Pretense auditions

Would you like to voice a character in an audio drama? Do you have a voice acting itch that needs to be scratched? If so, you’re in luck! We’re looking for volunteers to voice characters for our upcoming drama, Pretense!

We need adult, young adult, and children’s voices to fill twenty six main roles. Can you do multiple voices? Great! There are twenty small roles that you could fill if you can do more than one voice.

Pretense Synopsis:

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Robert Tiele, in pursuit of what he thinks will bring him happiness and freedom, joins a small group of thugs and smugglers, run by a man named Luther, who has promised him a fast track to wealth and all the benefits it brings.

Taking the bait of fast cash, Robert soon finds himself caught in a web from which there seems to be no way out. Not that he’d necessarily want one.

Pretense Setting:

Pretense is set in a fictitious Appalachian 1800’s type world. The same world as Banshee Falls, and Icebound.

How to record your audition

Record your audition with the best microphone you have access to. If you don’t have access to a microphone you can record yourself with your smartphone. Video or audio is acceptable. Record yourself in a quiet place if at all possible.

When you record, state your name and the character you’re auditioning for. Then read the lines that have been provided for that character below. If you would like to audition for multiple characters, make a separate recording for each one. If you can do multiple voices, make a separate recording demonstrating the various voices you can do.

Once you’ve recorded your audition, email it to audio@productionswithpurpose.com and put PRETENSE AUDITION in all caps in the subject line.

Audition results will be announced the last week of February. We will be recording in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. Actors under 18 years old will need a parent or guardian to sign their release form.

For those of you wondering how to go about doing multiple voices, this video may be helpful.

characters:

ROBERT:

Lead male role. Young adult. Son of Thomas And Mary. Brother of Charles. Not content to learn his fathers trade, Robert wants to move up in socioeconomic status. Stubborn, but on the quiet side.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

Oh, there you are Luther. I want you to teach me how to play poker. I want you to teach me how to win.

(Deepening voice.) Sir, we don't want to hurt you. You made a withdrawal at the bank this morning, and I need you to hand it over.

Confound it! I'm an adult. I don't need you anymore! I've gotta go to work with my fellow heathens! Pray for me Pa! Pray hard! And tell Charles that he doesn't have to be his brothers keeper anymore!

IDA:

Lead female role. Young adult. Daughter of George and Florence. Kind, strong and loyal to her family and friends. Not afraid to confront those who are in the wrong.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

I don't believe ladies who behave that way toward others are worthy of the title.

You need to come downstairs! It's Pa, he's been robbed and his head is bleeding, and I- I'm scared.

Humility, for one thing. He requires our love, and that we keep him first in our hearts, above and beyond anything else. That, in turn, will overflow to how we treat others.

Really? Because rumors are going around that this necklace came from around Essie James's neck! That it was taken by a band of thieves who held up a caravan, and as I recall, you were away on business when that all happened.

HELEN:

Young adult female. Wealthy young woman who’s attracted the attention of Robert, and motivated him to rise to her socioeconomic status. Pressured to maintain her status by her mother, and amused by toying with the emotions and funds of young men.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

Robert. If you want to get a girls attention with wild flowers, give them to a bar maid. If you want to get a ladies attention, at the very least buy her a dozen roses and dress up to her level!

I, for one, will certainly be interested to see where that wealth takes you.

Yes, did your father steal those pearls for you like he did that awful cheap necklace? Word's spread all over about it you know. The scandal is just delicious. Surely you've noticed everyone looking at you.

MARY:

Adult female. Mother of Robert and Charles, wife of Thomas. A loving mother and wife who would bend over backwards for her family.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

So what do I do? Turn my back on my son?! I can't Thomas.

No, Robert. I came to see my son. To see with my own two eyes that he's okay. To bring him a pie, because I still wanna be his Ma. I came because I care about you Rob. I'll always love you, and you'll always be my son. Enjoy the pie.

LUTHER:

Adult male. Owns and runs coaches which he uses to smuggle stolen valuables between a network of fences. He trusts no one and keeps a record of everything he’s ever done for any of his clients as an insurance policy.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

Well don't that beat all! Robert! I thought you didn't frequent places like this.

Some of these jobs, aren't for the faint of heart, Robert. When you're on a job, you do what you're told, if you don't I can't guarantee your safety.

