UPDATED Audition/Tech Crew information for RPHS All School Musical Performance Dates: Oct 27, 7 p.m., October 29, 2p.m. & 7 p.m.; October 31, 7 p.m. Auditions will be held for THE WIZARD OF OZ on September 21-23. This musical is open to ALL RPHS students. Students interested in Tech should fill out the form and turn in by Sept 21. Singing/Monologue Auditions will be held on Sept 21-22. Come down to Black Box and sign up for a time slot on Monday, Sept 19/20. Cold Reading and dance callbacks will be held on MONDAY, Sept 26. (Call back list will be posted on Sept 23, on Twitter @RPHSTheater). Cast List will be posted on Tuesday morning, Sept. 27 (on Twitter @RPHSTheater, as well as the doors of the auditorium. ) After school rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, Sept 27, and will continue (generally) every day, 3-5. I will distribute a more detailed rehearsal schedule that will be available on Monday, Sept 19, when you come down to sign up for an audition time slot. REQUIREMENTS for audition on Sept 21-22: Singing and Monologue. PART I, SINGING AUDITION: 2 Minutes USING SONGS FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ: KARAOKE- STAGE STARS version, if possible), choose a song or (SECTION of a song) by a character in the musical to perform for auditions. You must use the KARAOKE version to auditions (not the vocal demonstration). Since this is a musical, we are NOT just looking for good singers. We need you to sell /act out the song, obviously. This is your opportunity to show us your personality and abilities as a performer! If you cannot find the tracks below to sing from the Stage Stars version, then you may use another track/version from the Wizard of Oz to sing. Your Audition should not exceed 2 minutes.
PART II: MONOLOGUE, 30 seconds. Prepare and memorize a monologue that is no longer than 30 seconds, and is similar in style to character (s) in the Wizard of Oz. (For example, a monologue from a Disney character) If you are called back (Call back list posted Sept 23, in the morning), you will then read for certain parts the afternoon of Sept 23. Dance auditions will follow. Your Audition will consist of: 1. Slate (State your name, grade level, and character and title of song you are singing, and character and title of monologue that you will be performing). 2. Performance of your song 3. Performance of your monologue. IT IS RECOMMENDED that you memorize your pieces, or at least try to have most of it memorized. Remember, the more you are prepared, the more MEMORABLE you will be to the directors. WE ALSO NEED YOUNGER CHILDREN (AGES 5-13)TO PLAY MUNCHKINS! We will have auditions for them on Monday, Sept 20 and 21, after school in the Black Box, from 3:30-6:00 p.m, as well as Friday, Oct. 30, from 3-6. If you have siblings, relatives, friends, etc. that would be interested, please pass along the info. PLEASE EMAIL gail.aurand@fortbendisd.com if you have a sibling, friend, or neighbor that is interested in auditioning. I will be sending out info to the Elementary and Middle schools, but word of mouth will help! For the children s audition, they will need SING to portion of a Disney Song, or something from The Wizard of Oz. They will also need to perform a short speech The Wizard of Oz, or any Disney Monologue. If anyone has any questions or needs more information, email gail.aurand@fortbendisd.com TECH CREW applicants: Fill out the form included in this packet. We will post tech crew results that same day as Cast list.
Bring this form with you to Auditions! Please print clearly. Name: Grade Level age Cell phone number Email You must be ACADEMICALLY ELIGIBLE to participate in the musical. You must eligible on to audition. To participate in the musical, you must maintain eligibility/pass ALL CLASSES on REPORT CARD 1. In addition, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The Show Dates are October 27, 29 (two shows that day at 2p.m. and 7 p.m.), and Oct 31. Curtain is 7 p.m.. Please make sure you are available for those dates before auditioning!!!! Attendance Policy/Production Rehearsal Schedule Policy: Generally speaking, rehearsal times will be 3-5:30, Monday-Thursday, and Friday, 2:45-6:00 p.m. **The younger cast members (aged 5-13) will be given a schedule that works around the elementary and middle school release times. (Most likely, on the days they are expected to come, they just need to report as soon as they can after school) **We will also hold SOME SATURDAY rehearsals /Tech Crew days during the month of October (Oct 8, 15, and 22) 9am- 4pm, most likely. You may or may not be called to those rehearsals or work days. JUST TRY TO KEEP THEM OPEN. Saturday the 22 nd is MANDATORY for everyone in the show, as it is TECH DAY. As participant in this musical, you are REQUIRED to be at every rehearsal your character is called for. If you will be absent from scheduled rehearsal, YOU MUST TEXT or CALL MRS. AURAND immediately. If you have ONE UNEXCUSED absence, you will not be allowed to participate, and an alternate/under Study will take your part. Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal. We are on a very limited time frame, so we must have you at every rehearsal that your character is required. There is NO RE-TEACHING time for those who miss choreography, music, or blocking rehearsals. If you are not present when things are being taught, you may not be allowed to be in that particular scene. It is your responsibility to get any information you missed from the STAGE MANGER. Auditioning for the musical is a serious commitment, and we must have you there. We understand that you may have some previously scheduled conflicts. Unfortunately, if you have too many, you may not be able to be in this show.
