2011 – 2012 AUDITION INFORMATION
NEW PROCEDURE!
Beginning in Fall 2011, if you want to audition, you need to pick up an audition form in advance. Attached to the form will be a contract that you must read with your parents. If you understand and agree to the terms of the contract, bring it to the audition, signed by you and your parents. Students who do not bring a signed contract will not be allowed to audition. Please also bring an accurate list of any conflicts during the rehearsal period so that we may create the most advantageous rehearsal schedule. Students with too many conflicts may not be able to participate.
FALL
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
Audition Date: Monday, August 22, 3:30pm, place TBA.
Callbacks: Wednesday, August 24, 3:30pm.
We will be casting between 8 – 16 singers for this production. Since it is a musical revue of Stephen Sondheim's work, we need to see that you are able to master his challenging music and lyrics. For your audition, please prepare TWO songs, one upbeat and one ballad, from any of the following shows: West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, or Pacific Overtures. Bring the music in your key to the audition where an accompanist will be provided. Recorded music or a capella singing will not be allowed.
WINTER
GUYS AND DOLLS
Audition Date: Monday, October 31(vocal – Music building) and
Tuesday, Nov. 1 (dance – Dance Room), 3:30pm.
Callbacks: Wednesday, November 2, 3:30pm.
Prepare a song from a traditional Broadway musical. It is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the score of Guys and Dolls, which is readily available. Although we do not want to hear any songs from the show at auditions, look for songs that have a similar flavor to the characters in the show. Songs by Frank Loesser, Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and other of their contemporaries will work fine. For vocal auditions, bring the music in your key. An accompanist will be provided. For dance auditions, please come dressed to dance in clothes that allow you to move freely and proper shoes (dance shoes or sneakers).
GUYS AND DOLLS
Cast of Characters
SKY MASTERSON: The romantic lead of the more "dramatic" plotline of the story. Sky is a handsome, successful gambler who goes from believing he does not need "dolls" in his life to falling madly and truly in love with Sarah. Strong acting and singing, with some movement. Baritone. Sings :"I'll Know," "My Time of Day," "I've Never Been in Love Before," and "Luck Be a Lady."
NATHAN DETROIT: The comic romantic lead, Nathan has to be charming, funny and romantic, with great comic timing. Although he spends
most of the show eluding his fiancee as he searches for the big
break that never comes, there must be no surprise by the end
that he truly loves her. His two big numbers are "The Oldest
Established" and "Sue Me" and he must be able to act and sell a
song.
SARAH BROWN: A strong acting and singing role, Sarah undergoes the biggest transformation in the show, from a straight-laced Salvation
Army missionary to a woman in love. She has to believably play puritanical, tipsy, heartbroken and loyal. Some movement, and great soprano singing. Songs: "Follow the Fold," "I'll Know," "If I Were a Bell," "I've Never Been in Love Before, and "Marry the Man Today."
MISS ADELAIDE: One of the most iconic female roles in musical theatre, Miss Adelaide is a club dancer with a perpetual cold that won't clear up until she gets married and a fiance (of 14 years) who won't commit to marriage. A strong comic character who can sing mezzo and dance or move reasonably well. Songs: "A Bushel and a Peck," Adelaide's Lament," "Take Back Your Mink," "Sue Me," and "Marry the Man Today."
ARVIDE ABERNATHY: Sarah's wise grandparent (usually a grandfather, but we may go with a grandmother) who works with her in the Salvation Army but wants happiness for Sarah no matter where her path takes her. Has a lovely song with an Irish lilt. Songs: "Follow the Fold," "More I Cannot Wish You."
NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON: One of Nathan's gambling pals, Nicely has most of the great comic lines of the show, so timing is a must. He also sings a great deal with a strong tenor. A scene-stealing role! Songs: "Fugue for Tinhorns," "The Oldest Established," "Guys and Dolls," and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
BENNY SOUTHSTREET: Another of Nathan's gambling pals and Nicely-Nicely's best friend and comic foil. Must sing and act well. Songs: "Fugue for
Tinhorns," "The Oldest Established," "Guys and Dolls," and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
GAMBLERS: Each one has a distinct personality and must sing and move.
The ones listed are :
RUSTY CHARLIE
HARRY THE HORSE
ANGIE THE OX
There will be more. Each must be a good actor, singer and
move well. They will also play other ensemble roles as needed,
including New York Citizens in the opening, waiters, a drunk,
and Cuban dancers. Songs: "The Oldest Established,"
"Luck Be a Lady," and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
LT. BRANNIGAN: The New York policeman on the prowl for illegal crap games. Probably went to the Police Academy at the same time as Officer Krupke and Lt. Shrank. Non-singing but strong acting role, may play some other ensemble roles as well.