I got news for you, boy! After what you've done with us, there ain't no room for saint in your name. Might as well learn how to enjoy yourself while you can.

THOMAS:

Adult male. Father of Robert and Charles, husband of Mary. Well meaning and loves his family, but unable to connect well with Robert.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

Other things? How are you going to take over the business when you do anything you can to avoid learning the trade.

It's not the job that concerns me, it's the company you've chosen to keep after your work is through.

Mary, you gotta let the boy go. You've gone through two candles already, and I don't reckon he's gonna be back by the time that one's burnt out either.

HORACE:

Adult male. Brother of George, Uncle of Ida. He owns and runs a tailors shop which is used by Lundrich to deposit stolen cash into the bank. He hires Luther to undercut George’s business as a means of revenge.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

I need you to stop my brother from purchasing a large shipment of fine silk that's, shall we say, important to his business.

That's not the point! George took most of my clients with him when he left! Do you have any idea how difficult it was to rebuild my business and reputation after what he did?

People are fickle, Luther. Present them with undeniable proof that George is, in fact, the thief he's been rumored to be. The vast majority of them will change their minds in a heartbeat.

CHARLES:

Teen male. Son of Mary and Thomas, brother of Robert. Fifteen years old. Enjoys working with his father. Is a rule follower and a bit self righteous at times.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

I wouldn't bother waiting up for Rob.

Figures. She never has had enough of her own business to mind.

So she doesn't know. Sounds like an ideal relationship, full of trust and honesty, you know.

PARAIC:

Young adult male. Son of Mr. Schimn. Motivated by money and pleasure. Would sell his mother for the right price, but always uses the phrase “On my honor” when dealing with people.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

And I'm not in the mood to give this level of information over for free, so what's a taste of my intelligence worth to you?

The board has hired a private detective to investigate some rather regular discrepancies they've found on your books. Discrepancies that all seem to tilt in your favor. If you catch my meaning.

LEE:

Adult male. Runs a coach for Luther, is loyal to Luther and enjoys a bit of violence when the opportunity presents itself.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

If you wanna see your family tonight, you'll pull this cart down that alley up yonder.

Watch your step. These floors are about a hundred years old, and they’re a might noisy.

I reckon it's a good thing you changed your voice when you held up her old man.

JERRY:

Adult male. Also runs a coach for Luther, and is loyal to Luther. A quiet man who generally keeps his thoughts to himself, does what he’s told, and moves on with life.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

We're all nervous the first time, Rob. You'll get used to it.

Then drink to numb it. That's what I do. You'll feel better either way.

That's mighty unfortunate for the folks around him. Nice for us though.

FLORENCE:

Adult female. Mother of Ida, wife of George. Caring, fun loving, and content to work alongside her husband in the tailors shop.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

You've been grinning to yourself for two days, I know there's something you're not telling me.

No, deary it can't. You are your father's daughter, and that grin isn't about just anything. So who is he?

Oh hush Ida! He's breathin' fine! You all sit down at the table, and I'll put the soup on.

GEORGE:

Adult male. Father of Ida, husband of Florence. Runs his own tailors shop which he started after he split the business with Horace. Kind and fun loving.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

(Panicked) There's a false bottom! It's under the false bottom! There's a latch in the back right hand corner!

Invite him for dinner sometime, Ida. I want to meet this Robert that has you grinning from ear to ear.

I suspect he may have been involved with the men who robbed me last year, and that he was involved with the caravan robbery on the mountain pass. Do you think you could look into it for me?

OTTO:

Adult male. Father of Essie, husband of Nora. A circuit preacher from the mountains who takes the role of pastor for a church in the valley. A kind man who loves his wife and daughter.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

I'm sure someone else could but that's not how this worked out. Man plans his ways, Essie, but God directs his steps. We're going to have to trust God on this one, okay?

I grew up in Dark River, so I know where the good fishing holes are, and where to find the good picnic spots.

No, Essie. It's a perfectly natural thing to want to be safe. We prayed for safety when we left with the caravan, remember?

NORA:

Adult female. Wife of Otto, mother of Essie. Also kind and caring but fun loving and always ready for an adventure.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

We'll be traveling with a caravan, Essie. We'll be safe from any wolves.

They're just things, Essie. Things are replaceable.

I know. Do you think it's just an overactive imagination? She's always had one you know.

