CHASING NIRVANA
Quick links
Audition Date:
Monday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Callbacks, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m.
Show Dates:
Oct. 2-3
Director: Sean Kenealy
Music Director: Anj Marie Riffel
About the show:
Inaugural Striving Artist production.
Travel back to the heyday of Gen X, when twentysomethings were trying to figure out who they were beyond the walls of Shermer High School—and discovering that reality does indeed bite. Presley Martin is an endearingly awkward, hot mess of a musician who’s hoping her band might be the next Nirvana. While reaching on tiptoe for the stars, she loses her balance and winds up flirting with rock bottom instead.
With the resurgence of 1990s culture, CHASING NIRVANA feels simultaneously nostalgic and current. Driven by catchy 90’s alt-rock music, the story appeals to a multi-generational audience, as it examines life’s big questions: Who will love me? Why am I here? What really matters?
Packed with heart, humor, and a healthy dose of pop-culture “wisdom,” we follow Presley’s journey as she navigates a Bermuda love triangle and risks losing herself in the void between two very different dreams. Will she find her own sense of nirvana?
AUDITION INFO
Show dates: Oct. 2–3; Tech week: Sept. 27–Oct. 1
Rehearsals: August 16–Oct. 1, Sundays through Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30pm
Audition components:
Sing 30 seconds to 1 minute of any 90s Alternative Rock song. Bring your own instrumental backing track on your phone (karaoke tracks available via YouTube).
Anyone auditioning for Presley, Sam, or Tommy is welcome to demonstrate basic guitar knowledge: we will have an acoustic guitar available.
You will read sides from the play, to be provided at audition.
There will be a low-key dance/movement group audition (no preparation required)
WHAT TO CONSIDER:
This is a brand new musical and offers an exciting opportunity to be the first ever to play these roles! There will be no sheet music, so you will learn the songs primarily based off of rough recordings and working with a live band. We are looking for people with a good musical ear and great energy and presence! Please be prepared to work hard… and have a blast doing it!
Character Descriptions
PRIMARY ROLES
PRESLEY: 20–30, female, starry-eyed musician
Powerful alto singer. Multifaceted: cringe/awkward, sweet/sassy/silly, hopeful/insecure. Shy but comes alive on stage. Ideally knows a few guitar chords. Good mover. (90s female rocker vibes)
SAM: 20–30, male, Presley’s best friend
Tenor. Ideally knows a few guitar chords. Patient, sensitive, intellectual, likeable, strong presence, playful (good comedic timing) but carries himself with maturity. (Pearl Jam vibes)
TOMMY: 20–30, male, Presley’s love interest;
Tenor. Punk-rock version of Danny Zuko. Charismatic, cool, over-the-top, cocky-but-charming and funny. (Green Day vibes)
NARRATOR ROLES
JETTIE: 50–70, female, mature “Presley”
Powerful Alto. Ready to ROCK. Symbolizes late-age Presley (doesn’t have to look like her). Funny, settled, wise, spunky. (Boho vibes)
JUNE: 30–40, female, mid-age “Presley”
Mezzo (or alto). Symbolizes middle-age Presley (doesn’t have to look like her), straight-forward, maybe very slight country accent. (No-nonsense mom vibes)
FEATURED/ENSEMBLE ROLES
Any vocal range with strong pop/rock sensibilities. Dance/movement is a plus.
CHARLIE: 20–50, any gender. Band Manager. Hyper, enthusiastic, comedic.
KAT: 20–40, female presenting. Bartender, Presley’s friend. Tough but empathetic.
OPIE/ENSEMBLE: 30–40, female. Presley’s mom. Elvis Fanatic. “Cool Mom.” Comedic.
JASMINE/ENSEMBLE: 20–30, female. Tommy’s ex. Gorgeous, confident, sultry, femme fatale.
ANN/ENSEMBLE: 20–30, female. Tommy’s fling. Groupie type. Giggly, catty, immature.
JACOB/ENSEMBLE: 20–30, male presenting. Drug-fried stalker… or
possibly
a vampire. Complex character; seems both foreboding and vulnerable at the same time.
FRANK/ENSEMBLE: 30–40, male, Presley’s dad, Elvis impersonator.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Note: Ensemble will have the opportunity for solo singing lines
ACT I
OUR SITUATION Ensemble, Presley
READY Presley, Sam
2 KOOL Sam, Presley, Ensemble
LOSIN’ MY HEAD Tommy, Presley, Ensemble
TICKLE ME Tommy, Presley
STAINED GLASS WALL Sam & Presley
KID Presley & Tommy, Ensemble
BITE YOUR TONGUE Jettie, June, Opie, Ensemble
C+ Presley, Kat, Ensemble Women
ACT II
STAINED GLASS WALL (reprise) Presley, Jettie & June, Frank
TICKLE ME (reprise) Presley & Tommy
HORSEFLIES Presley, Tommy Ensemble Men
NO Presley, Tommy, Sam, Ensemble
PAPER HEARTS Presley, Kat, Ann, Sam, Tommy, All
STOP Presley
SIR SUPPOSITORY Presley
THE IN-BETWEEN Tommy & Presley
READY (Reprise) All
BOWS - OUR SITUATION (Reprise) All