Prospect Theater Company – Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your theatre located?  Are you in Brooklyn?

Prospect does not have a single, physical theater space we occupy.  We generally rent small theaters (99 seats or less) in Manhattan and move around for each production.  This allows us to find the optimal performance space for each show we mount.  Recent performance venues include:  Theatre Row (410 W. 42^nd), 59E59 Theaters (59 E. 59^th St.), the West End Theatre (263 W. 86^th), and the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 W. 26^th).  Despite our name, we have never performed in Brooklyn, and aren’t connected to Prospect Park.  We maintain a year round administrative office at 520 8^th Avenue in Manhattan.

Do your actors / artists get paid?

Yes.  We are a professional company and all of our artists and staff (both union and non-union) are compensated financially for their work, typically with a modest fee or stipend.  However, like most other relatively small, non-profit organizations working off-off-Broadway, almost all of our artists and staff maintain additional “day jobs” in order to pay the rent.  It is an ongoing goal of the company to be able to increase the level at which we compensate our artists, so they can devote more energy to their true vocation:  creating compelling new theater.  If you’d like to make a contribution to help support our artists’ work, it will be greatly appreciated!

How can my show be produced at Prospect?

If you have a project which you believe we may be interested in, please review our submission guidelines.  For writers, a good first step in getting to know the company (and for us to get to know your work) is to apply to participate in our annual music theatre laboratory.  Our Dark Nights Series is also a way in which diverse artists may receive opportunities to self-produce using Prospect’s theater space when our mainstage productions are not performing.

What sort of shows do you produce?

Prospect’s mission is to connect theater’s present to its past, in order to build its future.  Our work is usually ensemble-driven, grounded in a particular historical context, and features heightened language, making use of the inherent power of theatricality.  Over the past decade we have produced both new musicals and new plays (frequently inspired by or adapted from classical texts), as well as re-interpretations and adaptations of classic plays or musicals.  While our productions are eclectic in style, they always appeal to both the head and the heart, engaging with intellectual ideas as well as telling emotionally truthful stories.

How can I audition for Prospect?

Auditions for each Prospect production are announced on our website, as well as through industry channels such as Backstage.com and Actors’ Access / Breakdown Services.

Are there volunteer opportunities with Prospect?

We do not have a formal volunteer program, but occasionally need volunteers to assist with mailings or ushering.  To express interest, please contact _______ and we will add your name and contact information to our resource list.

Do you offer student internships?

Prospect does not have a formal internship program.  However, interested students should contact us (email _____) to determine if a specially structured opportunity is available that may suit their individual educational goals.  Our annual Producing / Artistic Associates Program offers early-career directors and producers (college graduates) the opportunity to work in an apprentice-style year long program, assisting the company on mounting each season of productions.  For more info click here.

Is there a resident acting company?

No.  There are many actors who have worked with Prospect on multiple projects, but there is not a set company of performers or other artists, as the needs for each of our productions vary greatly, and we cast and hire artists to best serve each show.  We call ourselves a “company” because we believe in ensemble-driven performance, that teamwork and collaboration create excellent productions, and we work year-round to encourage and maintain a supportive network of artists who have participated in all of our productions.  To read our official company membership description, click here.

Have any of your shows moved on to Broadway?

Not yet!  However, several Prospect shows have gone on to receive major regional productions at other non-profit theaters such as the American Repertory Theatre in Boston, The Village Theatre in Seattle, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.  Additionally, many of our shows have received student productions and community theater productions.

Can my regional theater / community theater / student theater group produce a Prospect show?

While each of our shows is created by different writing teams and represented by a variety of agencies, the answer to this question is generally YES!  Emerging artists love to see their work produced whenever possible and are always looking for opportunities to develop their work further.  In order to inquire about the availability of a specific piece, you’ll need to contact the writers’ agent, and you can obtain this information by emailing info@ProspectTheater.org and expressing interest.  Shows created by founding artists Peter Mills and Cara Reichel are represented by The Susan Gurman Agency, LLC.  Illyria is licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, and The Taxi Cabaret is licensed by Samuel French.

Why are you called “Prospect Theater Company”?

