Roald Dahl s James and the Giant Peach Jr. THE MUSICAL OPEN AUDITIONS Ages 6 15 Monday December 7 th & Tuesday December 8 th from 5:30-8:00pm Callbacks: Wednesday December 9 th from 5:30-10:00pm At the Forever After Rehearsal Studio at the PARC in Downtown Plymouth 650 Church Street Suite #107 Plymouth, MI 48170 You MUST BE between the age of 6 15 on December 8 th to be cast in this production. The Audition Process 1. Read through this packet COMPLETELY. 2. Practice one of the songs we have included in the packet (your choice). Everyone who auditions will need to sing with the piano accompanist. Also be ready to do a short dance sequence at the audition. 3. Pick ONE audition day. It does not benefit auditionees to attend both nights of auditions. 4. Enter the Forever After Rehearsal Studio through the front door and register at the counter. 5. Arrive between 5:30-8:00pm and expect to stay for at least an hour. 6. There is a $5 audition fee and can be paid in cash or a check payable to Forever After Productions. 7. Hand in your completed Audition Form and head shot. 8. Auditionees only are allowed in the audition room. 9. Auditionees needed to sing for specific character roles, to be seen again will be asked to return December 9 th from 5:30pm-10:00pm for Call Backs at the Forever After Rehearsal Studio. DO NOT CONTACT Forever After Productions regarding Call Backs. DO check your email and iheartforeverafter.com on December 8 th after 11pm to find who has been called back. Receiving a Call Back does not guarantee a part in the show, nor does not being Called Back mean a casting rejection. 10. The Cast List will be sent out via email on Thursday, December 10 th by 10am and will also posted at www.iheatforeverafter.com 11. The time for Orientation for the Cast will be Sunday, December 13th from 1-2pm at the Forever After Rehearsal Studio at the PARC. This orientation is for parents only.
Participation Requirements PARENTS & PARTICIPANTS: BY AUDITIONING, YOU AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS Those given a role in this production agree to take the part (or notify us immediately if they decline). As well as attend EVERY DRESS REHEARSAL and PERFORMANCE. Exceptions are granted in rare circumstances. Performers may not be permitted to perform in sections of the show if they miss rehearsal for those sections. If you may miss multiple rehearsals you are strongly encouraged not to audition. Forever After will provide costumes for this show. There will be a $60 costume fee for this show. Performers: This production is done to enhance a regular education. Therefore, performers under the age of 18 are expected to keep up their grades. If you don t think your child can handle school work and production work please do not have them audition. Performers: You understand that supervision will not be provided for your child any earlier than the beginning of the rehearsal and no later than fifteen minutes after rehearsal. You must sign in and sign out your child at every rehearsal and performance they attend (if they are under 13). Everyone will receive a script or chorus book for this production that will be paid for as part of tuition. If you lose your script or chorus book new ones are $25. All cast members will be expected to pay Forever After Productions your actor participation fee of $210 at cast orientation via check or cash. You must notify Forever After Productions on or before Monday, December 14 th 2015 if you choose to withdraw without obligation. The success of every show relies heavily on contributions made by parents, relatives and participants. Whether it's building sets, painting scenery, working backstage during show or helping at concessions, we will count on every person to play a part. Every family will be responsible for contributing 22 hours total of volunteer time (8 hours preproduction or Pre-tech week with 2 hours during load in and 8 hours during tech week working backstage and 4 hours of strike). This means that each family must provide one adults to assist in deconstructing the set, organizing props, and/or general clean up during strike. There will be Buy-Out options discussed during Parent Orientation. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS COMMIMENT-DO NOT AUDITION.
