The Arsonists Audition & Callbacks are being held on Wednesday, May 3 in Nichols 017; 6-10pm.
Audition 6-8pm; reading with partners, end of scene 3, Chorus/Leader/Beidermann. This selection is available in Nichols 129, or email Garrett Fuentes for an electronic copy.
Callbacks: 8-10pm; movement call and reading sides, as needed. Sides will be available at the audition for the following scenes:
Scene 2 Babette/Schmitz/Anna: start S: “All the best Gottlieb, all the best.” end B: “One more cup?…Have I upset you?”
Scene 3 Eisenring/Schmitz/Beidermann: start at top E: ” Shhh!” end B: “I don’t believe this…they’re piled high.”
Scene 4 Beidermann/Eisenring: start E: “Morning, Mr. Beidermann.” end: E: “Our jokes. You see comedy is the third best tactic…”
Character List
Gottlieb Biedermann – A successful businessman and generally moral citizen, Biedermann is convinced he could never be taken in by the arsonists. Yet, as the play goes on, he continues to turn a blind eye to the evil going on around him.“Biedermann” literally translates to “every man.” (from JV- Biedermann is NOT AN IDIOT- he CHOOSES to turn a blind eye. He has manners, he’s polite).
Babette Biedermann – Biedermann’s wife. A housewife who has been well provided for by Biedermann.
Eisenring –One of the arsonists staying in Biedermann’s attic. A slick former waiter/prisoner with a mysterious history of arson, s/he wastes no time preparing to burn down the Biedermann home. (from JV- Eisenring is a female mastermind in this production).
Schmitz –A former wrestler, jailbird, and Eisenring’s accomplice, Schmitz also makes himself at home in the Biedermanns’ attic and assists in the fiery plot.
Anna – The Biedermanns’ maid.
The Chorus of Firefighters – Watchkeepers of the city, the firefighters are constantly on guard, observing the action of the play and preparing for the worst.
Chorus Leader/Firefighter’s Leader
Chorus/Anna #2– part of a cleaning “team” for the Beidermanns
Chorus/Doctor of Philosophy – The Doctor of Philosophy represents academia. He attempts to take a removed, unbiased stance to the arsonists’ activity and consequently becomes an accomplice to the destruction
Chorus/Policeman
Chorus/Mrs. Knechtling
Chorus – Female
Chorus- Male
Synopsis from the Canadian Stage Study Guide by Erin Schachter
The city has a problem. Arsonists are burning down houses all over town.
“It’s the same story every time: someone at the door trying to sell you something, ends up being invited in. Wangles his way into staying overnight. Gets offered a corner of the attic to sleep in. Incredible…” (Biedermann in The Arsonists)
Gottlieb Biedermann is sure it could never happen to him, but when a mysterious stranger
(Schmitz) comes knocking on his door, Biedermann invites him in out of politeness and a sense of moral generosity. Schmitz is soon joined by a second stranger (Eisenring). The two set about filling the Biedermanns’ attic with petrol. Biedermann, unwilling to recognize the evil taking place in front of his eyes, helps the two measure the fuse, and even goes so far as to hand them the very match that will lead to his destruction. All the while, the ever-ready chorus of firefighters is standing by, watching and waiting.
Written in the years following World War II, this dark comedy brings to light the human tendency towards complacency in the face of evil.
READ THE PLAY. Two copies of the play are in Nichols 129, or email Shannon Skelton for an electronic copy.