ESSIE:

Child female. Daughter of Otto and Nora. Loves her father and mother and is generally a good child. Likes and adventure if she’s talked into it first by her mother.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

I'm gonna keep this forever! Thank you Pa!

I don't want to make new friends, Ma, I want to keep my friends that I have here!

Ma, they’re ruining our things!

Yeah, I used to have a necklace just like yours. But it got stolen on the mountain.

LEVANA:

Child female. Sister of Etana and new best friend of Essie.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

I thought you said he paid you for it.

You wanna go play in our fort?

ETANA:

Young adult female. Ida’s best friend. Usually happy and full of life.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

My skates are on. What's taking you so long?

Ida! I'm so glad you're here, have you heard the news?!

Nita Daystine has been running all over town spreading the rumors that your father was involved with the thieves who robbed the caravan on the pass a few months ago.

MR. LUNDRICH:

Adult male. High up official at Schimn Bank. A money laundering specialist who’s caught wind of an investigation into his illegal activities.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

It had better be good Paraic. I'm not in the mood to have my time wasted today.

I am an inside voice at the bank Paraic! What could you possibly have to tell me?

Clear enough to make it on horseback. I find the matter at hand to be particularly important, so I'd like to inform you that you'll get me those documents, and you'll get them within the next two weeks, or you may very well find yourself swinging from the gallows.

DAN:

Adult male. A traveling tinker who works for detective August F. Maugrime on occasion. Not afraid to put himself at risk for the sake of others.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

I come around every couple of weeks, Luther. Maybe you hadn't noticed.

He kept it from his own family. Apparently the caravan transportation was supposed to be top secret and it still leaked to the wrong people. It's not an overstatement to say he's paranoid.

Lies, Robert. They're not good for relationships. Neither is being arrested for doing something stupid at the Maugrime winter ball.

HELEN’S MOTHER:

Adult female. Pressures Helen to maintain an air of superiority over others. Believes her image is dependent on Helen’s image.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

Ah, but you are not the other girls, Helen! You are better than they are, and will learn to present yourself as such.

Very good things. Your ambition and work ethic is inspiring. I hope you know that if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't allow my daughter to go with you tonight.

AUGUST F. MAUGRIME:

Adult male. Wealthy private investigator who’s hired by Mr. Schimn to investigate Mr. Lundrich’s laundering and embezzlement. A family friend of George, Florence and Ida.

Must be present for the recording sessions on the 7th and 8th.

Audition lines:

Perhaps, but considering it mentions my report, I do believe we know who sent it. Keep an eye on Luther and his men will you.

Not your Pa's case particularly, but it overlaps with a case I'm currently on. Do you know of anyone who might have a reason to target your Pa?

I'm detective Maugrime, would you be able to answer a few questions for me?

NITA:

Adult female. Owns and runs a jewelry shop with her husband. Is strong willed and thin skinned. If there’s gossip going around, Nita played a major role in spreading it.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

Robert? I hardly recognized you in that suit. You look like a proper gentleman.

Oh, yes of course, tongues are wagging all over the valley about that.

Dan Gustly? Well that's a shock. I believe I can get the tongues wagging with that kind information.

MR. SCHIMN:

Adult male. Owner of Schimn bank, father of Paraic. Has hired August to investigate Lundrich.

Must be present for the recording session on the 7th.

Audition lines:

Detective! Come in, come in. Have you had breakfast?

One moment, sir. Paraic, would you mind stepping out for a moment.

Of course. Lundrich can only play his games for so long before we'll expose him. Carry on detective, I'm counting on you.

FRANK:

Adult male. One of Lundrich’s associates. Is hired to stop evidence from reaching August Maugrime.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:

Mr. Lundrich sends his greetings. Make yourself at home. Near as I can tell, we've got a day to wait.

The plan, yeah. You all are gonna be the diversion, while I get Mr. Lundrich's package. You'll take their money, obviously, and anything else that strikes your fancy. It's pretty simple, no bloodshed unless necessary and not a word about Lundrich, he don't take kindly to being ratted on. Clear?

MR. WHILTHERS:

Adult male. August F. Maugrime’s butler. Soft spoken and refined.

Must be present for the recording session on the 8th.

Audition lines:
Absolutely, Sir. Shall I fetch your coat?

Good evening, Miss Remballe, how can I help you?

Miss Remballe to see you sir.