Kimberly Akimbo Auditions
Kimberly Akimbo
By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by David Martin
Presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)
Set in the wilds of suburban New Jersey, Kimberly Akimbo is a hilarious and heartrending play about a teenager with a rare condition causing her body to age faster than it should. When she and her family flee Secaucus under dubious circumstances, Kimberly is forced to reevaluate her life while contending with a hypochondriac mother, a rarely sober father, a scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and, most terrifying of all, the possibility of first love. Please note this is the play, and not the musical version of Kimberly Akimbo.
AUDITIONS:
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 7 pm – 10 pm
Olathe Civic Theatre Association, 500 E. Loula, Olathe, KS
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. You will have time to work on the scenes with your scene partners before performing. Auditioners are asked to read the script in advance to be familiar with the play. If you are unable to attend on this date, please contact the director at dmartin922@gmail.com to coordinate an alternative time to audition.
CALLBACKS:
Saturday, September 9, 2023, 1 pm to 5 pm
Callbacks are by director invitation only and will consist of additional cold readings from the script.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will begin in full on Monday, September 18th, though we will likely have a read through at a different location on Sunday, September 17th. We will follow a standard Sunday-Thursday, 7-10pm rehearsal schedule. Exact schedule will be based on actor conflicts. This is a small show where the relationships matter a great deal, so rehearsal conflicts should be kept to an absolute minimum. With the possible exception of the first read through, all rehearsals will take place at OCTA. Cast will be expected to assist with the strike immediately following the final performance.
PRODUCTION DATES:
Performances run October 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, November 3,4, and 5 2023. Fri/Sat at 7:30pm. Sun at 2:00pm.
CHARACTERS:
(Please note that listed age ranges are how old you look and not necessarily how old you are)
Kimberly (60s, female or female presenting, any ethnicity) – Kimberly is a 16-year-old character played by a 65ish-year-old actress. She has Progeria, meaning she ages 4 times faster than normal. Because of that, she should have teenage mannerisms and approach to life. Certainly very awkward and not terribly thrilled with her family situation. Must be comfortable with on stage intimacy and must fall gently to the floor.
Buddy (late 30s/early 40s, male or male presenting, any ethnicity) – Buddy is Kimberly’s father, so he needs to be old enough to reasonably have a daughter her age. He is a blue collar worker and a drunk, but he means well. Life has dealt him a tough hand, but he deals with it the best he can.
Pattie (late 30’s, female or female presenting, any ethnicity) – Pattie is Kimberly’s mother who is extremely pregnant (hence the slightly younger age range than Buddy). She curses like a sailor and is very aware of Kimberly’s life expectancy. She will require some significant physical comedy as she spends the entire show with both hands in bandages and the second half with one leg in a cast, plus the pregnancy addition.
Jeff (16, male or male presenting, any ethnicity) – Jeff is an awkward teenage in Kimberly’s class. He is fairly nerdy and does not mind if people know that about him. Very direct and sweet. Takes an interest in Kimberly early on. Must be comfortable with on stage intimacy. NOTE – While the character is 16, I will be very willing to cast someone older who looks young enough to be believable as a high schooler.
Debra (late 30’s/early 40s, female or female presenting, any ethnicity) – Debra is Pattie’s sister and basically a criminal. She loves her family in her way and shows up unexpectedly as they were trying to get away from her. She is probably a close-minded straight man’s idea of a lesbian.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
I am looking for as diverse a cast as I can find. Since no characters need to be any specific ethnicity, I would like to fill the stage with as many different looks as possible. All characters live in New Jersey, so some light New Jersey dialect work will be required of all characters. This is not required for auditions, but if you want to try it there, please do.
*Actors will be required to navigate stairs down to the dressing room and up a spiral staircase to reach backstage.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director/Sound Designer – David Martin
Stage Manager – DK Evenson
Set Designer – RickL Riley
Lighting Designer – Chuck Cline
Costume Designer – Sarah Jeter
Properties – Valerie Martin
QUESTIONS:
Please direct questions to director David Martin at dmartin922@gmail.com