This interactive new work commissioned by CenterStage Theatre Works uses physical theatre and audience interaction to create a story for an audience of sensory-challenged kids and early learners, including the neurodivergent and autistic population. The actors will help the audience supply the “parts” to this story and will create a performance in a sensory-friendly environment for all.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Auditioners must be 18+ to audition. CenterStage Theatre Works is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in casting. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities, and ages (for this show, 18+) to attend every audition. We expect all actors to exercise respect for each other to allow us to have a safe and inclusive environment to practice their craft. Neurodivergent / autistic actors: We want representation from you in this cast!

AUDITION MATERIALS

Actors should submit the following by March 24 at 11:59 pm:

• Audition form found at: bit.ly/spectrum-audition

• Because this production is for young audiences, your storytelling ability and comedy are important to us for this audition. We want to see your comedic capabilities and your creativity!

• On the audition form, please include links to your headshot, rèsumè, and videos (placed on YouTube or Vimeo) that include the following:

• headshot and rèsumè

• 60-90 second comedic monologue

• 60-90 second “story.” Tell us a story – make it up or retell something you know. Use a character voice (or not). if includes some physicality, even better!

CALLBACKS

Callbacks should be sent out to auditioners by March 25 at 11:59 pm. Sides and location will be provided. In-person callbacks will be 3/27 or 3/28. Virtual/video callbacks for non-local auditioners will be due by 11:59 pm 3/28.

STIPEND

Each actor and swing will receive $150 for the initial run of July 11-15. Payment for any additional shows booked will be disclosed in the actor agreement at the beginning of rehearsal.

CHARACTERS

All roles are available.

*Note: Ages and gender identities are those of the character, not the auditioner. All listed identifiers are in accordance with the agreement with MTI and the options provided by the book writers in the script. CenterStage Theatre Works is committed to diverse casting for all our productions and it is an important tenet of our creative team. We welcome and encourage actors to audition without regard to ethnicity, gender, experiences, or abilities. We welcome actors who are neurodiverse or autistic to this cast to provide role models for this audience.

Additionally. this Sensory Theatre production has an audience of primarily younger children (preschool through sixth grade) and their families. You must be comfortable performing for younger audiences and be willing to engage and interact with them in character.

The Cast:

This play is an interactive work that will consist of 6-8 actors who will work together using storytelling, devised and physical theatre, improv, and audience interaction to tell the story of Spectrum Sparks to sensory-challenged children 4-10 and early learners. Must be comfortable with performing for smaller groups and specia needs audiences. The playwright is neurodivergent and would like representation from neurodivergent / autistic actors in the cast.

About This Play:

This interactive play is about a robot, Spectrum Sparks, who is a little bit “different.” It is designed to satisfy the following learning objectives:

• Recognizing diversity: different types of people, different personalities, different abilities, different appearances

• Expressing emotions: we all express our emotions in different ways and need to be able to express them safely and have healthy coping skills lending itself to emotional literacy.

• Developing empathy: Through the play’s story and characters, the audience will have an opportunity to see an event through other peoples’ eyes, fostering a greater understanding of human emotions.

• Finding empowerment: learning how to voice your feelings and thoughts and express yourself and your ideas to contribute to a collaboration with others.

• Inclusivity and acceptance: Even though we are different, there should be understanding and a shared humanity where we understand the importance of respecting others’ ideas and feelings even if they are different from ours.

• Creative expression: Being able to create a friend will allow children to use imaginative skills and explore their creativity and blending different ideas.

• Critical thinking: The problem to be solved relies on everyone combining ideas (earlier creations) and creating a new item from the individual parts. 

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will be finalized after conflicts are received but initially they will be Mon-Thurs evenings (6-10) and Saturday days (with a possibility of Sunday afternoons) in Frisco/McKinney starting on June 20 through July 10. July 7 we will move to Frisco Discovery Center Black Box for tech. If you have conflicts for these rehearsals, that does not exclude you from auditioning, but please communicate that upfront. 

 PERFORMANCES:

The Adventures of Spectrum Sparks will be approximately 45-60 minutes of performance time and will have 7 performances at the Frisco Discovery Black Box. We may add some additional dates to “tour” locally during the summer (Allen/Fairview, Richardson, Grapevine, etc.) and we will try to communicate those dates to the cast by May 1.

Current scheduled performances for this production are:

Thursday, July 11: 11 am and 2 pm

Friday, July 12: 11 am and 2 pm

Saturday, July 13: 11 am and 2 pm

Sunday, July 14: 2 pm

The Adventures of Spectrum Sparks is around 45 min to 60 min performance time and will have 7 performances from July 11-15 at the Frisco Discovery Black Box. We may add some additional dates to “tour” locally during the summer (Allen/Fairview, Richardson, Grapevine, etc.) and we will try to communicate those dates to the cast by May 1.