The Wizard of Oz AUDITION & INFORMATION PACKET You are invited to audition for the Westmoreland Sanctuary 2016 summer production of The Wizard of Oz! This 75- minute Young Performer s Edition contains the same scenes, songs and memorable lines from the MGM movie. We expect for this to be an exciting process full of rare opportunities and loads of summer fun! People ages 7 through adult are welcome in this multi-generational production. This packet covers general information about auditions & call-backs, casting, rehearsal/performance process character descriptions & requirements, audition song lyrics & sides and audition forms. For additional information, feel free to call or email directly. OPEN AUDITIONS Wednesday, May 18 & Thursday, May 19 Westmoreland Sanctuary 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 DIRECTOR AUDITION TIMES CALL-BACKS CASTING Denise Simon ALL ACTORS MUST SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME Auditions are between 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM Click this link to select a date and time: https://doodle.com/poll/335vaxd8t6emzc34 On a case-by-case basis only; Date & time TBA Not all actors will receive call-backs even if they have been cast! Casting decisions will not be made until all call-backs are complete. Gender & age will NOT be factors in casting. All casting decisions are at the sole discretion of the director, who may choose to double-cast actors to share roles or split double-roles between two actors. REHEARSAL Starts Monday, June 27 and continue 4:00 PM 8:00 PM Mon.-Fri. (Sat. poss.) PERFORMANCES * July 22,23,24 and July 29,30,31 Fri, Sat shows 6:30 pm, Sunday Matinee: 2:00 * All performances will be outside. As such, dates may be changed due to rain & performances added if demanded. PROCESS EXPECTATIONS NEW THIS YEAR The production schedule will be arranged into groups. Not everyone will be called each day. Conflicts indicated on your audition form will be accepted, but later conflicts may result in recasting. ALL CAST MEMBERS MUST CONTRIBUTE THE FOLLOWING: $495 activity fee Sale of 12 tickets and 1 program advertisement Personal undergarments, footwear & make-up must be supplied by the performer, as determined by Costume Designer Parent involvement encouraged!! Sign-up sheets will be available! Sing at Cabaret Around the Campfire after evening performances!
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (in order of appearance) LEADING & SUPPORTING ROLES Dorothy Gale: A sweet, innocent young lady with a streak of boldness, outspoken and headstrong, who dearly loves her family, friends and dog, Toto; Lives on farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em & Uncle Henry, but dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she will not get into trouble; Strong vocalist and dancer required. Aunt Em Gale: A typical, hard-working farmer s wife who is firm & no-nonsense but also warm and caring; Sings reprise of Somewhere Over the Rainbow as a duet with Dorothy Uncle Henry Gale: Farmer whose wife, Em, runs things; Adoring uncle to Dorothy; Non-singing role Hunk (Scarecrow): Clumsy farmhand on the family s Kansas farm; Both characters talk about being smart and having a brain Hickory (Tin Man): Kind, sweet and nurturing farmhand; Tin man has no heart but is very caring Zeke (Lion): Farmhand who lacks courage; Acts tough, but fearful self comes out in any scary situation Miss Gulch (Wicked Witch of the West): Well-off, cold-hearted Gale neighbor who hates Toto; Nonsinging role Professor Marvel (Wizard): Traveling salesman who lives by telling fortunes; A bit of a con-man but with a good heart; Non-singing role Glinda: Good Witch of the North who is the mother figure for Munchkins and Dorothy whom she guides through Oz; Delicate and graceful OTHER CAST MEMBERS Cyclone: Dancers will help create the tornado effect through interpretive dance, moving scenery and manipulating puppets or rigged costumes; Non-singing roles Cyclone Victims (one liners), Lady (in rocking chair), Cow (2 people), Men (2 in row boat) Munchkins: Little people who live in Munchkinland where Dorothy s house lands after the cyclone; Enthusiastic and celebrate joyfully; All sizes eligible; Includes Teachers (2),, Barrister, City Fathers (2) with lines; Mayor and Coroner with lines and vocal solos; Also Tots (3) and Tough Guys (3) who sing Yellow Brick Roadsiders: Represent the background during scenes with Dorothy meets Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion, including Cornstalks, Apple Trees (3 of which sing), Wild Trees & Crows (3 sing) Jitterbugs: Forest creatures who serve the Wicket Witch to dance the shoes off of Dorothy s feet! Fastpaced swing number Optimistic Voices: Late 1930 s-style female vocal trio (or more) who sing short chorus to welcome Dorothy and group to Emerald City Doorman & Guard: Comical characters in Emerald City; Doorman starts out tough but melts into a softy; Guard also changes from harsh to sympathetic Ozians: Citizens of Emerald City with group song and dance; Costumes include Stylists, Tin Restorers, Straw Stuffers and Cat (who briefly distracts Toto) Winged Monkeys: The Wicked Witch s menacing animal army Nikko: Leader of the Winged Monkeys with a few lines Winkie Guards: The Wicked Witch s enslaved guards who are overjoyed at her death Leader of Winkies: Head Guard with a few lines
