The Lion King Jr. Audition Letter Welcome to the cast of The Lion King Jr! We know that the audition process can feel somewhat overwhelming, and hope that this letter will answer all of your questions and put you at ease about the entire process. Our goal for auditions is to make it a fun experience for all involved. Rosa Parks Drama Department holds closed auditions, which means that no one other than the production team and cast members will remain in the cafeteria during the audition process. A parent or designated person will need to pick up the cast member at the end of auditions. Cast members will be supervised at all times and are required to stay throughout the entire audition process. General Information: Auditions will take place afterschool, Tuesday, February 5 th in the cafeteria. Auditions will be from 3:00pm 6:30pm. Audition Schedule: 3:00pm 3:30pm Check in (Sign in & turn in necessary paperwork). 3:30pm 4:00pm Huddle up (We will go over the audition process, expectations, Q&A). 4:00pm 4:30pm Learn choreography. 4:30pm 6:30pm Auditions start. 6:30pm Pickup. Materials and Preparation: Each cast member will be asked to sing and dance during auditions. Song selections can be found online, on YouTube.com. Song selections are attached in this packet. Cast members are given over a month to prepare for auditions. The only thing students should come to auditions prepared for, is their song selection. The dance will be taught and performed on audition day. If you have any questions regarding attached materials, please feel free to email me. Brian_D_Morgan@mcpsmd.org Every cast member is expected to sing and dance at audition, even if you aren t auditioning for a lead role. However, if you would also like to audition for of the lead/featured roles please list that inside your packet, and select your song for which role you would be auditioning for. Singing Cast members will be called individually to perform the General Audition song for the audition panel. Please prepare all measures given even if
there are multiple characters (male and female) featured in the piece. All song selections will be performed to songs instrumental track. Dialogue This section has been removed from this year s audition process. Students will only be asked to prepare a song for auditions, and learn a dance at auditions. Dancing Cast members will be taught a dance piece at the start of auditions, and will perform the dance piece at the conclusion of their audition. Lead Option Any cast member who would like to audition for a lead/featured role should prepare the Lead Audition song. What to Bring: Completed Audition Form. Do not leave any information out! Every piece of information is important for the casting process. Complete Code of Conduct form. Dance shoes (jazz, hip hop, ballet) or sneakers. No bare feet. No boots. No sandals. No flip-flops. No crocs. No stocking feel. Water and simple mess-free snack: Please consider nerves can be high during auditions and choose your snack appropriately. You might also want to bring a book or other quiet activity in the event that there is any down time. Cast members will be responsible for their personal belongings. Casting: Casting begins immediately after auditions and the cast list will be posted outside the cafeteria, no later than Friday the 8 th. We fully understand the anticipation involved while waiting for the cast list to be posted. Please keep in mind that this is a process that takes time and thoughtful consideration. The production team will do everything possible to complete casting in a timely fashion. We look forward to seeing everyone! Brian Morgan Marcel Smith
Audition Form Please complete and hand in at audition with your resume (if you have one) and photo (required) General Information: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Tap Teacher: Grade: Height: Home Phone #: Email (if applicable): Both Parents Names: Both Parents Cell #: Both Parents email: Previous Acting / Dancing / Singing/ Theatre Experience and Formal Training: Circle all that apply (feel free to use the back of the form if you need more space): Resume attached: Yes, or No Theatre Experience: Yes, or No. If so, please list below (if resume is NOT attached). Date/Year Play/Show Name Role Organization Director Formal Training: Yes, or No Please specify on back of form if not on resume: type, years, instructor, and school. Special Talents: Yes, or No Please specify on back of form if not on resume (e.g., gymnastics, juggling, play an instrument, magic). Just a Few More Things: We plan to cast about 15-20 students; in the event you do not get a part, would you be interested in remaining involved with the production in a backstage role? Yes, or No If so, what area? (Please circle all that interested you). Stage Manager Lighting Set Construction Costumes Advertising / Publicity Stage Crew Sound Ushering List any parts/roles you are particularly interested in: List any parts/roles that you do NOT want: Are you willing to be in the Ensemble? Yes, or No
