Dear Parents/Carers, Les Miserables School Production

Transcription

1 KW/JHU/FK 11th December, 2014 Dear Parents/Carers, Les Miserables School Production We are writing to invite your son/daughter to audition for this year s whole school musical Les Miserables. Please see below for details on this year s production and audition process for the cast, band and crew. Performance Dates Wednesday 8 th July Saturday 11 th July 2015 Audition Dates Tuesday 13 th January 2015 Chorus Only Wednesday 14 th January 2015 Principals Only Friday 16 th January 2015 Call Backs Crew Interviews Tuesday 20 th January 2015 Audition Process Cast Students to complete an audition application form prior to auditioning. Auditions will include some acting and singing as well as a basic voice trial to ensure that the student is allocated an appropriate part. As in previous years, we ask all students to audition whether they would like to have a chorus role or a principal role. Students auditioning for a chorus role may audition in a small group if they would prefer. Audition Process Band Students who are interested in taking part in the band should speak to Mr Hudson and sign up on the list in the Music Department. In the event that there are too many students for a particular part, auditions will be arranged for these students. If your son/daughter wishes to audition for the cast as well as the band please ask them to complete the audition application form as well as signing up in Music.

2 Interview Process Crew Students who wish to interview for crew will be able to sign up on the Crew Interview Sheet available in Drama Studio 1. Financial support Each year, the production is run by staff voluntarily and we are, of course, dependent upon the support of the whole school community to give our students the best possible experience. As you can imagine, the costs of putting on a production can be high. In order to fund aspects of the show such as the hire of the music, lighting and costume we ask that all students make a contribution of 15 at the start of the rehearsal process. If you are in a position where you are able to support the production more generously or you have a business that would like to sponsor the show, please contact us directly. We would be delighted to hear from you! If you are experiencing difficulty in contributing to the production, please contact in confidence Ms Pearson ( pearsons@crispins.co.uk). Every child wanting to be in the show will be. The contribution will not prevent the student from auditioning for the production. Rehearsals We very much appreciate the crucial role that parents/carers play in the success of a large production, and we hope to maintain strong communication links between school and home. With this in mind we have attached the draft rehearsal schedule and uploaded it to the school website for your information. It may be subject to slight changes due to the busy nature of school life, but the students will be made aware in advance of any changes via the Performing Arts noticeboard and twitter@dramacrispins. As a member of the company, each student is responsible for checking the timetable and preparing for the scenes in which they appear. Students will be briefed about how to approach rehearsals, and that teamwork, independence and maturity are key. As well as rehearsing their music they will need to revise their choreography. In the event of a clash with the rehearsal schedule, for example if your son/daughter has an examination or another commitment, please can we request that they inform us, via , at least one day in advance. As in previous productions, we will encourage students to complete homework or revise during any brief moments when they may not be needed in a scheduled rehearsal. Space will be made available for them to do this. In order to make the production available to all students (especially those in exam years) there is an option to join the chorus in a limited role on the audition application form. Yours faithfully, Mrs Kate West Director Head of Drama westk@crispins.co.uk Mr Jamie Hudson Musical Director Head of Music hudsonj@crispins.co.uk

3 Audition Information This audition breakdown includes suggested ages for some characters, but the directors reserve the right to call back people outside those requirements if their audition is strong. On the audition form, you will be asked which part(s) you WILL take and which part(s) you WILL NOT. You will be held to your word! This show has a large chorus and a plethora of solo parts for students of all ages, some of which are mentioned below and some of which are not. Solos for these parts will be cast after auditions. Les Miserables has mature themes and deals with the powerful subject matters of war, death and poverty. There are several scenes that deal with the darker side of the Paris Streets and professions. Please tell the director if you would rather not appear as one of the Lovely Ladies or drunks. Principal Role Requirements and Descriptions: Males JEAN VALJEAN is the hero of the story. It is his life journey that we follow. Jean Valjean is supposed to be stronger than other men, and so physically should appear robust. He should reasonably carry himself as mature and paternal. Valjean's ability to change is his greatest asset. The key to his character is his great humanity and compassion. Jean Valjean is a vocally demanding role. Range: Tenor - Low A to High A Audition Song: The Night (Bring Him Home) JAVERT is the inspector who serves as the antagonist to Jean Valjean. At first glance Javert might appear to be the villain of the story, but on closer examination it is clear that he is not an evil man, but is a man with a profound sense of duty. He sees everything in black and white and is unswerving in his pursuit of justice. His attitudes are rigid and unmoveable. He is stern, foreboding, and lacking in compassion. Must have a very strong and rigid, almost mean, presence and voice. Strong singer and actor. Range: Low F to High F sharp Audition Song: Stars THENARDIER is the true villain of this show, but also the comic relief. He is amoral and an opportunist. That said, he should also possess a wicked sense of humor. He delights in cheating, robbing, fraud and blackmail, relishing every aspect of them with glee. He is tough, greedy, brutal, stupid and crafty and yet irresistible. Strong character role. Does not have to be a good singer. Range: C (below Middle C) to G sharp (above Middle C) Audition Song: The Innkeeper s Song (Master of the House)

