Directors Company, The | New York, NY
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
BREAK: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Off Broadway
$660 weekly minimum (level 2) + Pension and Health
Equity actors for roles in BIG FAMOUS (see breakdown). All Stage Managerial positions are currently filled.
All actors should prepare a brief cut, no longer than one minute, of a contemporary musical theatre song. An accompanist will be provided, so please have sheet music in the correct key; the accompanist will not transpose. Please also bring a headshot and resume stapled together. If you play guitar, piano, cello/strings, or accordion, we would like you to accompany yourself while singing. If you play trumpet, trombone, or reeds, we would like you to play a brief song on your instrument to show proficiency as well as sing a brief cut of a song.
Pearl Studios (519)
519 8th Ave
12th Fl
New York, NY 10018
Producer: The Director’s Company
Director: Rachel Klein
Book: Nicholas Kaminski and Stephen Kaminski
Music/Lyrics: Nicholas Kaminski and Stephen Kaminski
Casting: Stephanie Klapper Casting
Expected to Attend:
Nicholas Kaminski (Book, Music, and Lyrics)
Stephanie Klapper - Casting Director
Joe Piserchio - Casting Assistant (TBD)
Emma Balk - Casting Assistant (TBD)
Gracie Guichard - Casting Assistant (TBD)
1st Rehearsal: March 3, 2025
Presentations: March 20, 2025 (potential additional presentation on March 21, 2025)
Directors Company Website
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
STORYLINE: Big Famous is the true story of larger-than-life Polka entertainer, Jan Lewan, a Polish immigrant who built a Polka music empire in the 1990s. While Jan dreams of bringing Polka music to the masses, his songwriter, Pally, has dreams of Broadway and worries that being known as a “Polka guy” will hurt his chances of a career as a “serious” musician. The empire comes crashing down when it’s discovered that Jan has been funding his endeavors with a Ponzi scheme that has been defrauding the elderly out of their life savings.
JAN LEWAN (Male-identifying, 40s-60s, Open Ethnicity). The Polka King and frontman of The Jan Lewan Orchestra. A Polish immigrant with limited command of the English language and consummate showman. Not very bright, but incredibly charming and magnetic. Very handsome. He came to America to chase his dream of being BIG FAMOUS, and has a near supernatural ability to sell dreams to others. Always trying to find the next way he can make a buck. Big, hammy tenor. Plays Accordion and Guitar.
PALLY PULASKI (Male-identifying, 20s-40s, Open Ethnicity) Jan’s Music Director and Bandleader. An incredibly talented musician and composer who struggles with self-confidence and how he is perceived by others, often to his own detriment. He dreams of being a big Broadway composer. He pretends to think polka music is below him, but secretly he has always had a very real love for it. Tenor. Plays piano.
RHODA JELESKI (Female-identifying, 20-40, Open Ethnicity) Jan’s wife. A former local beauty queen. Desperate for attention and recognition. She is not very talented, charismatic or bright, but she’s also got very little self-awareness so she doesn’t let those things hold her back. Strongly comedic. Belter. Plays Cello.
ZOSIA BRZECZYSZCZYKIEWICZ (Female-identifying, 45-65, Open Ethnicity) The owner of the Zosia Brzeczyszczykiewicz Polish Center of Hazleton Pennsylvania. A Polish immigrant. Smart and business-savvy. Has an infatuation with Pally. Strong and cunning, but also has comedy chops. Sultry Mezzo. NOTE: Instrument ability is a plus, but not required.
TJ/ As Cast (Female-identifying, 18-30, BIPOC) A wide-eyed young prodigy of a musician too talented to be in Jan’s band. Friendly, loyal, and forever grateful for the chance to play music. Has a joyful, optimistic spirit. Plays several smaller roles as well. Belter. Plays trumpet.
DIANE TRENT/ As Cast (Female-Identifying, 20-40, Open ethnicity) A childhood friend of Pally’s from Hazleton, now a successful actress in New York City. Talented and down-to-earth. Doubles as AGNIESZKA and GRETCHEN GREENRIDGE, among other roles. Pop/MT Belter. Plays one or more of the following instruments: Guitar, Reeds, and/or Trombone. NOTE: Beatboxing skills also a plus.
MARGE/ As Cast (Female-identifying, 50+, Open Ethnicity) One of the classic “blue hairs.” Jan’s biggest fan. Has a warmth to her; she believes in people and gives them her trust. Doubles as several smaller roles as well. Alto. Plays one or more of the following instruments: Guitar, Reeds, and/or Trombone.
SAM/ As Cast (Male-Identifying, 20-30, BIPOC) Another band member, among others. No solo singing. Character actor and comedy chops. Doubles as HENRY, the disheveled butcher, among other roles. Tenor. Plays Electric Bass (Upright Bass capability is a plus).
JIM/ As Cast (Male-Identifying, 30-40, Open Ethnicity) A sort-of-douchey California writer. Doubles as VICK, the boisterous Emcee, among other roles. Tenor. Plays one or more of the following instruments: Guitar, Reeds, and/or Trombone.
HAROLD/ As Cast (Male-Identifying, 50+, Open Ethnicity) Marge’s sickly husband. A too trusting sweet elderly man. Doubles several smaller roles as well. Baritone. Plays one or more of the following instruments: Guitar, Reeds, and/or Trombone.
YOUNG MICHAEL/ As Cast (Male-Identifying, 10 Years old, Open Ethnicity) Jan's son who also plays in the band. Adorable and full of life. Doubles several smaller roles as well. Vocal Range: A4-D5. NOTE: Ideally should play an instrument.
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