Schedule Overview Rehearsals may be held on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday nights. Rehearsals will begin in mid-december. If you have a regular conflict on any of these days, please indicate it on the Audition Form. NOTE: If you are performing in The Little Mermaid with Forever After Productions- The rehearsal schedule for The Little Mermaid will not conflict with this production. Students are encouraged to take part in all productions. NOTE: all performers will not be called to every rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals and Performances PERFORMERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EVERY DRESS REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE. DO NOT AUDITION if you are unable to attend every dress rehearsal and performance. Dress Rehearsals are March 13 th -16 th in the evening. We anticipate rehearsals running until about 10:30pm during that week. Cast members will be required to arrive at least an hour and a half pre-show for every performance. Performances for Roald Dahl s James and the Giant Peach Jr. The Musical will be: Thursday, March 17 th at 7pm Friday, March 18 th at 7pm Saturday, March 19 th at 2pm & 7pm Sunday, March 20 th at 2pm & 7pm There will be two School Performances for this production starting at 10am and 12pm on the following dates- Monday, March 21 st and Tuesday March 22 nd
About The Production Roald Dahl s James and the Giant Peach Jr. - The Musical Rated G When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion which results in a tremendous peach - and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building. A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, the creative possibilities with James And The Giant Peach JR. are endless. Character Breakdown Ladahlord Ladahlord is a mysterious character who seems to have a hand in the magical things that are happening. Though he may seem a bit off, he carefully watches over James, making sure James moves towards to a better life. Ladahlord also serves as a guiding narrator throughout the story. This is a perfect role for a charismatic young actor who can sing and dance well. Male Range: G3 - Gb5 James James is the hero of our story, on an epic quest to find a family of his own and gain confidence in himself. Cast a young boy with an unchanged voice and someone who has great acting instincts. Make sure he can win over an audience and is comfortable being onstage. Male Range: G#3 - E5 Ladybug Ladybug immediately takes on a doting, maternal role in James life. This is a fantastic role for a performer with a great singing voice and a regal demeanor. Female Range: A3 - D5 Grasshopper Grasshopper, the leader of the Insects, is ever the optimist and assumes a paternal role in James life. Cast a performer who can sing and act well, but foremost has a warm, inviting presence. Male Range: A3 - F#5 Spider Spider is a clever creature who becomes a fun-loving older sister to James. A young woman with a spunky personality and a great voice is a perfect choice for the role. Female Range: B3 - C5 Earthworm Earthworm is a gentle spirit, although he can be a bit of a coward. Luckily, he gains enough courage to save the day by baiting some gullible seagulls. Earthworm looks at James as a brother figure. Cast a performer who can sing well, and more importantly, someone who isn t afraid of being a little outlandish. Male Range: B3 - A5
Centipede Centipede may be a bit of grouch, but he is ever-loyal to the pack, and by the end of the story, he s won over by James. James sees Centipede as that cranky uncle with a heart of gold. Centipede should have a good singing voice, and be able to make strong, specific acting choices. Male Range: G3 - F#5 Spiker and Sponge Spiker and Sponge are the sort of aunts (or monsters) that you fear ever being stuck with. They take James into their home but only so that he can be their own personal servant. Spiker is the brains of the operation, and Sponge is more concerned with finding something to eat. These are great character roles for two young performers who are fantastic singers and actors. To play into the humor, cast a duo that contrasts completely in physical appearance. Female Range: F3 - E5 Zoo Crowd Mr. Trotter, Mrs. Trotter, Karl Kreatour and the Zoo Crowd are all part of James nightmare. These are smaller, featured roles. Male or Female Speaking Role Matron Nurse The Matron Nurse runs the Painswick Orphanage, and you definitely get a sense she hasn t had a vacation in years. This is a great acting role for a young woman who can command a room. Female Speaking