AUDITION OVERVIEW Study the character descriptions and audition for a part within your skill range (singing, dancing, acting)! Auditions will be follow the closed format and will include: Brief self-introduction and interview Include your name, age, school and desired role; Director may ask about experience, training, desire, commitment or other questions Individual Vocal Range Test vocal highs and lows recorded solo followed by one vocal selection (choose your preference from options in this packet) Individual performance of Audition Sides perform one audition side (choose your preference from options in this packet) Group Movement & Dance Director will guide performers to demonstrate character physicality and dance skill requirements BACKSTAGE & TECHNICAL POSITIONS We are accepting submissions for backstage and technical positions. Parents of cast members can assist in one area and students are eligible for some positions as indicated. Please mark on Audition form what positions you would accept if not cast onstage. Ensemble members may be assigned backstage and/or technical roles too. All positions are open to adults/parents and those marked with * are open to youth as well. Volunteers will work under the coordination of our production manager, Carolyn Nielsen. Direction Stage Manager runs rehearsals and performances; requires theatre experience Assistant Stage Managers (2)* requires organization, communication and responsibility; Great way to be VITAL to the show without performing! Pre-Production Stitchers* sew & tailor garments; experience preferred; machine access a PLUS! Crafters* sew, cut, glue or otherwise create/alter costumes, props or scenic pieces Carpenters Adults needed early in the process to cut wood & build scenery & props Scenic Painters & Artists * - paint and detail large scenic back pieces & onstage scenic units & props; Parents and youth are encouraged to apply Properties Master * responsible for sourcing/creating and maintaining all hand props used for production; should have craft skills and transportation; experience preferred Props Assistants (2) * - requires organization, visual arts ability and dependability CONTACT INFORMATION Please visit the Denise Simon Acting and Coaching website at www.denisesimoncoaching.com for more about Denise Simon s work. You can email Denise at denisesimoncoach@gmail.com or call 914-621-2663. The contact for this program Westmoreland Sanctuary is Ann Paul who can be reached by email at apaul@westmorelandsanctuary.org or by calling 914-666-8448. To make payments for participation fees, program ads and tickets, visit their website at www.westmorelandsanctuary.org.
AUDITION SIDES Each auditioner must choose ONE of the following sides to perform SOLO at audition. Memorization of your choice is preferred but not required. Ability to best demonstrate your chosen character with appropriate voice and expression, proper posture and body movements determine casting. Director may request you perform another side in addition to your selection. All casting comes from these sides. Dorothy: Auntie Em! Auntie Em! Just listen to what Miss Gulch did to Toto! She hit him right over the back with a rack just because she says he gets in her garden and chases her nasty, old cat. But he doesn t do it every day just once or twice a week. And he can t catch her old cat, anyway. And now she says she s gonna get the sheriff, and what am I going to do? Miss Gulch and Wicked Witch: (As Gulch) That dog s a menace to the community. I m taking him to the sheriff and make sure he s destroyed! There s a law protecting folks against dogs that bite! Unless you want to go against the law. (As Witch) As for you, my fine lady, just try to stay out of my way. Just try! I ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too! (cackle) Hunk and Scarecrow: (As Hunk) Now lookit, Dorothy, you ain t using your head about Miss Gulch. Think you didn t have any brains at all. (As Scarecrow) It s very tedious being stuck up here with a pole up your back. But if you ll bend the nail down, maybe I ll slip off and (falls down) Whoops! Haha! There goes some of me again! I just keep picking it up and putting it back in again. Aunt Em: Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn t mean you have the power to run the rest of us! For 23 years I ve been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now being a Christian woman, I can t say it! Glinda: Well, I m a little muddled. The Munchkins called me because a new witch has dropped a house on the Wicked Witch of the East. And there s the house, and here you are, and that s all that s left of the Wicked Witch of the East. And so what the Munchkins want to know is are you a good witch, or a bad witch? Professor Marvel and Wizard: (As Marvel) Leaving so soon? Wait, wait! Don t tell me! You are running away! Haha! Professor Marvel never guesses, he knows! Now gaze into the crystal ball with me (As Wizard) Universities are where men go to become great thinkers. And they have no more brains than you. Therefore, I hereby confer upon you, the honorary degree of Th.D Doctor of Thinkology! Hickory and Tin Man: (As Hickory) Hurry, fore my arms are pulled clear out of their sockets. I ain t a statue, you know. I ain t made of iron. (As Tin Man) About a year ago, I was chopping that tree, minding my own business, when suddenly it started to rain and right in the middle of a chop, I rusted solid. And I ve been that way ever since. Zeke and Lion: (As Zeke) Listen, kid. That old Gulch ain t nothing to be afraid of. Have a little courage, that s all. (As Lion) Put em up! Put em up! I ll fight you with one paw tied behind my back! I ll fight you standing on one foot. I ll fight you with my eyes closed (Dorothy smacks his nose). Whadja do that for? I didn t bite him (Toto)! You didn t have to go and hit me, did you? Is my nose bleeding? Uncle Henry: (To Miss Gulch) Well if you don t want to hear what I have to say about you, you better pedal your carcass offa my land! You have friends in high places? Why don t you climb on your broomstick and go visit em? (To Dorothy) I m sorry, we can t be against the law, Dorothy. All other roles (Toto, Munchkins, Ensemble): As Mayor of the Munchkin City, In the County of the Land of Oz, I welcome you most regally! Let the joyous news be spread, The Wicked Old Witch at last is dead!
