Auditions

Long John Silver (Number of lines: 111): leader of the pirates; a large, lusty fellow with a peg leg

Auntie Nan (Number of lines: 107): widow of a sea captain; a good businesswoman; talkative, emotional, frivolous, and fluttery

Jim (Number of lines: 95): strong lad of 14 or 15; he and his Auntie Nan own and operate the Inn

Dr. Livesey (Number of lines: 76): good-looking (young) doctor; a friend and advisor to Jim, Auntie Nan and Laurie

Red Dog (Number of lines: 56): pirate; fancies red clothes; yearns to be leader

Captain Smollet (Number of lines: 36): old sea captain; owns the Hispaniola, the ship that sails to Treasure Island

Calico Annie (Number of lines: 31): lady pirate with outfit made of calico; she and Red Dog are a bloodthirsty duo

Belle Gunn (Number of lines: 30): marooned on Treasure Island for years

Captain Bill Bones (Number of lines: 30): strong and weather-beaten, with a saber cut across one cheek, and a tarry pigtail falling over his shoulder

Laurie (Number of lines: 28): young, pretty girl (about 13 or 14); works at the Admiral Benbow Inn; the ward of Auntie Nan

O’Brien (Number of lines: 24): lady pirate; loves jewelry

Morgan (Number of lines: 22): pirate; dagger-happy

Bonnie (Number of lines: 22): pirate; likes rum and dancing the Irish jig

Captain Flint (Number of lines: 11): pirate; blind, tottering old man; wears dark glasses and uses a cane

Town Crier, Mr. Grundy, Mrs. Grundy, Mr. Posket, Mrs. Posket (Number of lines: 1): villagers and frequent customer of the Admiral Benbow Inn

NOTE: The roles of the TOWNCRIER and Villagers may be “doubled” with the PIRATES

Accents: Characters will generally use British accents. Pirates may use a rougher, more colorful sailor/pirate-style accent. Specific accents may be explored during audition process.

**Dialects are welcome but not required.
 

Long John Silver: Captain Hook — Peter Pan or Malvolio — Twelfth Night
Calico Annie: Kate — The Taming of the Shrew or Beatrice — Much Ado About Nothing
Dr. Livesey: Dr. Prentice — The Importance of Being Earnest or John Proctor — The Crucible
Auntie Nann: Beatrice — Much Ado About Nothing or Higgins — Pygmalion
Villager: George Gibbs (male) or Emily Webb (female) — both from Our Town
Pirate: Captain Hook (male) or Tiger Lily (female) — both from Peter Pan
 

Auditioning for a LTC production can be a nerve-racking and scary experience, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are a few tips to help with that process.

What to expect when you arrive:

There will be a QR code and a link for an electronic audition form, which you are welcome to fill out prior to the audition if you'd like. On the night of your audition, when you arrive at the theater, start by checking in at the check in table and filling out the audition form if you haven’t already. There will be someone at the table if you have any questions. Once you’ve filled out that form, you will wait for someone to call your name to enter the theatre. Once you enter the theatre, you will introduce yourself and chat for a moment with the director before you perform your monologue. We might also see what your vocal range is, and you might get some notes from the director—don’t let this scare you! It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong or that you’re doing poorly. The director just wants to have a really good idea of what you can do. 

Auditioners should prepare a 30-45 second monologue of their choice. The monologue should be similar in style, tone, or character to the role you are auditioning for, but not from the show. For example, if auditioning for Captain Bill Bones, the Cat in the Hat from Seussical wouldn’t be the strongest choice because the characters are very different. Your monologue may come from theatre or film, but should be spoken, not sung, since Treasure Island is not a musical.

Those interested in being on the run crew should fill out the audition form, but you do not need to come to auditions. If there happens to be a large number of people interested in Run Crew, there will be interviews held at a later date.

Auditioning can be intimidating, but THEY SHOULD BE FUN – Don’t be afraid to mess up! This is the time to take risks, make interesting choices, and try things!!

Audition tips:

No matter where you are or how often you’ve done it, auditioning can be scary! Below are some tips to help you with your audition.

• Be prepared. You have access to the audition materials beforehand, so make sure you go over them. The audition should not be the first time you are reading your sides. Have a friend, roommate, family member, coworker or anyone else practice with you before your audition so you've practiced reading with other people. 
• Do your research. If you can, read the play beforehand. If you can’t, look up a synopsis, and learn about the character you are auditioning for so you can make informed decisions about how this character might behave.
• An audition is more than just a reading. You should be acting. Make choices. Try to embody the character in some way. 
• Dress nicely, but comfortably and try to make a good first impression. Be polite and respectful to the other auditioners and the people running the auditions.
• Be prepared for all outcomes. There are multiple people auditioning for each role, and only one person will get it. If you cannot handle the disappointment of not getting cast in a role, then theatre may not be for you.

If available, familiarize yourself with sides for each role before your audition. The first time you read a scene out loud should not be during the audition! During auditions, the director may ask you to try something different or give you a note. This doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong; we just want to see you try something with the character. You may also be asked to read for more than one role. Again, it’s an opportunity to see how you approach different characters and material. Come prepared, be open and flexible, and do your best!

All cast members should attend the first rehearsal. Each member of the cast will receive a rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. Rehearsals will be Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00-9:00 p.m., with Fridays being an optional workday. You may or may not be required to attend rehearsal every day each week. There will be weekly updates sent out via email.

We understand that cast members have families, jobs, school, and are also involved in other activities, so we try to be flexible. If you must miss a rehearsal for something important, we ask that you communicate that to the stage manager and director in advance. However, please be sure that you can attend most rehearsals so that the cast has time to work together.

Do I have to have experience on stage to audition?

No! We welcome anyone who is interested in participating, even if you have never done a show before. 

Can I receive college credit for participating?

Yes! If this is something you are interested in, please let Dr. Cramer know at the time of your audition.

What if I cannot make the audition dates?

Please contact Dr. Stewart Cramer to make alternative arrangements. 

Do I have to live in Robinson to be in the show?

No! We love having people from different communities participate in our shows. We are always happy to see new faces.

Do I cold read at the audition?

Nope. Audition materials are posted in advance, and we expect you to come rehearsed and prepared with a character. 

Do I have to be memorized at the audition?

Memorization is not required, but please come prepared and having rehearsed. 

Where are auditions held?

Lincoln Trail College at the Zwermann Arts Center Theater
11220 State Highway 1
Robinson, IL 62454