Role Billy and Bobby Bobby-Cop Billy and Bobby Bobby-Cop are a perfectly unified pair of cops working for Scotland Yard. This is fun cameo role for two performers who work well together. Male Speaking Role Vagrants The Vagrants, including Doreen Driggles, Ridgley Rapscallion, Violet Funkschmeller, and Chris Cryermouth are an ensemble of have-nots to support Spiker and Sponge s treacherous plans. These ensemble roles are important for making up the world of the musical. The Passing Man, Man (with wallet) and Passing Woman all have featured moments where they fall victim to Spiker and Sponge. Male or Female Range: Doreen: F#3 - E4, Ridgley: E4 - A4, Violet: F3 - E4 Garden Chorus The Garden Chorus comes to life in Shake It Up as Ladahlord mixes a magical potion. This is a great place to cast kids of various skill level and get them excited about musical theater. Male or Female Reporters The Reporters, including Ida Walters, are on the scene just as the peach is becoming larger than life. Cast a group of energetic performers. Male or Female Ladies Garden Guild Bitsy Botana and the rest of the Ladies Garden Guild are in flowery frocks and hats, intent on having Spiker and Sponge give the keynote speech at their conference. A few young performers with good voices will do the trick. Female Hollywood Agents The Hollywood Agents, led by Buzz, jump in on the success of the growing peach with movie and Broadway deals for Spiker and Sponge. Like the Reporters, this is a fun group to cast with some lively performers. Male or Female
Farm Animals, Willy Wonka and Oompa-Loompas Farm Animals, Willy Wonka and Oompa-Loompas are all in harm s way as the peach outgrows its stem and rolls towards the ocean. These are very fun cameo roles for performers with personality. Male or Female Angry Crowd The Angry Crowd is in search of the amazing giant peach, but they quickly turn into an angry mob when the peach is nowhere to be found. These ensemble parts are easy to cast from any of your company. Male or Female Cruise Ensemble The Cruise Ensemble are various vacationers en route to New York with Spiker and Sponge. Use anyone from your ensemble to fill out the scene! Male or Female Sharks and Seagulls The Sharks and Seagulls are featured in Plump and Juicy. Cast strong movers and dancers in these roles. Male or Female New Yorkers New Yorkers, including the Screaming Women, Lucille Van Kooglestein, Bunny Mackenzie The Third, Jake and Joe all witness the peach land directly on the Empire State Building and are sent into a panic! Cast a handful of characters for these cameo roles. Male or Female AUDITON MUSIC Below are the lyrics to the three musical selections auditionees can choose from to sing for their audition. Please select one of the following choices to sing for auditions. This music can be found online or auditionees can come and pick up sheet music from the Forever After Rehearsal Studio during the times listed below. All students who audition will be asked to sing with the piano. Since this is a new musical and many of these songs may not be familiar to students and parents we encourage families to find the soundtrack to the show on Youtube.com so that students can become familiar with the songs listed below. You can find the full cast album on Youtube.com by searching James and the Giant Peach the Musical Soundtrack Audition Sheet Music Pick Up Times- at the Forever After Rehearsal Studio Tuesday, November 24 th from 5:30-8:30pm Sunday, November 29 th - Wednesday December 3 rd from 5:30-8:30pm Forever After Rehearsal Studio- 650 Church Street Suite #107 Plymouth, MI 48170 Audition Song #1- On Your Way Home Lyrics: Where do you go when you re flying away? Where do you go when they can t make you stay? Over the garden and scraping the tops of the trees. On your way home. On your way home.
Audition Song #2- Everywhere That You Are Lyrics: Someone leaves, who knows why? And you never said goodbye, but once we go we re not gone. We keep living on and on Audition Song #3- Floatin Along Lyrics: Just catch this tune and sing it with me. We ll set our sail for nothin but sea. No place where we gotta be so go. We re tumbling off where nobody s been. How true adventures always begin. Take a ride on the tide bobin high dippin low. If you have questions or concerns about the audition process or the production, please contact us at (734) 547-5156 or foreveraftermail@gmail.com Please do not contact the director or casting panel concerning casting decisions, call backs, or audition scores. PLEASE FILL OUT THE AUDITION FORM AND BE READY TO HAND IT IN AT YOUR AUDITION.