AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT – ONCE

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Auditions are announced for the Milburn Stone Theatre’s June 2025 production of Once.

Book by Enda Walsh 
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová 
Based on the Film Written and Directed by John Carney 

Director: Andrew Mitchell
Music Director: Trey Pope
Stage Manager: Angela Meloni 

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Physical location for rehearsals and performances:
The Milburn Stone Theatre, Cecil College, One Seahawk Drive, North East MD 21901 | Box Office Phone Number: (410) 287-1037

 

Audition Dates:
There will be two auditions for Once: Monday, February 24th from 6:30 - 9:30pm and Thursday, February 27th from 7:30- 9:30pm. Those auditioning can sign-up for a slot at milburnstone.com/auditions. 

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Sign-up for your audition slot directly through the Milburn Stone Theatre’s Cast98 Studio page at:  https://us.cast98.com/studios/milburnstone

 

Callbacks:

Callbacks for Once will be held on Monday, March 3rd from 6pm to 10pm, Callback notifications will be sent out by Friday, December 6th at 8pm. Callbacks will consist of singing and reading, those who are interested in select musical roles will also be asked to play as well. 

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Audition Preparation:

Please prepare a song (16-32 bars or 60 to 90 seconds of a song) that highlights vocal and/or instrumental abilities. For those interested in a role that requires instrumental abilities please bring your own instrument. For those interested in piano, one will be provided.

 

For those only interested in roles that do not require musical playing proficiency an accompanist will be provided so please bring sheet music for the accompanist to play. 

To listen to the original cast recording please click this link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gORR6kTIE48...) 

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Performing with an accompanist is strongly preferred, but you may provide tracks if you do not have sheet music. 

Please note: Amplification will not be provided and playing backing tracks off a cell phone (without proper additional amplification) is strongly discouraged.

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Rehearsals/Performances:
Rehearsal for Once will begin in mid to late March. Rehearsals will be based on both performer and production staff availability, so please submit all known conflicts at the time of auditions. The Milburn Stone Theatre traditionally rehearses between 2 to 4 times a week. Tech week for Once will be held Sunday, June 8th through Thursday, June 12th, no conflicts will be accepted for these tech dates.

 

Please note: Cecil College will be closed April 20th in observance of Easter and May 23rd through 26th in observance of Memorial Day.

 

Performances for Once will begin on Friday, June 13th with performances on June 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st & 22nd. Friday night and Saturday night performances take place at 8pm and Sunday matinees take place at 2pm.

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Once Roles Breakdown:

 

The Milburn Stone Theatre is a community Theatre on a college campus, our productions are open to the entire community, not just Cecil College Students, Faculty and Staff. 

 

All role descriptions as it comes to age are estimates.

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Please note: The casting committee would like to find performers who can play for all of these roles, but if an actor is not proficient on an instrument we will look to add a musician to accompany the performer. In addition, all performers who double as musicians will be offered a stipend of $50 per performance. The instruments we are seeking include guitar, piano, violin, cello, accordion, mandolin, drums, and more. 

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We are willing to look at other performers who play other instruments to be a part of the productions and will make adjustments outside of certain roles that are written to perform together in Act Two.

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all accent work in this production will be light.

 

Guy (Male, 20s-30s)
Vocal Range: High Baritone/Tenor (G2 to G4) 
Instruments: Guitar (proficient) 
Description: A brooding Irish musician and songwriter who has lost faith in his talent and purpose. Guy is at a crossroads in life when he meets Girl, who inspires him to pursue his dreams. He is soulful, passionate, and reserved. Requires strong acting and musical skills, particularly guitar. 

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Girl (Female, 20s-30s)
Vocal Range: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano (C4 to F5) 
Instruments: Piano (proficient) 
Description: A vibrant and determined Czech immigrant with a deep love of music. Girl is a dreamer and a realist, fiercely independent yet compassionate. She sees the beauty in Guy’s music and pushes him to see his potential. Requires a strong pianist and vocalist. 

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Billy (Male, 30s-40s) 
Vocal Range: Baritone (C2 to G3) 
Instruments: Optional Guitar/Bass Guitar 
Description: A loud and boisterous music shop owner with a big heart and a comedic flair. Billy adds humor to the show while supporting Guy and Girl in their musical journey. 

