ABOUT THE SHOW: This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and Lady Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. If you’ve never heard it, we suggest listening through it in order because the music unfolds the story.
PREPARATION: When you sign up, You’ll be emailed short musical selections from the show to prepare. If you wish to sing for a specific role and/or bring a musical selection of your choice to your audition (32 bar/or 1 minute excerpt is fine). Have your accompaniment available (a Bluetooth speaker will be provided). We will do some group movement also so please wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes.
DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? There are parts written for Orpheus to play guitar and for the Fates to play accordion, violin, and percussion. While this isn’t a deal-breaker for casting and there is accommodation for the characters to not play these instruments live, many folks who’ve previously auditioned for us play instruments and have the capacity to learn quickly, so it would be a shame not to explore the option – This is a show about the musician of all musicians, Orpheus! But don’t let it deter you from auditioning for those parts- the most important thing is the vocal musical demands, the Fates must hold tight harmony, Some is acapella, and Orpheus must sing so beautifully that Hades is convinced to release Euridice. We will send instrumental music with the audition packet, So give it a try! A note about accordion: The director is an accordion player, so if you have some piano training and an open mind, she will happily teach you the part.
ORPHEUS – Lyre-playing poet, gifted and naïve (Tenor with strong falsetto, range: D3-C5 (opt. Eb5)) – Ability to play the Guitar is not required (see note above), however we will explore the option – we can send you which chords and bring your instrument to the audition if you like!
EURYDICE – A runaway, tough and vulnerable (Mezzo-Soprano, range: F#3-D5)
HADES – Compulsive industrialist, boss-king of Hadestown (Bass, range: F2-C#4)
PERSEPHONE – Queen of nature and the seasons (Mezzo-Soprano/Alto, range: F3-C5)
HERMES – Charismatic guide and storyteller, mentor to Orpheus (Flexible – can be any gender with Range: C3-B4)
FATES – Three sisters, vicious and delicious, voices in the head (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, range E3-D5 (Fate 1 up to Eb5)) There are parts written for these singers to play accordion, violin, and percussion (See note above), this is not required but we would like to explore the option.
WORKERS – Spirits of labor and community, they have a lot to contribute and are as integral to the story as the named characters. They will need to sing well, be able to hold tight harmony, and dance with articulation. In the Broadway production, the WORKERS were performed by five ensemble members, our production is planned for five to seven performers of any gender.
PREPARATION: When you sign up, you’ll be emailed short musical selections from the show to prepare if you wish to sing for a specific role and/or bring a musical selection of your choice to your audition (32 bar/or 1 minute excerpt is fine). Have your accompaniment available (a Bluetooth speaker will be provided). We will do some group movement also so please wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes.
QUESTIONS? Email us at info@coolmountain.company
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