NOVA s Les Misérables AUDITION PACK. Production Team. Director.. Noel Browne. Musical Director Phil Osborne. Choreographer Wayne Robinson

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1 AUDITION PACK Production Team Director.. Noel Browne Musical Director Phil Osborne Choreographer Wayne Robinson

NOVA s production of Les Misérables will be performed at the Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading from 28 October 12 November, 2017.

2 NOVA s production of Les Misérables will be performed at the Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading from 28 October 12 November, Rehearsals are usually held in Box Hill on Sundays 1pm 5pm and Monday & Thursday evenings 7pm 11pm. Production week will be October with a call time at the theatre of 6pm to approximately 12 pm. There will also be a mandatory photocall and a mandatory weekend rehearsal with dates to be advised at the first rehearsal. AUDITIONS Where: Boronia K-12 College Theatre, enter from Rangeview Rd, Boronia. (Melway 65 B8) Please park in the lower car park and follow the path between the buildings. You ll see the performing arts building straight ahead. Do not park in the Albert Ave carpark. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your audition time in order to complete the required paper work. Please print and complete the audition form at the end of this pack and bring it with you with a headshot attached. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Singing (all roles): Auditionees should prepare TWO contrasting songs for their audition The songs should be from a musical (but not from Les Misérables) and in a style that is consistent with the character you are auditioning for. This should be something that you are very comfortable with not something you learned the day before! Please bring sheet music (in the correct key). There will be an accompanist at the audition. Backing CDs are not acceptable. Please be aware that you may not get to sing all/and/or both of your song/s. We are expecting large numbers of people to audition, so if the Audition Panel feels they have heard enough to determine your vocal quality they may stop you mid note. This should not be taken as any indicator of whether you will or will not be cast!!

3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL AUDITIONEES No roles have been pre-cast. Audition time is strictly limited so use your time to show the panel what you can do. No extra time will be available. The panel will be looking for vocal quality, range and pitch as well as dramatic and movement ability. Audition pieces should be well prepared. Remember, it is in your own interests to present yourself well. An accompanist will be provided. Singing unaccompanied or with a CD is not acceptable. All auditions are private and may only be attended by the panel and auditionees. Your singing audition will take about 5 mins and consists of you singing your selected song for the panel. The panel will evaluate your song selection on what we hear. We know what we are looking for, so don t be concerned if you are not required to sing an entire song. Please don't apologise to the panel for the state of your health or your voice. Please printout and complete the last 2 pages of this document and attach your headshot and bring this with you to your audition. There will be recalls as required. Those required for a call back will be notified as soon as possible after the initial round of auditions. All auditionees will be notified of the outcome of their audition as soon as possible. Please do not contact us, we will definitely contact you. Rehearsals are held on Sunday afternoons, Monday & Thursday nights. We expect all cast to be available to attend auditions. Please provide us with any dates you are not available during the rehearsal process. And most of all, enjoy it!! This is your moment to shine! Please note that NOVA Music Theatre reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to not cast any role from these auditions if, in the opinion of the Audition Panel, the right person for the role is not found. In this event NOVA may pursue other means to fill a vacant role. ABOUT LES MISERABLES Victor Hugo s novel Les Misérables, upon which the musical production is closely based, was published in Born to a middle-class family, Hugo rose to fame and controversy as a novelist and playwright; his other most famous work is The Hunchback of Notre Dame. During the reign of Napoleon, he jeopardized his life and career by leading rebellious protests against the new Empire. While in exile, he wrote Les Misérables, which was a huge popular success. Notably, neither the novel nor the musical adaptation take place during the French Revolution proper; both are set during the minor Student Revolution of June 1832, a series of riots following the death of Jean Maximilien Lamarque, a liberal politician beloved by working-class Parisians. Hugo s commentary on this relatively recent political event met with humorously-mixed critical reactions: cynical literary peers wrote it off as too Christian, while the Vatican publicly burned copies of the socialist tract. Over a century later, composer Alain Boublil remembered the Hugo novel while watching a production of the musical Oliver!, in which the Artful Dodger parallels Les Mis s Gavroche. Returning to the book with his long-time collaborator Claude-Michel Schönberg, the writer began to unravel the narrative threads of the multi-linear plot, which Schönberg describes as like a big river you have the feeling of the river rolling and rolling until the sea. In 1980, the first draft of the

