ACTING/SINGING AUDITION INFO

1.      Acting /Singing auditions will be on the following days: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept. 14, 15 & 16.   Your audition will last 5 minutes.

2.      Sign up for a time on the AUDITION sheet on the choir room door,  in E-105.  You will sign up by yourself.  (The sheet is on the door now).

3.      At this audition, please bring in a typed resume that focuses on any music/dance and acting background that you might have.  (You can find sample resumes on our website).  Focus on experiences that will benefit your career on stage.  Also, please bring a photo of you so that we can see your face.  It does not need to be a professional head shot picture, just one that shows your face.  A school picture will do.  But it represents you, so make it be your best.

Again, your impression on the directors is SO VERY important.  Think about what you will look like during this audition.  You want to present yourself as a mature, well kept, organized, self-disciplined actor/singer.  We want to see that you are more than just a ‘high school’ kid who wants a part…we want to see your very best, most mature potential.  If you look sloppy and casual, we will be thinking that this is YOU: sloppy and always casual.  In other words, in a real audition, you would wear comfortable dressier clothes.  Make sure though, that what you wear does not hinder your free movement.  Ladies, this is NOT the time to wear tight, clingy tops that show off everything, including possibly your bad breathing technique.    

At your audition: 

a.       CAST APPLICATION - fill out online

b.         PARENT APPLICATION - fill out online

c.          CONFLICT CALENDAR - turn in

d.         PHOTO OF YOUR FACE AND RESUME - turn in   (See to the right of this page for a sample of what a resume might look like)

Having these completed forms will make a difference in the casting results because we will understand what your schedule looks like as well as we can see that you are responsible enough to remember to bring these important papers.

ACTING TIPS

1.      Since there are essentially no speaking in this show, we will not ask you to prepare a traditional monologue.  You will hear over and over how the SONG LYRICS TELL THE STORY OF THE SHOW, not the spoken words.  Be prepared for this.

2.      We will give you a scene suggestion and then put some mood music on and then ask you to get into character and act out the scene.  No talking.  Just acting.

3.      If you feel silly, get over it.  No one is watching but us.

4.      None of the characters in these scenes will be teenagers, so plan ahead that you will be acting older or younger than you really are.  Most likely you scene will be more dramatic than funny.  Don’t try and make us laugh.  But DO make us not want to take our eyes off of you because you are so into your part.

5.      For those of you who act better then you sing, here is your chance.  Sell it.  Make us want to see more and more of you on this stage.  

SINGING TIPS

1.      You will sing, accompanied by the piano, played by Mrs. Gleason.  No acappella songs.  Must be accompanied.

2.      Everyone will sing ONE SONG.  Choose 16 measures of your favorite Broadway show song.  You must bring music for the piano player.

3.      OR, this year, if you do not want to be considered for any solo singing roles, you may choose one of two different choruses that are actually in Les Miserables.

              AT THE END OF THE DAY  or   DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING

4.      Your song should be prepared ahead of time.  It must be memorized, even if you stumble on your words.  We want to see what you can do.  And remember, your singing MUST ALSO BE ACTING.  The lyrics to your song must tell us a story!!

5.      We DON’T want you to just sing.  You must ACT the song.  Believe the lyrics and then tell us the story of the song!!  

6.      Mrs. Gleason is a professional and will follow you at the piano.  Don’t worry about following her.  Just make sure you have music for her.  She will follow you, no matter what.

7.      Don’t come in telling us that you are not a strong singer.  Instead, sell us on how wonderful you are and how hard you can work!  We will make our own decisions on your singing ability by how you sing for us at this audition. 

8.      If you are interested in one of the principal roles you should also have at least ONE additional song to sing for us.  Like in the real world of auditioning, pick the BEST 16 measures of the song, and sing those for us!

9.      When you sing for us, we want to see how you handle character acting.  Remember that YOU will not be up on the stage, but your character will be.  This is NOT Vocal Solo & Ensemble festival.  We want to hear and see more than just a teenager with a nice voice.  You must ACT for us while singing!  How much can you use your FACE & EYES when you sing.     

