Audition information
This premier production of Marc Wayne’s (www.marcwayne.com) The Toymaker and Me is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. It may be especially appealing to kids, as it focuses on a young orphan girl (approximately 11-12 years old) who in the process of discovering her unique giftedness (her “spark”) helps Mr. Baker, a somewhat cranky old toymaker, rediscover the joy and meaning of life. Kids of all ages will certainly enjoy the results of their connection, as toys of all types come alive onstage before our very eyes.
The Toymaker and Me is written and directed by Marc Wayne, produced by EnArts. Leads are paid, non-union roles, commensurate with age and experience.
Show dates and location are still being finalized: First run will likely be November 17-23 at the Vineyard Church (12300 NW Arrowhead Trafficway, KC, MO 64165) in the Kansas City Northland; with a potential second 4-5 day run at a different venue in December. Rehearsals begin September 6, with mostly evening and possibly some daytime rehearsals (for those whose schedules will permit). More details coming soon.
The Toymaker and Me is written and directed by Marc Wayne, produced by EnArts. Leads are paid, non-union roles, commensurate with age and experience.
Show dates and location are still being finalized: First run will likely be November 17-23 at the Vineyard Church (12300 NW Arrowhead Trafficway, KC, MO 64165) in the Kansas City Northland; with a potential second 4-5 day run at a different venue in December. Rehearsals begin September 6, with mostly evening and possibly some daytime rehearsals (for those whose schedules will permit). More details coming soon.
Locations and Times
Open call auditions are being held Wednesday and Thursday (August 24-25) at Crown Center (2 locations: see below). You may attend either audition (callbacks to be announced, if needed).
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First Location:
When: Wednesday, August 24, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Where: Theatre Lab at The Coterie Theatre in Crown Center 2450 Grand Ave, #144, Kansas City, MO 64108 See the Coterie website for directions: http://thecoterie.org/directions-parking What: Depending on the role:
Dancers: A brief dance routine/evaluation for those interested in being a “living toy”
We’re looking for advanced, pro-level dancers (ages 13 and up)—strong in either ballet, contemporary, tap, juggling, and tumbling/gymnastics; also roller skating/blading and ballroom experience is a plus Second Location:
When: Thursday, August 25, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Where: The Musical Theatre Heritage (MTH) theatre in Crown Center 2450 Grand Blvd #301, Kansas City, MO 64108 See the MTH website for directions: http://www.musicaltheaterheritage.com/location.html What: Depending on the role:
Dancers: A brief dance routine/evaluation for those interested in being a “living toy”
We’re looking for advanced, pro-level dancers (ages 13 and up)—strong in either ballet, contemporary, tap, juggling, and tumbling/gymnastics; also roller skating/blading and ballroom experience is a plus |
Callbacks
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When: To be scheduled/announced if needed
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For more information, contact us or call Greg at 816.734.1657.
Cast
See below for details on leads
Claire (lead: 11/12-year-old female; orphan, being fostered by Cynthia Applegate, occasional British
accent)
Thoman Baker (lead: 45-55-year-old male; toymaker, widower)
Cynthia Applegate (principal: 50-55-year-old female; foster parent to Claire & Bethany)
Bethany (principal: 11/12-year-old female; orphan, being fostered by Cynthia Applegate)
Eugene Wilson Newsburgy (support: 40-50-year-old male; former employee of Thoman, now
owns Gilmon’s Gifts & Toy Shoppe)
Paris (support: 30-40-year-old female, clerk at Miller’s Market, former employee of Baker’s Toys)
Sylvia Tilbert (minor: 30-40-year-old female; administrator of Eastman Adoption Agency)
Pastor John Taylor (support: 35-60-year-old male; St. Thomas Community Church)
Virginia Wellington (minor: 50-65-year-old female; great-great-granddaughter of Edwin
Wellington, Founder of the city of Wellington)
Ella Baker (minor: 25-30-year-old female; wife of Thoman (15 years previous), loved children,
sweet, elegant, beautiful)
Butler (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Emcee (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Jimmy Fenway (minor: male; singer at Orphans Ball)
Workshop Doll (dancer)
Workshop Drummer (boy)
Police Officer 1 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Police Officer 2 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Townspeople (ensemble: all ages)
Orphans Benefit Ball Dancers
Baker’s Toyshop Toy Dancers (ballet, tap, contemporary, etc.)
