Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

Join us for our beautiful second show of the season, Bright Star. Video auditions are now being accepted (Deadline February 16, 2022).

Needed: There are a total of 10 principal acting roles, 6 male-identifying, 4 female-identifying performers. Some are already cast. The production will also feature a mixed ensemble who will play additional male- and female-identifying supporting roles. See descriptions below for more information about principal and ensemble roles. Great parts for people representing multiple generations; ages listed in description reflect character ages not required actor ages.

Submission Form / Instructions

Interested actors for Bright Star at ASGT should upload interest, resume, picture, and video audition* HERE (https://forms.gle/rBXau7MwDk9nQAjX9) by February 16, 2022 (this form contains instructions for submission).

*Video audition: Please prepare 16-32 bars of a song, in the style of the show, that both shows off your voice and your acting abilities. Please do not sing a song from Bright Star. If you have any questions, please email the production manager, Sally VanZandt at svanzandt@summergarden.com.

Roles/Casting Breakdown

Already cast roles: Billy Cane, Mayor Dobbs, Mama Murphy, Daddy Murphy, Margo

Available Roles:

Alice Murphy – Alice as a youth is a firecracker, Alice as an adult is buttoned up. The actress playing Alice must play Alice in both her late teens and late 30’s. Adult Alice is the editor of Asheville Southern Journal, she is intelligent, professional and haunted by her past. Young Alice is strong willed, independent, sexually forward and is destined for something greater than her town has to offer. She must be a very strong singer and comfortable in folk-pop and bluegrass styles with a strong belt and wide vocal range . She is the star of the show. This role requires intimacy.

Vocal range: F3-C5

Jimmy Ray Dobbs – Mayor Dobbs’ son and Alice’s first love, plays both age late teens and late 30’s. Young Jimmy Ray is charming, well-built and intelligent; from a family of wealth and power and is being groomed by his father for a future in the family business. He is an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in and has a sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. Must be an excellent musical theater singer featured in multiple songs with a comfortable folk-pop style. This role requires intimacy.

Vocal range: C3-A4

Daddy Cane – Billy’s father. Kind, simple, man living alone in the woods following the death of his wife. Great father, great husband. Featured song “She’s Gone” and others. Has kept a secret for many years for the wrong reasons.

Age: Must be able to believably play Billy’s Father

Vocal range: C3-A4

Daryl Ames – An assistant at the Asheville Southern Journal. Funny, with a dry and officious sense of humor. Precise, exacting, specific and effete. Great comedic timing. Can be harsh in his directness but is innately likeable.

Age: Mid-20’s-40’s

Vocal range: C3-E4

Lucy Grant – A junior editor at the Asheville Southern Journal. Strong dancer and singer, with a strong belt. Leads a production number. Forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor. Strong modern working woman who is also a flirt. Featured song “Another Round” and others. Age: 20s

Vocal range: A3-D5

The Ensemble A group of dynamic male- and female-presenting musical theatre performers will be featured throughout the show. They will be utilized as singers in the backing vocals for many songs and featured in the dance numbers. We are looking for well-rounded performers who can work with the directing team to create a dynamic ensemble. Ensemble will also be used to move scenery and will be quite active throughout the entire show.

Additional character information: https://stageagent.com/shows/musical/6785/bright-star/characters

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All roles are open to all people. Actors of all sizes, body types, races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities and experience levels are encouraged to audition. We will only cast for any of these characteristics if the story requires it and such requirements will be listed in audition notices.

non-paid, non-equity

Show Synopsis:

Inspired by a true event and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

Directed by Jerry Vess

Paige Austin, Music Director

Kristin Rigsby, Choreographer