Audition Packet

INTRODUCTIONThis year’s spring production is Shrek the Musical, performing on April 26-28, 2018 (2 performances on 28th). This show provides a great opportunity to develop the talent of our students, but it is a big undertaking, and we need to know that the students who choose to participate will be able to commit to the time and attention required. It is extremely difficult to learn a scene and perform it well when individuals are missing from rehearsal.

AUDITION FORMTryouts will be held on Monday, January 29th for acting/singing and Tuesday January 30th

for dancing with callbacks on Thursday, February 2nd (if necessary). As a reminder, callbacks are only for roles that are still in question. Those not called back may already be cast!

TRYOUT INFORMATIONFor tryouts, students are to choose one of the attached scenes to perform with a partner. If you do not have a partner, we will pair you up the day of auditions. Students will also choose one of the songs and sing it in a key that is comfortable for him/her. The audition will have an instrumental track to sing along with. In addition to the music pages included in this packet, visit the theatre’s page on SHS website for a link to a practice playlist to help you prepare. “What’s Up Duloc?” starts at the beginning, “Big Bright Beautiful World” at 3:45, and “I Know It’s Today” at 2:50.The dance audition will be by small group. You will be taught a short routine and them audition as a group.

RETURN AUDITION FORMBe sure to fill out the form completely and legibly. Please bring the audition form to your audition. If you have a theatrical resume or headshot, you may attach it to the form.

MAKING THE COMMITMENTParticipating in the musical requires the commitment and dedication similar to playing on one of the school’s sports teams. Most rehearsals run from 3:00-‐5:00pm. Rehearsals will be every day after school, however not everyone will be required at each one. Once the musical is cast all actors will receive a rehearsal schedule, created to best use their time and ours. We will do our best to work around known student conflicts.

TECH & DRESS WEEKS

The final full week of rehearsals is Tech Week, which runs Monday, April 16th-20th and students should plan to stay at rehearsal until 6:00.

Dress rehearsals are April 23rd-25th from 5-9pm.

All cast/crew members are required to be at every Tech Week rehearsal until dismissed. Absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS.

**If needed, we may also call Saturday rehearsals in April. **

Cast Expectations Come to all assigned rehearsals Stay the entire time of rehearsal Be prepared with scripts, pencils, proper clothing, and drinking water Work professionally with others Take direction from student leaders (stage managers, choreographers etc.) Treat the theatre space with respect (no food or drink on stage) Do not change appearance without permission (haircuts, dyed hair, piercings etc.) Sign up for REMIND101 for up-to-date information about rehearsals and work calls.

o Students (and parents) can join by texting @misoshmus to the phone number 81010.

While we do the best we can to only call students to rehearsal when they are needed, inevitably cast may have to wait for their parts. It’s important that students are prepared to use their down time wisely. We suggest working on memorizing lines or homework so they may keep up with their studies. Students should NOT play around on cellphones while at rehearsals. We want students to stay focused on their character and to pay attention to what is going on in the play.

Academic Contract: If cast in the show, actors will be asked to sign an academic contract. Performers are students first, and the production is entirely extra-curricular not to interfere with their academic excellence.

Parents of potential cast members: Please be aware that there is a bit of crude (immature) humor in this production. There is no swearing, but there is some innuendo and a small amount of crass language.

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. O’Shaughnessy (artistic director) at Kristin.oshaughnessy@guhsdaz.org, 623-915-8760 x8771 or Mrs. Krause (music director) at tamara.krause@guhsdaz.org, x 2904.

SynopsisShrek the Musical is a one-of-a-kind, hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Grumpy, gruff, green ogre Shrek lives alone in his swamp. The world is fearful and mocking of him, and he is more than happy to leave the world to itself, in turn. Suddenly, his hermit existence is thrown open, when a group of homeless fairy tale characters — Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs, and more — burst upon his swamp, seeking refuge from the persecution of the cruel, vertically-challenged Lord Farquaad. Shrek seeks out Farquaad, who offers him a deal: if Shrek rescues the Princess Fiona (whom Farquaad wishes to marry for her crown), then Farquaad will ensure the return of Shrek’s swamp by returning the fairy tale creatures to their homes. In a desperate attempt to regain his swamp’s hermetic piece, Shrek enters the world for the first time in his life. He travels to Princess Fiona’s prison, rescues her from a fire-breathing dragon, and then – scariest of all – is forced to get to know the princess as he tries to bring her back to evil Farquaad To the determinedly unsocial ogre’s dismay, Fiona is very different from what he expected a princess to be. She may even provoke Shrek’s most novel experience yet: Love. With dazzling sets, whimsical puppetry, high energy dance numbers, and laughs by the minute, Shrek the Musical transforms the contemporary children’s book and popular animated feature film into a stage musical that is sure to entertain and make audiences believers in happy endings for all.

Note: A filmed version of the original Broadway production is currently available for viewing on Netflix (http://www.netflix.com/title/70253398) , Amazon Instant Video (http://www.amazon.com/Shrek-Musical-Brian-DArcy-James/dp/B00FJUEMUK), and iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/shrek-the-musical/id666638131).