Poindexter Skating Rink Skaters (roller/ice)
accent)
Thoman Baker (lead: 45-55-year-old male; toymaker, widower)
Cynthia Applegate (principal: 50-55-year-old female; foster parent to Claire & Bethany)
Bethany (principal: 11/12-year-old female; orphan, being fostered by Cynthia Applegate)
Eugene Wilson Newsburgy (support: 40-50-year-old male; former employee of Thoman, now
owns Gilmon’s Gifts & Toy Shoppe)
Paris (support: 30-40-year-old female, clerk at Miller’s Market, former employee of Baker’s Toys)
Sylvia Tilbert (minor: 30-40-year-old female; administrator of Eastman Adoption Agency)
Pastor John Taylor (support: 35-60-year-old male; St. Thomas Community Church)
Virginia Wellington (minor: 50-65-year-old female; great-great-granddaughter of Edwin
Wellington, Founder of the city of Wellington)
Ella Baker (minor: 25-30-year-old female; wife of Thoman (15 years previous), loved children,
sweet, elegant, beautiful)
Butler (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Emcee (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Jimmy Fenway (minor: male; singer at Orphans Ball)
Workshop Doll (dancer)
Workshop Drummer (boy)
Police Officer 1 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Police Officer 2 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Townspeople (ensemble: all ages)
Orphans Benefit Ball Dancers
Baker’s Toyshop Toy Dancers (ballet, tap, contemporary, etc.)
Poindexter Skating Rink Skaters (roller/ice)
Leads/Principals
Claire
Claire is an 11-12-year-old orphan girl with no last name. She is sweet, curious, extremely perceptive (precocious in this sense) and persistent, though somewhat socially awkward (probably as a result of her unsettled history). Claire’s strongest characteristic is her big heart. This, in essence, is her “spark”—Claire is very compassionate, a characteristic which, when combined with her perceptiveness, allows her to sense and feel people’s hurts/needs sooner and deeper than others. As an orphan who has been in foster homes and “rejected” by families all her life, she is fundamentally sad and lonely (a trait which allows her to sympathize with others who experience the same thing). She thus longs to find a home and be wanted and needed.
Thoman Baker
Thoman is a late 40s-55-year-old widower. He is—or was—a toymaker. He was in fact the toymaker—the envy of other toymakers—because his toys didn’t need wind-up knobs or springs. In the hands of a good- or open-hearted person, Thoman’s toys came alive. The ability to make toys that “lived” in the hands of receptive people was Thoman’s special gift or “spark.” (Think, the quintessential encourager.) As we come to learn, it did not exist on its own, however, but was fueled by Thoman’s love for his wife, who had a big heart for children, especially sick and orphaned children. When his pregnant wife, Ella, and their unborn child die, Thoman’s “spark” is extinguished and, over time, he becomes an isolated, somewhat crusty, “grumpy old man.” Thoman is thus stuck in the past, with a deep and profound sadness that prevents him from experiencing and enjoying anything new—that is until Claire comes along (and we see his slow rediscovery of life).
Cynthia Applegate
Cynthia Applegate is a caring, middle-aged woman, who through the years has fostered many children in need of homes. She is an orderly, woman of faith (though not rigid) who provides a stable and encouraging place for Claire and Bethany. She has a somewhat unrevealed knowledge of the history of the town and its people—enough to “protect” and guide the children.
Bethany
Bethany is an energetic, curious, outgoing and outspoken 10-12-year-old orphan girl, who lives with Claire and Ms. Applegate. Slightly self-absorbed, Bethany’s “on-the-go” spirit combines with her expressive nature to create awkward and even tense moments, often via blunt questions or statements. Living with Ms. Applegate, she is “like a sister” to Claire.
