january 17-25
songs for a new world
SPONSORED BY: Friends of the Theatre
MUSICAL – It’s about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice… or take a stand… or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.
Brown transports his audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge, 57 stories above Fifth Avenue, to meet a startling array of characters that range from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams… and a soulless marriage.
With a small, powerhouse cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score that runs the gamut of today’s popular music, Songs for a New World is a contemporary song cycle that weaves characters and history together, illuminating the timelessness of self-discovery.
Approximate Duration: 2 Hours
Ticket Policies
All sales are final. Please double-check the event date(s) selected. There are no refunds or exchanges.
All patrons, including children, must have their own ticket. Vernal Theatre: LIVE cannot permit lap sitters.
All seating is assigned. Purchased ticket is good only for the date and seat specified on the ticket.
Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Patrons arriving after the start of the performance will be seated at the discretion of management. Late-comers may have their seats reassigned.
Shows begin at 7pm for all evening performances, 2pm for matinees (where applicable).
Songs for a New World – January Cast List
A HUGE thank you to the incredible people who came out for auditions for ‘Songs for a New World’ this week! We were delighted to have you and had so much fun listening to and seeing your audition. Thank you.
Unfortunately, we could not cast everyone who auditioned. If you were not cast, please audition for us again! Or consider helping on the production team if you are interested. We are so grateful for your time and sharing your talents with us. You are amazing. We hope to see you at the theatre soon.
From the Director:
“Thank you to all of you who showed up and were vulnerable enough to share your talents with us! We were truly blown away by the talent of every single person. Putting yourself out there to audition for a show is such a scary thing, but you did it and did an incredible job. Please know how grateful our team is to have had this opportunity getting to know everyone and hearing from you.
If your name is not on the list, know that we loved having you and still enjoyed hearing from you. Your talent is incredible. YOU are incredible and we are so grateful you showed up. Please come back and keep auditioning.”
If your name is on the list below, email vernaltheatre@gmail.com to accept your role in the production no later than 12pm on Saturday, November 16. When you email the theatre, you will receive additional information about the first readthrough, receiving your script, etc. Thank you!
WOMAN 1 – Sydnie Hanberg
WOMAN 2 – Jen Curtis
MAN 1 – Derek Meanea
MAN 2 – Isaac Merrick
Remember to email the theatre to accept your role!
Send an email to vernaltheatre@gmail.com by the date listed above to accept or decline your role.
Thank you!
Production Team
Director – Megan Pearson
Advisor Director – McKenzie Johnstun
Music Director – Crystal Thomas
Stage Manager – Kristin Meanea
Assistant Stage Manager – Riley Young
Props – Erin Smith
Costumes – Relin Wallis, Aurora Wallis
Pianist – Elizabeth Young
Songs for a New World – January Audition Information
Audition Dates: November 12 & 13
Callbacks November 16 by invitation
Director: Megan Pearson
A few things to note:
- Songs must be memorized and kept to 60 seconds or less. Time limit will be enforced.
- Be prepared to completely fill out the rehearsal calendar at your audition with any and all conflicts that may arise during rehearsal. The production team is sacrificing time to be at rehearsals and it is pointless to rehearse with no one there. Be clear on your conflicts. Any conflicts reported after casting may result in a change of role or require withdrawal from the show. (A tentative rehearsal schedule is attached below. Please know that this is subject to change based on need & availability of cast members.)
- Character descriptions can be found HERE. (Please note that the website ranks this show as PG13, however our production will be PG.)
- Performances are January 17-25. There will not be double-casting therefore actors must be available for all performances.
- Do NOT reach out to any member of the production team individually at any time. Email the theatre with any and all questions at vernaltheatre@gmail.com.
AUDITION NOTICES
- Auditions will be held November 12 & 13 from 7p to 9p.
- Callbacks held by invitation November 16.
- Roles are available for men & women ages 16 and up. All roles are open.
- Email vernaltheatre@gmail.com to sign up for an audition time.
- Prepare a song from a Broadway show cut to 60 seconds or less. Time limit will be enforced.
- Bring a recent headshot – 4×6 color.
- Be prepared to completely fill out the audition form, including the rehearsal calendar with a list of conflicts between November 20 and January 20.
- All auditions are held at Vernal Theatre: LIVE, located at 40 E Main Street in Vernal.
- Video auditions are accepted. Email vernaltheatre@gmail.com for information on how to submit your audition and what you will need to submit.
DIRECTOR NOTE:
The rehearsal schedule around the holidays will be set by availability of cast members. Please let us know your conflicts and we will work with the availability of those who are cast in the production. Thank you!
We hope you have an enjoyable experience auditioning and if you do not get cast, please come see the show and audition for future productions. We are also looking for people to help on the production team. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know either by emailing the theatre or filling out the Google form below (scroll past the audition info).
Email all questions to vernaltheatre@gmail.com. Do NOT reach out to any production team member individually.
TENTATIVE Rehearsal Schedule attached below. Please know that we are very aware of your time and our own. We will cancel rehearsals if we don’t need them and make sure that your time at the theatre is well-spent. Specific people & groups will only need to come specific days and times. Those will be determined specifically after auditions.
Rehearsal Schedule and Audition Form Download
AUDITION TIPS FOR OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
We had an incredible Season 8 at Vernal Theatre: LIVE and cannot wait for Season 9. Below are a few tips and tricks that will help you prepare for auditions. Enjoy and we’ll see you at auditions!
1. Know the expectations and follow them. Read the notices that are posted – every audition is different and may require different things to be prepared. Come ready and knowing what the director expects you to give.
2. Confidence. It sounds simple but it takes practice. Walk in the door with your held head high. Be wary of shuffling feet. You don’t get sympathy points if you’re nervous, not feeling well, or having a bad day. Leave it outside the door. You are being sized up the minute you walk in, so practice good posture and body language before you arrive. And don’t forget to smile – that’s the lasting impression you want to leave.
3. Personality. Let it shine through!
4. Connection. Make one with the character you’re portraying and the production team. Be memorized on your audition material. Don’t ask who they (the production team) are. Introductions waste time, time you could use for showing off your acting chops. They are there to do their job, just like you’re there to do your job. You are equals. You’re selling, and they’re buying. Treat them with respect and courtesy, and they’ll do the same.
5. Stick to the time limit. If you prepared a monologue or a song, you (usually) get 60 seconds starting from your first line. And 60 seconds is plenty. So as to be respectful of everyone’s time, cut down your monologue or song. Rehearse with a stopwatch to measure how long it is. Then when you get to the audition, you won’t be rushed. And if they cut you off, don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you’re bad, it means they need to give everyone else time to show too.
6. Do not reach out to the production team personally. Auditions are nerve-wracking and a lot of work – both for auditioners and the production team. Do not reach out to any member of the production team about auditions in any way – even if they are your friend. If you have questions, contact the theatre.
Want to be involved but don’t want to audition?
Maybe you did theatre in high school or are looking for a creative outlet, maybe your family is auditioning and you want to spend this time with them but don’t feel up to singing and dancing. Maybe you want a shorter time commitment or to learn something new – a Production Team is the spot for you! We are always looking for individuals to participate on our Production Teams. You can be part of a crew or be a leader, there is a spot for you. Just fill out the form linked below or email vernaltheatre@gmail.com to learn about opportunities for upcoming productions. We’d love to have you!
Production team form: https://forms.gle/