10.  If you are wanting to be considered for a lead role, or some smaller solo parts, be prepared as much as possible.  Remember, there will always be someone else who wants that same part and they are willing to prepare and work towards it.  Are you?  

11.  You will be handing in to us your application which asks you this question: 

“Please tell us what two roles in this show you feel that you have the skills to play.”  

During your singing audition can you help us see why you think you should be either of these roles?  Comedy?  Serious?  Choose your songs wisely for the roles that you are interested in.

12.  Only at callbacks will we ask you to sing songs that are from Les Miz, other than At the End of the Day and Do you hear the people sing.  You should already have a copy of the Broadway cast soundtrack, so that you might know the songs as much as you can.  If you are wanting a leading role, you should be familiar with as many of the gender specific solos as possible.

13.  We have made a CD which you may be interested in.  A CD of about 25 Broadway songs  and only the best16 MEASURE AUDITION SONGS.  Each song is played twice.  Once with your part and once without your part.  The CD is available for $1.00.

14.  Do your research.  You should know the story behind the song that you sing otherwise, HOW CAN YOU EVER TELL ANYONE THE STORY behind it.

15.  HINT:  Practice in your bathroom at home, in front of a mirror!!!  It’s a combination of what we hear, but also, more importantly, what we SEE.

CAST LIST

 The OFFICIAL CAST LIST will be posted no later than 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 19th  at  wlwmusical.com

The first ALL CAST rehearsal will be on Monday, Sept. 21^st , from 2:20 – 5:00.   Check the attached calendar for your schedule for that first week.  Please plan in advance to have your show dues ready to pay the first week of rehearsals. 

WHAT ARE THE DIRECTORS LOOKING FOR ?

or

HOW TO PREPARE A DRAMATIC AUDITION!!

1.      HOW WELL HAVE YOU PREPARED? 

a. Is your monologue memorized and well thought through?

2.      PHYSICAL EXPRESSION: 

a. Gestures, facial expressions and the use of your body - try to be as BIG and exaggerated as you can.

b.How would the character move -Try to include simple movements that will work.

c. This is NOT the time to be shy and reserved!

3.      VOCAL EXPRESSION: 

a. This applies to both speaking & singing. 

b.Vocal projection (be LOUD).  We have never told anyone to soften down!!

c. Articulation-- are you understandable?  Do you speak slow enough?   

d.                        Does your voice fit the character? 

e. If you use an accent that is appropriate, can you sustain it throughout your audition?

f. Can you sing in tune, matching the pitch of the accompaniment? 

g.Can you sing with appropriate expression and phrase? 

4.      EMOTIONAL:

a. Intensity and believability.  Do you have it?   Can you sell it?

b.Do you really show the characters feelings to the back of the house?

5.      INTELLECTUAL:

a. Interpretation--can you show the meaning of the lines with your voice and body?

b.Concentration – can you keep your mind on the lines and not get distracted?

6.      CONCENTRATE:

a. Can you focus on what you are doing?

b.How do you handle your nerves?

7.      SELL YOURSELF:

a. Show us at your audition why we cannot possibly do this show without your particular talents, skills and abilities. 

b.Make us say, WOW!!  When you leave the room you should have made all of the directors have to stop and say “Where did this person come from? We MUST have them in the show because of __________________”.   What do you think the directors would write in the above blank?  You should know that BEFORE you even walk in the room. 

c. Emphasize your strong points.  Few people are TRIPLE THREATS, equally strong at singing, acting and dancing.

d.                                                                      It’s time to grow up and be as absolutely professional as you can be!

8.      ATTITUDE:

a. Overall attitude is one of the biggest parts of our casting decision. 

b.We make our decisions based on 90% wonderful, positive, hard-working attitude. 

c. If your attitude is unpleasant no one wants to work with you, no matter your talent.

d.                                                                       If you think you are ‘pegged’ as a certain kind of role here, then show us another side of you.  We would love to see it!

e. Doing shows is fun and enjoyable for all of us.  We will not let one person throw around a bad attitude and destroy the rest of the cast.