4 ENJOLRAS is the student leader and is an old soul. He is handsome, brave, daring, and very mature for his age. He is described by Victor Hugo as a thinker and a man of action. He oozes charisma and confidence. On the barricade he physically and vocally should dominate everyone else. Must have a very strong, confident presence and voice. His death at the barricade is one of the dramatic highlights of the show. Range: Tenor or High Baritone - A to G above the middle C Audition Song: The People s Song (Do You Hear the People Sing?) and possibly ABC Café be ready for both. MARIUS is the handsome romantic hero. Very impulsive, awkward, and naïve, but matures by the end of the show. Marius should have a lyrical voice with a contemporary edge. Range: Low A to High A flat Audition Song: The Café Song (Empty Chairs and Empty Tables) GAVROCHE is a willful, cocky, charismatic boy who lives on the streets and hangs out with the ABC gang. Considers himself the leader of the streets. He is brave and witty. Think a young Artful Dodger. He has a dramatic death at the barricade. Range: B below middle C to G Audition Song: His solo part in The Prologue (Look Down) Age: 11 to 14 years Principal Role Requirements and Descriptions: Females FANTINE is the beautiful young girl who, abandoned by her lover, is left to fend for herself and her daughter Cosette. She is rejected by society and forced through circumstances to become a prostitute. She is a brave woman defeated by life, sustained by her love for her daughter. We witness her descent through poverty, hunger, cold, loneliness and destitution to death. She is a noble and proud character, whose life becomes a series of terrible events that rob her of her pride, character, and ultimately her life. This is a real heartbreaker of a role that requires a mature actress. This actress needs to be comfortable with having her emotions out in the open and has to have the ability to convincingly go from wistful to bitter to heartbroken to shouting at God, all in one song. Fantine s physical and emotional pain needs to be very real. Audition Song: I Dreamed a Dream COSETTE is the beautiful daughter of Fantine. She is an intelligent, inquiring, personable girl. Once adopted by Jean Valjean, Cosette lives a comfortable, if secluded life. She is strong willed and loving. She falls instantly in love with Marius, changing her world and her priorities. The role calls for an excellent singer with a lovely, lyrical soprano voice. Vocal range: B flat below middle C to High C 2 octaves above middle C Audition Song: Rue Plumet (In My Life) and the ending of A Heart Full of Love Reprise

5 EPONINE is the daughter of the Thenardiers. She is a young girl who is streetwise and tough, but also sensitive and lonely. She is in love with Marius, and knowing that he will never love her, she is very vulnerable when it comes to him. She bravely follows Marius to the barricades in the hope that they will die there together. Eponine is a tragic character, hopelessly in love with Marius and dies there. Strong singing and acting. Range: F Sharp below middle C to E Audition Song: The Barricade (On My Own) LITTLE COSETTE is Cosette as a child and the ward of the Thenardiers, who force her into slavery at their inn. She is a trembling little creature, underfed, beaten by Madame Thenardier and bullied by Eponine, but very sweet despite her circumstances. Range: A below middle C to C Audition Song: Little Cosette (Castle on a Cloud) Age: 11 to 14 years MADAME THENARDIER is the drunk and vulgar wife of Thenardier. Madame Thenardier is as "one" with Thenardier. Together they con the world as partners in crime. They were made for each other, although she complains about him. She is coarse and vulgar; unhappy in her existence without knowing why. She is greedy, evil, and larger than life. She is mean and nasty to Little Cosette and able to improvise in nearly any situation. Strong character actress. Does not have to be a strong singer. Range: G Sharp below middle C to D Audition Song: The Innkeeper s Song (Master of the House) Supporting Role Requirements and Descriptions Chorus Audition Song: At the End of the Day Age: 11 to 18 years ABC SOCIETY is a secret society of students and workers, the letters "A" "B" "C", as pronounced in French, make the word "abaisse," which means "the underdog" or "the people below." The members are drawn from wealthy families, and members have chosen to fight for freedom in stark contrast to the poor who have no choice due to their downtrodden circumstance. Additional characters, besides Enjolras and Marius are: COMBEFERRE - Is the philosopher and believer in peace. He is gentle, humane, strong and brave. FEUILLY - Is a self-educated worker, and an orphan. A believer in "nationality." Affectionate, warm and poetic. COURFEYRAC - Is a student. His is youthful, passionate and fearless. JOLY - A medical student. Eccentric and light-hearted, although sometimes morbid. His name is derived from the English word "jolly." PROUVAIRE - A student of social studies. He is kind, softly spoken and at the right moments strong and masterful. He is also a poet.

