audition information pack

audition information pack

introduction Diva Productions is an award winning company who are fast developing a reputation for exceptional, powerful, quality theatre and scenic projections in West Yorkshire. We never compromise on artistic quality in anything we do. Our work is artistically ambitious, entertaining and engaging. What drives us as a company in choosing our projects is the relevance of the production to today s audience. We value good quality theatre and that is what we deliver to our audiences. We are delighted that you are interested in joining us in this production and we are sure you will enjoy the experience working with a dedicated and hard-working company. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. This family favourite contains the memorable songs "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" "Edelweiss", "Climb Every Mountain" and "My Favourite Things". The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time. Diva Productions are excited to be presenting this muchloved musical with their own unique style. the production team Andy Ashley - Producer / Director Andy Fretwell - Producer Jonathan Mitra Musical Director Kimberley Baker Choreographer Rebecca Firth Stage Manager For more details about our team see our website.

the audition process ADULT AUDITIONS Auditions for all roles and ensemble will take place on SUNDAY 16th SEPTEMBER from 9:30am 2pm at St Thomas a Becket College Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield. WF2 6EQ 5 minute walk from Sandal & Agbrigg Railway Station All auditionees are asked to take part in a short workshop style audition, which will focus on characterization & movement. There is no need to prepare anything for this part of the audition. All auditionees will be issued on arrival an individual audition time for their main audition. Registration will open from 9am. The audition pieces for each role can be downloaded from our website. Please note You may audition for up to TWO specific roles but will be asked what is your FIRST choice. If the audition panel decides there is a need for callbacks for specific roles, these will be held on Sunday 23 rd September. Please complete the ADULT audition registration form on our website by no later than 5pm on Friday 14 th September to indicate what you intend to audition for. www.divaproductions.co.uk/sound-of-music

CHILDREN AUDITIONS Auditions for the child roles will take place on SUNDAY 16th SEPTEMBER from 3pm 7pm at St Thomas a Becket College Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield. WF2 6EQ All auditionees are asked to take part in a workshop style audition, which will focus on characterization, movement & singing. All auditionees should prepare the acting and signing auditions using the materials provided Children must be aged over 5 years old. Please note The audition panel may decide to send some children home after certain stages of the workshop. The production team may decide to double cast the child roles with children sharing the roles across performance nights this may mean that one team will get 3 public performances and the other 2 public performances. If the audition panel decides there is a need for callbacks for specific roles, these will be held on Sunday 23 rd September. Please complete the CHILDREN S audition registration form on our website by no later than 5pm on Friday 14 th September to indicate what you intend to audition for. www.divaproductions.co.uk/sound-of-music workshop tips There is no need to prepare anything for the workshops as such, but here are some pointers to, hopefully, put your mind at rest... ü This is strong ensemble show: We need to see you can work well with others ü You may be asked to work individually, in pairs or groups during the audition ü You will be required to sing. ü You will be required to attempt some choreography. ü Don t take yourself too seriously the workshops will be designed to be fun and enjoyable so relax and go for it! ü You may like to bring water, comfortable clothes and a sense of humour!

production information Rehearsals For those successful in being cast we will start rehearsals on Monday 1st October 2018 until 28th November 2018. Then restart on Monday 7th January 2019. Rehearsals will take place at St Thomas a Becket College on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm 9:30pm. We will also introduce Sunday evenings in February (6pm 8pm) For your convenience, we will issue a full rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. Fees There will be a one-off show fee of 90 for this production. ( 30 due at the first rehearsal and balance payable in three further installments of 20 in January, February & March) We do not charge additional subs, membership fees or any other levy s in addition to the show fee. Copies of the Libretto/Vocal Book will be provided with a refundable deposit of 25 or can be made available electronically. Performance week The Performances will take place at Theatre Royal Wakefield from Wednesday 1 st to Saturday 4th May 2019 (including at Saturday Matinee.) The week of the show we will also require cast and crew on: Sunday 28 th April Monday 29 th April Tuesday 30 th April All day call Get In / Technical rehearsal 5:30pm call for Technical Rehearsal 5:30pm call for Dress Rehearsal. You must be available for all of these dates / times as well as the evenings of Sunday 14 th, Easter Monday 22 nd, Wednesday 24 th and Friday 26 th April 2019. If you cannot do any of these dates you should NOT apply. We will not be rehearsing Good Friday 19 th April or Easter Sunday 21 st April.

