Description:

Metropolis is excited to announce general auditions for Ragtime, book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. Ragtime will be directed by Jerrell L. Henderson (he/him), music directed by Aaron Zimmerman (he/him), and choreographed by Jacinda Ratcliffe (she/her). Seeking fully vaccinated/boosted adult and children ages 8-12 non-Equity actors/singers who move well, dance background a plus.

A Word From Your Director: Ragtime is an epic musical journey rooted in American myth. Americana is another name for it. As you're piecing together your audition selections, think about what this idea...what this concept means to your character specifically. Are you hopeful? Are you serious or sober minded? Are you bursting with expectations that you imagine will be fulfilled? Are you fighting off cynicism and hopelessness because your version of the American dream continues to elude (or run away) from you? How do these thoughts and themes live inside of your song...your voice...your physical behavior? Ragtime is also about communities trying to survive by their own rules as much as it's about being a standout individual. Which "community" does your character fit into? Think about all this, simplify/clarify the choice, and then have fun!

Audition Dates:
By online submission of audition materials only. Audition submission deadline Mon 2/27, 2023.

Callback Dates:
Monday, March 6, 2023 - 5:00-10:30pm
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - 7:00-10:30pm

Callback & Performance Location:
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W. Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Accessible from the Metra UPNW Line; located a few blocks from the Arlington Heights stop. For directions and parking: www.metropolisarts.com/directions-parking

Pay:
Rehearsals - $500 Flat rate (Leads); $400 Flat rate (Supporting, Featured, Ensemble, External understudies); $100
additional flat rate (Internal understudies)
Show(s) - $60 Per show (Leads); $55 Per show (Supporting, Featured, Ensemble)
29 shows total
Travel stipend applications available

Ragtime Description:
Celebrating its 25th Broadway anniversary in 2023, Ragtime is a sweeping musical portrait of early 20th century America, winner of multiple Tony Awards, and both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical and Best Score. Everything is changing and anything is possible for families in pursuit of the American Dream. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together - that of an upper-class White mother, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a daring Black musician - united by their courage and belief in the promise of the future. They confront history's contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. This acclaimed musical is filled with pageantry, emotion, and hope. A truly unique and powerful portrait of America, Ragtime is sure to inspire.

Ragtime Character Descriptions:
All actors will play multiple roles and understudy roles internally, so a demonstrated ability to portray characters with distinctive traits will be a positive as long as this facility combines with a feeling of authenticity to the story moment and honesty in intentions.

New Rochelle Cast:
Mother: Young Adult White Woman. Curious. Compassionate. Determined. Open. Stubborn.

Father: Middle Aged Adult White Man. Curious. Practical. Paternal. Sophisticated.

The Little Boy (Albert): Young (10-12) White Child. Curious. Energetic. Intelligent. Chatty.

Younger Brother: Young Adult White Man. Curious. Searching. Stubborn. Driven. Grandfather: Elder Adult White Man. Intelligent. Practical. Stubborn. He thinks more than he speaks.

Harlem Cast:
Coalhouse Walker, Jr.: Young Adult African American Man. Driven. Playful. Curious. Proud. Intelligent.

Sarah: Young Adult African American Woman. Driven. Compassionate. Emotionally Sensitive. Reserved.

Booker T. Washington: Elder Adult African American Man. Driven. Intelligent. Practical. Stubborn.

New York City Cast:
Tateh: Young Adult Russian Jewish Man. Driven. Playful. Intelligent. Creative. Compassionate. Stubborn.

The Little Girl: Curious. Brave. Committed. Intelligent. Creative.

Ensemble (Evelyn Nesbit, Harry Houdini. Henry Ford, etc.): A mix of Curious. Driven. Stubborn. Intelligent. Terrified. Bitter. Joyful. Playful.

Two Directorial Notes on Casting:
Though the story calls for strict character types (i.e., Young Adult White Male), the ensemble we hope to create will be representative of America as it has ALWAYS existed. Performers interested should think about how they would approach living in 1906 America and bring THAT version of themselves to their audition.

The style of the musical is melodrama. As director, to me, this means that each character lives in a world in which, when pleasantly excited or threatened, the characters do not work as hard to hold in their emotions. Having said that, keep in mind that in melodrama there are often characters who are very reserved and must be pushed to reveal emotion. Melodrama, while not as grounded in contemporary behavior as American realism (i.e., Next to Normal), does contain nuance even as there are absolutely moments when nuance gives way, and we ride the characters' emotions. Give it some thought and play around with choices before settling on one or two. Once you've settled on your choices, dive in and have fun!

Metropolis' Health Standards & Procedures
The health and safety of our performers, creative staff, crew, and patrons are our first priority. As such, the Metropolis Theatre HVAC systems have been sanitized and upgraded to MERV 13 filtration levels. Prior to any in-person auditions, callbacks, rehearsals, and performances, performers, creative staff, and crew will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine. Under the policy, all persons must show proof of vaccination with a matching I.D. at their time of entry into the Metropolis Theatre complex spaces. "Fully vaccinated" means a person's date of entry into the theatre must be at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or at least 14 days after a single dose COVID-19 vaccine, and a person must have had at least one booster vaccination.

During rehearsals performers will undergo daily COVID-19 symptom screening and must agree to update boosters when due. Once rehearsals move into the theatre, performers and crew will be required to test with a Rapid test once per week for each tech and performance week, the results of which (picture of the test) need to be shared with the Covid Safety Manager by set deadline. A negative result is necessary for inclusion in the performances. Performers, creative staff, and crew are encouraged but not required to wear masks while in the building. Metropolis will notify performers, creative staff, crew, and patrons with reminder messaging to ensure awareness of current policies, as well as any procedures that are updated. Metropolis will meet at minimum the health mandates as determined by the IL Department of Public Health and the CDC. Metropolis' COVID-19 Safety Plan is available upon request.

Metropolis' Commitment
Metropolis PAC stands against systemic racism, hatred, and violence. Metropolis strives to ensure our theater is a safe space and secure environment, free of harassment or intimidation. We acknowledge that lack of action is harmful. Toward long-term and sustainable change, Metropolis has implemented and will continue to take specific, actionable steps. To read our pledges and Land Acknowledgement, go to: https://www.metropolisarts.com/about-metropolis- performing-arts-centre/

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

PLEASE NOTE: For more submission and Metropolis details, please go to: https://www.metropolisarts.com/work-with- us/

Metropolis Casting is dedicated to upholding Metropolis PAC's values of equal opportunity and engages in a policy of promoting a positive model of inclusion and equity. As such, Metropolis Casting confirms our commitment to equitable hiring practices in order to achieve that goal. We celebrate inclusivity and encourage actors of all genders, ethnicities, body types, and abilities to submit for the roles to which they most identify.