Character DescriptionsSHREK prides himself on being a big, green, terrifying ogre. Shrek was kicked out at a young age to live alone. All goes well until the banished fairytale creatures disturb him in his swamp. In an effort to regain his peace and land, he goes on a trip to to Duloc to miss the reigning Lord, Farquaad..

LORD FARQUAAD A comically short, (frequently played on the knees with false legs) ruthless ruler of the huge castle of Duloc. In his pursuit of perfection, he attempts to rid the city of fairytale creatures. Farquaad wants to become a king, but because he is not of royal stock, he cannot become king until he marries a princess.

FIONA Princess Fiona is the princess of Far Far Away, daughter of King Harold and Queen Lillian. Fiona has been subjected to a transforming spell that turns her into an ogre every night when the sun sets. This spell can only be broken with a true loves’ kiss. Upon meeting Shrek, she eventually finds that she has fallen in love with him.

DONKEY Donkey is a talking donkey on the run from Farquaad’s guards. After being saved by Shrek, he sticks by Shrek’s side and accompanies him on his trip to save Fiona from the far away castle.

DRAGON is a female dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle..

PINOCCHIO serves as an unofficial leader of the fairytale creature. He’s a saucy rabble-rouser who finds his voice once exiled to the forest.

GINGY (the gingerbread man) will require an actor comfortable operating a puppet.

There are many cameo and ensemble roles for acting-only and dance-savvy auditions. (see next page)

Role Type VoiceShrek Lead High Baritone/TenorFiona Lead Soprano/Alto with high beltDonkey Lead High Baritone/Tenor or Alto with high beltFarquaad Lead High BaritonePinocchio Lead Male with good falsetto voice or Soprano/Alto3 Blind Mice Supporting Alto/Soprano ~ Ability to sing in harmony3 Pigs Supporting Tenor/Baritone ~ Ability to sing in harmonyBaby Bear Supporting Soprano/AltoDragon Supporting Alto with big beltElf Supporting Soprano/AltoFairy Godmother Supporting Soprano/AltoGingy Supporting Alto with big/high beltHumpty Dumpty Supporting Alto/SopranoMama Bear Supporting Alto/SopranoPapa Bear Supporting BaritonePeter Pan Supporting Alto with Big BeltSugar Plum Fairy Supporting Alto with high beltTeen Fiona Supporting Alto/SopranoUgly Duckling Supporting Soprano/AltoWhite Rabbit Supporting Alto/BaritoneWitch Supporting Alto/SopranoWolf Supporting Alto or SopranoYoung Fiona Supporting Soprano/AltoBishop Cameo Acting roleBluebird voice Cameo High SopranoCaptain of the Guard Cameo Acting roleDwarf Grumpy Cameo Acting roleGreeter Cameo Acting roleGuard Cameo Acting roleKing Harold Cameo BaritoneMama Ogre Cameo Soprano/AltoPapa Ogre Cameo Soprano/AltoPied Piper Cameo Acting roleQueen Lillian Cameo Alto with high beltSign Bearer Cameo Acting roleThelonius Cameo Acting roleTweedle Cameo Alto with high beltYoung Shrek Cameo Non-speaking roleHappy People/Mob Ensemble All Voice Types/DancingFarquaad's Guards Ensemble Acting/Singing roleHead Duloc Performer Ensemble Acting/Solo roleDuloc Performers Ensemble Singers/DancersForest Creatures Ensemble Acting/Dancing rolesKnights: backup singers 4 Ensemble Baritone/Tenor/TBDDancing Rat Tappers Ensemble Dancers

Reading #1

Reading #2

Reading #3

What’s Up Duloc?

Big Bright Beautiful World

I Know it’s Today

**Please complete legibly and bring with you to auditions.**

Full Name:__________________________________________        ID#:_______________________ Phone:________________________ Smart phone with internet? Y/N

Grade:_______             Age:_______                  Gender:________Height:_______             Weight:_______           Hair color:_______

Would you be willing to dye your hair?   Yes      No

What role(s) would you like to be considered for? :_______________________________________________________

Will you accept any role?    Yes   No

List any acting, theatre, or public speaking related experiences you have:When Where What

2015 Church Pageant Angel narrator, with solo song                   {EXAMPLE}

List any special talents, hobbies, or skills you have:

SCHEDULES/CONFLICTSPlease list all conflicts. Rehearsal schedules will work around student conflicts as much as possible.Are you in a school sport? If so which?________________________________________________Are you participating in other clubs? If so, when do they meet?___________________________________Can you rehearse after school (3:00-5:00)?

Monday Yes No Thursday Yes No Tuesday Yes No Friday Yes No Wednesday Yes No

Can you rehearse on Saturday mornings (9:00-noon)? Yes____ No____

List any other known conflicts:

***********************************************************************************************************FOR DIRECTOR USE ONLY

Acting               Volume:           1           2           3           4           5Diction:            1           2           3           4           5Character:       1           2           3           4           5

Comments:

Look:

Chemistry:

Singing:

Dancing: