08/04/2016
Fall Shows Audition Information:
Audition Date for both shows: Saturday, August 20th 12-5PM (Sign ups start 8/15).
Callbacks for both shows: Monday August 22nd and Tuesday August 23rd 3-6PM (By invitation ONLY).
What to Prepare for “An Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Musical Review” Auditions…
Please prepare 32 bars of music from any published musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. A great place to start looking is here… http://www.amazon.co.uk/lm/RA1YRE7BLF3O4
· Song should be memorized
· Please provide an accompaniment track
· Pick a song that demonstrates your vocal and performances skills as well as your range.
· Make sure your selection is one that you like- the song you pick to sing could end up in the show!
Auditions- What we are looking for:
1. Flexibility/Adaptability – how do you handle the unexpected?
2. Responsibility/Commitment – are you reliable?
3. Attitude – are you a team player? How do you interact with others? Are you willing to take performance risks? How do you respond to direction?
4. Preparation – have you actually prepared for this audition and worked with the characters you are playing or are you cold reading? Are you memorized?
5. Schedule – are you available for rehearsals.
What to Prepare for “Much Ado About Nothing” Auditions…
Please prepare a Shakespeare monologue that demonstrates your skill with character and language 30-60 seconds in length. A great place to look for a monologue is… http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/home
• Monologue should be memorized.
• Know the play and the character. Know whom you are addressing and the context of the piece.
• Look up any words you do not know- http://www.shakespeareswords.com/ is an excellent source for definitions in context of the plays.
• Make sure your selection allows you to showcase your abilities. All of Shakespeare’s works are open!
• You may choose a serious or comedic piece- pick something you like.
• Have fun with your audition!
Auditions- What we are looking for:
1. Flexibility/Adaptability – how do you handle the unexpected?
2. Responsibility/Commitment – are you reliable? Are you willing to commit to an idea?
3. Attitude – are you a team player? How do you interact with others? Are you willing to take performance risks and try new things? How do you respond to direction?
4. Preparation – have you prepared for this audition and worked with the character you are playing or are you cold reading? Are you memorized?
5. Schedule – are you available for rehearsals?
6. Performance Qualities
a. Voice – do your vocal choices (tone, pitch, dialect, pacing) reflect character? Are the basics (enunciation, inflection, and projection) evident? Do you communicate the story?
b. Movement – does your physical presence and movement tell the story? Are your movements true to the character? Do you engage the story physically?
c. Interpretation – overall, how do the elements of body and voice work together to create a strong character?
Character Descriptions:
Beatrice - FEMALE
Beatrice is an empowered & strong willed woman, with a sharp wit and spirit. She wages a war of wits against Benedick. At the outset of the play, she appears content never to marry, however, she is in love with Benedick, just unwilling to admit it. Comedic timing and chemistry with the Benedick is paramount.
Benedick - MALE
Benedick is a soldier recently returned from the war, along with Don Pedro and best friend Claudio. Benedick can be quite charming, always making jokes and puns and carries on a “merry war” of wits with Beatrice. At the beginning of the play, he is set on remaining a bachelor, until he is tricked into thinking Beatrice loves him, which is when he confesses he loves her back. Comedic timing and chemistry with Beatrice is paramount.
Claudio - MALE
A young soldier who has recently returned from war, along with Don Pedro and best friend Benedick. Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. He is easily influenced by those around him. He is very emotional and wears his heart on his sleeve, however, he has a strong sense of right and wrong. This character must portray a wide range of emotions through the course of the play. Must have chemistry with Hero.
Hero - FEMALE
Daughter of Leonato and cousin to Beatrice. Hero is lovely, gentle, and kind. Also has a playful side when she has the lead in the prank that is played on Beatrice. She also shows great strength of character as she is scorned by her betrothed (Claudio) and her father/mother, and eventually forgives them both. This character must portray a wide range of emotions through the course of the play. Must have chemistry with Claudio.
Don Pedro - MALE
An important nobleman, sometimes referred to as “Prince.” Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s mother/father. Don Pedro is generous, courteous, intelligent, and loyal to his friends. He loves a good joke, and instigates the prank that is played on Beatrice and Benedick. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play.
Leonato - MALE or FEMALE (LEONATA)
A well-to-do, elderly noble. Leonato is the father/mother of Hero and the uncle/aunt of Beatrice. As governor of Messina, he/she is second in social power only to Don Pedro.
Don John - MALE or FEMALE (DON JEAN)
The illegitimate brother/sister of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.” He/She is the villain of the play; his/her actions are motivated by his/her envy of his/her brother’s social authority.
Margaret - FEMALE
Hero’s serving woman, who unwittingly/unknowingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful. The lover of Borachio. Margaret is full of life, fun and sass.
Ursula - FEMALE
Hero’s serving woman and friend. Helps in tricking Beatrice. Lots of room for interpretation!
Borachio - MALE
An associate of Don John. Borachio is the lover of Margaret, Hero’s serving woman. He conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful. Loves mischief and eavesdropping.
Conrad - MALE or FEMALE (name TBA)
One of Don John’s close associates, entirely devoted to Don John. One of Don John’s minions.Can be sassy and arrogant. Room for interpretation.
Dogberry - MALE or FEMALE
The constable in charge of the Watch (chief policeman), of Messina. Dogberry takes his/her job very seriously, but isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Bumbling??, silly. Middle class, with a desire to appear higher, which creates great humor in his/her choice of words. Comedic timing and commitment is a must with this role.
Verges - MALE or FEMALE (name TBA)
Dogberry’s Deputy. Equally bumbling. Follows all of Dogberry’s shenanigans. Dogberry takes the lead in whatever they are doing, and Verges follows. Comedic timing and commitment is a must with this role.
Watchmen - MALE or FEMALE
Dogberry’s crew of silly sidekicks. Comedic timing and commitment are a must for these roles. Room for interpretation.
Antonio - MALE or FEMALE (Antonia)
The brother/sister of Leonato and the uncle/aunt of Hero and Beatrice, Antonio is Leonato’s helpful and trusting friend throughout the play.
Balthasar - MALE or FEMALE
A waiting person in Leonato’s household, and a musician. Helps Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro trick Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice. We would love to see someone sing and play an instrument for this role!
Friar Francis - MALE or FEMALE
The priest who married the lovers, and is the voice of reason in the show. Thinks of the solution for Hero when she is accused of being unfaithful. Compassion, patience, and stability are keys to this character.
Sexton - MALE or FEMALE
Leads the trial against the villains (Don John, Borachio, Conrad). Lots of room for interpretation with this role!
Brooke Novak
K-12 Director of Theater
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. -Colossians 3:14
Cathy McFall
Valley Christian High School Conservatory
Administrative Assistant to Theatre and
Director of Elementary Theatre
100 Skyway Drive
San Jose, CA 95111
408-513-2438
[email protected]
