“STATE FAIR”
AUDITIONS

Auditions: Sunday, March 15th and Monday, March 16th from 6:00 to 9:00pm at The Keeton. With callbacks on Wednesday, March 18th.

The Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike Nashville 37214.

Prepare 32 measure of a song in the style of the show (tracks or sheet music, no a cappella). Everyone will learn a short dance combination, and those who tap will do a short tap combo.

We will have cold readings from the script. Please sign up for the night you want to audition here.

We encourage diverse casting and welcome all ethnicities.
We need a multi-generational cast. All roles are available. This is a volunteer opportunity. 

Performance Dates: Shows run June 12th -28th. Rehearsals will begin April 13th.

If you have questions, please contact the director, Dylan Kim, at dylnak@gmail.com

SYNOPSIS

Set against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition in 1945, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons, while their young adult children Margy and Wayne find romance and heartbreak on the midway. Set to the magical strains of an Academy Award-winning score and augmented by other titles from the Rodgers & Hammerstein songbook, State Fair is the kind of warm-hearted family entertainment only Rodgers & Hammerstein could deliver!

State Fair is very similar to the 1945 MGM film, but it has additional songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein collection.

Some clips from the Broadway production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogEf4eb7O8I&t=283s

A number on the 1995 Tony Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh2JGbdFBYw

This is the Broadway cast album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHGA650j7_o&list=PLNvyV4l3IH8h9PFi0jBeWI4DnG5RRXgPo

Character Breakdown

MARGY FRAKE

(Female, 18-25, Mezzo-Soprano Bb3-Eb5)

The Frake's daughter and Wayne’s younger sister. Daydreamer, naïve and sweet. Dance ability.

(Note: Due to the character of Pat being an adult, we will be keeping the character of Margy 18 or older.)

WAYNE FRAKE

(Male, 18-30, Baritone A2-F4)

The Frake's son and Margy’s older brother. Romantic, kind and stubborn. Moves well.

EMILY ARDEN

(Female, 20-35, Mezzo Soprano Bb3-A5)

A touring jazz singer who performs at the fair. Wayne appeals to her softer side, but there’s a secret she’s keeping. Dancer.

PAT GILBERT

(Male, 20-35, Tenor)

A newspaper reporter with ambition, but Margy’s small town sweetness manages to steal his heart. Dancer.

ABEL FRAKE

(Male, 45-65, Baritone bass, good with harmony)

A farmer, dad and good husband. He’s folksy and competitive. Mover.

MELISSA FRAKE

(Female, 45-65, Alto A3-Db5)

A kind, modest woman, but she has a competitive side. A loving wife to Abel and mother of Wayne and Margy. Mover.

ENSEMBLE AND SUPPORTING ROLES

The singing-dancing ensemble consisting of Barkers, Vendors, Judges, and Fairgoers. Supporting roles will come from the ensemble. 

• GUS (male, any age)
  The Frake's hired man
• DAVE MILLER (male, mature actor)
  The local storekeeper
• ELEANOR (female, 18-25)
  Wayne's girlfriend
• HARRY (Male, 18-25)
  Margy's boyfriend
• THE FAIR ANNOUNCER (Male, any age)
• THE HOOPLA BARKER (Male, 30+)
• THE ASTOUNDING STRALENKO (male, 20-40, mover)
• VIVIAN (Female, 20-35)
  A cooch dancer
• JEANNE (Female 20-35)
  A cooch dancer
• CHARLIE (Male, any age)
  A newspaper photographer
• LEM (Male, able to harmonize for barbershop style song)
  A farmer
• CLAY (Male, able to harmonize for barbershop style song)
  A farmer
• HANK MUNSON (Male, able to harmonize for barbershop style song)
  A farmer
• THE CHIEF OF POLICE (Male, 35+)
• VIOLET
  His 11 year old daughter
• THE FAIRTONES (Female, 20-45, jazz singers, dancing required)
• JUDGE HEPPENSTAHL (Male, 40+)
• MRS. EDWIN METCALF OF POTTSVILLE (Female, 40+)
• 2 ROUSTABOUTS (Male, any age)
  

If you have questions, please contact the director, Dylan Kim, at dylnak@gmail.com