Audition Notice
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet

Theatre Elision is currently seeking singer/actors for our fall 2025 production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. We will be casting local actors who are at least 18 years of age and can work on a non-equity contract.

SHOW SYNOPSIS:

From the celebrated and award-winning composer, Dave Malloy, comes Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, an electropop opera based on a slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the war. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. Following a critically acclaimed premiere at Ars Nova in New York City, a subsequent Off-Broadway transfer, and a Tony award-winning Broadway production, this exceptional musical expands the possibilities for the genre with its daring score and bold storytelling.

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PLEASE REVIEW THIS AUDITION NOTICE CAREFULLY FOR REQUIREMENTS.

Cast Breakdown

Natasha Rostova - "Natasha is young": A nineteen-year-old ingenue who is innocent, doe- eyed, and profoundly, lethally romantic. G3–F#5

Sonya Rostova - "Sonya is good, Natasha's cousin and closest friend": She is fiercely dedicated to her cousin and will do anything and everything to keep her safe. F#3–E5

Marya Dmitriyevna - "Marya is old-school, a grand dame of Moscow": She is Natasha's godmother, an old friend of Pierre, and a very strict but kind woman. E3–B4

Helene Kuragina Bezukhova - "Helene is a slut": Anatole's sister, who married Pierre for money. She is highly sexualized and dedicated to her brother. E3–F5

Princess Mary Bolkonskaya - "Mary is plain": the daughter of Bolkonsky and Andrey's sister. She lives at home with her father as his caregiver, where she is tormented and abused by him. She is confined to the home and has no friends. G3–G5

Pierre Bezukhov - "Dear, bewildered, and awkward Pierre... rich, unhappily married Pierre": The illegitimate son of a Russian aristocratic family. Socially awkward with a melancholy streak, he is an outsider in society despite his wealth. G#2–A4 (B4 optional)

Anatole Kuragin - "Anatole is hot": An aristocratic, seductive hedonist, who "spends his money on women and wine," and sees no needs except his own. He is the brother of Helene and friend of Dolokhov. B2–C#5 (falsetto E5)

Fedya Dolokhov - "Dolokhov is fierce, but not too important": An extremely talented marksman. He is Anatole's closest friend and participates in his pleasure-loving lifestyle. He is having an alleged affair with Helene. A2–G4

Old Prince Nikolay Bolkonsky - "Old Prince Bolkonsky is crazy": and suffering from many age-related ailments. He is taken care of by his daughter Mary, but he torments her regardless. C3–F4

Prince Andrey Bolkonsky - "Andrey isn't here": He is fighting in the war for much of the show and is betrothed to Natasha. He is serious and bitter. F2-Eb4

Balaga - "Balaga is just for fun": He's a famous troika driver and assists Anatole in his plot to elope with Natasha. He is wild and mystical. A2–F#4

Ensemble/Understudies

Note: One female role has been cast, but which role it is will not be determined until after auditions and call backs. Some roles may be doubled.

Audition Dates and Requirements

In person auditions will be held on the following dates and times at Elision Playhouse:

Friday, November 8th, 2024 from 6pm – 9pm

Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 3pm – 6pm

Sunday, November 10th, 2024 from 1pm – 4pm

When you sign up, you will sign up for a 30-minute block. Actors will be called individually within that block on a first-come, first served basis.

Video submissions will also be accepted until Thursday, November 7th, 2024. Email your submission to theatreelision@gmail.com. It should include your resume, headshot, vocal range, instruments you play proficiently in performance, and your performance of at least one but not more than two of the cuts from the show listed below.

Callbacks for the show are expected to be held in January.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090544A4AA22AAFE3-51193049-natasha

If all audition slots are full, and you would prefer to be seen in a live audition, please email us at theatreelision@gmail.com to be put on the waiting list and alerted if additional slots are made available.

NOTE: Because of the large number of actors we hope to see during these auditions, please do not no-show to your audition appointment. In the event of a last-minute cancellation, please cancel through Signup Genius or email us. No-showing to your audition without notification will likely have an impact on future casting at Theatre Elision.

NOTE THAT WE ARE ONLY CASTING LOCAL ACTORS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND CAN WORK ON A NON-EQUITY CONTRACT FOR THIS SHOW.

Prepare at least one, but no more than two of the following cuts from the show. Choose those which best reflect your voice. Not all characters are listed since many don’t have long solo sections. Your choice(s) will not limit our consideration of you for other characters.

Natasha: No One Else, m. 65 – 94

Sonya: Sonya Alone, m. 43 – 72

Helene: Charming, m. 1-43

Pierre: Dust and Ashes, m. 99 – 127

Anatole: Letters, m. 103 - 121

Dolokhov: Preparations, m. 47 - 58

Balaga: Balaga, m. 11 – 40

Piano accompaniment will be provided.

PDFs of the cuts can be found below.

Please provide us with a headshot and resume, including your vocal range. You may either bring these to the audition or email them to us at: theatreelision@gmail.com

Some cast members may also be used as instrumentalists in the show. Instruments may include accordion, cello, guitar, clarinet, oboe, violin, viola, double bass, synth. Please provide a list all instruments you can play proficiently in performance and may be a good fit for the show. We may call on you for an instrument audition or video submission at a later date.

Production Information

Director/Designer – Lindsay Fitzgerald

Stage Manager – Laina Grendle

Music Director – Harrison Wade

Vocal Director – Christine Wade

Day of first rehearsal – Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Technical rehearsals – October 20 – 28, 2025

Dress rehearsal – October 29, 2025

16 Performances – October 30 – November 22, 2025

Compensation: $2,500 - $3,500 stipend depending on role and time commitment.

We work hard to be an inclusive, supportive and welcoming organization, which includes our casting process. If this show speaks to you, we encourage you to audition and share your work with us.