6 LESEGLES - A student. Cheerful, laughing at life but unlucky. His close friend is Joly. GRANTAIRE - A student. He is the opposite of Enjolras. He believes in nothing. Although he admires Enjolras he loves to mock him. Witty and drunken, he is happy being with the group and they put up with him because of his good humour. He also keeps a watchful eye on Gavroche, the mascot of the group, and is the most heartbroken when Gavroche is killed. So much so that Grantaire abandons his cynicism and rushes to die on the barricade. BISHOP OF DIGNE is the kind man who saves Valjean with his compassion. A very strong supporting role. Needs a very lyric, compassionate, and soothing voice. PIMP controls the prostitutes at the docks. He is mean, aggressive and abusive. The Pimp has a small solo line in "The Docks." Does not have to be a strong singer. FAUCHELEVANT is the victim of the cart crash. Does not have to be a strong singer. JUDGE presides over mistaken Valjean s trial non singing part. MISTAKEN VALJEAN is the man who Javert believes to be Jean Valjean non singing part. FOREMAN begins Fantine on her downward spiral of desperation. He should be virile, commanding and a bit sleazy around the edges. Does not have to be a strong singer. CHAIN GANG consists of Jean Valjean's fellow prisoners. There are four soloists (indicated as convicts 1, 2, 3, 4). CONSTABLES guard the chain gang and catch Valjean when he flees from the Bishop s house. FARMER turns Valjean away. Does not have to be a strong singer. LABOURERS deride Valjean. Do not have to be strong singers. SAILORS are interested in the services of the Lovely Ladies. Do not have to be strong singers. BAMATABOIS is the "customer" who taunts Fantine into violence. He is dressed in expensive clothes. He is a wealthy dissolute young man who thinks of himself as a gentleman. He is drunk and in a sadistic mood and chauvinistically feels it is his right to buy anything, even Fantine. Does not have to be a strong singer. MONTPARNASSE, BABET, BRUJON, and CLAQUESOUS are all members of Thenardier's gang of thieves. LITTLE EPONINE is the pampered daughter of the Thenardiers and a spoiled brat who taunts Little Cosette. The role requires no singing or speaking. FACTORY GIRL fights with Fantine. She is mean, catty and selfish. She also is having an affair with the Foreman and is jealous of Fantine. Strong singer and actress. OLD WOMAN is a nice feature part. This is the character that purchases Fantine's hair. LOVELY LADIES are ladies of the night. FACTORY WORKERS: Strong singing and acting roles. Must be willing to portray prostitutes (not tasteful, but not too bad either) in one scene as Lovely Ladies.

7 STREET URCHINS/GAVROCHE S GANG: Young street orphans who sing and dance in several scenes in the show. HOTEL PATRONS, WEDDING GUESTS, PEOPLE OF PARIS PLEASE NOTE: From this group several smaller solo roles will also be cast. Credit: thetwilighttheatre.com for audition information summary

8 Audition Application Form Les Miserables July 2015 Student Name Form Please tick the role(s) you would like to audition for: JEAN VALJEAN JAVERT THENARDIER ENJOLRAS MARIUS GAVROCHE FANTINE COSETTE EPONINE MADAME THENADIER LITTLE COSETTE Please check the audition information for your audition song MAIN CHORUS (Team 1 or Team 2) Chorus, including minor character roles. MAIN CHORUS (Team 1) Chorus only REDUCED CHORUS (Team 3 or Team 4) Reduced participation and rehearsal time for Exam Years please note that these students will be required to attend additional daytime rehearsals after the end of the exam period. Please contact Ms Pearson ( pearsons@crispins.co.uk) if you are experiencing difficulty in contributing. I have paid the 15 donation online using the Tucasi system I have enclosed 15 cash/cheque payable to St. Crispin s School I have read the information about the audition and rehearsal process. Signed (student) Signed (parent/carer)

9 Payment Procedures - We ask you to use the on-line payment system to pay for this particular event if possible. Payments can be made online by debit or credit however we would be very grateful if you could use a debit card as the school is charged a higher fee for payments by credit card. If you have an online account, please proceed as normal. If you have not previously created an online account please onlinepayments@crispins.co.uk to request a Pupil Link Code and a list of instructions. If you choose to pay by cheque please ensure that the student s name, form and the name of the event are clearly written on the back of the cheque, which should be made payable to St Crispin s School. If paying by cash it must be in a sealed envelope with the students name, form, amount enclosed, and event clearly written on the outside. This event is an optional visit and the school asks that the payment is made as a voluntary contribution to cover the cost. In the event that we are unable to cover the costs the trip may have to be cancelled. If you are experiencing difficulty in paying for this event a written request for support should be submitted to the school office. In the event that the activity is oversubscribed names will be drawn from a hat from all those that have replied by the deadline. Parents are responsible for the prompt collection/return home of students after the event. Please be aware that your emergency contact details are uploaded to a password protected website so that a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Local Authority can access information in the event of an emergency. These details include only names and telephone numbers submitted on your Broadmoor form. If you do not want your details stored in this way please notify the school.