character analysis Please note ages indicated are stage playing ages rather than actual age of performer. The roles will be played with an English accent ( Queen s English ) unless otherwise specified. Principal Roles (Adult) Maria Rainer (soprano/mezzo, 20-35) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, young, free spirited, warm and kind. She is from the Austrian countryside, an orphan, who has used her resourcefulness, intelligence and inner confidence to overcome the difficulties of her early life. There is a part of her that wants sheltering from the uncertainties of the outside world as well, and that, coupled with her absolute faith in God s will, is what has led her to seek life as a nun. The actor must have versatility, a powerful voice, great sense of natural humour, an ability to move well. Strong dance ability / ability to play the guitar will be advantageous. Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, 30s -40s) A retired Austrian naval captain. Educated, polished, and military in the way he runs his life, his home and his children s lives. The father of seven, ranging in age from six to sixteen, he is a widower. When we meet him he is still in mourning over the death of his wife; his unconscious defence has been to push his children away and remove himself from the home that reminds him too much of what he has lost, resulting in a cool, detached exterior; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and as much in need of love himself as are his children. Must be a strong actor, with excellent stage presence, excellent singer and good mover. Ability to dance / play the guitar would be advantageous. Mother Abbess (powerful soprano, 35+) Motherly, understanding, authoritative, she is Maria s guiding light. Her years have brought her wisdom, patience and inner confidence. Must be a strong actress and powerful singer with wide vocal range. Max Detweiller (baritone, 25+) Charming, sophisticated, enjoys the good life, which he can t afford, so he avails himself of the Captain s generosity at every opportunity. He is practical and sees the coming of Nazism as unavoidable, so one must accommodate, which brings him into conflict with the Captain. Ultimately, he proves a true and loyal friend to the family. Must be a strong character actor with good singing voice. Elsa Schrader (mezzo, 25-40) A baroness of taste and elegance; she is sophisticated and worldly. Like Max, she will find a way to accommodate the coming Anschluss. She tolerates the children, but would send them off to boarding school, so she and the Captain could spend most of their time in Vienna. She loves the Captain in a measured way; he represents good social standing and a continuation of the comfortable, luxurious lifestyle she enjoys. Must be a strong actress with good singing voice. Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, 16) The oldest of the Von Trapp children, blossoming into a woman, and smitten by Rolf. She also has a maternal edge and cares deeply for her younger siblings. Initially she thinks herself too old to need a governess; she discovers otherwise. Must be a strong actress, singer and dancer. PLEASE NOTE THAT LIESL WILL BE AUDITIONED AS PART OF THE ADULT AUDITIONS

Child Roles ALL children must be able to sing, act and move well. Age indicates character age and not actual age of performer. Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) - Tough exterior, very much trying to be the man of the family. Should be able to sing falsetto in So Long, Farewell. Louisa von Trapp (age 13) - The trickster of the family, full of mischief. Kurt von Trapp (age 10) - Gentle and a peacemaker. He dances the Laendler with Maria. Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) - Smart, reads a lot, always tells the truth, even when it may be inappropriate. Marta von Trapp (age 7) - Very much the little princess; pink is her favourite colour. Gretl von Trapp (age 6) The youngest of the family. Very cute, just wants to be loved. Featured Roles (Adult) Three Featured Nuns at the Abbey: Sister Berthe (alto, 30-60) Mistress of Novices - is the more critical, finding all the faults in Maria s conduct, and may be a little pompous Sister Margaretta (mezzo, 20-60) Mistress of Postulants - has a good sense of humour, and so appreciates what is humorous in Maria s conduct Sister Sophia (soprano, 20-60) Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules. Is more inclined to notice the positive aspects of Maria s conduct. Rolf Gruber (tenor, 17) Rolf is a telegraph delivery boy on bicycle, and later drawn into the Nazi youth movement. He and Liesl have fallen in love, and they look for every opportunity to see one another. Must be a good singer and good mover. The ability to dance well would be advantageous. Franz (non-singing, 30+) The von Trapp butler, formerly the Captain s orderly on shipboard; formal, but not without spirit; his loyalties move very swiftly to the Fascist cause. Must be a strong character actor. Frau Schmidt (non-singing, 30+) The housekeeper, rather stoic, but with a guarded sense of humour; she knows how to run the household as the Captain wishes it. Must be a strong character actress. Herr Zeller (non-singing, 25+) Bureaucratic neighbour who becomes an early Nazi official. He is critical of the Captain s loyalties to the old Austria and ultimately, as an official of the Third Reich, leads the move to take the Captain into Nazi naval service; hard-nosed, inflexible. Must have a strong stage presence. A good German accent would be advantageous. Admiral Von Schreiber (non-singing, 40+) Admiral of the Navy of the Third Reich, he arrives to escort the Captain to his forced commission. He is more flexible and accommodating than Zeller. Must be a strong actor. A good German accent would be advantageous. Ensemble: Men and Women Ensemble members (16+) To play nuns, monks, priests, Nazis novices, postulants, guests at the Captain s party, Salzburg citizens, and Contestants in the Festival Concert. Please note that some of the supporting roles may double as other roles within the ensemble.