After reading the Attendance/ Production Rehearsal Schedule policy, please list ALL conflicts below. Be very thorough, as you will be held accountable! My rehearsal/ Performance night conflicts are as follows Be specific (for example: Voice lessons 3:-3:30 pm. Mondays, Lacrosse practice, every Saturday, AP Biology Lab, Tuesday 2:45-4:00, etc. Family Reunion Saturday, January 8 ): Have you had musical/play/dance experience before? If so, please list what role (s), where and when/what dance experience? I am interested in trying out for the following roles: I am interested in CHORUS only. I am interested as a DANCER in the show ONLY. I have advance dance experience. I will do anything the directors need me to do in this show. I just want to be a part of it! I am interested in doing TECH only for this musical. What tech positions would you like to apply for? Circle all that apply, or write in ANY : Stage Manager Asst. Stage Manager light board operator Sound Sound Asst. Prop Crew Chief Spot light operator Costume Crew/Changer Make up crew Set Crew/Construction/Scenic Painting Box Office/House Crew Production/Run Crew Any other crew positions not listed
How To Ace Your Musical Audition (Taken from an article in Dramatics Magazine) You walk into a room, see a bunch of scary-looking people sitting behind a metal table, and then must perform a brief excerpt from a song or monologue like your life depends on it. And it does because this could be the ticket to your next gig. The audition is one of the most intimidating processes in the world, but it doesn't have to be. The key is preparedness and self-confidence. "The more that the actors are prepared, it shows in what we actually see in an audition," says Bernard Telsey, one of Broadway's preeminent casting directors. "Know as much as you possibly can about the project you're auditioning for," Telsey says, likening the actor to a detective. "Read the script. Watch the movie. Search on You Tube for possible professional videos or demos of the musical, movie, or a performance of the song or part you are trying out for. Try to find out what you can about the project. It's like treating it as part of the rehearsal process Even in the smallest auditions, if you read the script, you're going to know more about the character and situation, and you can bring that into your preparation." And you can always ask for the script, if it's available. Here are some helpful hints to remember when you're getting ready to approach the table. What to Wear Put your hair back, out of your face. "People should wear clothes that are professional, clean and fit," says Nikka Graff Lanzarone, a veteran of Broadway's Chicago and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and also owner of a styling business. "You would think that these are no-brainers, but a lot of people have trouble finding clothes that fit them. It gets bypassed more often than not, because people don't know how to go to the tailor or what about a garment can be fixed." Should someone wear a costume to an audition? " Unless you want to be put in the crazy file, don't show up in full costume," she emphasizes. However, you should "have some idea of the show you're auditioning for," and dress in that style. "You're not going to wear a suit to audition for Rent, but you're not going to wear jeans to audition for Guys and Dolls," she notes. Telsey concurs on all counts. "You have to help people behind the desk see you in this role," he says. "It is about dressing your best and looking like it's the best blind date," he says. "You've always worn something that makes someone say, Wow, that looks good on you.' You're making an impression for people behind a table. You want to pop." For Lanzarone, auditioning is about making the people behind the table see what she can bring to any role. "Every audition isn't ever just an audition for the show you're going in for," she notes. "I've gotten calls from people saying, I saw you at [a previous] audition.' Something about you could strike them as interesting. You have the opportunity to show them who you are."
Also, when it comes to footwear, ladies, be careful of your character shoes. "Never, ever, ever wear character shoes to a singing audition," Lanzarone concludes. "It's a rookie mistake. You don't need to wear character shoes unless you're dancing." What to Sing: Pick a song/character that will showcase your talents and is in your range. If the requirements are that you sing from an accompaniment track or karaoke track, then DO SO. Do not show up singing to a track that has the vocals on it. Some accompaniment tracks do have background singers, and that may be okay. However, the main vocalist must be removed. Know the lyrics backward and forward. You should be able to recite them ten times over, and you should know what you're talking about, because you'll go up. You won't remember the lyrics if you don't know how they connect Do a song you can really connect to. It'll allow you to bring what you do into the room. Walk into the room confident and be polite. The way you walk into the room is important. Don t start making excuses or complaining. Be prepared. So remember: Wear clothes that look good, and pick a song that you know well and that showcases why you're special. With these tips in mind, you could land that above-the-title spot you've always wanted. NEVER, EVER CHEW GUM. How to Cold Read from a script: (first of all, you d be silly to not read the script for any show you are auditioning for. It s like taking a major test without studying. When called to the stage to read from the script, walk up to the stage with confidence, find your place in the script, and being looking over the lines for the character you will read. Make sure the director is ready, and your fellow actors, and begin. DO NOT hold the script directly in front of your face. Hold it so you can see it, but do not hold it up and block your face. Use good, strong, articulate voices. If you can read with an accent (if the character you are reading for HAS an accent), and your are CONFIDENTA, then use the accent. Otherwise, do not. Remember, the director is looking for actors who can really project to the back of the house WITHOUT a microphone. What to wear to the dance audition: Wear comfortable clothes that make you look good, and that are appropriate. Have your hair out of your face. Wear comfortable shoes or dance/jazz shoes. And remember, NO GUM.