Auditions & Opportunities For Master Class

In addition to performers, we are also seeking artists to join our creative (lighting, costume, and set) and production teams (Stage Manager and assistant positions available) for this production. All positions are paid. If you are a designer or technical artist and are interested in joining our production, please email masterclass@sierramadreplayhouse.org for more information.

Play: Master Class
Written by: Terrence McNally
Featuring Music by: Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Vincenzo Bellini

Director: Tim Dang

Synopsis:

Master Class is a Tony Award-winning two-act play that was inspired by a series of master classes taught by opera singer Maria Callas at Juilliard in the 1970s near the end of her life. A glamorous, commanding, larger-than-life, caustic, and surprisingly funny pedagogue who is alternately dismayed and impressed by the students who parade before her, Maria retreats into recollections about the glories of her own life and career while teaching a master class in front of an audience: us. The play features incidental vocal music by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Vincenzo Bellini.

AUDITION INFO:

Seeking:

Actors of all ethnic backgrounds. Both Union & Non-Union actors will be considered.

Performer Compensation:

$20/hour. Rehearsal hours per actor for the entire rehearsal period range from 60 to 96 hours depending on the role.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

Thursday, November 14, 2024

AUDITIONS: (all at Sierra Madre Playhouse, by Invitation Only)

Friday, November 22, 2024
Callbacks: December 2024

FIRST REHEARSAL: Friday, January 24, 2025

TECH WEEK: Thursday, February 6 through Thursday, February 13, 2025

OPENS: Friday, February 14, 2025

CLOSES: Sunday, March 9, 2025 (announced closing)

PERFORMANCES (16 performances:

Evening [E] and Matinee [M]

Feb 14E, 15M, 15E, 16M, 21E, 22M, 22E, 23M, 28E

Mar 1M, 1E, 2M, 7E, 8M, 8E, 9M

All performances at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Evening performances at 8 pm, matinee performances at 4 pm. Full schedule here.

REHEARSALS: Full schedule is here (subject to change). Final rehearsal schedule will be arranged after the show is cast. No reasonable conflicts should keep actors from submitting. If actors cannot do all performances they should still apply as we are planning on having some understudies.

SUBMISSIONS

Accepting submissions via Actors Access & Breakdown Express. Direct submissions, please send to masterclass@sierramadreplayhouse.org. Please List “MASTER CLASS AUDITION”, your Name, and Name of desired role(s) in Subject Line.

All submissions must include a video recording of you performing a monologue of your choice (60-seconds) and your singing (60-seconds) of an opera aria (if the role requires singing). Submissions without all required attachments will not be considered.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, November 14, 2024

Please also send any questions you may have about submitting to masterclass@sierramadreplayhouse.org.

Please no direct calls or correspondence to Creative Team members. All Correspondence may be directed to masterclass@sierramadreplayhouse.org. Thank you!

Click Here To Submit To Audition

Character Breakdowns (and information for recommended vocal submissions):

Please read the character descriptions below to ensure that you are applying for the role you feel is most appropriate, and for the song excerpt assigned with that role. If you aren't sure which role is best for you, please feel free to reach out to us at masterclass@sierramadreplayhouse.org.

MARIA CALLAS

[Female, all ethnicities, 40s-50s] The American opera diva at the center of the play, who leads a master class for young singers near the end of her life. She is a glamorous, commanding, larger-than-life, caustic, and surprisingly funny pedagogue. She is portrayed as a brittle and fragile woman who is struggling to come to terms with the end of her career. This role does not sing. This role will have a separate understudy.

FIRST SOPRANO (SOPHIE)

[Female, all ethnicities, 18-30, soprano] A lyric coloratura soprano and Maria Callas' first pupil. One of the young singers who is a target of Maria’s sharp tongue. Sophie sings a portion of Amina’s Aria from La Sonnambula by Vincenzo Bellini in the play. This role will have a separate swing understudy for both roles of FIRST SOPRANO and SECOND SOPRANO.

SECOND SOPRANO (SHARON)

[Female, all ethnicities, 18-30, soprano] A young soprano who is talented but Maria Callas tells to stick to flimsy roles, another young singer who is a target of Maria’s sharp tongue. Sharon sings a portion of Lady Macbeth’s Vieni t'affretta aria from Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi in the play. This role will have a separate swing understudy for both roles of FIRST SOPRANO and SECOND SOPRANO.

TENOR (TONY)

[Male, all ethnicities, 18-30, tenor] A boastful spinto tenor who stands his ground against Maria Callas’ criticism while in her class. He aspires to be a very wealthy and famous singer. Tony sings a portion of Cavaradossi’s 1st Act Aria from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini. This role will have an understudy that normally plays the STAGEHAND.

ACCOMPANIST (MANNY)

[Male, all ethnicities, all ages] The piano accompanist who practices with the students and Maria Callas in her master class. He lacks a distinctive look, which Maria criticizes him for. This role does not sing. Piano skills required.

STAGEHAND

[Male, all ethnicities, 18-30, tenor] A character working in several productions that Maria Callas’ master class takes place during. The actor for this role will also act as the understudy for TENOR (TONY). This character does not sing. However, as understudy to the TENOR, the actor must be able to sing.

Note on your audition:

Showcase your storytelling ability and authentic emotional expression.
Prepare a contrasting contemporary monologue, not exceeding 60 seconds, to demonstrate your acting ability.
For Live Auditions, we will ask you to prepare a song from the show and a live accompanist will be provided. You can use your sheet music, if needed.

Sierra Madre Playhouse's Dedication to Inclusive and Diverse Casting

At Sierra Madre Playhouse, we embrace equity, diversity, and inclusivity in all aspects of our casting. For productions where characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, and more are not specified for roles, we actively pursue a cast that reflects a rich diversity of backgrounds, and welcome and encourage auditions from individuals of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and body types.
For this production of Master Class, we are specifically casting actors of Asian backgrounds to play characters.
Should you require any specific accommodations for your audition, please do not hesitate to contact us in advance through our auditions email. Alternatively, you can inform our audition monitors upon your arrival. We are committed to providing a supportive and accessible audition environment for everyone.

Note about the Show:

For those auditioning, it's essential to recognize that this production values not just vocal prowess but also the ability to embody characters who are endearing, genuine, and capable of conveying a story through acting. The characters' ability to resonate with the audience, both with other ensemble members and as individuals, is crucial for the show's emotional impact.