
Auditions for "Standard Issue" the musical are quickly approaching. It's been five years in the making, but it's finally time for the original cast to be found.
Auditions will be held
Friday February 7, 6:30 - 8:30 (recommended if you can)
Saturday February 8 - 12:30 - 1:30
Callbacks are February 8 - 1:30 - 4:00
Location: 105 N 13th Street, Herrin, IL
*Monologues and an audition song is encouraged, but not required
SHOW DATES: June 6-8, 2025
Rehearsals will begin in late March
Director: Tim Robinson
Music Director: Derek Hamblin
Original Cast Perks:
*Shape brand new characters and their performances. You get to explore new characters never performed before.
*The original cast will be listed on all scripts in the future.
*Compensation: The cast will be paid 50% of the gross ticket sales of the show, so there is an incentive to personally market the show. The distribution is dependent on role.
*The original cast will be invited to professionally record the show music for public distribution in June. The recording will be done by Velocity Recording Studios.
QUESTIONS?? email: info@vetsinthearts.org or text Director Tim Robinson at (618) 889-6500
"STANDARD ISSUE"
Synopsis:
Set within a three-year tour in the Army, Charles Vanderwall is obligated to enlist before running his late father's business, where he meets a complex group of friends, and through their shared struggles of training, war, and loss, Vanderwall must make difficult choices and ultimately discovers a new definition of family.
Act 1
The show begins with a group of new Soldiers excited about their decision to join the Army. One soldier, Charles Vanderwall, is not excited - he is being forced to join the military before taking over the family business, despite thinking that a tour of duty is a waste of his time ("Let it Begin"). When the Soldiers arrive at army reception, young Dinger notices Vanderwall writing in a notebook and assumes that he is a writer. Vanderwall claims that he is just taking notes, a habit his late mother started with him ("On the Page"). Dinger introduces Vanderwall to the Soldiers he has befriended: Schmeckpepper, Benedict, Romero, and Butterfield. One Soldier, Romero, immediately dislikes Vanderwall. Just as the Soldiers are getting to know each other, Drill Sergeant VanLue enters, and Romero nominates Vanderwall to be Platoon Guide. Romero plans to use Vanderwall's new position to get him into trouble.
The Soldiers receive their boot camp haircuts and enter the Central Issuing Facility to be issued their gear. The Soldiers have many different reactions to their surroundings, but all announce they are 'on their own' in the world of the Army. However, Dinger changes their minds ("On Our Own, Together"). Once the Soldiers finish putting on their uniforms, they are taught to march. After hearing that Benedict's father was also a drill sergeant, VanLue commands Benedict to call cadence with him ("They Say That In The Army").
The Soldiers are then taught the fireman’s carry, and Dinger struggles to complete his task. The other Solders are worried that he will not pass. During a break, Vanderwall asks Butterfield about her life. Butterfield thinks that her life before the Army was boring, but Vanderwall assures her that everyone has a story to tell. Dinger tries to complete the fireman's carry and fails. After the task is finished, Vanderwall, Dinger, and Romero confess their fears of the future ("No"). Over the rest of boot camp, Romero continues to be the cause of extra work for Vanderwall. They finally exchange heated insults, but are interrupted by VanLue and are instructed on the coming 25 mile ruck march. The Soldiers continue to grow closer during shared struggles and task breaks, but Vanderwall still wishes to be elsewhere. Butterfield warns Vanderwall of 'missing out' on his new family being formed, but Vanderwall claims he doesn't have a family. Romero and Dinger grow close as Romero talks about his estranged son.