Many people assume we have connections to Brooklyn or Prospect Park, but this is not the case!  Prospect was founded by five graduates of Princeton University.  In Princeton, Prospect Street is the location where the group’s founding artists cemented their friendships, and where the idea of starting a company was sparked.  The word “Prospect” also embodies the ideals of the company:  “Prospectors” are forward-looking, filled with promise, and adventurously seek new theatrical discoveries of value which will provide perspective and a new viewpoint on our world.

How long have you been around?

Legally, Prospect was founded in 1998.  We produced our first show, an adaptation of the medieval play EVERYMAN, in March of 1999.  Since 2002 we have produced an annual season of productions in NYC.  To view our full production history, click here.

How much do tickets cost?

Prospect strives to maintain affordable ticket prices, making our work accessible to the widest possible audience.  In the past, ticket prices have ranged from $15 – $65, depending on the size and scope of the production.  When top ticket prices are higher we typically offer a lower-priced seating option as well.  We offer incentives for early purchase through discount codes and season subscription opportunities.  To receive notice of insider or early bird discounts, please join our enewsletter list or Facebook Fan page.  There are also significant group discounts available.  For more information on ticket rates, please click here.

Are there any recordings of your shows available?

A number of the new musicals we have produced have studio recordings currently available.  The original cast album of Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge (2009) is available through iTunes or Amazon.com.  The Blue Flower is available for download on iTunes.  With Glee is in the process of being recorded, and a release date will be announced shortly.  The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has a cast album available of the regional premiere of Illyria.  In the future, we hope to be able to share more of our shows through original cast or studio recordings.  However, the expense of making a cast recording is significant.  In the future, we hope to be able to share with you news of more recordings.

Do you only perform in New York City?

The majority of Prospect’s activities take place in NYC.  However, we have also undertaken summer residencies in Rome, Georgia (1999 & 2000) and at the Goodwill Theatre in Johnson City, NY (2010).  As the company grows, we do hope to expand our reach through touring our productions or partnering with other theater organizations to bring our work to wider audiences.

Please review the following materials for the appropriate character prior to your callback.
Also, please bring your book in case we wish to hear an alternate selection.
Each character has both a musical cut and a scene (or two) to review.
Demo recordings of some songs can be reviewed online here.
Please download and print the PDFs – please contact the casting director Robin Carus with questions or problems.
PLEASE NOTE:  On some PDFs of music, the page numbers are in the reverse order on the PDF, but when printed out can be re-arranged in the right order.
Thank you!

JOSIE: (Note: no “Western” accent – Standard Eastern /MidAtlantic OK)
Room to Breathe – 1st 35 bars, take lower harmony notes
Josie Scene #1 (steps into character of SOPHIE)
Josie Scene #2 (steps into character of WYATT)

YOUNG JOSIE: (Note: no “Western” accent – Standard Eastern /MidAtlantic OK)
Nothing Like The Girls – Bar 57 to End
Young Josie Scene A

ALLIE:
All These Years – Bars 30 – 54
Allie Scene – From Entrance through 1st Lyric Stanza (read lyrics as lines)

YOUNG ALLIE:
I Ain’t Goin Back – top through Bar 26
Young Allie Scene

BESS:
In The Cards – 1st 32 Bars
Bess Scene
Penelope Scene (secondary character, Brooklyn accent)

MATTIE:
I’d Do It All Again
Unpacking Dreams (bars 12-32)
Mattie Scene

HATTIE:
In the Cards (bar 51-66)
Shootout (the effect of this is a “scream” of fear – make the high notes as intense as you can, it shouldn’t be “pretty”!)
Hattie Scene

PAULINE:  Standard British Accent
When a Maiden Makes a Promise – Bars 16 to 48
Pauline Scene

KATE:  Hungarian / Eastern European Accent
Games Are Everywhere – top through bar 27
Kate Scene (do your best with the Hungarian, don’t worry about accuracy, just act the meaning!)

CORA / MAUDE:
When a Maiden – Cadenzas (bar 51 through until end, taking the top line)
Penelope Scene (just have fun with Penelope, we’re interested in seeing you create an over the top character)
Pins & Needles (very simple, for movement call) – please listen to recording