Audition F.A.Qs Choreographed and Directed by Louise Denison Musical Direction by Jim Lunt Following the great successes of Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Our House Youth Music Theatre will stage Les Misérables School Edition at this August and September. Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Now adapted for school performers, Les Misérables School Edition features one of the most memorable scores of all time and some of the most memorable characters to ever grace the stage. Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables School Edition packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world. The sung through piece is ideal for a cast of exceptional singers and overflows with melodies that are already standards. This author approved edition has been abridged to a running time of just over two hours, while carefully maintaining the integrity of one the greatest musicals ever written. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. This document outlines everything you will need to know about the Les Misérables audition, rehearsals and performances. OPEN AUDITIONS: We are hoping to cast the part of Valjean. We are looking for an unlicensed performer for this particular role. This means that you must have taken your final GCSE exams before the main rehearsals start in August. Unfortunately, we cannot cast anyone over the age of 18, so if you are aged 18 you must still be that age on the final night (Saturday 8 September 2018) to take part. The cast must be entirely amateur you must be in full time education and you must not be a member of an actor s union, such as Equity. To audition for this role, please fill in the registration form included in this pack, and return it to Jenny (jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk /, Drury Lane, WF1 2TE). Once this is received you will be sent the audition material via email, and you will be asked to send in a video Please turn over 1
audition. Based on the video audition if we think you may be suitable for the role then we will invite you to a face to face audition. The date and time for this will be confirmed nearer the time. When are rehearsals? Rehearsals will be happening over the summer holidays 2018 including extra singing rehearsals before August. Please see the schedule below. Before auditioning please make sure you are available for ALL rehearsal dates: **The Technical and Dress Rehearsals are absolutely essential you MUST be available for these to be able to take part. To comply with the Theatre s Health & Safety Policy, every participant must take part in a Technical Rehearsal before being allowed to perform. Please note the rehearsal schedule may vary slightly once rehearsals begin. EARLY SINGING REHEARSALS Date Time What Place Mon 25 June 5.15 9.00pm 5.15 7.00pm Principals TBC 7.15 9.00pm FULL COMPANY Singing rehearsal Centre For Creativity Thurs 05 July 5.15 9.00pm 5.15 7.00pm Principals TBC 7.15 9.00pm MALE COMPANY (Chain gang and student sections) Singing rehearsal College, Mon 09 July 5.15 9.00pm 5.15 7.00pm Principals TBC 7.15 9.00pm FULL COMPANY Singing rehearsal College, Wed 18 July 5.15 9.00pm 5.15 6.45pm Principals TBC 7.00 MALE COMPANY (Chain gang and student sections) 7.30 9.00pm FULL COMPANY Singing rehearsal College, Wood street Please turn over 2
Main Rehearsals Date Time What Place Mon 13 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Tues 14 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Wed 15 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Thurs 16 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Fri 17 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Sat 18 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal College, Sun 19 August DAY OFF DAY OFF DAY OFF Mon 20 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal Girls High School Jubilee Hall Tues 21 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal Girls High School Jubilee Hall Wed 22 August 10am 5pm Main rehearsal Girls High School Jubilee Hall Thurs 23 August 11.15am 4pm Click track Tbc recording day Fri 24 August 1pm 9pm Tech rehearsal Sat 25 August 1pm 9pm Tech Rehearsal Sun 26 August DAY OFF (unlicensed performers anyone who is not of compulsory school age may be required on this day for a Band Call) Mon 27 August 4pm 10.30pm Tech/Dress Rehearsal Tues 28 August 4pm 10.30pm Dress Rehearsal Wed 29 August 4pm 10.30pm Dress Rehearsal When is the show on? Before auditioning please make sure you are available for ALL performance dates: Please turn over 3
Date Time What Place Thu 30 August 4pm 10.30pm opening night Opening night performance Fri 31 August 6pm 10.30pm Performance Sat 1 September 1pm 10.30pm Performances at 2.30pm and Tues 4 September 6pm 10.30pm Performance at Wed 5 September 6pm 10.30pm Performance at Thu 6 September 6pm 10.30pm Performance at Fri 7 September 6pm 10.30pm Performance at Sat 8 September 1pm 10.30pm Performances at 2.30pm and If I m successful do I have to pay to take part in the show? The fee to take part in this production is 195, which should be paid by Monday 25 June this is nonrefundable. Further details will be available in the cast information pack. As ever, financial support is available for those who may have a genuine difficulty in paying the fees, but these places are limited. Please contact Jenny Jones (01924 330 065) or email jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk to find out more about financial support. Tickets We encourage you to tell family and friends about the show. Tickets for Les Misérables School Edition are available from s Box Office on 01924 211 311 or at http://theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/whatson/ AUDITION DETAILS You will first be asked to fill in a registration form (included in this pack) and record a video audition once you have received the material (this will be sent to you once the registration form has been received). The video should be of good quality with clear sound and good lighting. Please try to get a full length shot and close up in the video. If possible please sing to a backing track in the correct key rather than an original recording. We have been able to send out for practice purposes mp3 files with original recordings on but we are unable to also send out backing tracks. These can be found on itunes and other online sources but if you really Please turn over 4
