TCR announces auditions for the TCR’s @ Brucemore summer production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, written by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton, lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma.
Auditions will be held at Theatre Cedar Rapids Sunday, May 5th from 6:30-10:00, and Monday, May 6th from 6:30-9:00. Callbacks (acting/singing) and a group dance/movement call will be held Tuesday, May 7th between 7:00-9:00.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! will be presented at Brucemore, July 5th – July 21st, 2024. Performances take place Thu – Sun at 6:30 p.m. Some performances may be added as rain dates, exact dates pending cast availability. Tickets go on sale May 1st.
ABOUT AUDITIONS
Contact Madi Knaack (madi.knaack@theatrecr.org) with questions about auditions. If you cannot attend auditions on these dates we will accept a video audition. Email for more information.
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- Audition Dates/Times: Sunday, May 5th from 6:30-10:00, and Monday, May 6th from 6:30-9:00. Callbacks (acting/singing) will be held Tuesday, May 7th between 7:00-9:00.
- Fill out an AUDITION FORM HERE (REQUIRED)
- Sign up for an AUDITION SLOT HERE (REQUIRED)
- On audition day: Arrive at the TCR lobby at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time and you will be directed to the audition space. You can leave after you are finished with your audition slot.
- WHAT TO PREPARE:
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- Prepare part of a song: Prepare 16-32 bars of any musical theater song in the style of the show. The selection should not exceed 1 minute. Sing something that showcases you and your talent and range.
- Bring sheet music or accompaniment: Bring marked sheet music for our accompanist to play or an accompaniment track on your phone to connect to our bluetooth speaker. No acapella auditions, please.
- After you have finished your song, you will be done for the evening.
- Focus on acting/connecting/expression! Perform for us like you’re performing in your living room for your cat/dog/hamster/etc. Perfection is not expected – we’re hoping to see your potential!
- Casting timeline After callbacks have been completed, we will be in contact with all auditioners about a timeline for the final cast announcements.
ABOUT TCR’S PRODUCTION OF DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon – you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something.
Show Dates and Times
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! will be presented at Brucemore, July 5th – July 21st, 2024. Performances take place Thu – Sun at 6:30 p.m. Some performances may be added as rain dates, exact dates pending cast availability. Tickets go on sale May 1st.
Creative Team
The production will be directed by Mic Evans, with music direction by Jonathan Neswick, scenic design by Lucie Green, lighting design by S. Benjamin Farrar, costumes by Joni Sackett, and sound design by Darin Ulmer.
Rehearsals and Honoraria
Rehearsals begin in late May and are typically held five days a week, including potential weekend days. Not all cast will be called to all rehearsals. We will have a “days off” outlined schedule to cast members no less than two weeks prior to the first rehearsal.
Actors are eligible to receive a volunteer honoraria of $25 per performance for all ticketed shows and any additional performances. TCR will supply meals for longer rehearsal days and any two show days (if applicable). Each cast member will receive two comp tickets, a show t-shirt, and drink tickets / catered meal at the opening night celebration in the Linge Lounge. Volunteers are not required to strike.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ROLES AVAILABLE
The creative team seeks a diverse company of actors ages 16+. Actors of all ethnicities will be equally considered for all roles and actors of color are encouraged to audition. All roles are open. Any actor playing a character with a puppet will receive training in the rehearsal process.
Actor 1
The Pigeon (Puppeteer)
The snappy, sassy, and demanding bird who never gets what he wants, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop trying.
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Actor 2
The Bus Driver
The bus driving professional who loves her work and, eventually, The Pigeon. Prides herself on being driven and ALWAYS on time.
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Actor 3
Plays the following roles:
Hot Dog Vendor
A guy that just loves sharing hot dogs. But not with Pigeons.
Passenger: Business Man
A no-nonsense man in a suit off to his new job. Hope he’s not late.com!
Backup Duckling 1 (Puppeteer)
Airplane Engine
Personification of the sound effect of an airplane.
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Actor 4
Plays the following roles:
2nd Pigeon (Puppeteer)
Twin to The Pigeon, it pokes it’s head out in the opening scene (operated Avenue Q style).
The Duckling (Puppeteer)
An adorable Duckling who gets a hot dog by just asking politely (operated Avenue Q style).
The Bus Engine
Personification of the sound effects of an engine working. Also can do an engine not working!
The Bus (Puppeteer)
A small, puppet vision of the bus that dances in a fantasy sequence.
Bus Driver’s Mom
Bus Driver ’s have moms too, you know.
Puppy (Puppeteer)
An adorable, woofy puppy-teer.
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Actor 5
Plays the following roles:
City Worker
Grunty guy just doing his job putting up signs around town.
Passenger Teenager
A kid who can’t wait to go see the latest superhero movie that’s opening RIGHT NOW!
Backup Duckling 2 (Puppeteer)
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Actor 6
Plays the following roles:
Passenger Little Old Lady
Very excited to go see her newborn grandchild at the hospital.
Backup Duckling 3 (Puppeteer)
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4