AUDITION PACKET for the Liberty Union Thurston Local Schools Spring Musical Auditions: Dec. 8 LUHS @ 3:00 pm Dec. 9 LU Elementary @ 3:45 Dec. 10 callbacks, LUHS @ 3 pm *LUMS students may come either the 8 th or 9 th to audition Tech week (all rehearsals mandatory): March 14-17 in evenings Performances: March 18 and 19 7:30 pm March 20 3:30 pm For students cast as orphans, rehearsals begin Wed. January 6 and will be every Monday and Wednesday from 3:45-5 pm in the Elementary music room until tech week. Additional rehearsals may be added as needed. For all other cast members a rehearsal schedule will be posted online over Christmas break, but will also begin Jan.6. 1
DIRECTOR S WELCOME Dear Parents: I am so excited to be starting this adventure with your students! Being a part of a musical is an experience that they will remember for a lifetime and can be a great opportunity for kids to make new friends. In this audition packet you are going to find all of the pieces of information necessary to get your child started in the right direction. Auditions will be held at Liberty Union High School auditorium on Dec.8 and at Liberty Union Elementary on Dec. 9 in the music room. If it is necessary to have callbacks, this will occur on Thursday, Dec.10 in the auditorium. I can t stress enough the importance of preparing for the audition, particularly if your student is interested in a lead role. Audition requirements will be outlined later in this packet. Our production schedule will run from our first rehearsal Tuesday, January 5 to the performances on March 18-20. A complete and detailed rehearsal schedule will be posted online over Christmas break but in general plan for two to three rehearsals a week with more time commitment for leading roles. Please fill in the Audition Form completely and turn in at auditions. There are various sections of information that are necessary for a successful production and for us to communicate with you. We do ask that all of our participants pay a $15 cast shirt fee which is due at your students first rehearsal. If you are unable to afford the fee, please talk to me. No student will be turned away for financial reasons. In this packet please complete the Conflict Form. It s essential that you are detailed in letting us know when your child will not be available to rehearse. If your child s availability is very limited it may affect casting decisions. Great attendance at rehearsals is extremely important. Large amounts of music and/or choreography will be covered at each rehearsal and absences will cause your child unnecessary stress in catching up. In addition, absences create a burden for other cast members and create complications for directors. Please avoid scheduling appointments during rehearsal when possible. Finally I would ask that parents would also complete the Volunteer Form. A musical is truly a labor of love and requires many, many behind the scenes people to run smoothly. There are a few areas in which I am very much in need of a lead person, and then others in which a few more hands are needed for assistance. If you have a student involved, please consider becoming involved with the production yourself. As you will see on the form, there is a wide variety of needs and every volunteer who is involved will be a part of creating a lifetime of memories for these students. Many hands do make lighter work for all. I am looking forward to working with you and your students in this exciting endeavor! Please email me if you have any questions at fishere@libertyunion.org. You can also reach me by phone at the middle school or high school. Emily Fisher Musical Director 2
AUDITION EXPECTATIONS AND SCHEDULES When you come to auditions please have all of your documents ready to hand in at the information table. If you are missing anything our staff will be able to give you forms, audition materials and answer your questions. They will also have a checklist for you. Auditions for chorus parts and smaller roles (little to no speaking parts, singing primarily in groups) Mrs. Fisher will teach all students auditioning a song from the show. After adequate preparation time has been given students will then be split into groups to perform the song for our judges. Please consider the following things as you prepare for your audition: correct words, notes, and rhythms, facial and body expression, stage presence, vocal projection Auditions for specific parts (see my webpage for updated list of roles) Song preparation is required for roles with solos. See Mrs. Fisher or Mrs. Leach for copies of the sheet music beginning Dec.1. In the meantime I recommend that you spend some time listening to the original Broadway recording of the show, particularly the songs sung by characters in which you are interested in playing. You will be given some dialogue to read during your audition that you will not see in advance. If you are interested in a speaking-only part, no song preparation is required. You will be given dialogue to read at your audition. Dec. 8, 3:00 pm @ LUHS Auditorium 3:00-3:15 Registration for chorus auditions sign in, hand in forms, quietly have a seat in auditorium 3:15-3:45 Mrs. Fisher will teach the group a song 3:45 Students will be divided into groups and perform for the judges, please leave as you finish unless you are also auditioning for a specific role 4:15 Auditions for specific parts begin 5:00 Auditions complete Dec. 9, 3:45 pm @ LU Elementary music room 3:45-4:00 Registration for chorus auditions sign in, hand in forms, quietly have a seat in music room 4:00-4:15 Mrs. Fisher will teach the group a song 4:15 Students will be divided into groups and perform for the judges, at this point parents please be available to pick up your child as he/she is finished unless your child is also auditioning for a specific role 4:30 Auditions for specific parts begin 5:15 Auditions complete Dec. 10, 4:00 5:00 pm @ LUHS Auditorium Callbacks for leading roles, only if necessary. You will be called after auditions on Dec. 9 if we need to hear you again. 3