A NOTE ON CASTING:

     The casting for any show is based on a combination of many considerations, the first and foremost being the student’s ability to play the role as demonstrated through the audition process. Experience and attitude do matter. However, we will not cast a student in a role we feel they are ill-suited for as a reward for past achievements, nor will we deny parts to those who are new to the department. On the other hand, if a student has proven to be unreliable or difficult to work with, it will strongly affect casting. This is the way casting should be done on all levels and in the best cases this is how it is done.

     If a student feels that he or she will be devastated if not cast in a specific role, or not cast at all, then he or she should not try out.  If a student performs duties for the department for the sole purpose of getting a bigger part, then he or she is doing the work for the wrong reasons. Loyal members of the Drama Department will be rewarded with such things as scholarships, awards and letter of recommendation, not lead roles in the productions.

REHEARSAL INFORMATION

1.      Most rehearsals are after school at 2:35.  As you will note on the calendar, quit times start off at 5:00 but soon move later simply because we need to spend more time together.  Our goal is to quit at the posted time so that you can plan for rides accordingly.  Times will be posted that way on the calendar. The rehearsal calendar will be updated OFTEN on the website, and sometimes posted on E-105 door.  WATCH FOR updates.  

2.      Speaking of food, pop and snacks.  We realize that after school you are hungry, but there must be nothing but water bottles in the choir room, auditorium, stage area and downstairs.  Delicious water!!  Water is best for overall hydration and your vocal chords anyhow!  You will have a few minutes after school everyday to eat a snack in the hall.  Don’t plan on going out as you will probably be late.  Plan ahead!! 

3.      CAST MEMBERS WHO CARE:  We are looking to see these people starting the first week of rehearsals.  This means picking up and cleaning every place that we use…even if it’s not your junk.  We are all in this together!  

4.      EARLY is on time.  On time is LATE!!!!!  LATE is unexceptable!!!

5.      Absences and/ or tardies will lead to your being dismissed from the cast.  You are allowed TWO excused absences and TWO tardies.  We will not be checking with the office about your excused absence, so please bring a note from home signed by your parent and give it to the show manager.   HUGE NOTE:  If you miss a rehearsal with a pre-excused absence, you may still be taken out of that particular scene.  This is because each song or scene will only be taught or blocked ONE time and we can not teach it again because of time.   Please understand that this will be very disappointing for all, so plan ahead!! 

6.      There might be days when you do not have to be at rehearsal.  But DO NOT PLAN on this.  Think of them as ‘bonus days’ when they happen.  And then, go home and work on your songs, lines and blocking!  This show must be the best ever!!    

7.    There are two Special Saturday rehearsals during the last 2 weeks.  They are called ALL COMPANY - FULL SHOW, TECH  Rehearsals.   The entire cast, tech crew and orchestra must be in attendance.    If you cannot be at those two rehearsals, don’t waste anyone’s time and DO NOT audition.   They are mandatory.   

8.      Please note on the calendar that there is an EMERGENCY SUNDAY AFTERNOON rehearsal.    Please keep it free, in case it’s needed!

9.      Check out the attached sample/conflict calendar.  It will give you an idea of the next 8 weeks of our show. Check the calendar for all “unusual” type days, holidays and days off.

10.  Always have ‘rehearsal clothes’ when at a rehearsal on stage.  This show is especially physical.   You should always be able to move freely and not blame your poor acting/dancing on the nice clothes that you wore to school that day.  THIS INCLUDES SHOES!!!!!!!!!!  GIRLS:  this means not wearing skirts and dresses which inhibit acting & dancing.  

11.  We will never wear FLIP FLOPS on the stage.  Bring shoes to change into.

12.  For reasons of personal hygiene, please bathe frequently, brush your teeth often.  Wear deodorant and wash clothes regularly.  Common sense, we know.  But sometimes . . .

