AUDITION NOTICE
Dogfight
A concert reading
Director Grace Wilkerson
Music Director Jonny Perl
Producer Michael Heimos
Music and Lyrics by
Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Book by Peter Duchan
Based on the Warner Bros. Film and Screenplay by Bob Comfort
For questions, please contact us at dogfight@morgan-wixson.org
Synopsis
We start our 80th Season with a Concert Reading of Dogfight, a poignant and powerful musical set in 1963 on the eve of the Vietnam War. It follows a group of young Marines in San Francisco who take part in a cruel game known as a "dogfight," where each man competes to bring the "ugliest" date to a party. When Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress, his expectations are challenged.
What begins as a heartless prank evolves into a tender and transformative connection. With a soulful and dynamic score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the show explores themes of love, loss, and coming of age. A show whose tenderness sneaks up on you amidst its flashes of toxic masculinity, Dogfight invites audiences to reflect on regret and redemption. It's a stirring reminder that kindness can emerge even in the most unexpected places.
1 • Self Submission Auditions
Accepting submissions December 29 - January 9.
There are no in person auditions.
All callbacks and performances will be held at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
The address is 2627 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405.
Street parking available.
Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot is available on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m.
Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI or you will be towed.
2 • Prepare
Please submit a digital headshot, resume, and self tape recording. The self tape recording should include a 45 second monologue (comedic or dramatic), 1 minute of a contemporary musical theater or pop/rock song, and a slate with your name, height, and where you live.
To submit your audition, please send digital headshot, resume, and self tape recording to dogfight@morgan-wixson.org.
BE SURE TO WRITE "DOGFIGHT " IN THE SUBJECT HEADING.
3 • Callbacks
Callbacks are by invitation only will be held on the evening of January 13th . You will be notified by email if you are asked to callbacks. Callbacks will be held at the theatre.
4 • Bring
Materials for callbacks will be distributed via email with printed sides and music available on site. A printed resume and headshot would be appreciated at callbacks.
Please arrive warmed up vocally.
5 • Performance Dates
This is a special concert version of Dogfight. There will be five performances. This show runs February 7 - 15;
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday's at 2pm.
6 • Rehearsals
Rehearsals will take place weekdays from 6pm to 10pm and Saturdays from 10am - 2pm. Actors will be called only when needed, with no more than 5 rehearsals a week.
7 • Conflicts
At the callbacks, all actors must fill out a calendar form with all potential conflicts. NO conflicts will be accepted after casting. If they do arise it may result in an actor being replaced.
8 • Covid Policy
All performers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have received the latest available booster. You must bring proof of vaccination or a current doctor’s note with certification of a vaccination waiver to callbacks.
Masks are optional and we ask everyone to respect each other’s choices. If participants are not feeling well, we encourage wearing masks to prevent the spread of colds.
9 • Our Theatre
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is an all-volunteer run community theatre celebrating its 80th season of entertaining audiences. Actors are thanked for their participation with a gratuity stipend. The theatre is non-Equity only.
10 • Inclusive Casting
In reference to the descriptions that follow, most characters currently are on the gender binary and written with he/him and she/her pronouns. However limiting the descriptions are, the Morgan-Wixson Theatre is actively committed to casting an inclusive show that reflects our real world community.
In our continued attempts to offer opportunities to those often
ignored by theater history, we understand that many official casting descriptions are either limiting or traditionally cast in preferenced ways that ignore the multitudes of performers that shine on our stages.
Because of this, we encourage and are actively seeking performers of ANY and ALL identities, including performers with disabilities, performers presenting of all races and ethnicities, and those who identify as transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming.
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
As part of our mission, we are actively committed to casting an inclusive show that reflects the community.
11 • Character Breakdowns
EDDIE BIRDLACE (early 20s ) - U.S. Marine, Private First Class, careless & lost, from Buffalo, NY.
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2
ROSE FENNY (early 20s) - diner waitress, dreamer.
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
BERNSTEIN (early 20s) - U.S. Marine, Private First Class, inexperienced, from Cleveland, OH.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: B2
BOLAND (early 20s) - U.S. Marine, Private First Class, handsome Southern cad.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: B2
MARCY (30s) - brash and crass, nearly toothless prostitute.
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
FECTOR (early 20s) - U.S. Marine, Private, not too bright.
Tenor
STEVENS (early 20s) - U.S. Marine, Private First Class, cocky.
Tenor
GIBBS (early 20s) - U.S. Marine, Private First Class, Midwestern.
Tenor
MAMA (40's) - Protective.
Non singer
RUTH TWO BEARS (20s)
Non-singer
LOUNGE SINGER (40s)
Tenor/Baritone