Nine

This evocative musical adaptation of Fellini’s film 8½ features one man and dozens of women from his life. Celebrated but narcissistic film director Guido Contini is suffering a midlife crisis while preparing to film his next movie. One by one, women from his past and present – including his mother, his wife, his mistress, and his leading lady – haunt, instruct, scold, seduce, and encourage him until he finally learns to grow up.

Rehearsals will begin no earlier than May 4th. The rehearsal schedule will be provided in advance of the first rehearsal based on performer availability.

The production runs June 21st – July 14th, with performances Thursday – Saturday at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. (Note: there will not be a performance on Thursday, July 4.) No conflicts with performance dates will be permitted.

All performers are guaranteed a $100 honorarium to cover the costs of transportation for rehearsals plus a $15 honorarium per performance. Note that this is strictly a non-union production.

DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION. Please provide a 1-minute video recording of a song that showcases your vocal range, emotional depth, and warmest, most beautiful sound. Please use piano accompaniment or a karaoke track (singing acapella is strongly discouraged). Submissions are due by 6pm on Sunday, March 17. NOTE: we are still accepting submissions for the roles of Guido and Young Guido as of 3/19/24.

To be considered, please submit this form:

The audition form collects your personal information — including any known conflicts with the rehearsal dates — and also allows you to provide a link to a video. We recommend uploading your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive and ensuring no additional permissions are required for viewing. Please do not provide a link to a file that must be downloaded (e.g. WeTransfer). Only the director and members of the creative team will have access to your submission materials.

Callbacks will be held on Sunday, March 24 between 6-10pm. Callbacks will be held in person at Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118.

If you have any questions not answered in this announcement please email the director at blake@blindspotcollective.org.

Coronado Playhouse is committed to inclusivity, and encourages ALL members of our community to submit, particularly members of communities who have historically been excluded or underrepresented — including but not limited to artists of color, Native American and Indigenous artists, women, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists with disabilities.

With the exception of the role of Young Guido, only adults over the age of 18 will be considered. All roles will require some dancing/movement and some physical contact with others. Most roles will require some dialect work with a vocal coach. The roles of Guido, Luisa, Carla, Claudia, and Saraghina may require some staged intimacy to be developed with support from an intimacy director. While the character breakdown notes “male” or “female”, all trans or non-binary performers are encouraged to submit for any role they find compelling and that aligns with their gender presentation.

GUIDO: (male, 30s-40s) charming, self-involved, brilliant, and passionate film director; baritone (Ab2 to G4)

YOUNG GUIDO: (male, 8-14) mischievous yet innocent and full of wonder; unchanged voice, mezzo range (Ab3 to F5)

LUISA: (female, 30s-40s) a strong, savvy woman and former actress who is aware of Guido’s affairs but remains his wife; alto (Eb3 to B4)

CLAUDIA: (female, 20s-40s) worldly, elegant, and classy movie star who has outgrown Guido; soprano (up to an F#5)

CARLA: (female, 20s-40s) Guido’s sensual and naive mistress who believes Guido will eventually leave his wife; mezzo or soprano (up to Bb5)

MOTHER: (female, 30s-60s) loving but firm and devoutly religious; soprano (up to F#5)

LILIANE: (female, 30s-60s) a shrewd and savvy businesswoman with a diva streak who is Guido’s producer; alto (E3 to A4)

STEPHANIE: (female, 20s-60s) a witty, sharp-tongued, and acerbic film critic who is hired to collaborate with Guido; alto (G3 to B4)

SARAGHINA: (female, 20s-40s) a brash, lusty, and confident sex worker from Guido’s adolescence; alto (F3 to Db5)

OTHERS: 6-8 women to play multiple speaking and singing roles with varying vocal ranges