About the Show: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a musical production that has little to no dialogue outside of the music.  The show is told by a narrator(s) to the youth (the youth choir) and then acted out by the ensemble and actors as the story is told through music.  Written by Andrew LLoyd Webber and Tim Rice, the show is full of life, color, and entertainment.  Various styles of music are used to tell the story. The youth choir stays on stage throughout the show, singing and watching what happens in the story.  The choir will also interact on stage a few times on stage in the choreography and music. The story includes many male roles – there are 12 brothers! However, the production team is very open to having some of these roles played by women (acting as a brother).  Several strong dancers will also add to our production.  We also need strong ensemble voices.  The ensemble (adults, not the youth choir) are on stage for most of the songs in the show.

Auditions for the Youth Choir: Each youth should come prepared with 1-2 minutes of a song they can sing for the production team that highlights their voice and singing ability.  The music director will also teach the youth a small section of “Any Dream will Do” and have them sing it as well. Youth will also be taught a short bit of choreography to learn and dance.

Auditions for Ensemble and Cast of Characters: (ages 15 and up): Please come prepared with 16-32 bars from a song not from the show to sing for the production team that showcases your voice and also includes use of acting and expression through song. Actors will also be asked to sing one of the songs included on the “Joseph Song List” section of the auditions, depending on which character they are interested in playing.  Please note that the style of songs varies, so pick the one that you are interested in portraying.  You may prepare more than one.

Auditions will also include some acting exercises where the directors will ask small groups to act out a script and then may give direction on how they want the scene presented.  There are no sides (excerpts from the script) provided to prepare,  as there are only scripted lyrics in this show.  The scenes will be short vignettes that will be used to demonstrate acting depth and willingness to make strong character choices.  For example, the directors may ask a group to read/act the scene as angry christmas shoppers, or bubbly teenage girls, etc.

Be prepared to learn a short dance/choreographed piece at auditions. Dress appropriately for dancing/movement.

Songs from the show that will be used at auditions by character (you may prepare more than one). Please see the linked music below for the section of the song to prepare.

Joseph - Close Every Door

Narrator - Jacob and Sons, Potiphar Narration

Brothers - Those Canaan Days, Benjamin Calypso, and One More Angel in Heaven

Youth Choir and Ensemble: Any Dream Will Do

Jacob - Those Canaan Days

Pharaoh - Song of the King

YOUTH CHOIR: 15-20 youth ages 10-14. (Must be 10 by the date of auditions). Choir members should be good singers able to memorize music, show commitment to rehearsals, be able to sit for an extended time on stage and willing to learn. The youth choir is on stage the whole show, occasionally interacting with the action on stage. For the first several weeks, the youth choir will likely rehearse at separate times from the ensemble cast. Please note: as this is part of our “adult season” of shows, not all youth who audition will necessarily be cast.

ENSEMBLE -  Ages 15 and up. The ensemble will sing in almost all songs, interact on stage, and perform choreography. Some ensemble members will be designated as dancing corps. Ensemble roles include 12 wives of the brothers, Ishmaelites, Servants, and others. The ensemble is very active in this show.

Specific Characters:

NARRATOR - Female, age variable. This may be split between 2-3 actors, depending on the directors’ choice. This is a very intensive role with much singing, some dancing and needs a strong actor as well.

JOSEPH - Male, age 16-35. Joseph is the main character in the show and sings solos and should also be a strong actor.

JACOB, Joseph’s father - Male, age 40 or up. Jacob is an older father with 12 sons. He has some solo singing lines.

Joseph’s BROTHERS: The brothers sing together in many songs and are also used as extras in some scenes.

Reuben (sings lead on “One More Angel in Heaven”)

Simeon (sings lead on “Those Canaan Days”)

Judah (sings lead on “Benjamin Calypso”)

Levi, Naphtali, Issachar, Asher, Dan, Zebulun, Gad

Benjamin - the youngest of Joseph’s sons

POTIPHAR - Male, age 30+. Potiphar is a fun cameo role with some solo lines. Some dancing.

Potiphar’s WIFE - Female, age 30+ - Beautiful but evil, Mrs. Potiphar is also a fun cameo role with some solo lines and some dancing.

BUTLER and BAKER - Male/Female - These 2 characters may be played by either gender, up to the directors’ discretion. They have a solo song and a couple scenes.

PHARAOH - Male, age 25 or older. Pharaoh is an Elvis-style glitzy performer with two solo songs and a couple highlighted scenes on stage.

Pharaoh - Song of the King