Please read with your child and sign. Your signature is an acknowledgement that you both agree to abide by the rules below. The Code of Conduct establishes guidelines for behavior that helps ensure that all cast members will be safe during rehearsal times. Our goal is to create a setting in which everyone feels safe, accepted, and comfortable. 1. We ask that everyone think twice about what they say and how they say things. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated. 2. We ask that everyone be respectful of each other s personal space. Hitting, kicking or any other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. 3. We are all different and we need to respect those differences. Everyone has his or her own unique gifts. We ask that each member of the cast and production be treated with respect. Mean behavior such as name calling, teasing, or acting in a way that would hurt anyone s feelings is not tolerated. You may not get along with everyone in the cast but it is important to be friendly and kind. 4. While in the cafeteria, during afterschool hours, we are considered guests. We have been asked NOT TO TOUCH anything that doesn t belong to us, not to wander the building, and to leave the cafeteria looking the same as when we arrived. Therefore, we ask that everyone participate in clean up at the end of each rehearsal/show. Any damage to an item or misuse of any device while on the premises will be taken into matters with administration and your parent or guardian. 5. We request that you not use cell phones during rehearsals. If there is an emergency or an illness, please notify one of the shows directors and we will contact your parent/guardian immediately. We ask that you limit all nonemergency calls to break time. We will ask that you silence your phone and place it with your belongings during rehearsal time. If there are any problems your parents will be contacted immediately. Thank you, Brian Morgan Marcel Smith Rosa Parks Drama Directors Child s name (printed) Child s signature Parent s name (printed) Parent s signature Date Date
The Lion King Jr. Character Descriptions: The following are capsule descriptions of some of the characters in the Disney s The Lion King Jr. Rafiki A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pride lands 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 we re looking for a confident performer with a strong singing voice. Ensemble The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pride lands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures we choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. We re looking to cast as 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. Mufasa The Strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pride lands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. We re looking to cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the king. Gender: Male Sarabi A featured lioness, Mufasa s mates, and Simba s mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen. 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. Gender: Both 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 Pride lands. We re casting 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. Gender: Male 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. Casting a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role. Gender: Male (Note: Young Simba & Adult Simba may or may not be the same character. Decision will be made by directors.) Simba Grows from a cub to lion in Hakuna Matata. Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, morns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so casting a more mature actor. Gender: Male (Note: Young Simba & Adult Simba may or may not be the same character. Decision will be made by directors.) Lionesses The fierce hunters of the Pride lands 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, particularly for The Lioness Hunt, strong dancers may be desirable as well. 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, we re looking for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub. (Note: Young Nala & Adult Nala may or may not be the same character. Decision will be made by directors.) Nala Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar, so casting a more mature actress to play the character beginning in Scene 10. (Note: Young Nala & Adult Nala may or may not be the same character. Decision will be made by directors.) Sarafina A featured lioness and Nala s mother. She has one short, spoken line, so considering giving this part to an actor who is putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness. (Note: This role may not be casted until rehearsals begin)
Shenzi One of Scar s hyenas who plot to take over the Pride lands. 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. Banzai A Slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren t so lazy. Looking for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As Banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed. Gender: Male 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. The role can be played by a boy or girl. Gender: Both Hyenas Scar s army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pride lands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in Be Prepare. Casting actors who are able to sing the background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters. Hyenas can double as animals of the Pride lands or lioness. 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 girl. Gender: Both 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. Gender: Both
Song Selections:
Example Rating Sheet Student s Name: (Rate 1-5: One being outstanding.) Singing: 1 2 3 4 5 Voice type: Female high (Soprano) / Female low (Alto) Male high (unchanged) / Male low (Changed) Can student read music? Yes No Spoken Diction: 1 2 3 4 5 Stage presence: 1 2 3 4 5 Concentration: 1 2 3 4 5 Dance/Movement: 1 2 3 4 5 Call back? Yes No Comment/Notes: Possible Roles: