Auditions
Love, Loss and What I Wore
Auditions for the Arts Center of Kershaw County’s production of Love, Loss and What I Wore will be held Sunday October 20th and Monday, October 21st in the Black Box Theatre at the Center, 810 Lyttleton Street in downtown Camden.
Sunday, October 20 at 6:00pm in the Black Box Theatre
Monday, October 21 at 7:00pm in the Black Box Theatre
The play written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, will be directed by Madeline McGrail.
The show will be presented February 20-23, 2025, in the Black Box Theatre at the Center.
Director McGrail is looking for an ensemble of female presenting actors, ages 18 and above of all ethnicities.
Winner of the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, the show was produced Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre in New York where it became the second-longest running show in the theatre’s history.
Many famous women have been in the production including Rosie O’Donnell, Tyne Daly, Kristin Chenoweth, Jane Lynch, America Ferrera and Kristen Whig.
The story is organized as a series of 28 stories, both monologues and ensemble pieces, and traditionally uses a cast of five principal women. The subject matter of the monologues includes women’s relationships and wardrobes and at times the interaction of the two, using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of all facets of these women’s lives.
Auditions will be held Sunday, October 20th at 6pm and Monday, October 21st at 7pm.
Auditionees are encouraged to choose a monologue from the show that resonates with them to read (or perform). Actors may also be asked to share their own stories related to some of their most memorable pieces of clothing. If needed, callback auditions will be scheduled at a later date.
Perusal scripts can be reserved for three days through the Center office or by emailing [email protected].
Hairspray
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!
Director: Larry Hembree
Music Director: Dequan LaSane
Choreographer: Rachel Brown
Auditions:
Sunday, December 15 from 3:00pm-5:30pm
Monday, December 16 from 6:30pm-8:30 pm
Location: Wood Auditorium, Arts Center of Kershaw County
810 Lyttleton Street, Camden SC
If you are unable to attend either night of auditions but still want to audition, please email [email protected].
Please Note: No prior musical theatre experience is required. First-timers are encouraged to audition!
WHAT TO PREPARE: Actors will be asked to learn a song from the show which will be taught at auditions. There will be a movement exercise so wear clothing you can move in. There might also be some additional acting exercises during the auditions. All ethnicities and ages 12 and above (except for the role of Little Inez) are encouraged to audition.
CONTENT: This is a musical that revolves around race and other issues in the 1960s. Where we will be having a great time creating a fun-filled show highlighting a terrific score, the themes will be explored: racial prejudice, freedom of expression, fat-shaming and femininity. The final message is empowering as it focuses on individuality, and the importance of everyone working together for something to become revolutionary.
PERFORMANCE DATES: March 20-22 at 730 pm; and March 23 at 3 pm.
REHEARSALS: will begin the first week of January. Rehearsals will be Sunday-Thursday evenings
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
IMPORTANT CASTING INFORMATION FROM MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
Please note that the cast members in your production of Hairspray must accurately reflect the character descriptions contained in the script.
Tracy Turnblad
Our story’s unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 28
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Corny Collins
The charismatic host of the Corny Collins’ Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Corny should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Edna Turnblad
Tracy’s big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. This role will be played by a male in drag. This role should be played by a white performer.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 65
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Penny Pingleton
Tracy’s best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother’s dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Velma Von Tussle
Amber’s mother and the director of Corny Collin’s show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Amber Von Tussle
Link’s girlfriend and Tracy’s nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can’t dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Link Larkin
The star heartthrob on Corny Collins’ show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Seaweed J. Stubbs
Tracy’s classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed should be played by a Black actor.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 25
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Little Inez
Seaweed’s little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: female
Age: 9-15
Motormouth Maybelle
Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin’s Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 55
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Wilbur Turnblad
Tracy’s simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 65
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Prudy Pingleton
Penny’s strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: female
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D4
Ensemble of all ethnicities
Corny Collins’ Kids (Tammy, Brad, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, Etc.); Students; Hookers; Protestors
The Exonerated
Please check back for audition dates!
The production will run May 15-18, 2025.