Book & Lyrics By
Brian Yorkey
 
Music By
Tom Kitt
 
Director
Cayla Kolbusz
 
Music Director
Vanessa El-Zein Lai
 
Next to Normal tells the story of Diana Goodman, a suburban wife and
mother who suffers from bipolar disorder and is haunted by the loss of her
infant son. The effects on her family have been profound. Her doctors
suggests hypnosis and Electroconvulsive Therapy in an attempt to manage
her condition. The show’s themes include mental health, grief, medical
ethics, and attempting to define what “normal” is.
 
Director’s Statement
 
Hello! I am so happy that you are considering auditioning for Next to Normal at the Players Guild of Dearborn. I am honored to be directing this production, as Next to Normal is one of my favorite musicals and has been one of the most influential in my theatre career. Next to Normal was my thesis production in grad school for my Master’s degree in Theatre Direction, and I spent four years studying it. I am really looking forward to looking at it again through a different lens and perspective as I have gotten older and experienced more of life and death. 
 
One facet of theatre that keeps bringing me back is the opportunity to experience what it means to be human and to see myself, as well as those around me, in the stories and characters. In this production of Next to Normal, I hope to really focus on the humanity of the characters and letting the audience see them as truly who they are, their struggles, fears, hopes… and let those guide the production. 
 
I do not see Next to Normal as performative, but instead, uncomfortably relatable. I want to explore the aftermath of each moment and event within the transitions from scene to scene with a strong focus on reaction. I hope to create a production where one moment flows into the next, to showcase what real life truly is… messy and very much a grey area with little being black and white.
 
I am excited to build this world and family WITH you and discover this story TOGETHER.
 
Most importantly, it is my goal to build a safe, supportive, and kind space to rehearse and perform in. Next to Normal explores extremely difficult subject matter, and it is important to create a comfortable space for us as we tackle these uncomfortable topics. I am ready to use my training in theatrical intimacy education in this experience to help create this space.
 
In these auditions, I am looking for the characters to be raw, real, and honest. I am looking for performers who are willing to try new things with a positive mindset. 
 
I look forward to seeing your audition and meeting you. 
Cayla Kolbusz  
 
General Intimacy Note: This production contains moments of theatrical intimacy, including stage kissing between the characters of Dan and Diana and also between the characters of Natalie and Henry, as well as non-sexual physical contact between the entire cast. Actors will not be asked to kiss or perform intimate scenes during the audition or initial callback stages.
 
 
Character Descriptions
 
Diana – Sydney Assalley-Williams
Dan – Kyle Harwood
Natalie – Nadia Gellani
Gabe – Mohamad Mohammad
Henry – Ryan Long
Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden – Adam El-Zein