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Reza (Female, 20s-30s) 
Vocal Range: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano (C4 to A5) 
Instruments: Violin (proficient) 
Description: A flirtatious and fun Czech woman who loves life and music. Reza is lively, outgoing, and supportive of Girl and her friends. 

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Baruska (Female, 40s-60s)
Vocal Range: Alto (G3 to C5) 
Instruments: Accordion (optional) 
Description: Girl’s mother. Wise, caring, and sometimes a bit blunt. Baruska adds warmth and humor to the story. 

 

Bank Manager (Male or Female, 30s-50s) 
Vocal Range: Tenor/High Baritone (G2 to C4) 
Instruments: Cello (proficient) - If this person cannot play Cello we can look into guitar, bass or mandolin as well 
Description: An uptight and proper bank manager who unexpectedly reveals a love for music. Provides comic relief and heartwarming moments. 

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Da (Male, 50s-60s) 
Vocal Range: Baritone (C2 to G3) 
Instruments: Guitar (Optional) 
Description: Guy’s father, a working-class Dublin man who supports his son’s dreams in his own quiet, reserved way. 

 

Svec (Male, 20s-40s)
Vocal Range: Baritone/Tenor (C2 to G3) 
Instruments: Drums (proficient) 
Description: A Czech drummer with a quirky and playful personality. Svec brings comic energy to the ensemble. 

 

Andrej (Male, 20s-30s) 
Vocal Range: Baritone/Tenor (C2 to G3) 
Instruments: Guitar or Bass (proficient) - with option to play Mandolin as well 
Description: A Czech immigrant and aspiring musician. He is earnest and hardworking, with dreams of a better life. 

 

Ex-Girlfriend (Female, 20s-30s)
Vocal Range: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano (C4 to E5)
Instruments: Violin (Optional)
Description: The woman who once inspired Guy’s music but has since moved on, leaving him heartbroken and creatively stalled. Though she has limited stage time, her role is crucial in shaping Guy’s emotional journey. She should have a haunting, expressive voice that conveys both nostalgia and the finality of their relationship. 

 

Eamon (Male, 30s-50s) 
Vocal Range: Baritone (C2 to G3) 
Instruments: Guitar (Optional)
Description: The sound engineer who works on Guy’s demo recording. Calm, professional, and supportive. 

 

Emcee (Ensemble, Male/Female, 30s-50s) 
Vocal Range: Flexible 
Instruments: Guitar (Optional) 
Description: The manager of the open-mic night. Wry, witty, and charismatic. 

 

Ivanka (Female, 7-10) 
Vocal Range: Spoken/Minimal Singing 
Description: Girl’s young daughter. Requires strong stage presence and ability to follow direction. 

 

Ensemble: The casting committee is seeking four to six ensemble members to perform various roles in the show such as Dubliners, bar patrons, etc. These could also act as additional musicians if there are vacancies from casting. Instruments may include guitar, violin, piano, mandolin, cello, drums, and accordion. 

 

About Once:

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Once
June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
Friday and Saturday Evening Performances at 8pm, Sunday Matinees at 2pm
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Book by Enda Walsh
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by John Carney
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Contemporary Musical | Recommended for ages 13+ due to slight adult content and some adult language.
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The story of a guy who gave up on love and music, and the girl who inspired him to dream again.
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From the very first note, Once draws you in and never lets go. This emotionally captivating musical is the only show to have music that won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. Set on the streets of Dublin, this Tony Award-winning production follows the unlikely romance between a struggling street musician and a Czech immigrant. United by their passion for music, they embark on a whirlwind journey of love, longing, and the pursuit of dreams. With an enchanting score featuring the Academy Award-winning song 'Falling Slowly,' 'Once' captures the heartache and hope of life's bittersweet symphony. As their melodies intertwine and hearts collide, audiences are transported to a world where music has the power to heal, inspire, and ignite the flames of love. Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience that celebrates the beauty of human connection and the transformative power of music. A show like that only comes around Once.
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Once is presented through special permission from Musical Theatre International (MTI)