13: The Musical. Important Notes from the Director:

Transcription

1 13: The Musical Important Notes from the Director: Hello! My name is Cassie Greenlee. I am the director for HYT s production of 13 the Musical. I am very excited that you are considering auditioning. There are a few things specific to this musical that I want to make sure all actors and parents are aware of at the start of our audition process. The minimum age requirement for 13 the Musical is twelve. Actors must be twelve or turn twelve before October 7, 2018, to audition for this musical. This is because of the level of complexity of the show, and because of the content. 13 is a musical about young teenagers just starting puberty. Because of that, there is some content in this musical that is not appropriate for younger actors. As you decide whether or not to audition, parents should be aware that this musical contains the following: -Minor mild cursing. -Discussion of French kissing (referred to in the script as doing the Tongue, and once as first base ) -On stage chaste kiss between a boy and a girl -On stage chase kiss between two boys -On stage French kiss between a boy and a girl (NOTE: The characters are French kissing; the actors WILL NOT be. We will use creative staging) -Brief and vague discussion of other sexual acts ( groping is mentioned once, and one song includes false rumors of characters getting to second base and third base. This is as graphic as the language gets. -On stage fighting between two girls -On stage fighting between two boys -Mentions of graphic violence. In one scene, the characters go to a movie rated R for violence and describe in a song what is happening on the screen. The graphic images are not shown to the audience.

2 If parents have any concerns about these elements, they may speak to me about them. I will also encourage all parents and students to read the perusal script available on the second floor of the Wood County District Public Library. While this script is the version published by the composer and book writer and NOT the Musical Theatre International script that we will be performing, the two scripts are very similar and are identical in terms of the more mature content. I also want to note that I am listing these elements in this way because I want to be upfront from the beginning. But I also want to stress that these elements make up relatively little of the show itself. The show is not about doing the Tongue or watching violent movies -- it is about a group of young adolescents trying to figure out who they are in the world and what kind of people they want to be. The emphasis of this show is on the pressures that exists for young teenagers from their peers and their elders, and how they can learn to navigate those pressures and make decisions about their own lives. Auditions for this musical are going to run slightly differently from auditions in the past. In order to streamline the process, we are asking auditioning students to sign up for an audition time slot for their initial audition on our website: horizonyouththeatre.org. If a student would like to audition for 13 but cannot make one of the two initial auditions, they should contact me at cmgreenlee@outlook.com as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements. In order to help students prepare for auditions, I will be teaching two audition prep workshops with the help of our choreographer Tim Barker at HYT s drama club on July 19th and July 26th. I highly encourage students who want to audition to attend these prep workshops. Finally, please be aware that the cast for 13 is small. There are 13 roles and only 13 roles. There is no chorus. All 13 roles speak, sing, and dance. Not every character has a solo song or solo dance break, but every character sings by themselves at least once and is involved in at least two group dances. Casting for this musical will be competitive, and those who are cast will have a lot of challenge elements to learn. I say this not to discourage anyone from auditioning. I want as many people to audition as possible, because even if you are not cast, the experience of auditioning is important to your growth as an actor. I just want you to know before you audition what you are getting yourself into. 13 is a rewarding but challenging show. I am excited to move forward with it, and I hope you are too.

3 13: The Musical Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, (Parade, The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County) 13 is a musical about fitting in and standing out! AGES CALLED: Minimum audition age is 12 years old. Must be twelve or turn twelve before October 7th. No exceptions. AUDITIONS: Students can come to either audition on Sunday or Monday. Sign up for an audition slot on our website - or arrive at 6:00 pm and you will be called as time allows. If a student would like to audition for 13 but cannot make one of the two initial auditions, they should contact the director at cmgreenlee@outlook.com as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements. Sunday, August 5th 6:00-9:00 pm Monday, August 6th 6:00-9:00 pm St Marks Lutheran Church 315 S. College Dr. Bowling Green, Ohio Callbacks will be held on Tuesday August 7th 6:00-9:00 pm. PERFORMANCES: Performances will take place at Otsego High School Tontogany Creek Rd, Tontogany, OH Admission is $10. Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 pm Saturday, October 6 at 7:00 pm Sunday, October 7 at 2:00 pm HOW TO PREPARE: In order to help students prepare for auditions, the director will be teaching two audition prep workshops with the help of our choreographer Tim Barker at HYT s drama club on July 19th and July 26th. I highly encourage students who want to audition to attend these prep workshops. Pre-register up on our website: horizonyouththeatre.org REHEARSALS: Rehearsals are about 8 weeks long and a schedule will be provided. Occasionally, a Saturday or Sunday may be required. Actors are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances unless pre-approved by the director. Unexused absences may result in dismissal. Be sure to communicate with the director. COSTS: There is a $75 participation fee to perform. A discount may be given to siblings and scholarships may be available. No additional fees will be required. One script is provided for each actor. Students for this musical will largely be providing their own costumes.

