Perfect Arrangement Auditions

Evert B. Person Theatre
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

By Topher Payne

Directed by Ely Sonny Orquiza

Audition Dates

Open to ALL SSU students.

Auditions: Monday, December 2, sign up for an 8 min slot from 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Ives Hall 119

SCROLL DOWN FOR SIGN-UP INFORMATION AND LINK

Callbacks: Tuesday, December 3, 6:00pm-9:00pm (please plan to stay the whole time)
Location: Ives 119

The Stage Manager will send an email to those who are called back after the Audition day.

Summary

Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the gay rights movement, Perfect Arrangement merges madcap sitcom-style laughs with provocative drama as two closeted U.S. State Department employees struggle to maintain their cover – and their sanity – in 1950s America.

It’s 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door.

“The best thing about Topher Payne’s fabulous Perfect Arrangement is its pitch-perfect capture of the 1950s comic voice, and its application to the dreadfully serious drama.” – DC Theatre Scene, Read More

“Usually a playwright has to choose between writing a laugh-out-loud comedy and a very serious drama. Topher Payne has written both with Perfect Arrangement.” –TheatreMania, Read More

“As hiding gets harder, pitch-perfect comedy ensues: slamming doors, strange disguises, preposterous excuses... Eventually, the four must decide whether face-saving domestic lies are worth it, or whether ostracism beats living in fear. In our own era of surveillance and paranoia, their mid-century problems don’t feel so far away.” – The New Yorker

“[A] clever canapé of a comedy... Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.” – The New York Times

To prepare

Please read the script of Perfect Arrangement in its entirety before auditioning. This is standard professional practice and will put you in the best position to do the audition, as it is hard to understand the characters and story for which you are auditioning without reading the script. Reading the script in advance also is part of your work as an actor in understanding fully in advance the nature and goals of the project you will be joining if cast. To request a reading copy of the script, please email the project’s faculty lead, Scott Horstein, at horstein@sonoma.edu.

Content Advisory: Perfect Arrangement contains historical depictions of anti-queer social norms.

Audition Format

Each auditioner will sign up for an 8-minute slot, which will include 5 minutes for your audition. This time will allow you to perform your audition material and engage in a brief collaborative conversation with the director.

Please prepare 1 90-second contemporary comedy monologue.
If you have a contrasting, 90-second dramatic monologue, please feel free to do that as well, in addition to the comic monologue.
If you don’t have a contemporary monologue prepared, a classical one (such as Shakespeare) is fine.

Please also be prepared to share a special skill! Juggling, singing, playing music, anything at all, no matter how big or how small.

To Sign Up

Fill out and submit the Perfect Arrangement Audition Questionnaire before you audition. Within the form you can sign up for an audition time slot.

Commitments

If cast, it is required that you enroll in THAR 302:003 (3 units): Drama Ensemble Workshop. 100% attendance is required and adherence to the syllabus, i.e. learning objectives, rehearsal times, etc. designed for your learning is expected. Please be prepared to resolve other conflicts, such as work, class, athletics, club, Greek, social, etc.

If cast, you must enroll in this course by the add/drop deadline: Thurs, Feb. 3, 2025. We ask that you add immediately following audition outcomes, the week of Dec. 9, 2024.

If you have any questions about unit cap restrictions or time conflicts, please contact the faculty lead for PERFECT ARRANGEMENT and instructor for THAR 302:003, Scott Horstein at horstein@sonoma.edu to complete the appropriate forms.

First Rehearsal

Tuesday, January 21 from 6pm-9:00pm

Those cast are expected to have read the play at least three times total before first rehearsal.
The ensemble is not expected to be off-book on the first day of rehearsals, but the current plan is that the soft off-book date will be the end of the second week, and the firm off-book date will be the beginning of the fourth week of rehearsals.

Rehearsal Call Times

Week 1, week of Jan. 20: Tuesday, Jan. 21 (1st rehearsal) to Friday (6-9P)
Week 2, week of Jan. 27: Thursday and Friday (6-9p), Saturday (10-4P)
Week 3, week of Feb 3: Thursday and Friday (6-9p), Saturday (10-4P)
Week 4, week of Feb 10: Thursday and Friday (6-9p), Saturday (10-4P)
Week 5, week of Feb 17:Thursday and Friday (6-9p), Saturday (10-4P)
Week 6, week of Feb 24: Tuesday to Friday (6-9P)

Technical Rehearsals

Tech Weekend: March 1 & 2
Tech Week: March 3, 4, 5

Dress Rehearsals

Tech Week: March 3 - 5

Performances

March 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 pm (post-show discussion on March 6)
March 9 at 2:00 pm

Available Roles

BOB MARTINDALE - 30s-40s, A WWII veteran, reserved. A bit bookish, but a solid man's man. Good-humored and well-mannered. He works at the State Department and is made in charge of rooting out queer-identifying people in the State Department. Millie’s “husband” but in reality is Jim’s partner.

MILLIE MARTINDALE - late 20s-30s, Bob's “wife” but really Norma’s partner. Plays "The dizzy wife" when people are in the house, but actually very quick-witted and observant. Smart enough to maintain the act. Bob’s “wife” but in reality is Norma’s partner. Was involved with Barbara a long time ago.

NORMA BAXTER - 30s, The knowing, efficient, classy dame. A secretary at the State Department who could just as easily be Secretary of State. A smart woman who's great with a wisecrack and level-headed in a bind. Jim’s “wife” but in reality is Millie’s partner.

JIM BAXTER - 20s-30s, Norma's husband. A prankster type, always ready with a comeback. A high school teacher with lots of energy. A little wired, good with a plan. Norma’s “husband” but in reality is Bob’s partner.

THEODORE SUNDERSON - 40s-50s, The boss. Bombastic, loud, a little overbearing. A patriotic windbag. Kitty’s husband, Bob’s boss at the State Department.

KITTY SUNDERSON - 40s, Ted's wife. Legitimately ditzy. Her brain seems to work on a totally different wavelength than the rest of the world. Very sweet, and very genuine. Just doesn't quite "get it.” Theodore’s wife.

BARBARA GRANT - 40s, A formidable opponent. No-nonsense, beautiful, brilliant, and a little scary. Translator at the State Department, was involved with Millie a long time ago.

ENSEMBLE – the Ensemble represents the society outside the Martindale home, on the sidewalk outside, and is seen primarily in the transitions between scenes. These are non-speaking roles.

Special Notes

Performers of all backgrounds are invited to audition. The director is particularly interested in the inclusion of queer perspectives in queer roles.

Please note that some roles may require intimacy choreography, that is, the portrayal of physical intimacy between couples. Auditioners are encouraged to read the script for specifics. An intimacy choreographer will be part of the rehearsal process to ensure professional, safe approaches to intimacy work for the stage.

"Perfect Arrangement" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.