Dear Evan Hansen

Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.

This production is part of JuMP Company’s new JuMP UP program, where we focus on smaller, intimate shows, giving our older youth more dedicated one-on-one time in unique settings. This show will be preformed in collaboration with Twin Falls Theatre Collective at their theatre. Youth casting will be handled by JuMP Company and Adult casting will be handled by TFTC. Youth ages 14-19 may audition. If you have any questions, please email info@jumpcompany.org.

IMPORTANT DIRECTOR’S NOTE:

We’re so excited to see you for auditions for JuMP Company’s production of Dear Evan Hansen in our new JuMP UP program. I wanted to share a few thoughts with you prior to auditions so that you may consider the show and your audition. Dear Evan Hansen is a TOUGH show. It will challenge you greatly. The show deals with important topics, such as loneliness, identity crisis, difficult family relationships, deceit, mental health, grief, and of course, teen suicide. We will not shy away from these topics. In addition, it also focuses on the human need for connection, forgiveness, redemption, and hope. It is an incredible, modern, relative and poignant examination of how we are all connected as humans, particularly in a world that increasingly pushes digital distractions on us. I firmly believe theatre is a safe space and an environment in which we can examine deep subjects like these in a comfortable place that can encourage connection and growth. There is much to be learned by taking on difficult subjects.

This isn’t a typical JuMP Company production. It will be performed in the round, in an intimate theatre with only 50 seats per show and a cast of only 8 people. This will be a unique experience for JuMP kids. It will be run in a professional like setting and manner. Much will be expected of you and your commitment to the show if you are cast. One of the other unique experiences kids can experience is working with adult actors in our community, as the parents will be cast with adults. This will create awesome mentorship opportunities. As a director, I try to raise the bar with every production of which I’m a part. We have incredible talent in the Magic Valley and JuMP is stepping up to meet this talent and create extraordinary productions. I’m extremely excited to be a part of this show. We also will have expanded opportunities for understudies with guaranteed performances as well expanded tech opportunities.

Having said all this, please understand that the original script contains profanity and other language and situational humor that not everyone may be comfortable with. JuMP has requested edits to the script to remove almost all this content where it does not take away from the messaging and intent of the show. There may be a few words that remain for an adult cast member and/or possibly youth, but we are making every attempt to make the show accessible to all who may want to audition. Please understand, it is not up to us what the authors decide. We hope that our requests will be granted, but we cannot say for sure until we hear back from the licensing company; however, we wanted to open auditions so preparations may begin, and as soon as we hear back, we will make it known publicly. If, in the end, not all our edits are granted, we just want you to be aware so you can decide on whether to continue with your audition.

I challenge you to prepare well. Emotional depth, character connection and understanding will be super important in the auditions. I’d like each of you to come prepared with a 30 second description of how you would define your character and how you think you can achieve that if given the role. We’ll see you at auditions!

Chris Ayers, Director

UPDATE 7/16: Our requests for edits have been approved by the licensing company. Almost all the vulgarity is removed from the show in their approval. There may still be a couple of instances of adult language left in the show, on the mild side. There will be no F words. If you have any questions, please reach out.