Fun Home Auditions

FUN HOME Audition Notice

Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel
Directed by Tiffany Schweigert
Musical Direction by Delano Mendoza

AUDITIONS

Saturday, November 4th from 1 to 3 pm, Sunday, November 5th from 7 to 9 pm.

EXPECTATIONS AND PREPARATION
 
-Auditions will be an open call and will consist of singing a prepared 32-bar selection of a song in the style of the show or by the composer. Please provide sheet music…no CD’s and NO A CAPELLA auditions.

-An accompanist will be provided.

-Headshot/Resume (if available, along with the dates of any conflicts that could impact availablity.
 
If you are not able to make open call auditions, please email the director at tiffany.schweigert@gmail.com to set up a video audtion.
 

CALLBACKS 

Monday, November 6th from 7 to 10 pm (by director invite only) 

Please be prepared to sing songs from the show (sides will be provided). Please make sure to clear your schedule for the full three hours, as callbacks are critical to putting together the strongest cast possible.

You will be notified by email if you are invited to callbacks.
 

PRODUCTION DATES

March 1-17, 2024
Fri/Sat at 730 pm; Sun at 2 pm

REHEARSALS 

Rehearsals will begin on January 21st and will be held at Olathe Civic Theatre Association, 500 E. Loula, Olathe, KS.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

Winner of best musical from New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, Obie Award, Lucille Lortel Award and also, Outer Cities Circle Award, as well as the 2015 Tony Award for best musical, best original score, and best book of a musical, ‘Fun Home’ is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.
 
*Strong language and adult themes
 
CAST OF CHARACTERS

We strongly encourage auditions for Principal Roles from artists who self-identify as Black, White, Asian, Indigenous, Latino or Multi-Ethnic and we encourage actors to indicate interest in any roles that fit their gender identity at auditions.  

Age ranges are not meant to eliminate any performer from consideration for a role, but merely to provide a general guideline for each character.

Alison
Lead. Female. 40-45

LGBTQIA+ preferred; cartoonist, writer. Both self-aware and self-conscious, Reflective, appreciating both joy and sadness. Mezzo-soprano with strong low range. Belt. Nondancer.

Medium Alison
Lead. Female. 18-20

LGBTQIA+ preferred; a college student. Smart, awkward, confused – a romantic. Will also play a Susan Dey. Realizing and embracing that she is lesbian. Mezzo-soprano. Belt. Dancing required.

Small Alison
Lead. 8-11

Intelligent, confident, and bossy. Precocious. Alto. Light belt. Dancing required.

Bruce Bechdel
Lead. 40-50

LGBTQIA+ preferred; Alison’s father, Depressed and self-loathing, hurtful, closeted gay. Husband and father of three – likes the role, but not the rules. Baritone. Dancing required.

Helen Bechdel
Supporting. 40-50

Alison’s mother. Depressed and self-deluded, unhappy, cold. Wife and mother of three – has compromised herself into marginalism. Mezzo-soprano. Strong mix. Dancing required.

Christian Bechdel
Supporting. 10-13

Alison’s brother. Smart, funny, and independent. Singing and dancing required.

John Bechdel
Supporting. 6-9

Alison’s brother. Energetic, imaginative, and eager to please. Singing and dancing are required.

Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby
Supporting. Male. 20-30

LGBTQIA+ preferred; customer/high school student/college student/imaginary TV character. One actor plays all four roles. Tenor. Dancing required.

Joan
Supporting. 19-21

LGBTQIA+ Preferred; a college student; will also play a Susan Dey. Medium Alison’s girlfriend. Smart, confident. Alto. Comfortable with harmony lines. Dancing required.

QUESTIONS

Please direct questions to director, Tiffany Schweigert, at tiffany.schweigert@gmail.com.
 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Set build/strike/costumes

Cast members are required to assist with strike following the final performance. Cast members may also be asked to assist with costume pieces.

This is a non-equity, non-paid production.

ABOUT US 

OCTA celebrates our cultural and intellectual richness and is committed to promoting diversity in all aspects of our organization. Non-traditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged. OCTA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, the city, and the community, in addition to a dedicated board of directors, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.