2008-09 Audition Information
West Side Story (Mainstage Series) - Ages 12 - 19
Auditions: August 24 & 25 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm (Village Theater Studio)
Performances: January 30 (7 pm), 31 (2 & 7 pm), February 1 (2 & 7 pm), 2 (9:30 am), 3 (9:30 am), 2009
Download the Audition Packet Mid-August (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Synopsis:
The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments.
Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet” is transported to New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.
Highlighting the talents of a young ensemble cast, “West Side Story” has found popularity in schools as well as professional theatres throughout the world. Its exciting, sophisticated score by Bernstein and Sondheim is often considered Broadway’s finest, its songs part of the nation’s musical heritage. As originally staged by the legendary Jerome Robbins, the show is an impressive showcase for accomplished dancers.
Characters:
RIFF
Quick-tempered leader of the Jets. (Baritone)
TONY
Former Jet leader gone straight. (Tenor or Baritone)
THE JETS
Including: Action, A-Rab, Baby John, Snowboy, Big Deal, Diesel, Gee-Tar, Mouthpiece and Tiger
THE JETS' GIRLS
Including: Graziella, Velma, Minnie, Clarice, Pauline, and Anybodys-a tagalong tomboy
BERNARDO
Maria's brother, leader of the Sharks.
MARIA
Puerto Rican ingenue. Bernardo's sister. (Soprano)
ANITA
Maria's saucy older friend. Bernardo's girl. (Mezzo-Soprano)
CHINO
Maria's angry young suitor. Bernardo's friend.
THE SHARKS
Including: Pepe, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Juano, Toro, Moose
THE SHARKS' GIRLS
Including: Rosalia-Anita's, Consuelo, Teresita, Francisca, Estella and Margarita
DOC
A weary old candy store owner
DETECTIVE SCHRANK
OFFICER KRUPKE
GLAD HAND
A fidgety chaperone
Popular Songs:
# Jet Song (Riff, Jets)
# Maria (Tony)
# America (Anita, Rosalia, Shark Girls)
# Cool (Riff, Jets)
# One Hand, One Heart (Tony, Maria)
# Tonight (Jets, Sharks, Anita, Tony, Maria, Riff, Bernardo)
# The Rumble (Orchestra)
# I Feel Pretty (Maria, Consuela, Rosalia, Francisca)
# Somewhere (Girl)
# Gee, Officer Krumpke (Jets)
From: Music Theater International Online
Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine (Studio Series) - Ages 8 - 19
Auditions: September 26, 2008 from 6 - 8 pm (Village Theater Classroom)
Performances: February 20 (7 pm), 21 (2 & 7 pm), 2009
Interested performers need not prepare anything for the audition. Audition materials will be handed out that night.
Synopsis:
By Bob May, Christopher Tibbetts and Roy C. Booth. Based on an original story by Bob May.
6 m. & 7 f.; 45 minutes
Beanie Boren, a science wiz who is not keen on reading, has designed a book reading machine for the science fair. It combines a computer, a mini video cam and a contraption of his own design to enable one to read three books at once. Unfortunately, the machine is neither user friendly nor bug free. When Beanie turns it on, lights flash, thunder booms and out pop the witches from Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and the The Wizard of Oz, each set to wreak havoc! Beanie must get them back into the books with help from the good guys in the same stories. Afterward, he is eager to read about his new friends-- the old fashioned way.
Characters Include:
Beanie, Professor Librum, Dorothy, Queen, Gidget Mae Brown, Snow White, Mr. Wright, Candy, The Decimals, The Wicked Witch of the West, Hansel & Gretel.
From: Sam French Online
Disney's Mulan Jr. (Mainstage Series) - Ages 7 - 19
Auditions: January 4 & 5, 2009 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm (Village Theater Studio)
Performances: May 15 (7 pm), 16 (2 & 7 pm), 17 (2 & 7 pm), 18 (9:30 am), 19 (9:30 am), 2009
Download the Audition Packet Mid-December (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Synopsis:
Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan. The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Mulan JR. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as well as new songs that will get you on your feet!