4 AUDITION MONOLOGUES: Monologues are not required, but students are highly encouraged to prepare one to perform. The director wants to see how well you make acting choices and character decisions. Three monologues from the show are provided below. Students may also prepare a different monologue. Outside monologues should be age-appropriate, as all the characters in our play are teenagers. Monologues should be no longer than one minute. Students will have the opportunity to perform their monologue during their singing audition. Monologue 1: My name is Evan Goldman. I live at 224 West 92nd Street, in the heart of Manhatten, and my life just went to hell. You wanna talk about turning 13? It s a nightmare! First of all, my parents are splitting up. Second of all (he points to a pimple on his chin) can you see this? What is THIS? What did I do to deserve this? I ve got one good thing happening this whole year: My Bar Mitzvah. The Jewish Super Bowl. I don t care how much my parents hate each other. They d better pull it together and make sure everything about this party is absolutely, positively, for once, please God, perfect! Monologue 2: Evan, wait. Before you pass those out... if those guys know I m coming, there won t be a party. I ve been trying to tell you for the last month, they hate me. I know because they write, We hate you on my locker. Look, I don t read what they read, watch what they watch, shop where they shop or think what they think, and neither do you. Trust me, you should stay away from those guys. Monologue 3: It s not what I think? Is that my girlfriend? Were you touching her? Then it s what I think. You re not gonna talk your way outta this one, Brain, we all saw what you did. So go on back to your loser friends, they re the only ones coming to your lame birthday party anyway. None of the rest of us were ever going to. You think we d be stuck with that bunch of freaks? Forget it, loser.

5 SINGING AUDITIONS Students should prepare bars (approximately one verse) of an age-appropriate contemporary musical theatre song. If possible, bring sheet music for your song to the audition. An accompanist will be provided. If sheet music cannot be obtained, a karaoke track will also work, but you must provide a way to play the track. Please do not sing along with a recorded voice. If neither sheet music nor karaoke track can be obtained, the student may sing a capella (without accompaniment), but this is not preferred, as it provides a challenge for the production team in terms of gauging how well the student can stay in pitch with accompaniment. Your sung audition should show off your vocal range and power, as well as demonstrate your ability to tell a story while singing. Song selections should not be longer than three minutes. If the song runs over this time, the production team will stop the singer, in the interest of moving auditions along as efficiently as possible. DANCE AUDITIONS Dance auditions will be held in small groups in twenty minute time slots. Students do not need to prepare any dance ahead of time. A short dance will be taught to you by our choreographer during the audition. We are not looking for perfection! We are looking to see how well you can learn dance elements in a short period of time. A small handful of characters in the show will be asked to perform more specialized dance skills. These skills will be catered to the talents of our cast. Therefore, if you have been trained in dance or gymnastics, there will be an opportunity for you to show the production team what movement skills you have. COLD READS Cold reads and acting specific auditions WILL NOT be held until callbacks. Therefore, it is important that you use every opportunity in your initial audition (monologue, song, dance) to show us your acting abilities.

6 Audition Form Student Name: Age: School: Grade: Height: Hair Color: Contact Phone: Contact Address: Vocal Part (if known): Vocal Range (if known): Years and type of Singing Experience, if any: Years and type of Dance Experience, if any: Which role would you prefer: Will you accept any role in the performance? Where did you hear about this audition? PARENT: Please read and initial each section below. If my student participates in this HYT activity I understand there is a participation fee. A discount may be given to siblings and scholarships may be available. No additional fees will be required. Students may be required to provide their own costume pieces. I understand students will not be permitted to use electronic devices, such as cell phones, etc. during rehearsals. Use during rehearsals may be cause for removal from the cast. I authorize the use of still photographs and videotape film without restriction as to time for Horizon Youth Theatre archives and promotional material and for the personal portfolios of the show director(s). This information may be used for internal and external communications and/or with media (newspapers, promotional material, etc). I release Horizon Youth Theatre from any responsibility in this manner. I understand my address will be added to the HYT list (for updates on auditions, shows, camps, and classes).

7 Conflicts Student Name: Please list all afternoon, evening, and weekend conflicts you have between now and the performance. Be sure to include all sports, dance, scouts, mid-week church activities, 4-H, choir, chess, school clubs, orchestra, band, etc. Conflicts not listed here (other than last-minute school events) will require director approval, which may not be granted. Activity Day Time Can you miss this?

8 Previous Experience Please include backstage experience. List most recent first. Student Name: Show Role Month/Year Director Company

9 Media Release Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name: Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian Phone: I hereby grant permission for you to photograph, videotape, and/or to record my child s voice and sounds and to use any or all such photographs, recordings, and reproductions thereof in and/or as a part of any motion picture, video production, broadcast, published products, related advertising (including internet/websites), displays, or in exhibition uses. I further grant the use of my child s name in connection with my comments and opinions. I hereby grant and assign to HYT all non-exclusive rights of every type and nature and the unlimited distribution and other utilization of the pictures, images, tapes or products by any method or in any manner and in any and all media, including theatrical, non-theatrical, radio, videocassette, television, electronic usage, and printed products, and to advertise and publicize said products, in perpetuity, throughout the world. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product and the advertising or other copy that may be used in connection herein. The parties to this contract expressly agree that the laws of Ohio shall govern the validity, construction, interpretation, and effect of this contract. If I no longer desire to abide by this agreement, I will contact HYT to remove my child from this photo release. I hereby approve and consent to the use of (name of child above) video image, printed image, and name, as well as comments and opinions expressed, according to the terms mentioned above. I affirm that I have the legal right to issue such consent. I have read and grant permission I have read and DO NOT grant permission Parent/Guardian Signature Date: