The Empress Theatre is pleased to announce auditions for

 

Sweeney Todd

 

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd: an unjustly exiled barber who returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him, ravaged his young wife, and took his daughter Johanna. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!

 

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: Bridges Eatchel

Music Director, Conductor: Travis Clark

Rehearsal Pianist: Martha Haddock

Choreographer: Alayna Bria

Stage Manager: Kayla Rydalch

Full Production Team List and Bios available here: https://sites.google.com/view/sweeneytoddet23/production-team

 

 

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION
For this production, auditions will be done virtually.  Individuals interested in auditioning should submit a virtual audition no later than July 13th, 2023 at 9:00 PM

For the audition, individuals should state their name and prepare 16 - 32 bars of a song in the style of the show.

Virtual auditions will be submitted within the audition form, found here: https://forms.gle/3wFRyggHjV8n9rJt5

Video auditions must be submitted as links to Youtube videos or links to Google drive videos that can be shared among the production team. Please ensure the settings allow anyone with the link to view the content. Your headshot and theatre resume must also be submitted as a Google drive link or similar.

It is also strongly encouraged to send an additional copy of your audition materials to bridges.eatchel@gmail.com

Callback notices will be sent out no later than Tuesday, July 18 at 9:00 PM.


PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Callback Date: July 22nd, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
First Rehearsal Date: July 29, 2023
Rehearsal Schedule: Rehearsals will take place
• Monday – Thursday evenings (occasional Friday rehearsals may be called, as needed), blocked in the hours of 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday mornings, blocked in the hours of 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
• Rehearsals may extend beyond these parameters, particularly during tech rehearsals.
Preview: October 26, 2023

Opening: October 27, 2023

Closing: November 11, 2023

 

 

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
• A full copy of the script is available if needed.
• 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 may be double cast, 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.

​

 

Sweeney Todd

A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him. He is Johanna's father, singularly focused on taking bloody revenge; our story's tormented protagonist. Sweeney Todd is driven increasingly mad as the show progresses, ultimately becoming the very villain he sought revenge against. Sweeney Todd must have excellent vocal technique and versatile comedic and dramatic acting skills.

This role requires some degree of intimacy with Mrs. Lovett, including dancing and being the recipient of flirtatious behavior. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Man

Age: 40 – 55

Vocal Range: F2 – Gb4

​

 

Mrs. Lovett

An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner. She falls in love with Sweeney Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture. Mrs. Lovett must have excellent comedic timing and strong vocal precision. Cockney accent. 

This role requires some degree of intimacy with Sweeney Todd, including dancing and engaging in flirtatious behavior. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Woman

Age: 35-55

Vocal Range: G3 – E5

​

 

Anthony Hope

A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Sweeney Todd return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. He plots to steal her away from her captor, Judge Turpin, so they can be together. Anthony must be an exceptional vocalist.

This role requires romantic intimacy with Johanna, including hand-holding, hugging, and mouth-to-mouth kissing. This role is also a recipient of unwanted sexual remarks by the Beggar Woman. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Man

Age: 18-28

Vocal Range: Bb2 – F4

​

 

Johanna

A spritely girl, full of innocence, constantly yearning for freedom. Johanna is Sweeney Todd's long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin's ward. Johanna struggles with her captivity and fear of Judge Turpin. Johanna must be an exceptional vocalist with equally strong acting choices. Johanna also fills the non-speaking role of Young Lucy, and must be comfortable with staging implying abuse.

This role requires romantic intimacy with Anthony, including hand-holding, hugging, and mouth-to-mouth kissing. This role also engages in staging implying abuse with Judge Turpin, Beadle Bamford, and various ensemble members. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Woman

Age: 18-25

Vocal range: Bb3 - A5

​

 

 Judge Turpin

A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning Todd. Judge Turpin lusts after his young ward, Johanna.

This role engages in staging implying abuse of Young Lucy (played by the performer portraying Johanna). This role also engages in inappropriate fantasizing regarding Johanna. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Man

Age: 50 to 65

Vocal range: E2 - Gb4

This role will require the performer to utilize the specialty built barber chair chute. Performers should be comfortable with heights.

​

 

Beadle Bamford

A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Judge Turpin. Beadle Bamford acts as an enforcer of Judge Turpin’s will, including threatening and harming others on his behalf. Proper British accent. 

This role engages in staging implying abuse of Young Lucy (played by the performer portraying Johanna). Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Man

Age: 40 to 55

Vocal range: D3 - D5

This role will require the performer to utilize the specialty built barber chair chute. Performers should be comfortable with heights.

 

 

Beggar Woman

A deranged and schizophrenic woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret. The beggar woman often makes crude and lewd remarks throughout the show, but is surprisingly insightful and perceptive. Cockney accent.

This role requires engaging in unwanted sexual remarks directed towards Anthony. Boundaries will be established in conjunction with the show’s intimacy director.

Gender: Woman

Age: 35 to 50

Vocal range: Ab3 - F5

This role will require the performer to utilize the specialty built barber chair chute. Performers should be comfortable with heights.

 

 

Tobias Ragg

A poor youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. He finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett. Tobias is a very vulnerable character, either due to his age or lack of intelligence. Ultimately, though, Toby is proven to be shockingly insightful. The show ends with Toby being deeply traumatized. This role must be filled by someone for a profound respect for the things Toby experiences and how they impact him. Cockney accent.

Gender: Boy / Man

Age: 10 to 22

Vocal range: Bb2 - Ab4

​

 

Aldolfo Pirelli

A flamboyant Italian rival barber; a charlatan with a secret past. The performer must have excellent comedic timing and strong vocal skills. Must be able to perform an over the top Italian accent and a realistic Irish accent.

Gender: Man

Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range: B2 - C5

​

 

Ensemble

18 ensemble roles are available: 3 tenors, 3 baritones, 3 basses, 3 sopranos, 3 mezzo-sopranos, and 3 altos. Individuals will be assigned a vocal part based on which area best fits their vocal needs. Many ensemble roles, though not all, solo throughout the show. Ensemble roles include both vocal performance and some spoken lines. British & Cockney accents. 

Gender: Any

Age: 16+

Select performers in ensemble roles will need to utilize the specialty built barber chair chute.