Description:

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights, IL announces general auditions for Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Winter 2021), written by Ken Ludwig. Baskerville will be directed by Xavier Custodio and co-assistant directed by Claudia Wallace and Sabrina Odigie, MPAC's Associate Artistic Director. Seeking strong non-Equity adult actors, particularly those with solid comedic skills and ability to play multiple roles. Particularly seeking BIPOC actors for all roles, who are strongly encouraged to audition. Gender-fluid casting available for all roles.

Audition Dates:
By online submission of audition materials only.
Audition submission deadline Friday, November 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Callback Dates:
Will be cast from online callback submissions, as well as possible virtual callback.
Sides will be provided to those invited to submit based on audition materials review.
Callback submission deadline Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Performance Dates:
Baskerville will be streamed, virtual pre-recorded performances that will include two online talkbacks/live Q&As with performers, artistic personnel, and patrons.

Pay:
Baskerville will be produced as a streamed media production.
Rehearsals - Flat fee
Production - Flat fee non-union buyout; For filming, actors are paid per-day based on the number of video production days they work.
**Good pay

Baskerville Show Description:
Comedic genius Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) transforms Arthur Conan Doyle's classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. (Concord Theatricals)

Baskerville Character Descriptions:
Sherlock Holmes - Highly intelligent, confident, charismatic, quick-witted, obsessive. Thinks very highly of their close friend Watson. A sophisticated mind who savors adventure and an intriguing mystery and has a manic gleam of mischief in their eyes. A mind that works overtime.

Doctor Watson - Smart, grounded, full of heart and wonder, lives to have adventures and assist their close friend Holmes. We see the play through their eyes. They are the heart and soul of the play.

Actor One - Must show great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally. Plays multiple roles (over 10), including Stapleton, seemingly geeky butterfly lover who conceals a psychopath within; Barrymore, mournful caretaker of Baskerville Hall; Milker, scrappy Dickensian urchin; Lucy, loving spouse of Wilson; and Doctor Mortimer, elegant, friendly, passionate.

Actor Two - Must show great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally. Plays multiple roles, including Hugo Baskerville, a brutal, cruel Cavalier; Wilson, exuberant hearty head of messenger office; Henry Baskerville, young Texan- relation to Baskervilles, open-hearted, earnest, ready for adventure and to fall in love; and Inspector Lestrade, cocky police inspector.

Actor Three - Must show great versatility and nimbleness physically and vocally. Plays multiple roles, including Beryl Stapleton, Jack Stapleton's initially secretive scared sibling who falls passionately in love with Henry Baskerville; Cartwright, scrappy Dickensian urchin; Inga Barrymore, severe humorless Swedish caretaker of Baskerville Hall; and Hudson, older caring housekeeper for Holmes.

Understudies - Understudies will be hired to cover each track as well.

Time Commitment:
Baskerville Production Dates:
Online Rehearsals, Tech, & Dress - Monday, December 7, 2020 - Friday, January 8, 2021: Weekly online rehearsals include 7:00pm-10:00pm Mondays-Fridays and 12:00pm-4:00pm Sundays. Saturday is the designated day off each week. Understudy rehearsals TBA. Please note that all rehearsals, tech, and dress rehearsals will be held online.

Filming Schedule & Standards - Sunday, January 10, 2021 - Friday, January 22, 2021: Filming times TBD. Scenes will be recorded with a) actors performing in their homes with equipment/props provided by the theater, and/or b) actors performing in sanitized, isolated performance areas within the Metropolis Theatre complex, and/or c) actors performing in a safe, remote (outdoor) location. All options will be provided to actors for their review and approval. In the case that an actor is not able to record or capture their performance, facilitating the need for a videographer, both artists will receive health tests paid for by Metropolis. Social distancing will be adopted for all work. Masks will be worn by both artists until the scene is rolling when the actor alone will remove their mask. Direction will be provided remotely. Attendance for video scenic work will be limited to a single actor and a single masked technician. Filming will adhere to the health mandates as determined by the IL Department of Public Health.

Streamed Performances - Friday, January 29, 2021 - Sunday, February 7, 2021: Recorded performances will be available via scheduled broadcasts at 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays; 3:00pm on Sundays and/or video on demand for 2 weeks after opening.

Material To Prepare:
To be considered for Baskerville, please prepare two contrasting monologues 1-2 minutes each in the style of the show. Particularly would like to see the actor's ability to play a wide range of roles.