The Lion King, Playbill and Spotlight Auditions

Audition Date Time Number: 2016-17 The Lion King, Playbill and Spotlight Auditions This is your Audition Packet. Please read it thoroughly. It contains: 1. Spotlight auditioning instructions. 2. Playbill auditioning instructions; including mandatory dates for next year. If you are accepted into Playbill, the rehearsal dates are mandatory and graded. 3. Monologues (for The Lion King, Playbill and Spotlight auditions). 4. Music (for The Lion King and Playbill auditions only). 5. Your actual audition form which you will fill out and bring to your audition. Attach your photo! 6. Code of Conduct for Lion King. If you are auditioning for Playbill but would like to be considered for Spotlight should you not make Playbill, be sure to circle both classes!

Audition Information Sheet 1. Sign up for an audition time and get a number. Read all information below: 2. Select and memorize one monologue from the list in this packet. You will be rated on characterization, movement and gestures, concentration and facial expression. 3. Fill out the AUDITION FORM and bring it with you to your audition. Check in desk will be outside of Room D105. Please arrive 5 minutes early. 4. Wear clothes that you can easily move in; NO short skirts. Do not wear flip-flops. 5. Try to relax and have fun. Be sure to be a good (respectful) audience while others in your group audition. Behavior during auditions will impact casting decisions. 6. The Spotlight 2015-2016 class list will be posted on the HPMS drama website as soon as we have the lists completed. Postings will be by number and not name so remember your number. The website is linked to the school website. Go to hpms.hpisd.org and follow directions to the drama page. KEEP THIS SHEET FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND AUDITION NUMBER. Audition Date Time Number:

AUDITION FORM for The Lion King, Playbill and Spotlight I WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE LION KING PLAYBILL SPOTLIGHT (CIRCLE all that apply) Name: Audition number Current grade: Phone number: Contact parent name: Parent e-mail: Previous theatre/music/dance experience (you may use the reverse but do not add additional sheets) Special talents: gymnastics juggling/magic other: Please list times & activities when you cannot rehearse; activities you cannot reschedule. DAY: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday BEFORE SCHOOL: AFTER SCHOOL: For Playbill Auditions only: Fall production dates are Oct. 19-23. Mandatory rehearsals are the Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dates prior to productions. These rehearsals and productions are graded assignments. For The Lion King Auditions: MANDATORY REHEARSALS FOR THE LION KING are: April 9,11,12 and 13. Production dates are April 14, 15, 16 and 17. DO NOT audition if you cannot make these dates!!!! Student Signature Parent Signature ATTACH A RECENT PHOTO AND BRING THIS SHEET TO YOUR AUDITION. If you are auditioning for THE LION KING, bring signed CODE OF CONDUCT also.

Code of Conduct for THE LION KING Please read through the following information and sign where indicated. THERE ARE NO SMALL PARTS. Everyone is essential to this production. We do not have stars. No single actor is more important than any other actor. We want to create an ensemble as well as a memorable, positive experience for all. We expect parents to model this behavior and encourage their child to create a positive atmosphere. RESPECT OTHERS. It is expected that all students be respectful, polite, humble and truthful to their fellow cast mates, directors, crew and staff. Negative attitudes, gossip, bullying, defiance, foul language, eye rolling or other forms of disrespect will not be tolerated. This includes any form of social media, including instagram, facebook or group text. This is grounds for dismissal from the production. RESPECT FOR OUR SPACE AND MATERIALS. Our rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms and theatre need to be respected. Please do not leave garbage or your belongings. We are very fortunate to have wonderful costumes and props. Treat them with respect. Costumes are to be hung up or places in your bin. Do NOT touch anyone else s props!! FOLOWING DIRECTION. Full participation and attention is required from every actor and crewmember. We have a limited amount of rehearsal time. Lines, songs and dances must be memorized in a timely manner. Being on time and ready for rehearsal/performance is a must. There are NO CELLPHONES allowed in rehearsals or performances. NO FOOD or GUM is allowed in the theatre or the dressing rooms. REHEARSAL SCHEDULES will be posted on the websites. Be sure to check them! Missing a MANDATORY practice will result in dismissal from cast or crew. Be sure to tell the directors ahead of time if you will be missing a regular rehearsal. If you miss a rehearsal, remember that you are likely to not be included in the scene or musical number that was blocked. PASSING GRADES are required for participation in cast and crew. Use your off-stage time for homework! MANDATORY REHEARSALS FOR THE LION KING are: April 9,11,12 and 13. Production dates are April 14, 15, 16 and 17. Do NOT audition if you cannot make all mandatory rehearsals and production dates!!! I have read, understand and agree to the above requirements for participation in THE LION KING. Student Signature Parent Signature

