SOPAC holds open auditions for new musical

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — American Theater Group, SOPAC’s professional Equity theater company in-residence, will hold auditions for non-Equity actors for the world-premiere musical “Small Town Story,” by Sammy Buck and Brandon James Gwinn. The musical will be directed by Eddie Prunoske with musical direction by Jason Wetzel.

The auditions will be held at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Auditioners should prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theater song that shows their range and personality. A cappella singing will not be permitted and candidates must bring sheet music in the appropriate key, hole punched, double-sided and in a binder for the accompanist. They will be asked to read sides from the show. Roles available for non-Equity actors are seven high school characters — three male and four female — and four adult characters — two male and two female.

The character breakdown, a link to music from the show, sides for auditions and more details can be found at https://www.sopacnow.org/community/american-theater-group/.

“Small Town Story” is set in a North Texas town in the fall of 2010. Deep divisions arise in town when it’s announced the annual high school musical will be “Rent.” As the escalation drives wedges between parents and students — and teachers and neighbors — secrets are uncovered that threaten to tear them apart. “Small Town Story” explores the indelible power of theater, the inherent dangers of silence and the potential of young people to change the world. Inspired by true events, “Small Town Story” is a musical about a musical that rocked a community.

  American Theater Group, SOPAC