedienne with strong dancing ability and comic
belt. Mezzo. G3-C5 (Briefly sings a B5).

 

Supporting Cast
Tsar Nicholas II – Adult. Appears approximately 30-50: Anastasia’s loving father. Elegant. He tries to keep the peace between his mother, the Dowager Empress, and the Tsarina. As his youngest daughter grows into a young woman, he protects and guides her.

 

Tsarina Alexandra – Adult. Appears approximately 30-40: Anastasia’s mother. She is stern, very devout, brittle, paranoid about the collapsing regime, and grief-stricken about the health of her son, the Tsarevich Alexei. She is uncomfortable around her mother-in-law.

 

Alexei Romanov – Young Teen. Alexei is the youngest Romanov child and only son of the Tsar and Tsarina. As a baby he was diagnosed with the genetic blood disorder, hemophilia. He is highly energetic
and strong despite his hemophilia. He is closest with Anastasia and they frequently get into trouble together, but as the only heir to the throne, his parents are very protective of him and summon all of the
best doctors from Russia to see him.

 

Olga Romanov – Young Adult. Appears Early 20’s: Oldest child of the Tsar and Tsarina. Her parents dote on her as the first child. She is stubborn, yet compassionate, inquisitive about the outside world, and completely devoted to her father.

 

Tatiana Romanov – Young Adult. Appears around 20: The second daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina, Tatiana is “The Governess” and keeps her other siblings in line. She has a serious quality to her but can find enjoyment in anything.

 

Maria Romanov – Young Adult. Appears around 19: Maria is a nurturer and often cares for her mother and Alexei when they take ill. Deemed too young to become a nurse, she often visits wounded soldiers to bring them cheer.

 

Count Leopold – Older Adult: He’s one of the presumptive Romanov heirs; a snob; a bit of a fop. He is actively trying to have himself named the sole heir to the Romanov fortune.

 

Marfa -Young Adult. Appears 20’s: An Anastasia imposter.

 

Paulina – Young Adult. Appears 20’s: An Anastasia imposter.

 

Dunya – Young Adult. Appears 20’s: An Anastasia imposter.

 

Count Ipolitov – Older Adult: A dignified Russian and intellectual, grief-stricken about leaving his homeland. Authoritative and formidable.

 

Gorlinskly – Adult: Gleb’s very powerful superior.

 

Sergei – Adult: The Russian doorman at the Neva Club in Paris.

 

Count Gregory – Adult: Russian aristocrat in Paris.

 

Countess Gregory – Adult: Russian aristocrat in Paris.

 

Ballet Dancers in Swan Lake – Must be en pointe.

 

Ensemble (Townsfolk, Royal Servants, Bolshevik Officers and Soldiers, Parisians, Reporters, and Aristocrats, etc.) – All ages.