Audition Notice – Calling All Actors
Dragons Love Tacos
by Ernie Nolan, based on the book by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri, music by Chris LaPorte
A production of the School of Media Arts, Design, and Entertainment. Auditions open to all currently enrolled Minnesota State Moorhead students. All roles are open to performers of any gender, including Boy and the Man in Suit, both written in the script with he/him pronouns but not gender-restricted in casting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
A boy is stuck on a homework problem, home alone with his dog Leroy and a rainstorm outside, when a television pitchman/narrator called the Man in Suit steps out of the TV and offers to teach him the “mind blowing, earth shattering, titillating secrets” of dragons, who arrive by the doorbell-full, suitcases in hand. It’s a broad, high-energy, audience-interactive comedy built for young audiences: heavy on physical comedy, direct address, sound effects, and a full-cast taco-party dance number that ends in a fire-breathing catastrophe (and a construction-crew cleanup).
Because so much of the storytelling in this script happens through movement, reaction, and physical characterization rather than dialogue, auditions will include a movement/physical-comedy component in addition to readings. See “Audition Process” below.
ROLES AT A GLANCE
Boy – mostly physical/reactive, any gender, physical comedy, silent storytelling
Leroy (the Dog) – fully physical, non-verbal, any gender, movement/mime, stamina, comic timing
Man in Suit / Moxy Clean Guy / Telenovela Character – triple role, dialogue-heavy, any gender – comic timing, memorization, character work
Red Dragon – movement-capable – grace, hospitality, dance
White Dragon – movement-capable – big physical energy, comic chaos
Blue Dragon – movement-capable – physical comedy rooted in timidity
Yellow Dragon – movement-capable – trickster energy, comic specificity
AUDITION PROCESS
Because the show leans so heavily on physical storytelling, the audition will include both a reading and a movement component.
Each student should prepare and memorize a 30-second section of a children’s book or poem. Pay special attention to both physical and vocal energy. Think “over-the-top.” Cold readings will be available for those who did not prepare a reading.
Movement call: all auditioners will be asked to participate in a short, guided movement exercise. Please come dressed in comfortable clothing.
LOGISTICS
General Auditions:
Tuesday, August 25th, 6-7 p.m., Roland Dille Center for the Arts – Gaede Stage
Callback Auditions (if needed):
Wednesday, August 26th, 6-7 p.m., Roland Dille Center for the Arts – Gaede Stage
First Cast Meeting:
Thursday, August 27th, 6-7 p.m., Roland Dille Center for the Arts – Gaede Stage
A special movement workshop will be held on Sunday, October 4th
Rehearsals are Monday-Thursday, 6-7 p.m, and will begin Monday, October 5th.
NOTE: The following days will fall outside of normal class time for rehearsal – Sunday, November 1st, and Saturday, November 14th. More information about those dates will be given at a later time.
All participants will need to sign up for AEM 384: Collaborative Production Studio – Children’s Theatre. More information will be given to you about this process in the audition.
Tech rehearsals are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, November 15th and 16th starting at 6 p.m. Performances for area schools are currently scheduled for Tuesday through Friday, November 17th – 20th at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a public performance on Saturday, November 21st at 2 p.m. More information about this scheduling will be outlined in the audition.
The class will end with a strike of the show immediately following Fall Break.
For further questions, please contact Craig A. Ellingson @ craig.ellingson@mnstate.edu