Auditions for main stage shows generally occur approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the opening date of any production with a 7-8 week rehearsal process with five weeks of performance, some of which may be doubles on the last two Saturdays of the run, depending on the show. Auditions for main stage shows are by appointment only and for anyone who feels they have the necessary skills to participate. Check back regularly for audition notices. These notices can also be found in Backstage West, the nationwide stage, film and screen industry newspaper, as well as local newspapers; the Ventura County Star, The Simi Valley Acorn and Happenings Magazine.
Auditions for ARTSpace Black Box Theater productions are generally a week prior to beginning of rehearsals with open calls. The rehearsal process for a Black Box theater production is generally 6 weeks with four weekends of performance.
ARTS is excited to announce auditions for our first production of Season 2025 at ARTSpace Black Box Theater
LYSISTRATA
A Classical Greek Comedy by ARISTOPHANES
Directed by Elizabeth Stockton
LYSISTRATA will perform over four weekends, JANUARY 18 – FEBRUARY 9, 2025 – Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm
Auditions will be held at ARTSPACE BLACK BOX THEATER on Monday and Thursday, December 2 and 5, between 7pm-9pm, with callbacks on Saturday, December 7 from 10am-12pm.
Actors are asked to bring a short 1-2 minute classical comedic monologue, preferably memorized.
SYNOPSIS
Lysistrata is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BC. It is a comic account of a woman’s extraordinary mission to end the Peloponnesian War between Greek city states by denying all the men of the land any sex, which was the only thing they truly and deeply desired. Lysistrata persuades the women of the warring cities to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace—a strategy, however, that inflames the battle between the sexes.
AVAILABLE ROLES:
Lysistrata
Lysistrata is an Athenian woman who is sick and tired of war and the treatment of women in Athens. Lysistrata gathers the women of Sparta and Athens together to solve these social ills and finds success and power in her quest. Lysistrata is the least feminine of the women from either Athens or Sparta, and her masculinity helps her gain respect among the men.
Kleonike
Kleonike is the next-door neighbor of Lysistrata and is the first to show up at Lysistrata’s meeting of women. Kleonike embraces her feminine side and is delighted that Lysistrata’s scheme for peace involves garments like negligees.
Myrrhine
If rank were imposed, Myrrhine would be the second strongest woman in Lysistrata. Myrrhine is able to seduce her husband, Kinesias, but she refuses sex with him just at the last minute.
Lampito
Lampito is representative of Spartan women. Lampito is a large, well-built woman who American audiences might imagine with a thick Appalachian accent (by Arrowsmith’s translation, Sparta was the Greek equivalent of the stereotypically South). Lampito brings the Spartan women into Lysistrata’s plan.
Ismenia
Ismenia is a Boitian girl who has a nice body, keeps herself well tended, and is quite possibly mute.
Korinthian Girl
This lady accompanies Ismenia and Lampito to Lysistrata’s meeting and is known for her vast posterior bodily feature.
Policewoman
The Policewoman kindly offers her shield up for the women to make a sacrifice upon.
Koryphaios of Men
The Koryphaios of Men, a stubborn and rather grouchy fellow, leads the Chorus of Old Men around Athens.
Chorus of Old Men
The Chorus of Old Men live up to their title; the chorus is made up of twelve old men who teeter around Athens attempting to keep the women in line. Although, unsuccessful in their civic duties, the Chorus of Old Men strike up some fantastical misogynistic melodies and are a generally comedic element of the play.
Koryphaios of Women
Like the Koryphaios of Men, the Koryphaios of Women leads the Chorus of Old Women around. The Koryphaios of Women leads a successful seizure of the Akropolis and outwits the men in every possible way.
Chorus of Old Women
The Chorus of Old Women seizes and then protects the Akropolis from the Chorus of Old Men. The Chorus of Old Women, although frail, fights to the last with the men and finds victory in the end.
Commissioner of Public Safety
The Commissioner of Public Safety is apparently the head of security and law in Athens, but is completely overwhelmed by the women and ends up being dressed as a woman himself. Lysistrata has a lengthy conversation with the Commissioner about the future of Athens and peace in the region, but the Commissioner is very slow to understand her logic.
Four Policemen
These Policemen are humiliated again and again by the women. The women, brandishing nothing but lamps, chamber pots and other various household utensils, scare these policemen away.
Kinesias
The needy, desperate clown that Myrrhine calls her husband. Kinesias is the first man to be affected by the sex strike and comes to the Akropolis, fully enflamed.
Peace
Lysistrata’s handmaid. Peace is the scantily clad beauty of a woman whom Lysistrata displays and uses during her final plea for peace between Athens and Sparta. Terribly aroused and uncomfortable, the men quickly discuss the terms of a truce, all the while staring at Peace’s body.
