AUDITION

NOTICE
Today,

26th April, is Confederate

Memorial Day, and SEDOS is
pleased to announce auditions
for Parade, Alfred Uhry and
Jason Robert Browns renowned
musical, running 26th November
to 5th December this year at the
Bridewell Theatre.

Jason Robert Brown is best known for

The Last 5 Years, Songs for a New
World, and 13, and Alfred Uhry as
writer of Driving Miss Daisy.
Production Team
Director- Alan Pavis
Musical Director - Matthew Gould
Producers Matthew Gould & Alex
Sandercock
Alan has directed many shows
including Tommy, Witches of Eastwick, Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd and Cabaret;
Matthew and Alex worked together on the 2006 SEDOS production of Grand Hotel,
and in 2007 on My Favorite Year.

Important Dates (Venues TBC)

Workshop Sunday 12th July 2pm 5pm (A chance to find out more about the
show)
Auditions - Saturday 25th July (You will be required for approximately 2 hours)
Recalls - Sunday 26th July (Not all roles will require recalls)
You will be asked to:
1. Sing your choice of song (BRING SHEET MUSIC!!) or one from the show (please
note: Due to time constraints we may only hear part of the song).
2. Read, in a scene that we will send you in advance.
3. Attend a movement call (the extent of this will depend on the character(s) you
are auditioning for)

If you are interested in auditioning for particular roles or as part of the

ensemble (see breakdown) please email Alex by Friday 17 th July on
alex@dorlandt.com and we will send a copy of the scenes and any music,
along with attendance time.
If you would like to be considered but cannot make the auditions please email
alex@dorlandt.com and we will try to arrange an alternative.
Rehearsals - From Sunday 16th September
There will be a cast meet and greet session on Sunday, 9th August, with acting
rehearsals commencing on 16th September. There may be earlier music rehearsals for
some characters. Full rehearsals will be on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and a full
day on Saturday. Cast will receive a schedule and will not be required for every
rehearsal. Venue TBC.
There will be additional calls on Sunday, 22 nd November (sitzprobe), and Sunday 8 th
November (all day). There might also be an additional call on Sunday, 25 th October.
About the Show
Parade takes place in Atlanta, Georgia in 1913, and is based on the real-life trial for a
murder on Confederate Memorial Day, 26th April, during the annual Parade, and
considers the prejudices of those living in the southern US states after the American
Civil War.
In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the
murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty
in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitors false
testimony seal Leos fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience, and,
eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become
his greatest champion.
Daring, innovative and bold, Parade won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in
2000. Its subject matter offers a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and
ignorance that should not be forgotten. It is a stirring and epic tale.
Parade was performed on Broadway in 1998/1999. It was successfully revived at the
Donmar Warehouse in 2007.
What the critics said about the Donmar Production of Parade:
NICHOLAS DE JONGH in THE EVENING STANDARD: "I cannot remember when the
narrative and plotting of a musical last kept me engaged, let alone gripped...Parade
makes a devastating, emotional show."
MICHAEL BILLINGTON in THE GUARDIAN: "The music and lyrics of Jason Robert
Brown serve to reinforce rather than subvert the gripping story Alfred Uhry's book has
to tell....Musicals primarily deal with romance: it is refreshing to find one that deals so
eloquently with the roots of southern prejudice."
Characters
Principal characters: (the character ages refer to the actual historical
personages, and are not necessarily going to be adhered to rigidly!)

LEO FRANK

A thoughtful New York Jew, out of place in 1900s Atlanta

Georgia. Superintendant at the National Pencil Factory. On
trial for the murder of Mary Phagan. Sentenced to hang.
Character age: 29

LUCILLE FRANK

His wife, who grows in stature to support her husband as he

is tried and convicted of murder. Demure, but supportive
and finds inner strength as the narrative progresses.

BRITT CRAIG

Local newspaper reporter acts as a sort of narrator.

20s/30s hot-headed young buck

NEWT LEE

The night watchman at the National Pencil Factory.

Also accused of the murder. A Negro, whose character
conveys the oppressive racism in the deep south at the turn
of the last century.

JIM CONLEY

Cleaning supervisor at the National Pencil Factory. A nobbled

witness at the trial. Also negro.

TOM WATSON

Franks lawyer. Character age: 57

HUGH DORSEY

Franks prosecutor who sees the trial as political, to

further his own aims of becoming governor. Character age:
42

MARY PHAGAN

The flirtatious victim who bookends the show. A

slight, young, frail girl, found murdered at the National
Pencil Factory. Character age: 13

IOLA STOVER

Marys close friend and peer. Also slight, young, frail girl.

MRS PHAGAN

Mother of the victim gets the most heart-wrenchingly

emotional song in the piece

FRANKIE EPPS

Handsome young boy, attracted to Mary

GOVERNOR SLATON

Eventually shows moral courage and commutes Franks

death sentence. Character age: 47

MRS SLATON

Vital role - sees the moral outrage earlier than her husband
and persuades him to look at the sentence from a moral,
not a political point of view

JUDGE ROAN
YOUNG SOLDIER

Sentences Frank to hang

Sings the hymn of hope to the future of Georgia before the
Civil War. Please note this character will also sings the part
of Old Soldier.

There are MANY other cameo roles, and I should imagine that every member of the
ensemble will play at least one of these, almost certainly more. Most of those involve
solo musical sections and significant character work. We are looking for a total cast
size of around 25.

A show for SEDOS

This great piece of musical theatre draws on a performers every skill to convey
personal and contextual narrative, whilst driving and serving the excellent musicality
of Jason Robert Browns composition. We need skill in performance, credibility in
character and narration, and a LOT of hard, hard work from what I know is going to
be a fine and strong company!
Please note: if you are not a SEDOS member, there is a 5 audition fee. If you are
cast in the show, you must become a member (30 for the year).
There is a 30 participation fee for all cast in SEDOS shows. If cast, your audition fee
will be refunded against Participation.
There is no problem if any cast member also wants to appear in One Flew Over the
Cuckoos Nest.
Finally, we are very keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved
backstage, whether with costumes, set, technical, design, stage crew or front of
house. If you want to help out, please email alex@dorlandt.com
Looking forward to seeing you all in July.

Alan, Matthew & Alex