4 adaptation was completed, the French concept album sold over 260,000 copies, and a preliminary production became a solid triumph, playing Paris s Palais de Sports for a three-month run. In 1982, the concept album came to the attention of mega-musical producer Cameron Mackintosh, already acclaimed for the runaway success of Cats, among other risky, high-budget productions. Mackintosh recruited James Fenton to translate and adapt the lyrics and Trevor Nunn, then-artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, to direct. Along with John Caird, Nunn directed the first English-language production, which opened at London s Barbican Theatre as an RSC production in Across the globe, Les Misérables popular success has been paramount and undeniable. Three different productions have run on Broadway: the 1987 original production, which ran until 2003; the 2006 revival, which ran until 2008; and the most recent 2014 revival. The original production garnered 6 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil), Best Original Score (Claude-Michel Schonberg & Herbert Kretzmer), Best Director (John Caird & Trevor Nunn), Best Lighting Design (David Hersey), Best Scenic Design (John Napier), and acting trophies for Frances Ruffelle ( Éponine) and Michael Maguire (Enjolras). In its 25-year history, audiences have also experienced Les Misérables through countless international and national tours, concerts, and regional productions, with some fans returning to see the musical dozens of times. CHARACTERS & VOCAL RANGES Character Gender Role Vocal Range Jean Valjean Male Lead High Baritone/Tenor Javert Male Lead Baritone Fantine Female Lead Mezzo-Soprano Cosette Female Lead Soprano Marius Male Lead High Baritone/Tenor Éponine Female Lead Mezzo-Soprano Thenardier Male Supporting Baritone Madame Thenardier Female Supporting Mezzo-Soprano Enjolras Male Supporting Baritone Gavroche Male Supporting Boy Soprano Bishop of Digne Male Featured Bass Young Cosette Female Featured Child Soprano Combeferre, an ABC Café Male Featured Baritone Student Other Featured Male roles Male Featured including: ABC Café Students, Farmer, Foreman, Pimp, Bamatabois, Other Featured Female Female Featured roles including: Farmer s Wife, Factory Girls, Crone, Young Éponine Ensemble Both Ensemble Various

5 Character Descriptions Jean Valjean Adult/Mature Adult Above all else, Valjean, the central protagonist, seeks redemption. After nineteen years of hard labour as a prisoner, Valjeans discovers that freedom does not entitle him to human compassion. Deeply pious, extremely physically strong, and resourceful, Valjean rises to respectability as a factory owner, but then spends much of the musical trying to outrun Javert and his own sense of shame. He is haunted by his past and the fear of re-imprisonment, and he will risk anything for the happiness and safety of his adopted daughter, Cosette. Self-sacrificing almost to a fault, Valjean dies at peace, secure in the knowledge that his compassionate life has redeemed his prior trespasses. Les Mis tracks the entire second half of Jean Valjean s life, from middle-age to death, and the role requires extreme physical and vocal endurance from an extraordinary singer-actor. Javert Adult/Mature Adult Besides Valjean, Javert is the only other character in the show who travels through the entire story. Though he is, strictly-speaking, the antagonist of Les Mis, Javert is by no means a simply evil or thoughtless villain. He earnestly believes that an unyielding, objective interpretation of morality and the law is the best way to maintain order. Though he came from poverty and worked his way to respectability, Javert hypocritically believes that others cannot change their destinies, and he therefore becomes obsessed by the desire to capture Valjean. He is also a man of deep faith, and he is unable to process or exist in a world where that faith is shaken. Must be an extremely strong-singer actor with enough vocal and energetic presence to match Valjean. Fantine Young Adult/Adult Initially employed as a worker in Valjean s factory, Fantine loses her job when the Factory Girl reveals the existence of her illegitimate daughter, Cosette. Though Fantine once knew great love and happiness as a young woman, she now finds herself penniless and friendless. Desperate to survive and return to her young daughter, Fantine sells her jewelry and hair, and then turns to prostitution. Even when sexually harassed and attacked by the Factory Foreman,, Fantine fights to maintain what dignity and honor she can, and before her death, she secures a promise from Valjean that he will raise Cosette as his own. Driven to resourcefulness by tremendous love, Fantine personifies sacrifice and the high price of injustice. In many productions, this role requires unarmed physical combat. Cosette Late Teen/Young Adult Now grown into a lovely ingénue, Cosette retains much of her childish curiosity and naiveté. Since Valjean is still a fugitive from the law, he over-protectively sequesters Cosette away from the world and continues to