Characters:
MULAN
MULAN must have strength and courage in her performance and be convincing in her passion and determination to protect her father and family.
SHANG
SHANG needs to have strength, but also the openness to learn from Mulan. He is the general’s son, but he has a brain too. He needs to be a strong vocalist and should have great stage presence.
MUSHU
MUSHU (MOO shoo) – although comedy is very important for this character (a talking dragon), we also must feel sympathy for Mushu’s struggle to get back into the Temple.
THE ANCESTORS
The ANCESTORS observe the action throughout the show. They must be strong actors/singers that can carry solo work. It is helpful for them to match what they represent in either manner or physical type. LAOZI (pronounced LAU-tsi) represents Honor and is the leader of the group. LIN represents Loyalty and is the hardest on Mulan. Lin does not appreciate any challenges to the old-world belief system. ZHANG (ZANG) represents Strength, the strong silent type. HONG represents Destiny and is Laozi’s right-hand man. YUN (YOON) represents Love and is Mulan’s greatest advocate from the beginning – the mother figure that eventually encourages the others to support Mulan for who she is.
YAO, LING and QIAN-PO
YAO, LING and QIAN-PO (cheeann-PO) – “the Guys” – should be able to work as a team but be diverse in type to help distinguish them from the other Chinese Soldiers. YAO considers himself to be a big tough guy; he has a bark and bite, but all in all is a good person. LING is a bit of a scam artist, and not the brightest guy in the world. QIAN-PO is a real sweetheart of a monk who would rather have a good meal than a battle scene. They need to be misfits in the army, like Mulan, and able to really play around while dressing up like maidens during the show’s climax.
CHI FU
CHI FU (chee FU) is your typical “bad guy,” the quintessential political character, manipulative and proud to a fault. We will look for someone with tremendous confidence who can set up Chi Fu’s authority early on.
SHAN-YU
SHAN-YU (shawn YU) must have command of the stage and have tremendous presence. He must convince the audience that he can lead an invasion.
FA ZHOU
FA ZHOU (fa ZOO), Mulan’s father, is confident and calm. He must have strong presence and a strong voice. His calm strength contrasts with Mulan’s frenetic energy at the top of the show. We see that Mulan is truly her father’s daughter when she grows wise through her journey.
FA LI
FA LI, Mulan’s mother, is someone who also possesses strength but understands her place in her generation and culture. There is a definite wisdom that she passes on to Mulan, so we will need a smart actor who is also able to carry a tune.
GRANDMOTHER FA
GRANDMOTHER FA coveys wisdom and humor. Grandmother sees greatness in Mulan, but still wants her to achieve it through tradition. An actor with mischief in her eye will work well here.
THE MATCHMAKER
The MATCHMAKER provides comic relief through the “straight man” approach. We will cast someone with an overbearing presence and who can maintain her composure through a comic scene.
THE ENSEMBLE
Provides sound effects throughout the show, but also steps into the action when needed to play FATHERS, MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, SONS, DRESSMAKERS, HAIRDRESSERS, GROOMERS, YOUNG HSAIO, OLDER YI, YOUNG YI, MAGYAR, SUBAR-TU, CHEN, LIU and the CHEONGSAM SALESPERSON. The featured roles vary in size and vocal requirements, but the Ensemble will be needed to provide vocal power throughout and dance in the production numbers.
Popular Songs:
# Honor to Us All (Ensemble)
# Reflection (Mulan)
# Keep 'Em Guessing (Mushu)
# I'll Make a Man Out of You / Lesson No. 1 (Shang)
# A Girl Worth Fighting For (Army)
From: Music Theater International Online
The Crash Box: Shattered (Studio Series) - Ages 12 - 19
Auditions: March 6, 2009 from 6 - 8 pm (Village Theater Classroom)
Performances: June 12 (7 pm), 13 (2 & 7 pm), 2009
Interested performers need not prepare anything for the audition. Materials will be handed out that night.
Synopsis:
An ensemble written show encompassing scenes, monologues, movement, poetry and the like covering themes related to secrets, broken moments, reflection and healing. The ensemble will look in depth at character development, playwrighting, and actor self & social study. This program is not recommended for beginning students.