Auditions
The Broadview Heights Spotlights will hold auditions for Footloose on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 from 6:00PM – 9:00PM and THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 from 6:00PM – 9:00PM. No appointment needed, but auditioners must arrive one hour before the scheduled end time. Callbacks will be held the afternoon of Saturday, September 2, if needed.
Auditions will take place at the Broadview Heights Cultural Arts Building, located on the Broadview Center Property, next to the Police Station, 9543 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights, OH 44147.
All roles are available. Auditions are open to those ages 12 and up. The production team consists of Tim Anderson as director, Ryan Bergeron as music director, and Zac Hudak as choreographer. Rehearsals will begin the week of September 10 and will typically run Sunday – Thursday evenings with some weekends, based on cast availability. The show runs November 3 – 19, 2017.
Play Synopsis
This 1998 musical is based on the 1984 film. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local laws, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
Audition Preparation
- Plan to attend only one night.
- Prepare two contrasting songs in the style of the show, it is suggested that one be a pop/rock song (preferably from the 1980’s). Songs from the show are acceptable.
- Bring sheet music in the correct keys, hole-punched in a three-ring binder. Singers will not be permitted to sing a cappella.
- Dress comfortably for movement.
- Bring a list of conflicts between September 10 and November 19.
Characters*
Adult Roles*
REVERAND SHAW MOORE – The minister of Bomont County, and father of a teenage girl (Ariel). Reverend Moore is charismatic and charming. Shaw has a quick mind, a loving heart and a sense of humor, all of which endear him to his congregation. While trying to be strong for so many people, however, he continues to mourn the death of his son – the one person he could not save.
VI MOORE – Shaw’s wife. Despite the loss of her son and the strained relationship with her husband, Vi fully understands what kind of unflagging good humor she must display in order to keep her household – and her husband’s congregation – running smoothly. With her plucky irreverence, she gives us a glimpse of what life with Shaw was like before the tragedy, when theirs was a marriage both passionate and playful.
ETHEL MCCORMACK – Ren’s mother. Where does Ren get his intelligence, his resilience and his sense of humor? From his mother, of course! It’s hard for Ethel to be living in her sister’s home and abiding by her brother-in-law’s rules. However, she never succumbs to the pathos of her situation. After all, she has to be strong for Ren. Their mutual loss (the walking-out of her husband / Ren’s father) has brought them closer together. They share a teasing, good-natured relationship.
A COP
PRINCIPAL HARRY CLARK – Principal of the high school.
BETTY BLAST – Owner of The Burger Blast restaurant.
LULU WARNICKER – Ren’s aunt.
WES WARNICKER – Lulu’s husband.
COACH ROGER DUNBAR – The high school gym teacher.
ELEANOR DUNBAR – Roger’s wife.
COWBOY BOB – Lead vocalist at the Bar-B-Que restaurant and dance club.
Teenage Roles*
REN MCCORMACK – A teenage boy from Chicago. Ren is a witty a joker who enjoys a good time. Lately, though, his fun-loving attitude has taken on a tone of desperation, as he tries too hard to convince the world – and himself – that his father’s desertion hasn’t wounded him as deeply as it has. Ariel is the first character to get Ren to talk about that subject. Sharing that intimacy early on becomes the basis for Ren’s and Ariel’s relationship. Ren’s emotional journey starts with his being feisty and flippant in Act 1, continues through his thoughtful argument to the Town Council, and ends with this emotional final confrontation with Reverend Moore. It’s a journey from boyhood to maturity. Ren must sing and dance.
ARIEL MOORE – Shaw and Vi’s daughter. Ariel is smart. She understands the rules of the different worlds she moves between and, in each situation, she plays her part brilliantly. When she’s in her father’s presence, for instance, she is buttoned-up and demure; with Chuck, she burns off all her unexpressed, explosive energy with raucous, thrill-seeking behavior. Ariel loves to laugh – with Chuck, here girlfriends and, eventually, with Ren. However her spirits are, quite often, her attempt to keep a lid on the grief she feels about her brother’s death and the loss of her once loving relationship with her father.
RUSTY – Ariel’s best friend. Rusty may come off as sassy and self-assured, but, in many ways she is the most deeply romantic character in the story. She truly believes that she and Willard were meant to be together. However, they are so inept about expressing themselves, that it takes Ren – and a little time on the dance floor – to ultimately bring that about.
URLEEN – Ariel’s friend.
WENDY JO – Ariel’s friend.
WILLARD HEWITT – Ren’s friend, a country boy. Willard is not dumb. He is a gentle soul with quick fists, which are his defense against a world that he often has trouble comprehending. Willard just hasn’t had anyone come along to puncture his macho belligerence – until Ren arrives. After that, the humor in the character of Willard derives from his gradual, innocent and giddy discovery of the new worlds that Ren opens up to him.
JETER – Ren’s friend.
BICKLE – Ren’s friend.
GARVIN – Ren’s friend.
CHUCK CRANSTON – Ariel’s boyfriend, tends to be a jerk.
LYLE – Chuck’s buddy.
TRAVIS – Chuck’s buddy.
*This list is provided as a resource of the characters in the play. The director reserves the right to combine roles and involve cast performers in ensemble numbers as choir members, townspeople, etc.
For more information, please contact the director, Tim Anderson, at education@broadview-heights-spotlights.org.
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