After Auditions... Callbacks or Round Two If the judges need to hear a student again, plan to go thru the same process as in the previous evening. Students may be asked to sing or read for a different part than their original audition. Remember this production requires combinations of actors and the right chemistry is required between actors. If we do hold callbacks and your child is not invited it does not mean that they are not being considered for a part; we may have cast their role the first night. Announcing the Cast Our goal is to have the cast list posted online on Dec.11 by the end of the school day Making the Best of Casting Decisions As the director of the production I am required to look at the big picture. Many factors play into casting decisions. Every person s contribution to the show, no matter how big or small, is important. Many students who audition for the show will not receive the part that was his or her first, or even second choice. I have been on the other side of these casting decisions as well, and have been in situations where I did not receive the part I hoped for. I participated in the shows anyway with a positive attitude and loved every second of being on stage regardless of my role. If your student is disappointed in casting decisions please encourage your child to come talk to me one on one to discuss how to enhance his or her future auditions. SONG REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC ROLES Please see Mrs. Fisher or Mrs. Leach for copies of the songs on or after Dec.1 Annie Maybe, Tomorrow Warbucks N.Y.C Hannigan Little Girls, Easy Street Rooster Easy Street Grace I think I m Gonna Like it Here, NYC Bert Healy Fully Dressed Boylan Sisters Fully Dressed Lily Easy Street Roosevelt Cabinet Tomorrow Named orphans (Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July, Duffy) - sing the group audition piece separately, no prep required beforehand, just make sure we know you are interested 4
CONTRACT Name Grade Parent Name Address Phone Email Shirt Size Youth or Adult XS S M L XL Behavioral Contract Participation in this musical is a privilege and the LU staff believes each person involved is entitled to a positive experience. As such all students are required to follow the behavioral standards listed below: show respect to staff, students and volunteers. be respectful of all school property the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco products is strictly prohibited stay in approved areas of the school at all times behave in a professional manner at all times during rehearsals and performances be on time for all rehearsals and performances limit rehearsal absences as much as possible Discipline Process first incident director or producer will talk with the student about the misbehavior second incident director and/or producer will talk with the student s parent or guardian. third incident student will be removed from the musical I have read and agree to the behavior standards listed in the Behavioral Contract. I have also read and understand the consequences of failing to follow them. Signed Date (student) Signed Date (parent/guardian) Liability and Photo Release The undersigned, the parent or legal guardian of _, grants permission for this child to participate in this production sponsored by Liberty Union-Thurston Local School District. The undersigned gives permission to LU to use any pictures, videotapes and/or sound recordings taken or created during this activity, which may include this student, in promotional materials. Signed Date (parent/guardian) 5
AUDITION FORM Name Experience and any specials talents or skills you have that could be useful for the production: Preferred role(s) do not write below this line conflict sheet and volunteer form contract Director s Audition Notes Singing: 1 2 3 4 5 Voice part Reading: 1 2 3 4 5 Projection: 1 2 3 4 5 Stage Presence: 1 2 3 4 5 Expression: 1 2 3 4 5 Cast As: NEXT PAGE IS THE JUDGES SHEET please write your name only in each box and leave the rest of the form blank 6
Name: Role: Name: Role: Rate 1-5: 1 being outstanding Singing: 5 Reading: 2 5 Projection: 2 5 Stage Presence: 2 5 Expression: 2 5 Rate 1-5: 1 being outstanding Singing: 5 Reading: 2 5 Projection: 2 5 Stage Presence: 2 5 Expression: 2 5 Name: Role: Rate 1-5: 1 being outstanding Singing: 1 2 3 4 5 Reading: 1 2 3 4 5 Projection: 1 2 3 4 5 Stage Presence: 1 2 3 4 5 Expression: 1 2 3 4 5 Name: Role: Rate 1-5: 1 being outstanding Singing: 1 2 3 4 5 Reading: 1 2 3 4 5 Projection: 1 2 3 4 5 Stage Presence: 1 2 3 4 5 Expression: 1 2 3 4 5 7
VOLUNTEER FORM Parents, please select one or more areas with which you are interested in being involved. Please remember, without your help this show simply wouldn t be possible. The * indicates that there is a critical need in the area at this time. Program* (creating layout) Ad sales* (generates income required for the show) Ticket sales* Costumes* (planning, distribute info to kids, sewing skills not necessarily required!) Lights/sound (experience required) Props (no artistic skills necessary, gathering random items needed) Advertising* Snacks (particularly tech week) Financial support Adults, please let me know if you have any other special talents or skills that you would like to use to contribute to the show! Volunteer(s) name Email address (our primarily form of contact) Best phone number to reach you STUDENT CONFLICT FORM Please be thorough in listing the times of any regular conflicts that would prevent you from attending rehearsal. When possible, please avoid scheduling appointments during times that would conflict with rehearsal. Inadequate availability for rehearsal could affect casting decisions. Monday- Tuesday- Wednesday- Thursday- Friday- Other conflicts: 8