The Cast of The 39 Steps, December 2023
Local theater artists and theater lovers are invited to audition or interview for roles in four upcoming productions at Flashback Theater Co. Audition and interview sessions will be held on select days from August 27th through September 7th at 209 E Mount Vernon Street in downtown Somerset.
In this post:
Audition Overview
Production Information
What to Prepare
New to Flashback Theater?
Audition Overview
Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) produces a season of 3 Mainstage shows and 1 Fringe show each year, creating several opportunities for community members to get involved as actors or crew members. Those selected to perform or to work as crew will be compensated with stipends for their work on a production.
Cast and crew members of FbTC productions can expect an encouraging atmosphere and a creative learning environment, with most FbTC productions featuring a mix of debut artists and veteran stage performers. A total of 31 acting roles and 8-10 roles for crew members are available this season. Show preference can be provided at the audition, along with any conflicts.
There are two ways to audition or interview for roles in the upcoming season: by appointment or at a walk-in open call. Appointment auditions are 10 minute slots that can be reserved in advance, allowing the artist to arrive and audition or interview quickly on a weekday. The walk-in audition is available for those who prefer to audition alongside other artists, or may not have found an appointment slot that works within their schedule.
Individual audition/interview appointments are available Tuesday, August 27th, Friday, August 30th, and Thursday September 5th, and can be scheduled by visiting this link:
If no available time works for you, please call or email [email protected] to request an alternate time or, alternatively, you can plan to attend the walk-in auditions on Saturday, September 7th.
Walk-in auditions will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Potential cast and crew may come in at any time during this window and immediately register, then audition or interview. Walk-in auditions are on a first come, first served basis and those attending this session should anticipate a wait.
Actor callbacks will be held on Sunday, September 8th at 2:00 p.m. for all shows. Additional callbacks may be scheduled as necessary to accommodate special circumstances but that is solely at the discretion of the production team and it is most beneficial to the actor to be seen on the same day as other callbacks, so please plan accordingly.
Production Information
Each of the productions will primarily rehearse at Flashback Theater, but performance venues vary. The dates and confirmed details of each show are as follows.
Count Dracula October 17th – 27th, 2024
By Ted Tiller
Directed by Sommer Schoch
There’s a new patient at the asylum and a new resident in the castle across the valley, who has been seen only at night. Dr. Seward is desperately trying to keep his asylum and his spinster sister in order, when his ward, Mina, becomes very ill after a visit from the new neighbor. Mina’s fiance Jonathan arrives just in time to try to cure her of the illness before it claims her life. Baffled by the horrific events that have unfolded, Dr. Seward sends for the self-proclaimed ‘Vampire Hunter’ Van Helsing to put this nightmare to bed for good. The wolves howl, the bats fly, the lights flicker … and the legendary story of Count Dracula unfolds.
Roles available for 9 cast members; actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age or any other factor.
This production will contain instances of simulated fantasy violence, possible use of fog and other effects.
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley December 5 – 15, 2024
By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
Directed by Thomas Alvey
In this sparkling sequel to Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (produced at Flashback in 2018), Gunderson and Melcon explore the grounds of Jane Austen’s Pemberley Estate (of Pride and Prejudice fame) from a new level: the downstairs servants quarters. To prepare for another busy holiday season, longtime housekeeper Mrs.Reynolds hires a new charge, a witty young maid named Cassie. Working together on holiday preparations, sparks begin to fly between Cassie and the estate’s inventive young footman Brian, but all comes to a screeching halt when a midnight arrival from a forbidden guest threatens to tear the family apart. This charming holiday tale captures the heart of Austen’s beloved heroines with a delightfully fresh perspective that all audiences can enjoy.
Roles available for 7 cast members; actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age, or any other factor.
When We Get Good Again February 20 – 23, 2025
By James McLindon
Directed by Billy Christopher Maupin
Poor but brilliant college student Tracy needs straight A’s to get into a top law school that will forgive her mountain of academic debt so she can be a lawyer for the poor. With the economic odds stacked against her, she tries to rationalize her job writing term papers for wealthy students. But she’s not sure she can do it. When We Get Good Again explores the current age in which personal integrity seems to be eroding before our eyes, and each day seems to bring new headlines about politicians who lie as naturally as they breathe and parents who buy their child’s admission into the college of their choice. In a world of privilege and deprivation, is it still immoral to cheat in order to level a playing field that is already supposed to be flat?
Roles available for 4 cast members. All characters may be any race. Director is especially interested in casting a Black actress in the role of Tracy, but will consider all races for all roles. People of color are encouraged to audition.
This production contains explicit language and brief reference of attempted suicide.
The House of Blue Leaves May 8 – 18, 2025
By John Guare
Directed by Jenny Denney
Zookeeper Artie Schaughnessy has his sights set on arrogant aspirations of Hollywood stardom. On a hot sunny day in 1965, the day Pope Francis Vl is visiting New York City, Artie and his girlfriend Bunny launch a plan to escape to California by disposing of Artie’s wife, Bananas, in a mental hospital that has trees with blue leaves. But their plans are more than derailed as the day unwinds into chaos; lost nuns take refuge in Artie’s apartment, Artie’s son Robbie has gone AWOL, and his apartment becomes the site of a political bombing. This outrageously biting farce puts into perspective just how low some are willing to go for fame.
Roles available for 11 cast members. Characters will be presented as 4 males, 6 females, and 1 of either gender; actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age or any other factor.
This production contains depictions of violence, adult situations and the use of unsettling language. There will be a simulated explosion in Act ll.
What to Prepare
ACTORS
You should prepare two contrasting, 60 second monologues: one that is darkly humorous and the other with heightened language that exudes eloquence in verbose language like that of Regency Era literature; à la Oscar Wilde, Lauren Gunderson, or Suzan-Lori Parks.
Please bring a headshot and acting resume. You will fill out a contact form and conflict sheet at your audition time. Email is our primary way of contacting actors for call backs, so please be sure you provide an email that you check regularly.
PRODUCTION CREW
You should prepare a resume or list of past theater experience, if you have any. If not, think about the skills and experience you have that would translate well to backstage and production. This can be communication skills, design or construction experience, etc. If you have any particular interest in learning a new skill or working on a specific show or project, be prepared to discuss that as well. Your audition/interview slot will allow us to inquire about your skills and interests so we can work together to find the best fit for your experience.
New to Flashback Theater?
By auditioning or interviewing for the entire season, you are indicating interest in being considered for opportunities throughout the entire upcoming year. You will be able to indicate on your audition form if you are unavailable for particular shows. The director of each show will be calling back individuals from this pool of talent for show specific opportunities based on your type, experience, and availability. For this reason, it is helpful if you bring a photo of yourself and a theater resume or list of previous theater experience for later reference.
Our artists are typically paid a stipend to offset the costs of attending rehearsals. We are a semi-professional company, and we operate in a professional atmosphere. Our artists are treated with respect and we expect you to return that respect by showing up on time to all rehearsals and performances, and collaborating in a positive manner. Your audition or interview is the first opportunity to show your respect for the theater process and thus your ability to work well with us; so arrive early, be prepared, and always say “Thank you!”
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater Co. is grateful to our 2024-25 Starlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements and The Shubert Foundation. Spotlight Sponsors: M&W Printing and CHI Saint Joseph London; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: David Daring Rentals, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital & Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmers National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Somerset Community College, Buffalo Wings & Rings, and Citizens National Bank.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Flashback Theater Co. with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.