Now April 1-3, 2022
STC’s Teen Production Experience
BADGER, by Don Zolidis
This story takes a dynamic look into the lives and friendships of several employees of the Badger Ordnance Works, one of the largest munitions factories in the US, during WWII. Facing dangerous work in a hostile working environment, five women form an unlikely bond through joy, heartbreak, and hope.
Directed by Brittny Rebhuhn.
Design mentors:
Heather Schulte, Set/Props
Monica Toro, Costumes/Dramaturgy
Jake Feddersen, Lights/Sound
Story Theater Company’s annual teen show is an intensive experience where the participants form a theater company to create a production. With the guidance of an adult director and three design mentors, the teens not only act in the show, but are also responsible for all sets, costumes, props, lights, dramaturgy, music, and stage management.
Regarding masks: At this time, mask-wearing is required at all Story Theater Company functions.
Find our complete Covid and Illness Policy here.
SPONSORED BY
Doug and Amy Moore
This program is funded in part by local option tax funds provided by the City of Ames through the Commission on the Arts (COTA).
PERFORMANCES
April 1 and 2 at 7:00 PM
April 3 at 2:00 PM
All performances held at STC’s Black Box Theater–
615 S. Dayton Ave, suite 133 in Ames.
AUDITION & PRODUCTION TEAM INFORMATION
All members of the cast will serve on one of six production teams (costumes, props, set, sound design, lights, or dramaturgy). A team leader for each of the six areas will be selected in addition to a stage manager. Team leaders and the stage manager will be selected through an interview process. If you are interested in being a stage manager or production team leader, please sign up for a brief interview before auditions. The signup is below.
The stage manager and lighting designer will not be cast members, but it is possible that the other five production team leaders can be cast as actors in addition to their design roles. You may absolutely sign up for both an audition and an interview.
The participation fee for “Badger” is $145.
More about the stage manager:
The stage manager is a vital role that cannot be filled by an actor. The stage manager will take rehearsal and production meeting notes, maintain excellent communication with all cast and design team members, assist with various production needs, and call/run backstage elements during each performance. You do not need to have previous SM or ASM experience, but we are looking for responsible, dedicated candidates. This role is a great way to be involved with the entire production process and a fabulous creative leadership experience.
More about the lighting designer:
The lighting designer will work closely with Design Mentor Jake Feddersen (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown) to learn successful light board operation, become confident in designing and programming cues, and run the lights during each performance.
AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
Auditions and production team interviews will be on the evening of Tuesday, January 11. There will be two Saturday meetings/rehearsals during January. Regular T/TH rehearsals and Saturday morning workshop times begin February 8. Performances will be April 1-3, 2022 at the STC Black Box Theater. View a preliminary rehearsal schedule here.
We strongly recommend reading the script ahead of time. You may do so here by creating a free Playscripts account, OR you may also request a one-week loan of a printed copy by emailing Julia at manager@storytheatercompany.org.
Can I be on the production team only, without auditioning?
You may apply to be the stage manager or lighting designer with an interview only (no audition). You may also apply to be a production team leader for set, costumes, or dramaturgy by interviewing only. You may not serve as the leader for sound or props, or as a general production team member, without being a part of the cast.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
Scholarship applications will be available to all cast members after auditions and interviews are complete. Scholarship requests are confidential and do not affect the audition/interview or casting process. Please do not let the participation fee keep you from doing an audition or interview.
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
- Auditions are open to ages 13—high school senior.
- Bring a photo to attach to your audition application.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition or interview time to complete an audition form. Late arrivals will be moved to another audition time.
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that will allow you to move well.
- You will audition with a small group. You will be at your audition for 30 minutes.
- To prepare for you audition, please thoroughly familiarize yourself with this selection of scenes. Any person at the audition may be asked to read for any role in these scenes. You do not need to be memorized.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
- Interviews are a chance to talk with the director and design mentors about various production roles in the show. They are not intended to be intimidating or stressful. To prepare, please be ready to express your interest in one or more of the stage manager, lighting designer, or production team leader positions. Here are some good questions to think about ahead of time:
- What makes you interested in this position(s)? Do you have any previous experience that could be relevant to this position? (None is required, but if you have some, we’d love to know.)
- If you have previous experience, it does not have to be theater-related. For example, many types of leadership, organization, and time-management skills could be helpful for a stage manager candidate. Craft, construction, or other tech skills could serve several of the design positions.
- What do you see yourself bringing to this position that will be helpful to the production as a whole? What do you hope to learn from the experience of working in this position?
- If you have any photos, documents, or portfolio pieces you’d like to share with the design mentors, we encourage you to bring them.
- If you have questions about any of the positions, feel free to bring those to the interview as well. You can also email Julia ahead of time at manager@storytheatercompany.org.
SIGN UP FOR AUDITIONS AND INTERVIEWS HERE.
ROLES
Approximately 15 actors will play the following roles:
ELEANOR, 20, a dreamer
ROSE, 18, a newlywed, nervous
BARBARA, 23, a young mother determined to earn her own money
IRENE, 21, a strong and forceful woman
GRACE, 19, a free spirit, unattached, a bit of a hell-raiser
BURT, an older worker, kind of a jerk
TIMOTHY, 18, suffers the effects of having polio at a young age
CHESTER, 40s, the supervisor
MATTHEW, 19, married to Rose
JOHN, 20s, married to Barbara
GLADYS, MARY, and BEN, other workers at the plant
MR. PRENTISS, Barbara’s father-in-law
JOE and BOB, factory training video actors
JULIE, 3, Barbara and John’s daughter
NEWSREEL VOICE
NOTE: The actors playing Burt, Timothy, Chester, Matthew, John, Gladys, Mary, Ben, Mr. Prentiss, Joe, Bob, and Julie will also appear as members of the dynamic chorus.