Opportunities & Jobs
Performer/Understudy Call out - The Snow Beast
Application Deadline: Sunday 31st August @ 6pm
The Snow Beast Understudy Call out
Total fee: £2795
Scratchworks Theatre Company are looking for an experienced performer/understudy who is based in Plymouth, Devon.
We are looking for a skilled performer to join the team for our Christmas Show run of The Snow Beast at The Quad Theatre in Plymouth (in association with The Barbican Theatre).
The understudy will need to learn the 3 performer’s tracks for ‘The Snow Beast’. Physical theatre skills, puppetry and singing (including harmonies) are a requirement of this show.
The Snow Beast is a captivating collision of storytelling, an original score and live science experiments that inspires young audiences (age 6+) to engage with the beauty of the unknown and the magic of science.
Set in the snowy town of Seldomberg, test tubes bubble, experiments explode and new inventions whirr at the annual science fair. With nothing but her mother’s old research book, her owl assistant Maude and her sense of adventure to help her, Faina sets off on an action packed exploration, encountering extraordinary spectacles and mountainous obstacles as they battle through the wild, wintry wilderness in search of the truth.
Key Characters:
Faina Rasmussen (she/her)
A clumsy young scientist who strives to do well and prove to the Academy’s examiners that she is a good student. She is very determined, but can also be quite stressy and butterfingered, much to her own frustration. She doesn’t believe in ‘fantasy or magic’ - only science. Playing age range 18 - 30
Maude the Owl (she/her)
Maude is Faina’s owl companion who has stuck by her side since she was very young. Maude is excited by adventure and believes anything is possible if you try. She is fun-loving and optimistic and often brings comic relief to Faina’s serious quest. Maude is played with a Geordie accent (not essential, but Geordie words are written into the script, so worth bearing in mind).
Mythna the Narrator (she/they)
Mythna narrates the tale of Faina and Maude on their quest to find the Snow Beast. Mythna is your classic storyteller, bringing the magic of this tale to life with her/their voice, gesture and ability to inspire the imagination.
There are two other fellow scientist educators (Engna + Zoona) who also chip in and explain how lots of the science experiments work, but Mythna is the lead narrator.
All three performers multi-role numerous characters, from monsters to the panel of academy examiners, so multi-rolling experience (changing voice & physicality) is necessary.
Backstage Support
The Understudy will be paid a retainer fee during the run and will be required to be on-site during the shows in case of understudy needs. To remain actively involved in the show team, we will ask the understudy to support the cast in show pre-set (set, props and costume), supporting in setting up the science experiments, resetting between shows, basic mending of any damaged props or quick fire sourcing (if mending isn’t an option) and supporting back stage. These tasks will be equivalent to what would be expected of a touring performer on a Scratchworks show.
Time will also be designated for the Understudy to refresh lines & show tracks in a breakout space alongside backstage support.
A full task list will be provided by the end of rehearsals as requirements are subject to adjust.
Dates & Requirements
Workshop Audition Day:
Tuesday 23rd September 10.30am - 5.15pm (break included)
Location: Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (auditorium)
Rehearsal week:
Monday 1st - Friday 5th December
Location: Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
Tech days:
Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th December
Show run: Wednesday 10th - Saturday 13th, Tuesday 16th - Saturday 20th, Mon 22nd - Wednesday 24th December
Location: The Quad Theatre, Plymouth
Prep time: The understudy will be paid for 3 prep days, prior to rehearsals so they can familiarise themselves with the show via video recordings, script + sound tracks.
Essential:
Fast learner (picking up staging, songs, lines + choreography quickly)
Puppetry experience
Physical theatre experience
Based in Plymouth
Confident singer
Willingness to support in stage manager tasks during the show run
Ideal:
Experience singing in harmony
Large scale puppetry experience (manipulating a large scale puppet on your own)
Experience of multi-rolling
Previous experience of performing in shows for young audiences
Comedy and improvisation skills
Audience interaction/participation experience
We will not expect the understudy to have fully learnt all roles in a week, but to have grasped a good understanding of the script and cast tracks through the show. During the run, the understudy will be provided opportunities to run lines and practice sections with the cast so they are prepared, as and when they are needed to perform.
Fees
Full fee: £2795*
Preparation & Rehearsals
Daily rate: £150 p/day (ITC minimum, £133 + 12.07% holiday pay)
Weekly rate: £675 p/week (ITC minimum, £601 + 12.07% holiday pay)
3 days prep time at £150 p/day
1 week rehearsal at £675 p/week
1 tech day at £150 p/day
Show Retainer Fees
£550 p/week x 2 weeks
£140 p/day x 3 days
*This is based on the Understudy Retainer fee. Working hours will be shorter than the performing cast.
If you are required to perform in a show, your rate increases to the performer’s fee (equal to the rehearsal fees).
How to Apply
Email subject heading: The Snow Beast - Understudy
Access Needs
Please let us know in your email if you have any access needs. We are an inclusive company, and we will try our best to work to ensure your access needs are met.
Attachments:
CV
Video cover letter OR written cover letter
Examples previous relevant work
Please send your CV and a 2-3 minute video introducing yourself to the team and telling us why you would like to work on The Snow Beast. This can be shot on a phone, you can read from notes or you can just make it up as you go. If you are unable to send us a video then a 500 word short cover letter will be fine.
Your video might include a bit about the work you’ve done previously, your skills, and any other relevant experience. You could show us clips of previous relevant productions you’ve been involved in or tell us about you and your interests. This video/cover letter is an opportunity for you to show us who you are and your relevant experience.
We think that video might be the best way of doing this, so if you are happy and able to send us a video, that is our preferred option.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - Sunday 31st August @ 6pm
We will let you know if you are invited to the workshop audition by 9th September
WORKSHOP AUDITION: Tuesday 23rd September 10.30am - 5.15pm, Barbican Theatre Plymouth
Please complete our Equal Opportunities form here when applying for the role.