Money and the Musical

Our shows are run in the most professional manner.  It's hard to find many high school shows across the USA that look, feel and sound as professional as the Walled Lake Western Musicals.  In order to do theater at the level that we do here at WLW, it demands more than the income from ticket sales.  We try to produce the best possible, most professional experience for our students as well as put on incredible shows for our audiences.  

But, it all costs money.  A production of this magnitude, with the royalties, rentals and costume costs that we have, we must ask each company member to help financially.

*****If you are in a situation where you find this tough, please talk to either Mr. Cleveland or Ms. Paullin as we have never let money stop anyone from being a part of our show.  If you make it into the show, we will work out something for you, a custom plan.  But you must talk to us ASAP.  

We have two aspects of money that you must understand.

A. SHOW DUES.

The SHOW DUES go towards paying for different aspects of this production that involve you.  Instead of asking you for money for this or that numerous times throughout the 8 weeks together, we put it all together and call it SHOW DUES.  All of the money pays for things for YOU.  The SHOW DUES will have been fully spent by the end of the run.  

B. The other is the COSTUME/SCRIPT DEPOSIT.  

You will receive the Costume/Script deposit check back at the end of the run if you turn in EVERYTHING that is yours to turn in.  

SHOW DUES:  Standard Dues  $125  – This is the complete show dues plan for a full cast member.   (This is $25 cheaper than last year).

a.        An 1/8th  page ad for the show program booklet. (Business card size)  You may either use this for yourself as ‘go me’ ad or for a family business. 

b.        A long sleeved show tee-shirt. 

c.        Costume rentals and costume building.  We will rent, borrow and make our costumes.  Some costumes cost more than others, but we equal it out so everyone is charged the same. This is the ONLY way that we are able to do this huge show.  FYI-this is a common practice in many university and community theaters.

d.        You will provide your own makeup basics, BUT we will provide any specialty makeup that your character might need. 

e.        We will provide all beards, sideburns and wigs when they are called for.

f.          Rentals! Music, script, rights & royalties, backdrops, props, sets, stage turntables and any other show rentals. We all add a few dollars to this fund and makes the show all the better. 

g.        A cast notebook for your note taking.  This should be with you every day, along with a PENCIL and your script.

h.         Dinners for our 2 All Day Saturday rehearsals.  (A total of 4 meals in all!)

i.          Lunch for the Middle School Dress Rehearsal Matinee day.

j.          Cast Strike Party food

Thanks for your understanding.  When it comes down to it, ALL of the show dues money goes back to YOU.  Enjoy it!!    Because of show dues, we don’t have to keep asking you for more money as the show progresses

1. The SHOW DUES should be submitted in check, money order or cash, in an envelope with your name on it and dropped in the mail box on the wall in the choir room, E105.

2. Checks should be made out to WLW Show.  

3. The final due date for turning your Show Dues and Costume/Script Deposit is on Oct 7^th  .

Costume/Script Deposit   $100.00 

1. When you turn in your show dues, you will also turn in a SECOND CHECK for your Costume and Script Deposit.  

2. Please post date that check for November 23, 2009.

3. We will keep the check and then return it to you after you return every costume piece and your script.

4. After the last show, we will have the COSTUME/SCRIPT TURN IN time.  You will have your own, personal COSTUME INVENTORY that will have been put together by the costume crew.  You will then go to each ‘station' to turn in your different kinds of costume pieces, hats and wigs.  Then you will drop off your script at the script table.  After each turn in ‘station' has given you the official stamp of approval, you will take your form over to the money table to receive your post dated check back.  You will sign for it, then return the check to your parents.

5. If you do not turn in all of your costume pieces in good condition on that Saturday night, or you have lost your script, we will come up with what your ‘LOSS BILL' will be and then your check will be cashed and the fees will be paid for out of your Costume/Script  Deposit.

If you have any questions concerning our polices, please contact Mr. Cleveland or Ms. Paullin. 

Make sure that you have filled out the application form which is found on this page.

Make sure that your parents have filled out the application form found on the parents page.  This is a FAMILY AFFAIR production.  Please make sure that your parents know this.  Everyone needs to help out in some way to make the "magic" all happen! 

Thank you, and BREAK A LEG!