upcoming Auditions

​​Please prepare 32 measures or 1 minute of a song in the contemporary musical theatre style that shows your voice at its best.  You may sing from the score but are not required to. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY score illustrates a soaring, emotional romance and has a higher tessitura (aka vocal range) for most actors in the show. Those auditioning are encouraged to show a wide range of musical and emotional expression.​ 

• A live piano accompanist will be provided; therefore, bring the sheet music of your audition song with your measures clearly marked for the accompanist. A Bluetooth speaker will be available if you would rather sing to an accompaniment track (no vocals on the track).    

• Following the singing of your song, you may be asked to do some additional singing coached by the music director.   

​​You do not have to prepare any sides/scenes before the audition. You may be asked to do a cold reading from the script if time allows, but not everyone will be asked to read at auditions.​ 

CALLBACKS: Some people may be asked to attend callbacks on ​Tuesday, November 17, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. ​You will be notified if you are asked to attend. If you are not called back or unavailable during these times, you will still be considered for casting. 

IF YOU INTEND TO AUDITION, TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:   

• REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will be held ​Monday-Friday anywhere from 6:00 – 10:00 pm​. There may be some Saturday morning or afternoon rehearsals and possible Sunday afternoon or evening rehearsals.  Actors may not be called for every rehearsal or for the full length of a rehearsal until the final weeks.  The first cast meeting will be ​Tuesday, November 24 at 6:00 pm​.   

• OFF BOOK: Actors are asked to be “off book” (all lines memorized) by ​January 11.  

• CONFLICTS: When listing conflicts on your audition form, please give exact days and times; we may be able to schedule around your pre-existing conflicts.  ​No conflicts after January 29​.      

• ABSENCES: Cast members are allowed two (2) excused absences from rehearsal. NO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE ALLOWED.  Please note that no cast member may miss his/her scheduled rehearsal for any reason after ​February 5​.    

• TECHNICAL REHEARSALS: Before auditioning, please take note that tech weekend is scheduled for ​February 13 & 14​. The specific schedule will be announced the week leading up to these days.    

• COSTUMES: You may be asked to provide supplementary costume pieces (such as undergarments and socks) and/or shoes.   

By auditioning, you agree to the following:   

Being a part of a QCT production is a HUGE commitment, but the reward is worth it! You will be expected to work as needed outside of rehearsals on your lines, music, and choreography; you will attend all scheduled rehearsals; and you will be willing to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Please only audition if you are ready to commit to the above.  Let’s work hard and have some fun!     

Director | ​Ethan Nienaber​ 

Vocal Director | ​Mallory Krieger​ 

Costume Designer | ​TBA​  

Scenic Designer | ​Anthony Freitas​ 

Lighting Designer | ​Wesley Cone​  

Stage Manager | ​Kristie Bradshaw

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is set in 1965 in Iowa & Italy. In this story, romance and love are explored in a deep and nuanced way. The characters of Francesca and Robert are partaking in adultery, not out of malice, but out of true love. BRIDGES beautifully and tastefully explores the grey space within relationships, family, homemaking, and identity while asking the big question, “Is home really where the heart is?” 

This show is best suited for singer/actors with a deep emotional life to draw from, as the challenges in this text are both musical and emotional but not necessarily physical. There is very little choreography, dancing, or physical demands in the show, but actors should be prepared for very detailed and nuanced staging that follows the emotional journey of Francesca and Robert’s romance. 

From the authors, “The piece may feel at times like a memory or a lucid dream… The center of the world is Francesca herself; everything circles around her, though she is not really aware of this. If you asked her who the main character was, she would say it was Bud or the kids. But it isn’t. It is her story.” 

​Note that the ages listed are those of the character to be portrayed on stage. 

Francesca 

A beautiful Italian woman, generous, luminous, and funny, now married to a farmer and living in Iowa with their two children. 

Female Presenting 

Age: 35 to 45 

Vocal range top: G5 

Vocal range bottom: G3 

Intimacy: Multiple kisses and embraces with Robert. Suggested intimacy during a scene when waking up in bed together, but no nudity or simulation of intimacy required. She also shares embraces with Bud & Marge. 

Richard “Bud” Johnson 

Francesca’s husband. An Iowa farmer, a good guy, diligent and dependable, but always exhausted and irritated that things haven’t gotten easier. 

Male Presenting 

Age: 40 to 50 

Vocal range top: F#4 

Vocal range bottom: B2 

Intimacy: Embrace with Francesca. 

Robert Kincaid 

A ruggedly handsome, worldly, visionary photographer.  

Male Presenting 

Age: 40 to 50 

Vocal range top: A4 

Vocal range bottom: G2 

Intimacy: Multiple kisses and embraces with Francesca. Suggested intimacy during a scene when waking up in bed together, but no nudity or simulation of intimacy required. 

Marian 

Robert’s former wife, a musician. 

Female Presenting 

Age: early 30s 

Vocal range top: D5 

Vocal range bottom: A3 

Chiara 

Francesca’s sister, still living in Italy. 

Female Presenting 

State Fair Singer 

Note: Traditionally, Marian, Chiara & State Fair Singer are performed by the same actor with multiple solos and feature moments. 

Michael 

Francesca and Bud’s son; we see him age from teen to when he eventually graduates medical school. 

Male Presenting 

Age: 16 to 22 

Vocal range top: G#4 

Vocal range bottom: D3 

Carolyn 

Francesca and Bud’s daughter; we see her go from showing her prize steer at the fair to going off to college and getting married. 

Female Presenting 

Age: 14 to 20 

Vocal range top: C#5 

Vocal range bottom: A3 

Marge 

Francesca’s neighbor, sassy and nosy. 

Female Presenting 

Age: 45 to 60 

Vocal range top: C5 

Vocal range bottom: G3 

Intimacy: Embrace with Francesca. 

Charlie 

Marge’s husband, wistful and hopeful. 

Male Presenting 

Age: 60 to 70 

Vocal range top: C#4 

Vocal range bottom: B2 

Ensemble 

Townspeople/Waitress/State Fair Patrons/Ginny/etc. 

(Note: Ensemble may also be offered understudy roles with one (1) guaranteed performance for the track they cover.) 

All actors will be considered regardless of gender identity/expression, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, ability, body type, etc.