Playbill Audition Information Sheet 1. Sign up for an audition time and get a number. Read all information below: 2. Select and memorize one monologue from the list in this packet. You will be rated on characterization, movement and gestures, concentration and facial expression. 3. Prepare to sing one of the songs from the music section of this packet. 4. Fill out the AUDITION FORM and bring it with you to your audition. Check in desk will be outside of Room D105. Please arrive 5 minutes early. 5. Wear clothes that you can easily move in; NO short skirts. Do not wear flip-flops. If you have jazz shoes, wear them for your dance audition. However, jazz shoes are NOT required. 6. You will rotate through three auditions: a) Music, in which you will sing your song b) Drama, in which you will present your monologue and do a short improvisation c) Dance, in which you will learn some dance steps and dance them back as a group. 7. Try to relax and have fun. Be sure to be a good (respectful) audience while others in your group audition. Behavior during auditions will impact casting decisions. 8. The Playbill 2016-17 class list will be posted on the HPMS drama website as soon as we have the lists completed. Postings will be by number and not name so remember your number. The website is linked to the school website. Go to hpms.hpisd.org and follow directions to the drama page. Fall production dates are October 19-23. Mandatory rehearsals are the Saturday, and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday prior to each performance. Do NOT audition if you cannot make all dates. Frequently asked questions: How often will I have rehearsal? The number of rehearsals depends on the size of your role. If you have a lead (large role) you can expect to rehearse about four times per week. If you have a chorus role, you will rehearse about twice a week until the last three weeks when rehearsals will increase. What if I have a conflict with rehearsals? It is very important that you make as many rehearsals as possible. New material is learned and new parts are often assigned which you will miss. We attempt to work around all school activities until the last week of the show when we have mandatory rehearsals. We work closely with the MIS/HPMS coaches to coordinate activities. You must attend mandatory rehearsals to be in the show (see dates above). Do only 8 th graders get lead roles? Lead roles generally go to older students because they have more experience. However, this is not always the case. We always put the person whom we feel is best suited in each part. How many new students will be in Playbill? We anticipate about 150 students will audition. We will add 25-30 students to the current class for a total of about 45-50. Questions?? Contact Ms. McCormick (mccorms@hpisd.org) Audition Date Time Number:

The Lion King Audition Information Sheet 1. Sign up for an audition time and get a number. Read all information below: 2. Select and memorize one monologue from the list in this packet. You will be rated on characterization, movement and gestures, concentration and facial expression. 3. Prepare to sing one of the songs in the music section in this packet. 4. Fill out the AUDITION FORM and bring it with you to your audition. Check in desk will be outside of Room D105. Please arrive 5 minutes early. 5. Wear clothes that you can easily move in; NO short skirts. Do not wear flip-flops. If you have jazz shoes, wear them for your dance audition. However, jazz shoes are NOT required. 6. You will rotate through three auditions: a) Music, in which you will sing your song. b) Drama, in which you will present your monologue and do a short improvisation. c) Dance, in which you will learn some dance steps and dance them back as a group. 7. Try to relax and have fun. Be sure to be a good (respectful) audience while others in your group audition. Behavior during auditions will impact casting decisions. Frequently asked questions: How often will I have rehearsal? The number of rehearsals depends on the size of your role. If you have a lead (large role) you can expect to rehearse about four times per week. If you have a chorus role, you will rehearse about twice a week until the last three weeks when rehearsals will increase. When are rehearsals? Rehearsals are after school except for the last week of rehearsals when we will rehearse on a Sat. and the Mon.- Wed. before opening night, we rehearse from 3:45-8:30. What if I have a conflict with rehearsals? It is very important that you make as many rehearsals as possible. New material is learned and new parts are often assigned which you will miss. We attempt to work around all school activities until the last week of the show when we have mandatory rehearsals. We work closely with the MIS/HPMS coaches to coordinate activities. You must attend mandatory rehearsals to be in the show (see dates above). Do only 8 th graders get lead roles? Lead roles generally go to older students because they have more experience. However, this is not always the case. We always put the person whom we feel is best suited in each part. How many new students will be in The Lion King? We anticipate casting about 90 students in cast and crew of the show. Production dates are and April 14-17. Mandatory rehearsals are the Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dates prior to productions. DO NOT audition if you cannot make these dates!!!!

