SPRING MUSICAL AUDITIONS
DANCE AUDITION
Friday Nov 8th, 4pm
Wear dance attire or clothes you can move in.
You will learn a routine from the show taught by the choreographer.
You will dance in large and small groups and be evaluated by the director and choreographer.
*Warm up starts 3:30pm in the Auditorium.
VOCAL AUDITION
Monday Nov 11th, 4pm
Prepare at least a verse and chorus from a song from the show.
COLD READS
Tuesday Nov 12th
*Only those required by the Director.
CALL BACKS
Thursday Nov 14th
*Only those required by the Director.
HOW TO AUDITION FOR THE MUSICAL
Vocal Audition
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Listen to the soundtrack from the show(s) and watch clips of Broadway productions.
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Decide which roles you see yourself able to sing/act and familiarize yourself with these characters and their songs. See character descriptions below.
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Prepare 16 bars of a song, preferably from the show(s) and a character you’d actually be considered for.
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Bring accompaniment for the song with you to the audition (karaoke style/no words).
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When preparing for your song portion of the audition, keep in mind that you are acting and must convince us that you could play this character.
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Sign-up for a time slot - sheets will be posted outside the Blackbox early next week.
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Show up early for your audition time, warm up, sing and act your heart out for Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Schreer & Mr. Bowers!
Dance Audition
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Everyone auditioning must attend (unless previously excused) the dance audition to be considered for the cast of the show.
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Come prepared to learn a dance combo taught by the choreographer.
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You will dance in large and small groups.
Cold Reading
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A list of who we need to see cold read will be posted.
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If your name is on the “cold read list”, please attend the cold read auditions.
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Come prepared to read from the script, make character choices and show the director what you would do if cast in the role for which you are asked to read.
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If your name is not on the cold read list, this does not mean that you will not be cast.
Call Backs
If needed, a callback list will be posted, and callbacks will be held after school.
If called back, you may be asked to cold read or sing.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Roxie Hart: (Female ~ Vocal Part: Mezzo ~ Age Range: 20-30) As pretty as she is self-centered, Roxie Hart’s unrelenting search of fame and glory forms the spine of “Chicago”. Not very bright and never thinking about the consequences of her actions, Roxie makes bad decisions throughout the show – all in the name of public recognition. Her wannabe vaudeville mindset lasts throughout the entire show. Despite being a generally dislikable character, Roxie remains strangely sympathetic to the audience because we understand that her selfishness isn’t malevolent. Rather it is immaturity that propels Roxie’s fall from integrity. Above all, Roxie Hart is a character that embodies the corruption that fame can bestow upon a person. Note: Roxie is a very strong Fosse dancer.
Velma Kelly: (Female ~ Vocal Part: Alto ~ Age Range: 25-40) Tough, sexy, and sarcastic, Velma Kelly is a vaudeville performer who resides in Cook County Jail after she murdered her cheating husband and sister. Used to being the “main attraction”, Velma fiercely competes with up and coming rival superstar Roxie for the attention of the press and to preserve her celebrity status. In Brechtian style, Velma often breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience directly to explain certain events within the show and express herself in the style of Fosse.
Billy Flynn: (Male ~ Vocal Part: Baritone ~ Age Range: 35-50) Suave, educated, and very manipulative, Billy Flynn is a lawyer who makes celebrities of his clients in order to gain them sympathy from the media and sway the public’s opinion – a perk that Roxie tries to take advantage of. Both Velma and Roxie hire Flynn to represent their cases and use him as their claim to fame. With a perfect track record under his belt and good looks and charm to boot, Billy will take on any case as long as it means putting money in his pocket.Matron
“Mama” Morton: (Female ~ Vocal Part: Alto ~ Age Range: 30-50) The tough, sassy warden of the Cook County Jail, “Mama” treats the inmates under her watch like family and would do anything for them – so long as she gets something else in return. “Reciprocity” is her motto. “Mama’s” philosophy represents much of what is wrong with the justice system.