COMING TO THE MAIN STAGE AT THE SIMI VALLEY CULTURAL ARTS CENTER! ARTS IS PROUD TO PRESENT ITS FIRST SHOW OF SEASON 2025…
RAGTIME
Music by Joseph Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Book by Terrence McNally, Directed by David Ralphe
Auditions for RAGTIME are by appointment only and will be held on December 16 and 17 between 7pm-10pm at ARTSpace Black Box Theater, 2956 School St., Simi Valley 93065. To make an appointment please email jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
Please prepare 16-32 bars of sheet music or provide an instrumental backing track of a legit Broadway musical number in a similar genre or by the same composer(s). A head shot and resumé is appreciated, if available.
(Note: If you are bringing a child to audition for either of the juvenile roles in RAGTIME, be advised that a prerequisite of main stage experience is required.)
CASTING INFORMATION:
- Coalhouse Walker: A talented and famed Black pianist- Coalhouse is sentimental, passionate, and romantic. He is a natural, charismatic, leader. He undergoes a significant hardship that turns him from idealistic and hopeful to bitter and cold. Extremely strong actor and singer. Baritone. Age range late 20s to early 40s
- Mother: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
- Tateh: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
- Sarah: A young Black woman who falls in love with Coalhouse Walker after much resistance, she has a fiery heart and an innocent, kind soul. Extremely strong singer and actor. Mezzo. Age range 20 to 30.
- Little Boy: PREREQUISITE MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Mother and Father’s son. He is young, curious and kind. Represents childhood innocence and is welcoming to anyone. Strong actor. Alto or Tenor. Age range 10-12
- Little Girl: PREREQUISITE MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Tateh’s daughter- she is vulnerable and confused in her new home of America, making her shy. Strong actor with a good voice. Alto. Age range 9-12
- Father: Mother’s rich and successful husband. Is somewhat stuffy and old-fashioned. Feels left behind by the changing times and the changes in his family but still tries to do the right thing. Strong singer. Baritone. Age range 30s to mid 40s.
- Younger Brother: A wild, young, and dreamy man who is looking for his meaning in life. He feels deeply and passionately and becomes emotionally involved quickly. He is the younger brother of Mother. Strong actor and singer. Tenor. Age range 20 to 28
- Evelyn Nesbit: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
- Emma Goldman: Social activist. Originally from Russia, she is a leader, a fearless advocate for the oppressed. Gender: Female – Age: 35 to 45. Vocal range top: D5; Vocal range bottom: B3
- Booker T Washington: Incredibly intelligent Black social activist. He is an eloquent and articulate gentleman, as a central leader of Black Americans he has no patience for them leading less than exemplary lives. Baritone. Will double in the ensemble. Age range 30s to 60s.
- Harry Houdini: The famous magician, a symbol of the “American Dream”- someone who traveled to the land of opportunity and was successful. Strong singer and actor with a big presence. Tenor. Age range mid 20s-30s.
- Henry Ford: Famous car manufacturer, chipper, and a great salesman. Good singer and actor with a fun presence. Baritenor. Age mid 30s- early 60s.
- Sarah’s Friend: A Black woman who is Sarah’s best friend. EXTREMELY STRONG singer with a gospel sound who is also a strong actor. Sings “Til We Reach That Day”. Will be a part of the Harlem ensemble. Age ranges late teens to 50.
- Grandfather: Gruff and extremely conservative, Mother’s father is irritated by everything. A retired professor that now lives at home. Strong actor with great comedic timing. To play 50s to 75+.
J. P. Morgan: One of the richest men in the country. Entitled and superior. Role for a strong actor and singer. Age Range 55 – 70. - Willie Conklin: The fireman who destroys Coalhouse’s car. An unapologetic racist. Role for a strong actor. May double as other roles and will double in the ensemble. Early 20s to 50.
- Coalhouse’s Men: Young Black men who follow Coalhouse. Passionate and devoted to their leader. Featured with solo singing and speaking lines. Will also be a part of the Harlem Ensemble and may double with other roles. Strong singers, movers, and actors. Late Teens to mid-40s.
- Katheleen: A young maid in Father’s house. Will double with other roles and will be a part of the ensemble. Featured speaking role. Any age.
- Bridgid – Another young maid in Father’s house with a fiery temper. Will double with other roles and will be a part of the ensemble. Featured speaking role. Any age.
- Coalhouse Walker III: Coalhouse and Sarah’s young son. Ages 5-8
- Ensemble: An ensemble of ALL ethnicities, ALL ages, ALL genders, and ALL physical types. Amongst the ensemble will be Harlem Citizens, Immigrants to America, and Citizens of New Rochelle. Other featured roles will be pulled from this ensemble such as Kid Newsies, Admiral Perry, Stanford White, Harry K Thaw, Mrs Whitstein, Coalhouse’s Lawyer, Factory Kids, Sob Sisters, Orphans, Firemen, Matthew Hensen and MANY other roles. ALL will have featured singing or speaking roles and be in the many ensemble sequences in this show, and will have plenty of stage time! Seeking strong actors and singers. Ages 16-60
If you have any questions please contact the producer at jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
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