Audition Notice - Next To Normal

CASTING

NEAR WEST THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE CASTING. WE WILL CAST ARTISTS WITHOUT REGARD TO DISABILITY, RACE, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, COLOR, GENDER IDENTITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ETHNIC ORIGIN, OR ANY OTHERWISE INDICATED BASIS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTICALLY CASTING TO ENSURE ALL MARGINALIZED GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED.

A message from Next to Normal Director, Kirk Eichelberger 

Music by Tom Kitt
Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Directed by Kirk Eichelberger
Musical Direction by Bryan Bird
Artwork by Noah Hrbek

"The price of love is loss, but still we pay; we love anyway."

Winner of three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Next to Normal delves into the inner workings of a suburban family grappling with the effects of mental illness and loss. Their struggles, though unique, resonate with the universal experience of family dynamics and the challenges of everyday life. Behind closed doors, their lives are anything but normal, as the mother has been battling bipolar disorder for 16 years. 'Next to Normal' explores how bipolar disorder impacts family dynamics and makes everyday issues immensely challenging to overcome.

Next To Normal is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Character Descriptions

DIANA (Late 30s–40s, she/her) A deeply loving mother battling bipolar disorder and grief. Sharp, witty, and emotionally complex, she swings between moments of lucidity and spirals of instability. A woman who has survived more than she lets on. Seeking actors with lived or embodied experience that brings truth to her struggle. Strongly considering BIPOC, POC, and Global Majorities* actors.

DAN (Late 30s–40s, he/him) Diana’s steadfast husband, quietly worn down by years of trying to hold everything together. Loyal and grounded, yet often suppressing his own pain. The rock of the family—but not without cracks. We welcome interpretations of Dan that challenge traditional patriarchal norms. Strongly considering BIPOC, POC, and Global Majorities actors.

NATALIE (16–early 20s, she/her) Diana and Dan’s brilliant, high-achieving daughter who is often overlooked. Sarcastic, anxious, and yearning to be seen, she uses perfectionism to cope with emotional neglect. Must balance dry humor with vulnerability. Strongly considering BIPOC, POC and Global Majorities actors.

GABE (18–early 20s, he/him) Diana and Dan’s charismatic, idealized son. Appears to be perfect—confident, warm, magnetic—but there’s more than meets the eye. Physicality and subtlety are key to the role. Strongly considering BIPOC, POC, and Global Majorities actors.

HENRY (16–early 20s, he/him or they/them) Natalie’s stoner-romantic boyfriend with a disarmingly chill and sincere vibe. Offers emotional grounding in the chaos. Should feel like a rebellious choice. /They may seem carefree, but they are emotionally mature beyond their years.

DR. MADDEN/DR. FINE (30s–50s, he/him or she/her or they/them) Diana’s psychiatrist(s) - portrayed by the same actor. Intelligent, enigmatic, and sometimes unsettling, with a professional calm that occasionally slips. Must be able to balance humor and authority. Open to actors of all identities; we especially seek BIPOC performers who can redefine what “authority” looks like onstage.

Understudies will be cast as well, with a guaranteed performance. 

*Global Majorities - a collective term for individuals who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous, or have been racialized as "ethnic minorities".

Auditions

• You must be at least 16 years of age to audition.
• Audition dates are Monday, July 21, Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Anyone auditioning must stay for the entire time. Please register below to reserve a space.
• Callbacks are scheduled for Saturday, July 26, between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Our audition process involves group work in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You do not need a headshot or resume; no preparation is required. It is a group experience of theatre games, improvisation, characterization, and movement. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing, and be ready to engage with your peers. Decisions and notifications will be made by the end of the following week.

Expectations

• Cast members are expected to prioritize rehearsals for the seven weeks this show rehearses and the eight performances.
• By the end of your audition, you must communicate any known rehearsal or performance conflicts to the Stage Manager and/or Director.

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, through Wednesday, September 10. Rehearsal days are typically Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and a couple of Thursdays (depending on conflicts). Rehearsals are on Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm (typically a four-to-five-hour range that will vary depending on conflicts. There are times we may have a longer day with a dinner break) and Monday through Thursday from 7 pm to 10 pm.
• The stage manager will distribute a schedule by Thursday of every week.
• Closer to the show's opening, typically tech week, rehearsals may be extended on some days, but they will not run past 11:00 PM.
• You may be required to participate in a Dry Tech Rehearsal on Saturday, September 13. This rehearsal is typically during the day.

Dress Rehearsal Week - “ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED DURING DRESS REHEARSAL WEEK.”

• Sunday, September 14, is Tech Sunday, an extended rehearsal for all cast, staff, and crew from 12 PM to 10 PM.  A potluck supper is organized and scheduled for this date. This is the first working tech rehearsal. Costumes, lighting, props, and special effects will be incorporated later in the week.
• Monday through Thursday, September 15 - 17, are mandatory rehearsals. Cast, crew, and staff are expected to be at the theater from 6 PM to 11 PM each day. Everyone must stay until the end of the rehearsal to run the show.

Performances

• The cast is expected to be at the theater at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday performance nights and at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.
• The performances are on September 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 28.
• Curtain times for Friday and Saturday are at 7:30 PM, and Sunday is at 2 PM.

WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR ALL THREE NIGHTS OF AUDITIONS. IF YOU DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER BUT ARE STILL INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US AT STAGEMANAGER2@NEARWESTTHEATRE.ORG!