A Man of No Importance Audition Notice
by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Book by Terrence McNally
Directed by Austin Skibbie
AUDITIONS
Saturday, April 8th from 12 pm to 5 pm
Sunday, April 9th from 1 pm to 5 pm
CALLBACKS: by director invitation only – Saturday, April 15th from 4 pm to 9 pm
**We are accepting video auditions. Please send all video submissions to Amoni.OCTA@gmail.com by Saturday Night April 8th. All video submissions will be reviewed on Sunday the 9th.
PRODUCTION DATES
June 23 – July 9 2023
Fri/Sat at 8pm; Sun at 2pm
REHEARSAL
Rehearsals will be Monday-Friday 6:30-10pm for the first three weeks of rehearsal (May 15 th – June 2 nd ) This will allow us to avoid Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14 th and will minimize Memorial Day weekend conflicts. The rehearsal on Memorial Day will be TBD, all conflicts for this date will be honored.
Rehearsals will resume OCTA’s typical Sunday-Thursday (6:30-10pm) schedule starting June 4th and will continue until opening.
Most rehearsals will be held at the OCTA theatre, with the first week’s location TBD.
No conflicts will be accepted during dress, tech week or shows.
ABOUT THE SHOW
A Man of No Importance is a musical with music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and a book by Terrence McNally, based on the 1994 Albert Finney film, “A Man of No Importance.” It tells the story of an amateur theatre group in Dublin and their leader, who is determined to stage a version of Salome at his church, despite the objections of church authorities.
Alfie Byrne is a bus driver in 1964 Dublin whose heart holds secrets that he can’t share with anyone but his imagined confidante, Oscar Wilde. When he attempts to put on an amateur production of Wilde’s Salome in the local church hall, he confronts the forces of bigotry and shame over a love “that dare not speak its name”; But the redemptive power of theatre changes his life and brings his friends back to his side.
A Man of No Importance is a rare gem in the canon of musical theatre, one that combines the depth and drama of a play with the lyricism and comedy of a musical. A tender and beautifully woven tale of love, friendship and coming to terms with who we are that is sure to move and inspire your audiences.
AUDITION NOTES
SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA8AE2FA2FCC34-amanof
Please reserve an audition slot in one of the 30-minute blocks, this allows for optimal flexibility. We ask that auditioners arrive 5 minutes before their audition time to fill out audition forms. While waiting in the lobby, please be mindful of volume as the theater and lobby are only separated by curtains.
WHAT TO PREPARE:
60-90 second song selection (approx. 32 bars) that showcases your voice as well as your acting ability.
*** Focus on preparing a strong package that showcases your strengths as an actor/singer. Don’t stress about finding the “perfect” or “not overdone” song for this show. However, please do so mindfully. We want to get a sense of how you would handle the material. ***
An audition accompanist will be provided, tracks are also acceptable but not preferred. If using a track please ensure you have a high-quality recording, edited down to the length of the audition or time stamps clearly notated. A speaker, aux cord and dongle for iPhone usage will be provided.
There will be no dance call for initial auditions.
WHAT TO BRING
1) A Summary of all personal conflicts from May 15 th – June 25 th , 2023
2) An updated resume, please include vocal range.
3) Please email a headshot to AMONI.OCTA@gmail.com
CASTING NOTES
***These descriptions should be viewed as a reference point but please bring original interpretations and don’t be
afraid to make bold character choices. We want a bold cast of characters that breathe life into Alfie’s community. ***
Alfie– A middle-aged Dublin bus conductor and director of an amateur theatrical troupe, the St. Imelda’s Players. Average looks and build, he is a dreamer who idolizes Oscar Wilde. He is in love with Robbie but wrestles with his sexuality throughout the story.
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range: A2-E4
Adele– She is a young, sweet, “small-town” girl who is wise beyond her years. A pretty young woman who has fled her hometown after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. She meets Alfie on his bus, and he woos her into taking the leading role in Salome.
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range: C4- F5
Robbie– Alfie’s coworker and closest friend. He is charming, honest and likeable. He should have the radical honesty and genuine presentation of the working class. He doesn’t care for the pretentious nature of the modern world and appreciates the natural
beauty of the world around him. Though he develops an appreciation for the arts via Alfie. He is the handsome, young bus driver Alfie begins to fall in love with.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 35
Vocal range: C3-A4
Lily Byrne– Alfie’s sister who cares deeply for him but finds him odd. She is socially and morally conservative. She loves her brother but wants nothing more than for Alfie to find a wife and move out so that she is free to marry Mr. Carney.
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range: E3- C5
Carney– The local butcher who is the usual star of Alfie’s productions and boasts an ego about it. The most socially and morally conservative member of the community. He is Lily’s boyfriend. A very pious man who once he realizes how small his role in Salome is, he reports Alfie to the church sodality for putting on an “obscene” play.
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 60
Vocal range: A2-G4
Mrs. Patrick– Robbie’s married lover and the mother of three children. A pious woman. A lot of opportunity to build a specific character around her scandalous affair. (Often double cast as Kitty Farrelly, the local bar owner. This is decision is TBD)
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range: G3-E5
Baldy– Also known as James Michael O”Shea, he is the resident stage manager at St. Imelda’s. He lost his wife early in life. Alfie’s retired friend, and closest friend aside from Robbie. He is St Imelda’s stage manager who takes every opportunity to poke at Alfie about St. Imelda’s rag-tag productions. A kind and gentle man who accepts Alfie as he is.
Gender: Male (Could be subject to change)
Age: 35 to 70
Vocal range: B2 – G4
Breton Beret– A townie, seductive and conventionally attractive. Must have a dark but appealing allure as he seduces in order to beat him up for being gay. He should evoke a sense of danger that is exciting not just intimidating. (Often double cast as Carson, the dutiful and strict bus system manager. This decision is TBD)
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 35
Vocal range: A2 – C4
Miss Crowe– A member of the St. Imelda’s Players, the wiry Miss Crowe has taken on the additional responsibility of costume design for this production of Salome. She is an opinionated woman with a strong sense of self-importance.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 60
Vocal range: B3-A5
Mrs. Curtin– St. Imelda’s actor and choreographer with a strong tendency towards tap dancing in her choreographic choices.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range: A3-D5
Mrs. Grace– A member of the troupe who recently took time off from St. Imelda’s players to tend to her ailing husband. Mrs. Grace paints watercolors. She has certain flair for the dramatics and thinks highly of herself as a stage performer. She is the “diva” of the troupe.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 60
Vocal range: A3-D5
Rasher Flynn– Former gymnast and St. Imelda’s resident electrician and general company technician.
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: A2- E4
Ernie Lally– St. Imelda’s actor and prop master who is extremely dedicated to his craft.
Gender: Male (Could be subject to change)
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range: B2-G4
Peter– A young man with dreams of playing in his own rock band. Youngest Member of the troupe.
Gender: Male (Could be subject to change)
Age: 18 to 40
Sully O'hara- Currently unemployed, Sully has occupied his extra time by joining the St.
Imelda’s Players.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range: B2-G4
Father Kenny– St. Imelda’s curmudgeonly but caring priest.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 65
Other Characters:
– Kitty Farrelly
– Carson
– Monsignor
NOTE: The Role of Oscar Wilde has already been cast.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Set build/strike/costumes
Cast members are required to assist with strike following the final performance. Cast members will also be asked to provide costume pieces.
Sketches will be provided to ensure design cohesion and a costume coordinator will be appointed to assist with costume completion, fittings, repairs and maintenance.
QUESTIONS
Please direct questions to directing team and stage manager at AMONI.OCTA@gmail.com.
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.