Auditions

Actors Theatre of Little Rock announces auditions for Robert & Willie Reale’s A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. Auditions will be held on Monday, October 28th. Audition registration can be made and questions answered by emailing CASTING@ACTORSTHEATRELR.ORG. 

Auditions will be held at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church (1601 S. Louisiana, Little Rock, AR, 72206), and will begin at 6:00pm. Callbacks, if needed, will be held at a later date. You will be notified by email if you are needed for callbacks. Video submissions are available. 

Performance dates are February 12 - March 1, 2025. Rehearsals will begin on or around December 7th and will start out being 3 days a week until late January. This production will be directed and music directed by Mark A. Burbank and choreographed by KT Greer.

Those auditioning will be provided songs and sides to prepare and should come dressed and ready to move. All actors will have the same call time and will participate in a dance call, singing and sides, and engage in environmental and improvisational group activities. Some actors may also be asked to perform additional sides and music from the show.

Those auditioning must be 18 years of age or older by December 1st, 2024. All roles are paid. 

A note from the director: All roles are available for any particular person and type. We are seeking a truly diverse company (race, gender identity, body type, age, and ability) for this production. Most importantly, we are looking for bold and playful storytellers who will embrace the joy and boldness of Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters. Bring your imagination and be open to direction! There are no rehearsals the week of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. 

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All video submissions are due Sunday, October 27th @ 11:59pm and need to be emailed to CASTING@ACTORSTHEATRELR.ORG. Here are a few steps to creating a great self-tape:

1. The Slate: For your slate, talk straight to camera, introduce yourself with your name, pronouns, and the title of your piece.

2. The Framing: Please frame the top of your head to the navel.

3. The Setting: Use a quiet room with little or no background noise. TVs, fans, running water, and air conditioning can be distracting. The wall behind you should be non-distracting, and try to position yourself a few feet away from the wall to avoid shadows. Make sure the light comes from behind the camera, so we can see your face, and avoid filming in front of windows as this will create a silhouette.

4. Material: For video submissions, you will need to prepare a 60 second children’s theatre monologue and a 32 bar cut of a song in the same style.

5. The Delivery: A video via an unlisted YouTube link that includes a brief (under 1 minute) If singing, please have a piano or instrumental track accompany you. If you are doing sides, please have a reader. 

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Casting: 5 to 11 actors

Characters:

• Frog (Any race or gender, 18+): Frog is a friendly, confidant, positive and caring character. This leading role requires a strong actor and singer. Frog is comfortable solving Toad's problems and reacting to Toad's traumas
• Toad (Any race or gender, 18+): Toad is serious, irritable, self-conscious yet an oddly charismatic character. The friendship that he shares with Frog must appear loyal through and through. A hard worker, but impatient for results.
• The Birds Trio (Any race or genders, 18+): Quirky, bright-eyed trio of birds who act as a Greek Chorus commenting and narrating the action (when they sing together in close harmony). They travel together, and join in Frog and Toadʼs adventures— including eating their discarded cookies. Will double as additional creatures in the show. 
• Turtle (Any race or gender, 18+): Turtle is a "rabble-rouser" and the first to spread the news that Toad looks funny in a bathing suit. Will double as additional creatures in the show. 
• Snail (Any race or gender, 18+): Slow and steady, and extremely determined. Snail spends a year working diligently to deliver a letter. Will double as additional creatures in the show. 
• Mouse (Any race or gender, 18+): Mouse is always able to ask all the right questions like a talk-show host. Fun, intelligent, and quick-witted. Will double as additional creatures in the show. 
• Moles (Any race or gender, 18+): Enthusiastic and playful. The moles watch Toad as he careens downhill on his sled, and point out the dangers on his path. Will double as additional creatures in the show.