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS for THE LION KING Character Breakdown: Rafiki A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong singing voice. Vocal Range A3 - C5 Character Breakdown: EnsembleThe ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. Be sure to cast many strong singers. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers in "The Lioness Hunt" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." Character Breakdown: Mufasa The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the king. Vocal Range B3 - C5 Character Breakdown: Sarabi A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen. Character Breakdown: Zazu The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl. Character Breakdown: Scar The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humor. As his solos can be spoken, opt for an actor over a singer. Vocal Range A3 - A4 Character Breakdown: Young Simba The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny. Cast a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role. Vocal Range B3 - E5 Character Breakdown: Simba Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so cast a more mature actor. Be sure that the change in actors is clear: Try having Young Simba hand-off a costume piece, such as a medallion, to older Simba. Also be sure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary. Vocal Range B3 - E5 Character Breakdown: Lionesses The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." These actors should be strong singers, as the material can be challenging. Depending on the complexity of your choreography, particuarly for "The Lioness Hunt," strong dancers may be desirable as well. Character Breakdown: Young Nala A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. While Young Nala does sing a little, look for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub. Vocal Range A3 - C5 Character Breakdown: Nala Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar, so cast a more mature actress to play the character beginning in Scene 10, As with older Simba and Young Simba, ensure that this switch in actors performing a single role is clear. Direct the actors to share a mask or costume piece that distinctly represents Nala, as well as a movement vocabulary. Vocal Range G3 Character Breakdown: Sarafina A featured lioness and Nala's mother. She has one short, spoken line, so consider giving this part to an actor who is putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness. Character Breakdown: Shenzi One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.

Character Breakdown: Banzai A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. Character Breakdown: Ed The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl. Character Breakdown: Hyenas Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared." Cast actors who are able to sing the background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters. Your hyenas can double as animals of the Pridelands or lionesses. Character Breakdown: Timon An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl. Vocal Range B3 - B4 Character Breakdown: Pumbaa A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast a boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor. Vocal Range D4 - G5

Choose ONE of the following monologues, memorize to present with expression, gestures and facial expression. Rafiki (male or female) Talking to Simba. Rafiki is all-knowing and wise. Who am I? The question is who are you? I know who you are. You are Mufasa s boy. I know your father. Youre father is not dead. Wrong again! He s alive! I ll show him to you. Shhh Look down there Look into the pool of water. Look harder. Mufasa (male) First he is speaking to Simba and then to Scar. He needs to have a commanding presence. Sit by me. Look, Simba: everything the light touches is our kingdom. A king s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise on you as the new king. Everything the light touches will be yours. But you must remember never go into the Shadowlands, Simba. Scar! Sarabi and I did not see you at the presentation of Simba. As the king s brother, you should have been first in line. Don t turn your back on me, Scar! Are you challenging me? Scar (male) He is speaking to young Simba. We need to see and hear hear the sarcasm and intent of evil. You re going to be king of Pride Rock? Oh goodie. Well forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know. Your father didn t show you what s beyond the rise at the northern border, did he? No, it s far too dangerous. Only the bravest lions go there. An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince. Oh dear, I ve said too much. Just promise me you ll never visit that dreadful place. Run along now, and remember, it s our little secret. Young Simba (male) He s talking to his friend, Nala and then to Zazu, the bird. Hey Nala! I just heard about a great place. Come on! This is a place your mother would never go! It s really cool! What do you mean, Someday Nala and I will be married?! Yuck! Ewww! I can t marry her. She s my friend! Older Simba (male) speaking to Scar upon his return from exile. Give me one good reason why I shouldn t rip you apart. Step down, Scar. The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down or fight. I am not a murderer. You re the murderer! You don t deserve to live. But Scar, I am not like you. Run. Run away, Scar. Run away and never return. Young Nala (female) Hi Simba! I was going hunting with my mother but where do you want to go? It better not be any place lame! The Waterhole? What s so great about the Waterhole? So where re we really goin? And how re we gonna ditch the dodo? Older Nala (female) Speaking to Simba after years of him being gone.

Simba!? Simba! What do you mean what am I doing here? What are you doing here? I can t believe this! Everyone thinks you re dead. Scar told us about the stampede. What else matters? You re alive and that means you re the king! It s like you re back from the dead. I ve really missed you. Timon (male or female) talking to Pumba Yikes! What have we got here? Yikes! It s a lion! Run Pumba! Move it! Pumba, are you nuts? Lions eat guys like us! And he s just gonna get bigger. Hey, I ve got it! What if he s on our side? Ya know, havin a lion around might not be such a bad idea! Pumba (male or female) Talking to Timon, then to Young Simba Un-oh. Hey Timon, ta better come look. I think it s still alive. Aw, Timon, he s so cute and all alone. Can we keep him? He s so little. So, what s eatin ya? What ja do, kid? Anything we can do to help? Ya know, in times like this, my buddy Timon here says: You gotta put your behind in your past. Ha-ku-na ma-ta-ta. It means no worries. Zazu (male or female) He, Young Simba and Young Nala have stumbled into the Hyena lair. This is waaaay beyond the boundary of the Pridelands. Very dangerous! Whoops! A simple navigational error, let me assure you. We ll be leaving now. Oh, my, my, my. Look at the sun. It s time to go!