JOEY BILTMORE: Runs a garage which serves as a front for illegal activity. Usually played by a tough guy, but we will be playing it with a beautiful doll. Actress will also appear in ensemble roles.
BIG JULE: A big tough gangster from Chicago. Will play other ensemble roles as well. Songs: "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
GENERAL MATILDA CARTWRIGHT: The Salvation Army Matron whose evaluation will make the difference to Sarah's success. Strong character role, non-singing, but the actress will appear in other ensemble roles.
MIMI: A showgirl and friend to Adelaide. Sings and dances in the Hot Box numbers and may appear in other Ensemble roles.
MISSION BAND: AGATHA, PRISCILLA, CALVIN, ETC. These are the people who follow Miss Sarah on her mission to save the poor. Must sing
and act well. Songs: "Follow the Fold," and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
HOT BOX GIRLS: Showgirls who work with Miss Adelaide, all with strong performing skills and New York attitudes. One of them, MIMI, is Adelaide's pal. Must sing and dance, and will also appear as New York citizens and Cuban dancers. Songs: "A Bushel and a Peck," and "Take Back Your Mink."
SPRING
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
(San Mateo High School Students Only)
Audition Date: Monday, February 27, 3:30pm. Place TBA.
Callbacks: Wednesday, February 29, 3:30pm.
Prepare a 1 2 minute dramatic monologue from a modern American play. Your speech must be memorized and performed in character.
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
(San Mateo High School Students Only)
Cast of Characters
Foreman (Male): 35 years old. Assistant high school football coach. A small, petty man who is at first wary of, and then impressed with the authority he has. Handles himself quite formally. Not overly bright, but dogged.
Juror #2 (Female): 38 years old. Bank clerk. A meek, hesitant woman who finds it difficult to maintain any opinions of her own. Easily swayed and usually adopts the opinion of the last person to whom she has spoken.
Juror #3 (Male): 40 years old. Head of a messenger service. A very strong, very forceful, extremely opinionated man within whom can be detected a streak of sadism. A humorless man who is intolerant of opinions other than his own, and accustomed to forcing his wishes and views upon others.
Juror #4 (Female): 50 years old. Professor. A woman of wealth and position. A practiced speaker who presents herself well at all times. Seems to feel a little bit above the rest of the jurors. Her only concern is with the facts in this case, and she is appalled with the behavior of the others. Constantly preening herself, her hair, her nails, her make-up, etc.
Juror #5 (Male): 25 years old. Mechanic. A nave, very frightened young man who takes his obligations in this case very seriously but who finds it difficult to speak up when his elders have the floor.
Juror #6 (Female): 33 years old. A waitress. An honest, but dull-witted woman who comes upon her decisions slowly and carefully. A woman who finds it difficult to create positive opinions, but who must listen to and digest and accept these opinions offered by others which appeal to her most.
Juror #7 (Male): 42 years old. Salesman. A loud, flashy, glad-handed salesman type who has more important things to do than sit on a jury. He is quick to show temper, quick to form opinions about which he knows nothing. He is a bully and, of course, a coward.
Juror #8 (Female): 42 years old. A writer. A quiet, thoughtful, gentle woman. A woman who sees many sides to every question and constantly seeks the truth. A woman of strength tempered with com-passion. Above all a woman who wants justice to be done, and will fight to see that it is.
Juror #9 (Male): 70 years old. Retired. A mild, gentle old man, long since defeated by life, and now merely waiting to die. A man who recognizes himself for what he is, and mourns the days when it would have been possible to be courageous without shielding himself behind his many years. From the way he takes pills whenever he is excited, it is obvious that he has a heart condition.
Juror #10 (Female): 46 years old. Garage owner. An angry, bitter woman. A woman who antagonizes almost at sight. A bigot who places no values on any human life save her own. A widow who drove her husband into the arms of another woman years ago and who remains alone, running the business they started together. A woman who has been nowhere and is going nowhere and knows it deep within her. she has a bad cold and continually blows her nose, sniffs an inhaler, pops a lozenge, etc.
Juror #11 (Female): 48 years old. Watchmaker. A refugee from Europe who has come to this country in 1941. A woman who speaks with an accent and who is ashamed, humble, almost subservient to the people around her, but a woman who will honestly seek justice because she has suffered through so much injustice.
Juror #12 (Male): 30 years old. Advertising man. A slick, bright young man who thinks of human beings in terms of percentages, graphs and polls, and has no real understanding of people. A superficial snob, trying to be a good fellow to earn the respect. Constantly doodling on a scratch pad.
Guard
If you have any questions, contact drama director Brad Friedman at 558-2348 or e-mail him at bkfriedman@hotmail.com.