6 treat her like a fragile child who is lost in a wood. Comfortable but restless, Cosette seeks knowledge of her past from Valjean, to whom she is deeply loyal and loving. She falls in love with Marius at first sight, devotedly nurses him back to health after the Barricade falls, and eventually marries him. As a foil to Éponine, Cosette symbolizes redemption and uncorrupted innocence, and as such, if often played by a young-looking actress with a legit, pure vocal tone. Marius Young Adult Idealistic, loyal, and handsome, Marius believes that political activism and intellectual enlightenment can overcome injustice. Although Marius comes from wealth and status, the young student sympathizes with the plight of the urban poor, and along with his best friend Enjolras, he incites the Student Revolution. After falling in love with Cosette, Marius is torn between the roles of lover and fighter. Over the course of the musical, the loss he endures and the risks he takes carry him from adolescence into manhood. Éponine Late Teen/Young Adult Éponine is the scrappy, quick-thinking daughter of the Thenardiers. A foil to Cosette, she loves and is obsessed by Marius, who remains ignorant of her passion. Éponine s beauty, though unpolished, radiates from her bravery and devotion. Though not educated, Éponine s rough upbringing has made her streetsmart. After dressing as a boy in order to fight on the Barricade, Éponine follows Marius into battle and dies in his arms. Traditionally, the character has been played as a gamine waif, but since Éponine s physical appearance is never explicitly described, this role has been cast much more diversely in recent productions. Above all, the role requires a spectacular belt voice for On My Own, which has become an iconic standard. Thenardier Adult A shameless Master of the House, the innkeeper Thenardier is an unapologetic, scheming pragmatist who steals from and overcharges his guests. He advises the audience to see the world not as they would like it to be, but as it actually is. Villainous and witty, Thenardier manages a gang of organized criminals, but always keeps an eye out for himself. Husband and accomplice to Madame Thenardier and father to Éponine, Thenardier switches rapidly between jolly banter and menacing threat Thus, Thenardier and Madame Thenardier as a pair hover between villains and comic relief buffoons. Though they serve up a number of uncomfortable truths about the realities of class warfare, the Thenardiers are characters that the audience loves to hate. This role is often played by a physically distinctive character actor. Madame Thenardier Adult Like her husband, Madame Thenardier is a selfish, scheming con-woman. Though she fantasizes about wealth and respectability for her family, she acknowledges that the chance for a better life (and a better husband) is

