Wheaton Drama, Inc. (WDI) announces auditions for the next show in its 2018-2019 season, Silent Laughter by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore (Love, Sex and the IRS, Confessions of a Dirty Blonde, The Senator
Wore Pantyhose). An homage to the slapstick days of early silent movies, Silent Laughter is the story of Billy, a hapless schnook in New York, 1917. Not just a retread of pie fights and pratfalls (although they are certainly present), Silent Laughter takes up the challenge of presenting death-defying Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin/Harold Lloyd style gags, with a bit of Laurel & Hardy and Musty Suffer. If you love this type of comedy, now is your chance to perform it.
Director: Craig Gustafson
Production Manager: Elyse Willis.
Stunt Choreographer: Andrew Trygstad.
To get a feel for what the show will be like, check out the commercial for the original off-Broadway production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fPxYPWtJDI, or start watching all the Buster Keaton silent films you can find; especially Sherlock, Jr.
In order to best utilize the time of actors auditioning for Silent Laughter, auditions are by appointment only at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton.
1. Actors will be scheduled for October 1 or 2. If all slots fill
up on those dates, other dates will be added.
2. Actors will be assigned a call time, either 7:00, 7:30, 8:00,
8:30, 9:00 or 9:30 p.m.
3. Actors will be assigned to a group and will spend 30 minutes in
the audition.
4. Walk-ins will be seen only if there are any cancellations or
open slots, so making an appointment is strongly encouraged.
5. Those cast or called back will be called by noon on Wednesday,
October 3. Actors who are not cast or called back will be contacted by e-mail.
If necessary, callbacks will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3.
CHARACTERS
Cast size is eight men and two women. All actors must be able to
perform dexterous physical comedy. Any actor cast as someone other than those listed below will play many characters. Many, many characters. It is truly an ensemble show with major comedic moments for all.
BILLY - The Hero.
RUTH - The Heroine.
BILLY'S PAL - Billy's Pal.
LIONEL DRIPPINWITHIT - Billy's Arch-Enemy.
BREWSTER THICKWAD - Billy's Boss and Future Father-in-Law.
MAX THE THUG - Billy's Cellmate and Foxhole Buddy.
SARGE - Billy's Nemesis.
And a Cast of Hundreds.
Rehearsal Start: October 4th
Rehearsal End: November 15th
Performances of Silent Laughter are November 16 through December 9, 2018. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving.
When asked what actors will have to do for auditions, director Gustafson's response has been, "Monologues." Well... not exactly. When you apply for an appointment, you will be sent audition sides unrelated to the show. "These will be dialogue scenes," explains Gustafson. "People talk to each other in silent movies; we just don't hear them. What I will be looking for is how you physicalize the scene; how visually expressive you can be." Additionally, stunt choreographer Andrew Trygstad will have exercises to gauge how physically adept the actors are. Dress to allow movement.
Contact Info:
To schedule an appointment, please e-mail SilentWDI@comcast.net. State your name and which day you would like to audition. You will be assigned a time, so unless you have a conflict of some sort, don't request a time. Attaching a headshot and resume is acceptable but not required. Audition sides will be sent to you when your appointment is scheduled.