audition pieces A copy of all audition materials, including backing tracks is available to download from our website. CHARACTER ACTING SINGING Maria Rainer P37 Speech Dear God.. to..what s she up to. The Sound Of Music AND Lonely Goatherd (From bar 123) P79 I m sorry if I said to P80 right here. Captain Von Trapp P22 ( I m Captain von Trapp.. ) to Edelweiss bottom of P24 P79 I m sorry if I said to P80 right here. Mother Abbess P17 P18 Climb Every Mountain Max Detweiler P74 P75 How Can Love Survive? (Both Max & Elsa s parts) Elsa Schraeder P44 P45 ( and smoke a big cigar ) How Can Love Survive? (Both Max & Elsa s parts) Liesl Von Trapp P31 Good Night Rolf to P32 What s wrong with that? Sixteen Going On Seventeen (Bars 71 105) Rolf Gruber P31 Good Night Rolf to P32 What s wrong with that? Sixteen Going On Seventeen (Bars 1 53) Solo Nuns (Berthe, Margeretta or P10 (Please read all parts except for Mother Abbess) How Do You solve a problem like Maria? (All parts - Bar 74 91 hand ) Sophia) Franz / Frau Schmidt P21 Just Until Tomorrow P22 Your choice of Musical Theatre song You could have made a fortune. Zeller P86 Heil! to P87 Zeller Exits. Your choice of Musical Theatre song Von Schreiber P93 to P94 Is there a telephone I Your choice of Musical Theatre song could use? All children Please read as Brigitta: Do-Re-Mi (Bars 38 70) P60 P61 until You are in love with him All other roles / Ensemble Female P14 as Maria. Male - P22 ( I m Captain von Trapp.. ) to bottom of P24 as Captain Your choice of Musical Theatre song Please note Page references refer to original book and are printed at the bottom of each page. Backing tracks can be downloaded to help with your preparation for the audition. You may use these in the audition or if you prefer there will be a piano accompanist who will play live. Please use the 2006 London Palladium recording as a guide when preparing if necessary. If selecting your own choice of song please ensure it is a musical theatre piece that will best showcase your voice and range. You can either forward a backing track to us before the audition or bring your own device and connect to our audio playback through an aux cable (headphone/mini-jack).

what to do next your five stage plan! 1 2 3 4 Download the audition materials from our website There are singing and acting audition pieces for each character. Go to: http://www.divaproductions/sound-of-music Register for your audition Once you have decided which parts you want to audition for go to our website and click on the REGISTER NOW tab fill in the online form and submit! Easy! Remember you can audition for a maximum of two characters. Registration closes 5pm on Friday 14/09/18 Prepare for your audition Using the materials downloaded in step one get practicing your stunning acting and awesome singing ready to blow us away at the audition. If you have a free choice of song pick a good one that shows off your range. Take Part In The Audition Adults should arrive at St Thomas a Becket on Sunday 16 th September from 9am for a 9:30am start. Remember main audition slots are given out on a first-come-first served basis so be prepared to wait until 2pm for your slot. Children should arrive at St Thomas a Becket on Sunday 16 th September from 3pm and be prepared to stay until 7pm. 5 Keep your fingers crossed! After that it s the waiting game... sorry about that... we know its the worst part of the process so we will let people know if they have been successful as soon as we can. Good luck!

Further information can be found on our website www.divaproductions.co.uk For all other enquiries contact us by email: theatre@divaproductions.co.uk Or Phone: 07701 064673 @divatheatreuk