7 probably behind her. Clever but cruel, she survives by mistreating and cheating anyone she can get her hands on, including Young Cosette and guests at her inn. She is endearing in her vulgarity. This role is often played by a physically distinctive character actress. Enjolras Young Adult Politically radical and wildly charismatic, Enjolras leads the students in their rebellion against the French government; he is physically and vocally commanding presence. Though tremendously loving of his ABC comrades, Enjolras doesn t hesitate to criticize his brothers in arms when their resolve wavers. He believes that thought must be matched by action, and he subsequently sacrifices his life for the ideals of Liberté, Égalité, et Fraternité. Gavroche Child Playful, sly, street-smart, and a little arrogant, Gavroche is a small boy who guides the audience through the gutters of Paris. In essence, he is similar to the Artful Dodger in Oliver full of energy and wise beyond his years. Never shy to speak his mind, lovable Gavroche believes that even little people can enact big changes. He goes to deadly ends to impress the ABC students, whom he idolizes; Gavroche s tragic death on the Barricade is an emotional climax of the show. Bishop of Digne Adult/Mature Adult A man of true faith, goodness, and devotion to his fellow man, the Bishop radiates kindness and warmth. After Valjean s release from prison, the Bishop welcomes him with respect and trust: even when Valjean betrays that trust by stealing the Church s precious candlesticks, the Bishop offers absolution and mercy to the desperate fugitive. Though the Bishop appears only briefly, his voice must be rich and powerful. The actor playing the Bishop also doubles in the ensemble. Young Cosette Child Fantine s daughter, now under the care of the Thenardiers. Though curious, hopeful, and hardworking, Cosette is viciously abused by Madame Thenardier and Thenardier, who constantly set her on errands and chores around their inn. Cosette dreams of a better, safer life and of a loving family dreams that come true when Valjean adopts her.

Song 1 Song 2 Name.. Address:. Phone:. Mobile:.. E-Mail. Role you are auditioning for:.

Dance: Y N List your experience & training here or attach CV.

8 Song 1 Song 2 Name.. Address:. Phone:. Mobile:.. . Role you are auditioning for:... Will you accept another role: Y N Will you work in chorus: Y N Do you read music: Y N Play an instrument: Y N Dance: Y N List your experience & training here or attach CV. Are you auditioning for another production: Y N Are you in another production: Y N Are you available to Rehearse on Monday & Thursday evenings & Sunday PM: Y N List any dates you are unavailable:..

9 Please be sure that you are prepared to give this production your FULL commitment! In order to present a professional standard production, we expect the cast to approach it professionally, in every way! We require you to attend all rehearsals as called and devote time to develop your Acting, Singing & Movement skills in order to convincingly portray your character. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be issued regularly giving adequate notice of your required rehearsal calls attendance. Initial music calls will be held for the first few weeks Monday & Thursday & choreography will follow on Sunday afternoons. Setting scenes (blocking) will commence as the music is learned. All scheduled rehearsals MUST be attended! Absences disrupt the rehearsal process. *NOTE! Absences may necessitate replacing you in the production!* To meet the above criteria the following must be agreed to: Attend rehearsals as called. Contribute to the production enthusiastically. Take direction. Wear costumes, wigs & makeup as directed. Attend publicity/photo calls. Attend working bees as rostered. Supply footwear as directed by wardrobe coordinator. Give full co-operation at all times to the production team. Attend costume calls. Arrive on time (10 minutes before start time) in order to start promptly. Do not miss any rehearsal calls. Maintain a positive and supportive attitude towards the company and the production team! It is a committee requirement that you sell 20 tickets to the show. I have read the above and, if accepted into the production, I agree to abide by these criteria. I agree to have my name listed on the cast list to be published on the NOVA & the Theatre People web sites & used for other publicity. YES NO Signed Date..

AUDITION INFORMATION. For the Cast of Albatross Musical Theatre Company Production of Boublil and Schöenbergs LES MISERABLES

AUDITION INFORMATION. For the Cast of Albatross Musical Theatre Company Production of Boublil and Schöenbergs LES MISERABLES amtc albatross musical theatre company AUDITION INFORMATION For the Cast of Albatross Musical Theatre Company Production of Boublil and Schöenbergs LES MISERABLES Welcome all members and auditionees It