StageQ Auditions

press release: StageQ, Inc. is holding auditions for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott.

Priscilla will be presented on the Drury Stage at The Bartell Theatre in Madison, running April 8 through April 30, 2022.

About Priscilla:

Based on the smash-hit movie, this show is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined.

With a dazzling array of outrageous Olivier and Tony award-winning costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

Dates and Times: Auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, January 25 and 26 at 6:30pm at the Bartell Theatre on 113 E Mifflin, Madison, WI 53703. UPDATE: EXTRA DAY ADDED -- TUESDAY, FEB 1, at 7pm

Find all details about the casting call including covid safety and role descriptions at the Facebook event page: Auditions: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Roles

TICK/MITZI: (Man, 30’s; baritone/tenor) dance, singing and lip-synching ability essential. Tick has an unremarkable and “straight-passing” look. He is discontented and disillusioned by his drag career. His journey from disillusionment to fulfillment through being reunited with his son is the central core of the story.   Vocal Range:  G2 - G4

BERNADETTE: (Transgender Woman*, 40’s to 60’s; baritone/tenor/contralto) dance, singing and lip-synching ability essential. Bernadette is a quietly dignified woman and was once the star performer of ‘Les Girls’; mother of the group; glamorous, oozes Old Hollywood charm with rapier wit and sensitivity.  Vocal Range:  G2 - G4

ADAM/FELICIA: (Man, 20’s, Tenor) outstanding dance, singing and lip-synching ability essential; traditionally handsome, flashy, young drag queen. Born performer with a more than occasional bitchy streak.  Vocal Range:  C3 - Bflat4

BOB: (Man, 40s to 50’s; baritone) Strong Acting ability with one song; He is a mechanic; manly, soft hearted Aussie bloke; has a fascination with Bernadette whom he saw perform in ‘Les Girls’ in Sydney more than twenty years ago.  Vocal Range:  Aflat2 - D4

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LEAD DIVA: (BIPOC Woman, 20s to 40s)

THE DIVAS: (Women, 20s to 40s) Three women who carry the musical weight of the show. Sassy, strong and sexy, these women lead us through some of the greatest hits of the last decades. Must have brilliant vocal ability in the disco-belt style with flexible range and strong movers. Vocal Range:  F3 - F5

MARION: (Woman, 30s, speaking-role) A hotel entertainment manager; Mother of 8-year-old Benjamin and estranged wife of Tick. Strong, direct, and forthright woman who takes charge, but is incredibly accepting of her role as a single mother. Deep, unconventional affection between her and Tick. Vocal Range:  E4 - D5

BENJI: (Boy, age 12 - should be able to appear to be 8) Son of Tick and Marion; Sweet and open-minded who is supportive of his father; good actor who sings.  Vocal Range:  C3 - C4

MISS UNDERSTANDING: (Male, 20’s to 50’s, baritone/tenor) Drag Queen, edgy, with great comic hosting ability. Sets the tone for the show and must be able to work a crowd well. Character acting, singing and dancing ability a must. Vocal Range:  D3 - G4

SHIRLEY: (Woman, 30s to 50s, alto/belt) Hardened outback bartender/server. Good ironic comedy. Will also be required to be a part of the ensemble.  Vocal Range:  G3 - G4

CYNTHIA: (AAPI Woman, late 20s to 30s) Bob’s feisty wife. A frustrated performer of obscure “stage tricks”, which make her very popular at the local pub. Will also be required to be a part of the ensemble 

FRANK: (Man, late 20s to early 40s) Tough miner bloke with violent tendencies. A hardened resident of mining town Coober Pedy. Tall, strapping and very outback Australian. Will also be required to be a part of the ensemble

JIMMY: (Man, late 20s to 30s) Friendly Australian bloke whom the queens run into in the desert. Innocent charm and great movement skills. Will also be required to be a part of the ensemble

ENSEMBLE (8 to 12) - Various other roles will be divided between ensemble members. 

*Bernadette has been traditionally cast as a cis-male, for this production we are looking for a performer of the Transgender or Non-binary identity and experience. 

** Unless specifically stated, all roles are open to people of any ethnicity and gender identity, pronouns listed reference the character's pronouns and not necessarily that of actors wishing to audition for that character.

Auditions

Please prepare a 1 minute selection of a disco or pop-rock song to sing. Bring a karaoke track on your phone to sing along to if possible. We ask that you select a song that shows off your range and skills.

Auditions will also consist of a dance portion where you will be taught a dance routine in groups. Please come dressed for movement. Those who have character shoes or heels (3in preferred) are asked to bring them to dance in. 

Callbacks will consist of selections of readings from the show and sight-reading song selections from the show. 

COVID Safety

StageQ and Bartell Theatre policy is that all production staff, crew, and cast meet the CDC’s definition of “fully-vaccinated” by the time rehearsals begin. Those wishing to audition don’t have to provide proof of vaccination status, but if cast, proof must be provided to the producer before the first rehearsal. Those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons or age restrictions will be allowed to participate but are asked to contact the show’s producer ahead of time.

We ask that everyone participating in auditions wear a face mask or covering during the audition. You may remove your mask when you are performing your song if you are comfortable (you will be socially distanced from the rest of the team) but you will be masked during your dance routine.

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About Priscilla: 

Based on the smash-hit movie, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined. With a dazzling array of outrageous Olivier and Tony award-winning costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

Rehearsal Dates and Location

First read through will be Sunday, February 6th 2022, with rehearsals starting immediately after usually Sunday through Thursday from 6:30pm - 10pm. Rehearsal location will be MercLab Rehearsal Space (930 N Fair Oaks Ave).

Visit stageq.org for more information or RSVP on our Facebook page.