ADDITIONAL CALL-BACK SIDES (call-backs only; no need to memorize) WIZARD Silence! Whippersnapper! The beneficent Oz has every intention of granting your requests! But you must prove yourselves worth. Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. Now, go! (yells) I SAID, GO! WICKED WITCH Oh! I m melting! Melting! Oh, what a world, what a world! Ohhhh! Ohhhh! SCARECROW, TIN MAN, LION & TOTO Scarecrow: Look! The Witch s castle! We made it! Tin Man: But how can we find Dorothy? Lion: My paws are getting tired from all this searching Toto (enters): Gruff! Ruff-ruff! Scarecrow: It s Toto! Where have you been? Toto: Ruff-ruff! Oh-we-oh! We-oh-oh! Grrr. (cackles like witch) Yipe! Yipe! Yipe! Tin Man: What s he sayin? Lion: The Wicked Witch has Dorothy locked in her tower? Tin Man: Oh, we have to get her out. Scarecrow: Don t cry now. I ve got a plan! Lion: He s got a plan. Scarecrow: And you re going to lead us. Lion: Me? Scarecrow: Yes, you. Toto: Ruff-ruff. Lion: All right, I ll tear em apart! (growls) There s only one thing I want you to do. Scarecrow & Tin Man: What s that? Lion: Talk me out of it. DOROTHY Oh, Toto, we re home. Home! And I m not going to leave here ever, EVER again, because I love you all! And, oh, Auntie Em, there s no place like home! DOROTHY, AUNT EM & WICKED WITCH Dorothy: Auntie Em! Auntie Em! Is it really you? Aunt Em: Dorothy, I hope you can somehow hear me wherever you are. We re trying to find you, dear. We want you to come home, Dorothy. Please come home, come home to us, safe and sound Dorothy: Oh, I want to, Auntie Em. I really want to come home! But I m here in Oz, locked up in the Witch s castle, and I m so afraid, and I I don t know what to do. Aunt Em: Dorothy, dear. Come home to us. Just come home Witch: Sorry to break up the happy reunion! Dorothy: Auntie Em! Please come back! Please! Witch: I ll give you Auntie, Em, my pretty! (cackle) When I return, you ll get yours and I ll have mine!
AUDITION SONG LYRICS Each auditioner must choose ONE of the following audition selections to sing solo at audition. Accompanist will be provided. Director may request you sing another song in addition to your selection. All roles will be case from the provided selections. Somewhere Over the Rainbow Dorothy, Aunt Em, Glinda, Apple Trees, Optimistic Voices Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There s a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Someday I ll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drips, Away above the chimney tops, That s where you ll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow, Bluebirds fly, Birds fly over the rainbow, Why, oh why, can t I? If I Only Had A Brain (Scarecrow) I could wile away the hours, Conferrin with the flowers, Consultin with the rain; And my head I d be scratchin, While my thoughts were busy hatchin, If I only had a brain. A Heart (Tin Man) When a man s an empty kettle, He should be on his mettle, And yet I m torn apart; Just because I m presumin, That I could be kinda human, If I only had a heart. The Nerve (Lion) Yes it s sad, believe me, Missy, When you re born to be a sissy, Without the vim and verve; But I could show my prowess, Be a lion not a mou-ess, If I only had the nerve. Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead! (Munchkin leads must sing ensemble part first) Toto & Ensemble Only: Ding dong! The Witch is dead. Which old witch? The Wicked Witch. Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead. Three Tots: We represent the Lullaby League, the Lullaby League, the Lullaby League. And in the name of the Lullaby League, we wish to welcome you to Munchkinland. Coroner: As Coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her, and she s not only merely dead, she s really, most sincerely dead. Three Tough Kids: We represent the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, and in the name of the Lollipop Guild, we wish to welcome you to Munchkinland. Call-Back Audition Songs Come Out, Come Out (Glinda) Come out, come out, wherever you are, and meet the young lady who fell from star; She fell from the sky, she fell very far, and Kansas she says is the name of the star. If I Were King of the Forest (Lion) Of I were king of the forest, not queen, not duke, not prince, my regal robes would be satin, not cotton, not chintz. We re Off to See the Wizard (Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Toto) We re off to see the Wizard! The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.