After a qualifying task at the range, Vanderwall accuses Romero of not doing his best. This accusation starts a fight between them ("You Don't Know Me"). VanLue breaks up the fight and instructs them to prepare for the night land navigation task. Even with intense storms looming, the four-hour task begins for the Soldiers. When the storm arrives earlier than expected, the Soldiers are recalled, but Dinger does not return. Romero volunteers to find Dinger and chooses a surprised Vanderwall to help him. They are able to find Dinger, but lightning strikes a tree that injures Dinger and traps Vanderwall. Romero races back for help, but Dinger is able to dislodge Vanderwall's leg and use the fireman's carry to bring him back to camp. VanLue is impressed and passes Dinger on the fireman’s carry he had failed earlier ("Go"). Romero and Vanderwall mutually respect one another and move on as friends. Once boot camp is finished, the Soldiers graduate, say goodbye to VanLue, and continue on together to their duty station in Charlie Company. Vanderwall, Romero, Benedict, Schmeckpepper, and Dinger celebrate by getting matching tattoos, and Vanderwall finally opens his heart to the Army experience and his new friends. ("Five Musketeers"). The celebration continues that night, and Vanderwall sees Butterfield for the first time in civilian clothes. He is no longer 'blind' and sees her as she truly is ("How Could I've Been So Blind"). Vanderwall and Butterfield marry, and at their reception, Charlie Company receives deployment orders ("Let it Begin" - Reprise). Once deployment day comes, Benedict, Schmeckpepper, and Dinger say goodbye to their loved ones. Romero and Vanderwall wait for Butterfield, who is missing. She hurriedly arrives to tell Vanderwall her deployment is canceled because she is pregnant. She is devastated, but Vanderwall must leave with Charlie Company. ("On Our Own Together" - Reprise/"Around Her Hair")
Act 2
During intermission, Charlie Company is on deployment. Act 2 opens with a funeral, as Dinger has been killed in action and Charlie Company is still overseas. A very pregnant Butterfield is in attendance ("No" - Reprise). Upon returning home, Charlie Company is noticeably changed by the loss of Dinger and Butterfield presents their daughter to Vanderwall. Benedict invites the group to church, but only Schmeckpepper agrees. Romero doesn’t want to waste any more time before partying and buying a motorcycle. After a few weeks, an angry Vanderwall grows distant from his family. Butterfield is confused and hurt, but is counseled by female Charlie Company Soldiers that this has affected the entire company, and she needs to give Vanderwall more time ("No Man's Land"). Back on the base, Romero and Vanderwall act out against a new commander and get most of the company to do the same ("F.N.G."). A few weeks later, Romero is found by Schmeckpepper and Benedict doing extra duty after getting in trouble. The two ask Romero about his isolation and Romero reveals his guilt in letting Dinger die. Benedict and Schmeckpepper share their own struggles and offer to go see Dinger's parents together. Romero refuses and assures them he will be fine. In a moment of weakness, Vanderwall tells Butterfield that he never wanted to be either a father or a husband. She wants to understand what he's going through and begs him to talk to her, but Vanderwall walks out ("Talk to Me"). Schmeckpepper talks to his mother on the phone and she is also worried about Vanderwall and Romero not working through Dinger's death.
On his way to his own extra duty, Vanderwall stops at the bar to meet Romero, Benedict, and Schmeckpepper. They share a toast to Dinger. Once alone, Romero laments that it should have been him who died instead, and makes up his mind to kill himself ("Last Call"). Once Vanderwall recklessly arrives for his extra duty, Sergeant Strong reprimands him for being drunk. He tells him to sleep it off and hopefully nothing will happen overnight. Back at his apartment, Romero takes his own life. Charlie Company hears the news of Romero's death the next morning and is shocked and heartbroken ("We Didn't Know"). A confused Vanderwall wakes up to see his entire company in attendance, and is told the news.
Romero's final roll call ceremony is the next day. Charlie Company pays their respect to Romero and Vanderwall is the last to come forward. He erupts in anger and realizes he must choose life or death like Romero. Vanderwall realizes that he wants to do what it takes to live and take care of his family ("Crossroads"). Later, Butterfield, Vanderwall, Schmeckpepper, and Benedict meet to go through Romero's personal items and reminisce. They vow to check up on each other and to not lose another of Charlie Company. Time passes, and the Vanderwalls and Dingers have a close relationship. One day, the Vanderwalls visit the Dingers and Vanderwall announces he has written a book about his experiences and friends, including Dinger. Vanderwall asks for permission to publish the book and the Dingers wholeheartedly agree. The book is then passed around throughout Charlie Company and beyond. Vanderwall has realized his true purpose of being a writer and what a family can look like ("On the Page" - Reprise / "On Our Own, Together" - Reprise").
Principle:
CHARLES VANDERWALL, III, (20-25), male, clean cut, wealthy (tenor)
ROMERO, (20-30), male, city accent, from difficult circumstances. (tenor)
DRILL SERGEANT VANLUE, (30-45), male, large in personality and presence. (tenor/baritone)
RHONDA BUTTERFIELD, (18-25), female, slight tomboy, oldest of 9 (mezzo-soprano)
DALE DINGER (16-20), male, petite, innocent (tenor)
JEREMIAH BENEDICT, (18-25), male, cocky, army brat (tenor)
JEFFREY SCHMECKPEPPER (18-25), male, southerner with heavy accent, wears heart on his sleeve (tenor)
Named Emsemble - all vocal ranges
CHLOE (18-25), female Soldier, friend of Butterfield (mezzo-soprano - featured singer)
DRILL SERGEANT SWATSKY (30-45), male, large in personality and presence.
ROCKY (45+), male, rough around the edges, Army Veteran
CAPTAIN/MAJOR ODENKIRK (35-55), stiff and serious
CAPTAIN JONES, (30-40), male, cliche new officer
CAPTAIN BANKS (30-50), stiff and serious
SERGEANT STRONG (30-35), male, fatherly and stern
FIRST SERGEANT DUPONT (28-50), seasoned soldier
SCHMECKPEPPER'S GIRLFRIEND, (20-25), female, trashy
ENSEMBLE SOLDIERS (18-35)
PARENTS (40-50), male and female
PREACHER (30+), male
THE READER (16-30), male or female
LIBRARIAN (25+), female
QUESTIONS?? email: info@vetsinthearts.org or text Director Tim Robinson at (618) 889-6500
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