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AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Mt. SAC Theater Department

ROCK ‘N ROLL”

by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Susan Boulanger

  • About

    “Rock 'n' Roll” is an electrifying collision of the romantic and the revolutionary. It is 1968 and the world is ablaze with rebellion, accompanied by a soundtrack of the Rolling Stones, Pin Floyd, and Bob Dylan. Clutching his prized collection of rock albums, Jan, a Cambridge graduate student, returns to his homeland of Czechoslovakia just as Soviet tanks roll into Prague. When security forces tighten their grip on artistic expression, Jan is inexorably drawn toward a dangerous act of dissent. Back in England, Jan's volcanic mentor, Max, faces a war of his own as his free-spirited daughter and his cancer-stricken wife attempt to break through his walls of academic and emotional obstinacy. Over the next twenty years of love, espionage, chance, and loss, the extraordinary lives of Jan and Max spin and intersect until an unexpected reunion forces them to see what is truly worth the fight.

    About the Roles

    • The play takes place over 20 years, 1968 – 1990. Many characters age throughout the play.
    • Actors auditioning for the role of “The Piper” should come prepared to sing a short verse of a song a cappella (if you can learn “Golden Hair” by Syd Barrett, that would be great).
    • All roles are British except where indicated.
    • Some roles that were originally played by the same actor may be played by different actors, depending on the turnout for the auditions.
    FEMALE-IDENTIFYING ROLES

    ESME (YOUNGER): 16; a flower child of the 60s; intelligent but free-spirited; daughter of Max and Eleanor; has a crush on Jan

    ESME (OLDER): ages from late 30s to 40; divorced mother to Alice; takes care of Max; very intelligent but her aspirations were sidetracked by her hippie lifestyle when she was young; trying to find herself; has always loved Jan.

    ELEANOR: late 40s; professor; married to Max, mother to Esme; battling cancer

    ALICE: 16; daughter to Esme (Older); intelligent and finishing high school early; much like her mother when she was young; yearns for independence

    LENKA: ages 29 to 49; sexy and bold grad student, then former lover of Max

    GILLIAN: 20s; grad student; Intelligent but self-conscious; dresses sensibly

    CANDIDA: early 40; self-made and influential newspaper columnist; newly married to Alice’s father

    MAGDA: 20s; grad student; Jan’s girlfriend briefly; free-spirited; tends to change boyfriends a lot. Czech dialect.

    PUPIL: 20s; female grad student.

    MALE-IDENTIFYING ROLES

    JAN: ages from 29 to 50; Ph.D student of Max’s who returns to Czechoslovakia when the Russians invade in order to “save Rock and Roll.” Fiercely passionate about the music and the freedom and creativity it represents; tries to avoid political dissent, but eventually has to make a life-changing decision. Admires Max but also challenges him. Light Czech dialect.

    MAX: ages 51 to 70s; Cambridge professor and mentor to Jan; short-tempered, bullying; holds fiercely to the original philosophy of Communism despite how the movement has evolved. Husband to Eleanor and father to Esme.

    FERDINAND: ages 29-50; Czechoslovakian dissident; Jan’s friend; tries to get Jan involved in the underground movement for freedom; Czech dialect.

    NIGEL: ages 30 to late 30s; newspaper reporter; Esme’s ex-husband.

    STEPHEN: 20; a college student; Alice’s boyfriend; intelligent; nervous around Alice’s parents but not afraid to shar his political opinions with Max.

    The Piper: 20s; looks eerily like a young Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd; rock and roll/hippie; sings “Golden Hair” by Syd Barrett, so actor must be able to carry a tune.

    INTERROGATOR: late 20s/early 30s; middle-ranking Communist bureaucrat who enjoys his power; Czech dialect

    MILAN: 40s; Communist Secret Police; keeps tabs on Max and Jan; Czech dialect

    POLICEMAN: late 20s; enjoys his job a bit too much. Czech dialect

    The Original Role Breakdown is as follows:
    • Jan
    • Max
    • Ferdinand
    • Interrogator/Nigel
    • Milan/Waiter
    • The Piper/ Policeman/ Stephen
    • Eleanor/Esme (Older)
    • Alice/Esme (Younger)
    • Gillian/Magda/Pupil
    • Lenka
    • Candida

  • Audition Dates/Times

    Auditions: Wednesday, November 13, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
    Callbacks, if needed: Thursday, November 14, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
    Room: Room 2T-120

    For More Information Contact Director, Susan Boulanger, sboulanger@mtsac.edu

    Audition Information

    • Prepare a 1-minute monologue if you have one.
    • Be prepared to read sides from the script (provided)
    • British or Czech dialects as indicated are helpful, but not necessary for auditions.
    • Students must be available for all rehearsals and performances.
    • Be prepared to provide any schedule conflicts.

    Rehearsal and Performance Information

    Please Note:

    • Rehearsals start in the Winter Intersession and continue through the first 8 weeks of the Spring Semester.
    • Winter Intersession: January 6 – February 12, MTW. 2:40pm – 5:45pm
    • Spring Semester: February 24 –Sunday April 20,
      • Rehearsals M-TH, 7:00pm – 10:10pm, until Tech/Dress Rehearsals.
    • Performances in the Clarke Theater:
      • Thursday, Friday, Saturday April 17, 18, 19 @ 7:30pm and
      • Sunday April 20 @ 1:30pm