Audition Listings

Queen Marie by Shirley Barrie, Alumnae Theatre

This larger-than-life musical explores the life and times of actress Marie Dressler, an Ontario native. Marie Dressler was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress, comedian, and early silent film and Depression-era film star. Queen Marie celebrates her life from leaving home to start her career on the vaudeville stage at the age of 14, to success in comic operas and film. In 1914, she was in the first full-length film comedy and later won'the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931. Her career declined in the 1920s, and Dressler was reduced to living on her savings while sharing an apartment with a friend. In 1927, she returned to films at the age of 59 and experienced a remarkable string of successes. She won'the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1930–31 for Min and Bill and was named the top film star for 1932 and 1933. She died of cancer in 1934. While not conventionally beautiful, she learned early to appreciate her talent in making people laugh. We are looking for 10 "Marie Dressler" s, to depict her at different points in her life, and many people to portray the people she came in contact with. This play with music will be epic and unforgettable just like the lady herself.

The Alumnae Theatre Company is a non-professional (non-union) theatre company which encourages diversity in its membership and casting. All applicants should email: atcauditions@gmail.com  The ability to sing old show tunes and some movement or tap dancing is an asset.

PERFORMANCE DATES: April 13 – 28, 2018

AUDITION DATES: Monday, January 22nd from 10:00 am-6 pm, Tuesday, January 23 from 9 -12, Saturday January 27 from 10 – 6 pm.
CALLBACKS: Sunday January 28th from 5 pm – 9 pm and Monday, January 29th from 10 am – 6 pm

LOCATION: Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street (SW corner of Berkeley and Adelaide)

PREPARATION: Please prepare a 2 minute monologue. You may also be asked to read from the script. Please read the play before auditioning. Reading copies are available at the 5th floor Arts Department desk of the Toronto Reference Library.

All auditioners must bring a photo and resume to the audition

There are roles for everyone in this play.  We are looking for a paren't-child combo as we need a young Marie – playing a 5 years old, and 10 women (20 – 70). There are roles for 10 men (30 -60).  Actors will be asked to perform multiple roles. Breakdown follows.

Character Breakdown

Marie Dressler 1933 – Oldest Marie (Age 70’s)

1873 Marie Dressler – Age 5

Marie Dressler 1883/ Claire Dubrey (Age 14 – 18)

Marie Dressler (Early 20’s)

Marie Dressler (Late 20’s)

Marie Dressler (30’s)

Marie Dressler (early 40’s)

Marie Dressler (50’s)

Marie Dressler (60’s)

Marie Dressler (70’s)

Nella Webb (20’s)

Nella Webb (50’s)

Jenny 1883/ Frances (30’s)

Mamie Steele – Maid (25 – 35)

Mamie Steele – Maid (45 – 55)

Richard Ganthony/ Lee Shurbert/ Actor 2 Young (30’s – Attractive)

Dapper Dan/ Actor1/ Main Stage Hand and Good Dancer (40’s)

Stage Hand/ Terry/ Chorus/ Butler Man 

Audience 2/ Edgar Smith/ Studio Hand Man (40’s)

Louis B. Mayer – 1933 /Abe Elanger Reporter (1 Older Man)

James Rolf Jr 1933/Conductor/MC/ May Tolliver/Chef Reporter 2/Clarence (Oldest Man)

 Marie Dressler’s Mother/ Woman of Questionable Virtue/ Racist Woman (40’s)

Marie Dressler’s Father/Bouncer/ Jim Dalton (40’s)

Boy/ Flyer boy/ Stage hand/ Joe Webber/ Schnritz (youth or small man)

Ladies Man/ Reporter/ Nevada/ Audience One/ Sennet Man (30’s)

Soldier/Doctor/various Emcees/ Stage Hands (any age)

Managers, Reporters, Audience Members (any age)

Chorus Girls, Camera Assistants (20’s)

Nurse, Norma Shearer, Mabel Normand (30’s)

Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore (20 – 30’s)