Amos Hart: (Male ~ Vocal Part: Baritone ~ Age Range: 30-50) An automechanic and the hapless husband of Roxie, Amos, though not very good looking and not very smart, is a lovable and good-natured man. He is the only character in the show whose motives are pure of heart and never selfish. Despite this, he’s also the only character who really loses out in the end. A victim of his own innocence, Amos represents the average man who pushes hard to do the right thing but never gets any recognition for it.
Mary Sunshine: (Male ~ Vocal Part: Soprano ~ Age Range: 25-55) A sappy, soppy tabloid columnist who relies more on emotion than thought when it comes to writing her stories, Mary Sunshine is a person who believes that no matter what horrible atrocities a person has committed, somehow there must be a little bit of good in them. This character is usually played by a man in drag.Master of Ceremonies: A character that appears throughout the show to introduce the various “acts”. Existing outside the events of the play, the M.C. speaks to the audience directly and often provides insight into the characters or situations.
Fred Casely: (Male ~ Vocal Part: Spoken ~ Age Range: 30-50) Roxie’s boyfriend at the beginning of the show, Fred Casely sleeps with, and is promptly murdered by Roxie after he walks out on her. Appears in flashbacks reenacting the incident.Sergeant Fograty: (Male ~ Vocal Part: Spoken ~ Age Range: 35-55) A police sergeant who investigates the murder of Fred Casely and interrogates Amos.
Liz: (Female ~ Vocal Part: N/A ~ Age Range: 18-45) One of the “merry murderesses” of Cook County Jail. Shoots her husband with a shotgun because he popped his gum too loudly.
Annie: (Female ~ Vocal Part: N/A ~ Age Range: 18-45) One of the “merry murderesses” of Cook County Jail. Found out her boyfriend had married several wives behind her back and poisoned him with arsenic.
June: (Female ~ Vocal Part: N/A ~ Age Range: 18-45) One of the “merry murderesses” of Cook County Jail. Stabbed her husband with a carving knife after he accused her of cheating on him.
Hunyak: (Female ~ Vocal Part: N/A ~ Age Range: 18-45) One of the “merry murderesses” of Cook County Jail. Accused of chopping off her husband’s head, Hunyak, unlike her fellow inmates, is actually innocent. However, she is found guilty regardless due to her inability to speak English and her refusal to plead guilty to her “crime”. Her execution illustrates the corruption of the justice system. Speaks Hungarian. Ballet skills required.
Mona: (Female ~ Vocal Part: N/A ~ Age Range: 18-45) One of the “merry murderesses” of Cook County Jail. Kills her boyfriend after finding out he was sleeping around.
GoToHell Kitty: (Female ~ Age Range: 21-40) A wealthy woman who inherited her parents’ money, Kitty kills her boyfriend, Harry, in her apartment after finding him sleeping with two other girls. Going crazy after the murder, she becomes quite vicious and uses the oft-repeated phrase “go to hell” to those addressing her.
Harry: (Male) Boyfriend of “GotoHell” Kitty. He is murdered by Kitty after she catches sleeping with two other girls.
Aaron: (Male) Hunyak’s lawyer. Impatient, he is fed up with his client’s inability to speak English.
Martin Harrison: (Male) Chicago’s District Attorney. Present at Roxie’s trial.
Court Clerk: (Male) A mild-mannered court clerk. Poor courtroom conduct. Present at Roxie’s trial.
The Judge: (Male) His honor. Present at Roxie’s trial.
CHORUS: We need both male and female chorus members. We are looking for both singers and dancers – especially dancers. Some chorus members may have lines. Roles in the chorus include news reporters, policemen, inmates, tailors, shoe shiners, and other citizens of Chicago in the roaring twenties. (dance and look Fosse) .
Questions: David Hopkins HopkinsD1@fultonschools.org
The director reserves the right to adjust the audition, rehearsal, or show schedule which may include adding, extending and/or canceling rehearsals and performances when he deems appropriate or necessary.