Next to Normal
Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt.
Auditions
Regular auditions are to be held on Tuesday & Wednesday, March 28-29, from 7-9 pm. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, March 30, at 7 pm.
Questions? Contact Director Anthony J. Hamilton at Anthony.Hamilton@kzoo.edu or Theatre Company Manager Laura Livingstone-McNelis K’89 at Laura.Livingstone-McNelis@kzoo.edu.
Synopsis
Next to Normal explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as “one of the year’s ten best shows” by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times.
Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart.
This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life and is ideal for community theatres, as well as colleges and regional theatre companies.
Next to Normal is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. ww.mtishows.com.
Non-Acting Opportunities
Students can work for pay by completing the blue form outside the main office (room 74) or for credit by completing the production application on this website, or using the paper application outside the main office (room 74).
How to get to The Playhouse for auditions:
1. The Playhouse is located near Dow Science Center on 129 Thompson St. As you face the Light Fine Arts Building, go to the left towards the Dow parking lot. The Playhouse is to the right of Dow Science Center on the far end of the parking lot.
2. The Stage Manager will give you the paperwork you need to complete then direct you into The Playhouse for your audition. Please have your complete schedule available to reference when you arrive.
FAQs About Auditioning for Festival Playhouse
Do I have to be a Theatre Arts major or minor to audition?
No! In fact, we highly encourage involvement in different majors and activities outside of theatre. On average, up to 70% of students working on a Festival Playhouse show are not Theatre Arts majors or minors.
What other opportunities are there for students who are not cast or are not interested in auditioning?
Most production positions for any Festival Playhouse show are filled by students. We have student set/lighting designers, stage managers, assistant stage managers, light/sound board operators, spot light operators, wardrobe crew, props crew, dramaturgs, and more! Even if you are not cast in a show, you can always find a way to be involved!
When do we rehearse?
Our productions usually rehearse 5 nights per week 7pm-10pm, either Monday thru Friday or Sunday thru Thursday. Beginning two weeks from opening night we extend another hour to 11pm. The tech weekend before the show opens is Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 11pm with a dinner break. This is a generic schedule, and it may vary with each individual director’s preferences.
Do I have to come to rehearsal every night?
It depends on the size of the role. Larger roles will be in rehearsal almost every night. Smaller roles may only be called 2-3 evenings per week and not necessarily the entire rehearsal. Often, the entire cast is called every night the first week of rehearsal as we read through the play. No matter what the size of the role, however, everyone will be called every night for the full rehearsal period the last two weeks of rehearsal before opening night.
What if I have an evening class?
Every show and every director treats this differently, but a general rule of thumb is that if you clearly indicate the class on your audition sheet, if the director casts you, then they understand they will have to work around your class. The exception is always the last two weeks of rehearsal, though, when everyone is called every night. It’s up to you to negotiate with the professor.
What if I can’t get out of a class though?
The best thing to do is just audition and be very clear with the director about your schedule. We’ve always worked it out.
Won’t such a big time commitment affect my grades?
It might, but you should know that many, many students in the plays actually have a better GPA than those who are not! There is a culture of learning to manage time and taking pride in academic achievement that goes along with any artistic endeavor at K.
What about Monkapult?
Monkapult (the student comedy improv group) typically rehearses from 10-12pm. The only possible overlap of rehearsal is the last two weeks when we go to 11pm (usually not a problem since many Monkapult team members are also theatre students).
If I’m cast in a production, do I need to get stage makeup?
Yes! Lucky for you, we have this guide with resources on how to find and purchase your own makeup kit.
Further information will be posted for each play as it is available.
Welcome to Festival Playhouse! We’re glad you’re joining us!