Open Auditions: Lionheart Season 2025

Upcoming Open Auditions: “The House of Blue Leaves”

The Lionheart Theatre Company is excited to announce open, non-Equity auditions for our May 2025 production of “The House of Blue Leaves” by John Guare.

All roles are non-paying. 

This production is directed by Pete Cutter.

Audition Dates:

– Sunday, January 19th at 6:00 pm
– Monday, January 20th at 6:00 pm

Actors only need to attend one of the audition days. No appointments required.

Show Dates:

May 2-18, 2025
Fridays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm.
Note: There will also be a Saturday matinee at 2 pm on May 17, 2025.

How to Prepare:

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script, although anyone auditioning should be familiar with the plot and characters.

Please bring a headshot and resume if you have one. Casting open to all race/ethnicity, gender identity, body type, etc.

Also, please be prepared to list all conflicts that you have in February, March,  and April. Principles will have light rehearsal infrequently in February. Full cast will begin a regular rehearsal schedule in March. Rehearsals will be in the evenings primarily on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.

Aside from the three principal roles, you may not be required to be at all rehearsals, however, regular attendance for all will begin the third week of April.

Audition Location:

The Lionheart Theatre Company
10 College Street
Norcross, GA 30071

SHOW SYNOPSIS:

In this Tony nominated dark comedy, Artie’s schizophrenic wife, his brassy girlfriend, a deaf movie star, marauding nuns and a bomb upset his plans for the pope’s visit to New York.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

All ages are guidelines only!

PRINCIPALS

Artie Shaughnessy (40-50): A zookeeper and would-be songwriter. Obsessed by a need to be famous, Artie fears that it may be too late for him. He looks to Bunny for the support Bananas is too sick to give, but he still has a soft spot for his wife. Ideally, the actor that plays this role will have at least basic skills on the piano.

Bananas Shaughnessy (40-50): Artie’s wife, once a fun-loving woman. She has since suffered a nervous breakdown. She appears in the play in a nightgown she has worn for the past six months; her eyes are red from crying. Frightened of Artie’s threats to send her to a rest home, she does her best to prove that she is still competent and that Artie is wrong to leave her.

Bunny Flingus, (35-40): The Shaughnessys’ neighbor and Artie’s mistress. She hopes to ride Artie’s coattails to fame. It is her idea to have Artie’s music blessed by the pope and to “audition” for Corrinna Stroller. Bunny is a wonderful cook but refuses to cook for Artie until they are married. When it is clear that Artie will not succeed as a songwriter, she leaves him for successful filmmaker Billy Einhorn.

 

SUPPORTING

Ronnie Shaughnessy (around 18): The son of Artie and Bananas. He is absent without leave from the Army. Another victim of Artie’s thirst for fame, Ronnie once acted like an idiot in front of Hollywood director Billy Einhorn, who was looking for a boy Ronnie’s age to play Huck Finn.

Corrinna Stroller (20-30): A movie starlet. She starred in Billy’s film Warmonger but lost her hearing when a prop mine exploded during the filming. Artie sees her as his ticket to fame and plays his songs for her, but she does not hear them.

Billy Einhorn (40-50): A famous Hollywood director and lifelong friend of Artie’s, Billy represents all the fame and fortune Artie wants. Billy arrives in response to Corrinna’s death. Billy’s maudlin sentimentalizing is clearly bogus, and his grief over Corrinna disappears as soon as he sees Bunny.

 

SMALLER ROLES

Three Nuns (20-60+) They burst into Artie’s apartment to watch the pope on tv. Speaking roles with physical comedy.

Military Policeman (20-30) Speaking role with physical comedy.

The White Man (20-30) Speaking role with physical comedy.

 

Questions? Contact Pete Cutter via email at TheatrePete@aol.com.


 

If you’ve been interested in diving into the acting world, then our auditions in Norcross are the perfect opportunity for you! At Lionheart Theatre, we put on a new production almost every month, and each month is different. You’ll have the chance to try your hand at a number of varying roles.

Lionheart Theatre Company is always looking for new faces to join our continuously growing acting family. Your level of experience doesn’t matter as long as you’re willing to learn and have fun. The right attitude can bring out the best in actors, experienced or not. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs to audition.

The best way to prepare for auditions is to know your character. Yes, memorizing lines is important, but understanding who you are portraying is what turns a good actor into something great. Take the time to sit down and research your character. What’s their background? What motivates them? How do they change throughout the play? As you learn more, try to apply this knowledge to your lines.

You can also work on your lines with a friend or family member. Don’t just read the lines aloud; try to make them come to life. Exaggerate your emotions, and keep your facial expressions in mind. If you can find a way to connect with the character, don’t be afraid to let it show! All of these efforts will translate well into your audition.

Lastly, be sure to work on your confidence. Every actor starts somewhere, so even if you have no experience at all, walk into your audition with your head held high. Chances are, doing so will help you shake some of those audition nerves.