When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

When:

• Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Where: Artisan Center Theater - 444 E Pipeline Rd, Hurst, TX 76053

Directions: Google Maps to Event Venue Apple Maps to Event Venue

Music, Book & Story by STEVE MARTIN
Music, Lyrics & Story by EDIE BRICKELL

Directed by Hayden Casey
Assistant Directed by Christina Major
Music Directed by Christina Major
Choreographed by Mikki Hankins

Callbacks (if needed): Wednesday December 20, 2023 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Actors, read first: https://artisanct.com/assets/shows-community/1/ACTORS%20READ%20FIRST.pdf

Link to audition form: https://www.theaterforms.com/auditions/BrightStar/auditionform/

• Please prepare one of the preselected songs chosen by the director and music director that best suits your vocal & acting ability. The cuts are available online at artisanct.com/auditions

• An accompanist will be provided in the audition room. The accompanist will have the sheet music already, so there is no need to bring your own music into the room.

• There will be a dance component to the audition at call-backs for certain roles (bring appropriate footwear and dress to move).

• Actors may be doing cold readings from the script at callbacks.

• Roles may be double cast depending on actor availability.

• If you are unable to attend, please send an audition video to auditions@artisanct.com You will still be required to complete all digital paperwork and come to callbacks in person if requested.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals begin December 28, 2023 and are generally Mondays, Tuesdays, (no Wednesdays), Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm and Saturdays from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Not everyone will be called to all rehearsals)

Performances

February 9 - March 2

Performances will be Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, and Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Additional performances may be scheduled based on cast availability.

Available Roles

We encourage performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, body types, ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.

• Alice Murphy - plays both 16-17 and 36-37. Alice at age 36-37 is an editor of a southern literary magazine; intelligent, attractive, professional – but with an air of melancholy. Young Alice at age 16-17 is rebellious, high-spirited, adventurous – looking to break out of small-town life and experience the world.

  Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano, F3-C5 SIDE 1 SIDE 2

• Billy Cane – a young soldier returning home from WWII; an aspiring young writer; fresh, open, optimistic, charming, and a little naïve.

  Vocal Range: Tenor, C3-A4 SIDE

• Daddy Cane – Billy’s father. A widower. Spry, good looking. Kind hearted, if a bit lonely.

  Vocal Range: Tenor, C3-A4 SIDE

• Margo Crawford – a small-town bookstore owner; a childhood friend of Billy’s who now harbors romantic feelings towards him; a natural beauty with a keen intellect.

  Vocal Range: Soprano, B3-F#5 SIDE

• Daryl Ames – The flamboyant assistant at a literary magazine. Funny, with a dry and officious sense of humor. Insecure, and perhaps a bit socially awkward, but endearing and innately likable.

  Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone, C3-E4

• Lucy Grant – A junior editor at a literary magazine. An ambitious, professional young “modern” career woman of the 1940’s. Strong, forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor.

  Vocal Range: Soprano, A3-D5 SIDE

• Jimmy Ray Dobbs – plays both age 18-20 and 38-40. Jimmy Ray in his early 20s in flashbacks is Mayor Dobbs’ son and young Alice’s beau; handsome, boyishly charming, well-built and intelligent; from a family of wealth and power and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business; an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in; he has a sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion

  Vocal Range: Tenor, C3-A4 SIDE 1 SIDE 2

• Mama Murphy – Alice’s mother. A caretaker to her family and her rural community. A warm, loving, sensible woman. Hardworking, with great inner strength and compassion.

  Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano, G3-C5 SIDE

• Daddy Murphy – Alice’s father; an authoritative and a stern disciplinarian; devoutly religious, hard-working, a poor but proud farmer.

  Vocal Range: Baritone, A2-G4 SIDE

• Mayor Josiah Dobbs – the Mayor of Zebulon; a political and financial powerbroker – distinguished, an imposing and controlling presence; has a genuine interest in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in doing so, is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty.

  Vocal Range: Baritone, A2-G4 SIDE

• The Ensemble – Guides for the show, appearing throughout the ‘20s and ‘40s. Looking for strong singers and movers ages 16+:

  • Dr. Norquist – The local family doctor in Zebulon. Part of the ensemble, Speaking Role

  • Edna – an employee at Margo’s bookstore. Part of the ensemble, Mezzo-Soprano

  • Florence – an employee at Margo’s bookstore and a childhood friend of both Billy and Margo. Part of the ensemble, Mezzo-Soprano

  • Government Clerk – A clerk at the Office of Records in Raleigh. Part of the ensemble, Speaking Role

  • Max – a customer at Margo’s bookstore, at first, he has a crush on Margo, but later becomes Edna’s beau. Part of the ensemble, Speaking Role

  • Stanford – Loyal assistant to Mayor Josiah Dobbs. Part of the ensemble, Tenor/Baritone

  • Well-Dressed Woman – A woman (38-40) living in Raleigh. Part of the ensemble, Speaking Role

About The Theater

Artisan Center Theater produces year round, full scale Broadway style musicals and plays in their 195 seat theater-in-the-round. On Second Stage, Artisan Children's Theater produces children's shows each year where children perform for children. As part of their mission to create opportunities to experience uplifting family-friendly theater, Artisan offers a complete program of theatrical education, dance and performing arts classes throughout the year. Opening in 2003 Artisan has been blessed to serve, entertain, and offer theater opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people around the DFW metroplex. Artisan Center Theater is located at 444 E Pipeline Rd. in Hurst, Texas. The theater is closed on Sunday.