struggle to use those then you can use the mp3 tracks we have already sent out but must keep the volume low in the actual video so that your voice can be clearly heard. Remember to characterise the songs when you sing them. Please attach it to an email and send it to Jenny Jones (jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk and include the following information in the email: Auditionee name Age/DOB Height All videos should be submitted to us no later than Tuesday 19 June. Based on the video audition if we think you may be suitable for the role then we will invite you to a face to face audition. The date of this will be confirmed after all video submissions have been received. What are the age restrictions? For this role, we are looking for unlicensed male performers who are 18 or under. Unlicensed means you will have finished your year 11 GCSEs by the time main rehearsals begin on the 13 August. If you are 18 you must still be 18 on the final night [Saturday 8 September] to take part. What do I need to prepare? If you are planning to send a video audition we ask that you fill in the AUDITION FORM at the end of this information and send it to Jenny Jones in the post to or via email to jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk BEFORE 3pm on Tuesday 19 June. You will then be sent the audition material, and will be asked to send in a video audition. What are we looking for? We are looking to cast the role of Valjean. Please see below for notes on the character. Valjean: High lyric baritone or tenor with strong low notes. Prisoner 24601. After being released from imprisonment for serving nineteen years (five for stealing a loaf of bread and fourteen for multiple escape attempts), he breaks parole and, after receiving mercy from Bishop Myriel, turns his life around to live for God, showing the effects of God's grace that bring a corrupt man into virtuous and selfless living. He changes his identity, becoming the wealthy mayor of a small town. He later adopts Cosette, the only daughter of Fantine. At the end, he eventually dies and the spirit of Fantine thanks him for raising her child. When will I know the outcome? We will endeavour to let people know casting choices as soon as possible but some decisions may be unavoidably delayed. We reserve the right to hold further auditions if specific roles cannot be cast on the day. Please be aware that we will not be able to give individual feedback after the audition. Please turn over 5
What if I am under 18 years old? If you are under 18 years then we will need your parent/carer to fill in the permission section of the AUDITION FORM and sign it for you to be able to take part. What if I am a parent? Please be aware that Les Misérables School Edition does contain mild adult content and on stage violence. If you would like to discuss this further please contact a member of the Learning & Participation Team. Please ensure that you and/or your child have filled in the AUDITION FORM including any necessary permissions and sent it back to Jenny Jones by 3pm on Tuesday 19 June. Please read the form carefully and tick all relevant boxes in the permission section. What if my question hasn t been answered here? If you require any more information then please contact Jenny Jones by phone: 01924 330 065 or by email: jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk Please turn over 6
Candidate Number: (will be given out on the day) LES MISÉRABLES SCHOOL EDITION 2018 AUDITION FORM NAME OF PARTICIPANT:... D.O.B:... AGE ON 08/09/2018:... BEST CONTACT EMAIL:... (please note that all correspondence will be sent via email) PHONE 1:. OPTIONAL PHONE 2:... ADDRESS:.... POST CODE:... Details of EMERGENCY CONTACT person. (Should be a Parent/Carer if participant is under 18 years old) Name of emergency contact:... Relationship to participant:... Email if different from above... Contact numbers if different from above: Landline:... Mobile:... Address if different from above:...postcode... SCHOOL / COLLEGE...Academic Year 2017/18.... ARE YOU AVAILABLE FOR ALL THE REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE DATES? Yes No If NO what are the MAJOR problem dates? (such as exams/hospital appointments):... Do you have any access needs/medical conditions we should be aware of?...... Please turn over 7
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AUDITION? Email Newspaper Theatre brochure Theatre website Facebook Twitter From a friend Other (please give details):... See below for permissions form. Please turn over 8
Permission form for Les Misérables School Edition TO BE COMPLETED BY PARENT / CARER OF PARTICIPANTS UNDER 18 OR ANY PARTICIPANT aged 18 Your child would like to take part in Les Misérables School Edition our WYMT Production for 2018. During the audition, rehearsal and performances participants will be supervised by staff from who have been DBS checked and have experience of working with young people. I accept that this footage will be shared to the production s Creative Team for the purpose of auditioning only and that this will be deleted by all parties once the audition/casting process has ended. Photo permission Do we have your permission to take and use your photo and to capture you on film for documentation and/or publicity such as leaflets, social media, posters and videos at? By giving your permission we can use the image or footage for two years after the project finishes. We may keep the image or footage beyond this period but will seek your permission if we would like to publish it again after this initial two year period. I GIVE permission for photographs / video pictures to be taken which may be used for documentation or publicity purposes I DO NOT give my permission for photographs/ video pictures to be taken Suitable candidates will be invited to a further audition. Tick the statements that apply: My child is 16 or over and has permission to go home alone. (OR) My child is 16 or over and will be picked up promptly by a responsible adult. (OR) I am 18 My son is available for ALL the rehearsal and performance dates as shown OR I am available for ALL the rehearsal dates and performances shown Please note: if you/your child is given a part in the production and subsequently misses rehearsals as listed above, they may lose their place in the company. I have read the above details and give permission for my son / daughter to take part in s production of Les Misérables School Edition. By signing below, I give my permission for to process the information that I have provided in this form and during the course of this project for the purposes of: communicating with me; delivering and promoting Learning & Participation activities; keeping written registers; providing appropriate support; contacting me in the event of an emergency. Your data will be stored securely and only be accessible to designated persons who need it for the purposes outlined above unless in the event of a safeguarding concern. Your access needs will be deleted / destroyed at the end of the project. We will keep your contact details on record for five years after your last engagement with us so that we are able to contact you about relevant future learning and participation activities. Please let us know if you would like to be removed from this list. You can email jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk NAME:... SIGNED:... DATE:... Please turn over 9 Please return this form by 3pm on Tuesday 3 June 2018 by post (, Drury Lane, WF1 2TE) or email (jenny.jones@theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk)