SHOW DESCRIPTION:
DIRECTOR(S):
Kathleen Atwood and Greg Brock
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Ryan Finnegan
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Justin Simone
CHOREOGRAPHER: Nina Joly
STAGE MANAGER: Stephanie Brine Hebert
Based on real events from September 11, 2001. When the U.S. airspace closes and flights are diverted, a number of international planes land unexpectedly at Gander, Newfoundland. Over several days, the people of Gander, along with airport staff, volunteers, and arriving travelers, are forced to adapt to a sudden, frightening reality while the rest of the world goes into crisis. The show follows multiple perspectives of passengers and residents as they form temporary friendships, share food and stories, and find ways to cope with uncertainty and loss. It highlights how strangers become a community through small acts of care, communication, and mutual support centered on the human impact of being “stuck somewhere together” when history changes overnight.
TIME COMMITMENT:
Rehearsals: 3, at times 4, days per week
PERFORMANCE DATES:
(9) total performances
July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, August 1, 5, 6, 7
MATERIALS & REQUIREMENTS:
For Musicals:
Please plan to arrive at the start time and stay until the end time. Arrive early for parking and paperwork.
Auditions will include dance, music, and reading auditions. Audition materials will be available in the drop-box outside the theater doors at least 2 weeks before the audition dates. Please only take one copy of the role(s) you are auditioning for.
Auditioning with tracks is preferred. If using sheet music plan on no more than 32 bars of song. No a cappella singing. We strongly suggest performing a number from the show, or something similar in style.
Everyone will be expected to learn and perform a brief piece of choreography. Wearing comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended.
We are actively seeking and welcoming actors of all races, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental and physical abilities, sexual/affectional orientation, gender and its expression.
Should you have specific needs or you have questions or concerns, please contact: katwood7@icloud.com or gwbrock8@gmail.com.
AVAILABLE ROLES:
CHARACTER AGE RANGE: 20s-60s
Please note: Age references are that of the character, not the actor.
All actors have a main character “track” along with 1-7 others. First listed are characters and those tracks, followed by character descriptions.
Track #1: Primary Character - Diane, Secondary Characters -Crystal, Brenda, Playing Age: 50s–60s, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Contemporary soprano
Track #2: Primary Character - Hannah, Secondary Characters - Margie, Mickey, Playing Age: 40s-60's, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Contemporary soprano
Track #3: Primary Character - Janice, Secondary Characters - Britney, Flight Attendant, Playing Age: 20s, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Contemporary soprano
Track #4: Primary Character - Beulah, Secondary Characters - Delores, Playing Age: 40s-60s, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Mezzo
Track #5: Primary Character - Bonnie, Secondary Characters - Martha, Playing Age: 30s-40s, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Mezzo
Track #6: Primary Character - Beverley, Secondary Characters - Annette, Reporter, Playing Age: 40s-50s, Gender Presentation: Female, Vocal Type: Strong Mezzo
Track #7: Primary Character - Oz, Secondary Characters - Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, Head Cardiologist, Playing Age: 30s-50s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Contemporary Tenor
Track #8: Primary Character - Kevin T., Secondary Characters - Garth, President Bush, Playing Age: 30s-40s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Contemporary Tenor
Track #9: Primary Character - Kevin J., Secondary Characters - Dwight, Ali, Playing Age: 30s-40s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Tenor/baritenor
Track #10: Primary Character - Bob, Secondary Characters - Muhumuza, Captain Bristol, Playing Age: 20s-40s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Baritone
Track #11: Primary Character - Claude, Secondary Characters - Derm, Brenda's Brother, Eddie, Playing Age: 40s-60s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Baritone
Track #12: Primary Character - Nick, Secondary Characters - Doug, Officer Stephenson, Male Townsperson, Playing Age: 50s-60s, Gender Presentation: Male, Vocal Type: Baritone/baritenor
FEMALES
Diane: A divorcee from Texas, and terrified that her child may have been flying during the attacks. On learning he is safe, Diane experiences a personal transformation and finds a freer, more adventurous part of herself on meeting Nick. Qualities: Warmth, humor, emotional openness, strong contemporary storytelling.
Hannah: A mother waiting desperately for news about her firefighter child in New York City. She forms an important relationship with Beulah during the crisis. Qualities: Emotional depth, vocal power, authenticity, ability to carry intense dramatic material. Traditionally performed by a black actress.
Janice: An inexperienced local television reporter thrown into the largest story imaginable on her first day. Initially enthusiastic and naïve, she gradually confronts the gravity of what has happened
Qualities: Energy, charisma, comic timing, believable transformation.
Beulah: Head of the Gander Legion. Warm, practical, funny, and deeply compassionate. She forms a central friendship with Hannah. Qualities: Earthiness, warmth, humor, emotional generosity, strong belt.
Bonnie: A no-nonsense mother of three and head of the Gander SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped aboard the planes, she becomes determined to rescue them. Qualities: Strength, comic timing, physical energy.
Beverley: The first female captain for American Airlines. A pioneering pilot whose love of flying is profoundly affected by September 11 and its aftermath. Qualities: Commanding presence, nuanced acting, displays strong leadership.
MALES
Oz: The quirky constable in Gander's two-person police force. One of the most demanding doubling tracks in the show, as the actor must create numerous sharply differentiated characters, often with minimal costume changes. Qualities: Versatility, quick character switching, physically comedic, good with accents.
Kevin T.: Head of an environmental energy company. He and his boyfriend Kevin J. are stranded in Gander. Requires relationship chemistry with Kevin J. Qualities: Energetic, charismatic, sense of humor.
Kevin J.: Kevin T.'s boyfriend and secretary. Requires relationship chemistry with Kevin T. Interesting doubling track as Kevin J. and Ali are dramatically different characters. Ali is an Egyptian man who experiences anti-Muslim prejudice following September 11. Qualities: Sarcastic, unhappy, comic timing, emotional depth. Traditionally performed by an actor who presents as Middle Eastern.
Bob: A hardened New Yorker who initially assumes the worst about Gander and fears he may be in danger. Gradually, he is transformed by the generosity of the people around him. Qualities: Strong personality, comic edge, emotional transformation. Traditionally performed by a black actor.
Claude: The beloved Mayor of Gander. Gregarious, practical, and deeply connected to his community. He suddenly finds himself responsible for helping double the town's population. Qualities: Natural authority, warmth, comic ease, strong ensemble leadership.
Nick: An English oil engineer whose life is changed when he meets Diane during the Gander experience. His relationship with Diane is one of the show's most charming stories. Qualities: Gentle humor, warmth, romantic chemistry, believable English accent.