Open Call Auditions

EnArts announces an Open Call for auditions for
The Toymaker and Me (by Marc Wayne).

Everyone has a spark that makes them something
special—even though, sadly, it can go
undiscovered or be extinguished. Join us on a
journey of awakening and rediscovery as Thoman
Baker—a very special toymaker—and Claire—a
precocious and determined orphan—discover and
rediscover their special sparks, as . . . they
find each other. When a gift meets a need—
sparks fly and life happens. In Marc Wayne's
The Toymaker and Me, that life comes in
surprisingly moving ways.

This premier production of Marc Wayne's
(www.marcwayne.com) The Toymaker and Me is
family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
It may be especially appealing to kids, as it
focuses on a young orphan girl (approximately
11-12 years old) who in the process of
discovering her unique giftedness (her "spark")
helps Mr. Baker, a somewhat cranky old
toymaker, rediscover the joy and meaning of
life. Kids of all ages will certainly enjoy the
results of their connection, as toys of all
types come alive onstage before our very eyes.

The Toymaker and Me is written and directed by
Marc Wayne, produced by EnArts
(www.enarts.org). Leads are paid, non-union
roles, commensurate with age and experience.

Show dates and location are still being
finalized: First run will likely be November
17-23 at the Vineyard Church (12300 NW
Arrowhead Trafficway, KC, MO 64165) in the
Kansas City Northland; with a potential second
4-5 day run at a different venue in December.
Rehearsals begin September 6, with evening and
possibly some daytime rehearsals (for those
whose schedules will permit). More details at
www.enarts.org/whats-happening.

Auditions

Open call auditions are being held Wednesday
and Thursday (August 24-25) at Crown Center (2
locations: see below). You may attend either
audition (callbacks to be announced, if
needed).

When: Wednesday, August 24, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Theatre Lab at The Coterie Theatre in
Crown Center
2450 Grand Ave, #144, Kansas City, MO 64108
See the Coterie website for directions:
http://thecoterie.org/directions-parking
What: Depending on the role:
Cold readings from the script
Prepared sides from the script*
*Sides will be available on site for some prep-
time or you can download them from the website
(www.enarts.org/whats-happening)
1-3 minute monologue at auditioner's discretion

Dancers: A brief dance routine/evaluation for
those interested in being a "living toy"
We're looking for advanced, pro-level dancers
(ages 13 and up)—strong in either ballet,
contemporary, tap, juggling, and
tumbling/gymnastics; also roller
skating/blading and ballroom experience is a
plus

When: Wednesday, August 25, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: the Musical Theatre Heritage (MTH)
theatre in Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd #301, Kansas City, MO 64108
See the MTH website for directions:
http://www.musicaltheaterheritage.com/location.
html
What: Depending on the role:
Cold readings from the script
Prepared sides from the script*
*Sides will be available on site for some prep-
time, or you can download them from the website
(www.enarts.org/whats-happening)
1-3 minute monologue at auditioner's discretion

Dancers: A brief dance routine/evaluation for
those interested in being a "living toy"
We're looking for advanced, pro-level dancers
(ages 13 and up)—strong in either ballet,
contemporary, tap, juggling, and
tumbling/gymnastics; also roller
skating/blading and ballroom experience is a
plus

Callbacks
When: To be scheduled/announced if needed

For more information, contact us at
enarts@earthlink.net or call Greg at
816.734.1657.

Cast
*See below for details on leads

Claire (lead: 11/12-year-old female; orphan,
being fostered by Cynthia Applegate, occasional
British
accent)
Thoman Baker (lead: 45-55-year-old male;
toymaker, widower)
Cynthia Applegate (principal: 50-55-year-old
female; foster parent to Claire & Bethany)
Bethany (principal: 11/12-year-old female;
orphan, being fostered by Cynthia Applegate)
Eugene Wilson Newsburgy (support: 40-50-year-
old male; former employee of Thoman, now
owns Gilmon's Gifts & Toy Shoppe)
Paris (support: 40-45-year-old female; clerk at
Miller's Market; former employee of Baker's
Toys)
Sylvia Tilbert (minor: 30-40-year-old female;
administrator of Eastman Adoption Agency)
Pastor John Taylor (support: 35-60-year-old
male; St. Thomas Community Church)
Virginia Wellington (minor: 50-65-year-old
female; great-great-granddaughter of Edwin
Wellington, Founder of the city of Wellington)
Ella Baker (minor: 25-30-year-old female; wife
of Thoman (15 years previous), loved children,
sweet, elegant, beautiful)
Butler (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Emcee (minor: male; at Orphans Ball)
Jimmy Fenway (minor: male; singer at Orphans
Ball)
Workshop Doll (dancer)
Workshop Drummer (boy)
Police Officer 1 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Police Officer 2 (minor: 25-50-year-old male)
Townspeople (ensemble: all ages)
Orphans Benefit Ball Dancers
Baker's Toyshop Toy Dancers (ballet, tap,
contemporary, etc.)
Poindexter Skating Rink Skaters (roller/ice)
 
Leads/Principals

Claire
Claire is an 11-12-year-old orphan girl with no
last name. She is sweet, curious, extremely
perceptive (precocious in this sense) and
persistent, though somewhat socially awkward
(probably as a result of her unsettled
history). Claire's strongest characteristic is
her big heart. This, in essence, is her
"spark"—Claire is very compassionate, a
characteristic which, when combined with her
perceptiveness, allows her to sense and feel
people's hurts/needs sooner and deeper than
others. As an orphan who has been in foster
homes and "rejected" by families all her life,
she is fundamentally sad and lonely (a trait
which allows her to sympathize with others who
experience the same thing). She thus longs to
find a home and be wanted and needed.

Thoman Baker
Thoman is a late 40s-55-year-old widower. He
is—or was—a toymaker. He was in fact the toy-
maker—the envy of other toymakers—because his
toys didn't need wind-up knobs or springs. In
the hands of a good- or open-hearted person,
Thoman's toys came alive. The ability to make
toys that "lived" in the hands of receptive
people was Thoman's special gift or "spark."
(Think, the quintessential encourager.) As we
come to learn, it did not exist on its own,
however, but was fueled by Thoman's love for
his wife, who had a big heart for children,
especially sick and orphaned children. When
his pregnant wife, Ella, and their unborn child
die, Thoman's "spark" is extinguished and, over
time, he becomes an isolated, somewhat crusty,
"grumpy old man." Thoman is thus stuck in the
past, with a deep and profound sadness that
prevents him from experiencing and enjoying
anything new—that is until Claire comes along
(and we see his slow rediscovery of life).

Cynthia Applegate
Cynthia Applegate is a caring, middle-aged
woman, who through the years has fostered many
children in need of homes. She is an orderly,
woman of faith (though not rigid) who provides
a stable and encouraging place for Claire and
Bethany. She has a somewhat unrevealed
knowledge of the history of the town and its
people—enough to "protect" and guide the
children.

Bethany
Bethany is an energetic, curious, outgoing and
outspoken 10-12-year-old orphan girl, who lives
with Claire and Ms. Applegate. Slightly self-
absorbed, Bethany's "on-the-go" spirit combines
with her expressive nature to create awkward
and even tense moments, often via blunt
questions or statements. Living with Ms.
Applegate, she is "like a sister" to Claire.

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