Auditions will be held after the school year has resumed.
Taking place on Saturday, August 22
When you sign-up online, you will get the chance to let the directors know what role(s) you would like to audition for &pick your preferred time.
10 students MAX per time slot.
Students should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your audition start time to ensure you're ready to start on time.
Students will wait quietly in the commons, being respectful of other's auditioning, until their group is called.
At the start - the full audition group will enter the theatre, introduce themselves to the panel, and perform 1 or 2 scenes as a group. Students will then proceed back into the commons, where we will then call you back into the theatre in smaller groups to read for various parts.
For this reason - please review all audition material not just your desired role.
We will ensure you get the chance to read for your desired part at least twice.
Auditions will be open to all Madison (& Butler Tech) Students grades 8-12.
7th & 8th grade students WILL be permitted to be a part of the crew.
Due to the way we are doing the set for this show - it will be added/built throughout the show - crew will have the opportunity to be on stage during the show (when the lights are up) if they would like (no one will be forced to be if they prefer to stay off stage)
Audition sign-ups will CLOSE August 19th at 11:59pm.
If you are unavailable the weekend of Auditions due to vacation/sports/etc. please let the directing team know ASAP so that we can schedule you a different date/time. Please email Mrs. Carroll. (see page 1)
Dates for Audition Clinics will be spread out over several dates to allow everyone the chance to attend. Dates will be Monday, 8/17 from 5pm-6:30pm, and Wednesday 8/12 & 8/19 from 2:45pm-4:15pm.
Callbacks will be held on Sunday, August 23rd from 3-4:30pm.
(The scripts we will be using for callbacks will be sent to you in your callback email along with notes.)
Students needed for callbacks will be emailed by no later than 10pm on Saturday, August 22nd.
(We will not post the callbacks list on Student Square)
**Please note, just because you do not get a callback does not mean that you did not get a part/did not get the part you auditioned for. It just means we have specific students we need to see more material from.
We will do our very best to have the final Cast List posted no later than 10pm on Sunday, August 23rd.
Cast List will be emailed individually to all students who auditioned by this time period, and THEN posted publicly at a later date.
Likewise, the cast list is not to be shared on social media/publicly until the directing team has done so.
We understand that emotions can run high during the audition process
ALL students agree to allow 24hrs after the cast list is posted
to process the information and let their emotions settle before emailing directors with questions.
**Directors will not be checking or responding to emails until after this time period has elapsed.
Rude/Hateful/Unprofessional emails or comments made regarding casting
(from students and/or parents)
will not be tolerated & could result in being ineligible
to be cast in future productions regardless of who the director(s) are.
***PLEASE READ THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH SEVERAL TIMES AND LET IT SINK IN – THIS HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS!!
NO ONE IS ENTITLED TO ANY ROLE DUE TO AGE, GRADE, RELATIONSHIP TO DIRECTOR/MASK OFFICER/TEACHER/ETC, OR NUMBER OF SHOWS THEY’VE PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN. ROLES WILL BE CAST BASED ON HOW YOU AUDITION, WHAT IS NEEDED FOR EACH CHARACTER, STAGE CHEMESTRY WITH OTHER ACTORS SEEN AT AUDITIONS/CALLBACKS, AND THE ATTITUDE WORK ETHIC WE SEE AT CLINICS/AUDITIONS/CALLBACKS***
Please be realistic about your availability as well. We know everyone wants a lead, BUT if you are involved in 2 fall sports, band, & 4 other activities and you want to prioritize them all – a lead role is not the best fit (or the healthiest one) for your schedule. Consider looking into roles that are in 2 or 3 scenes so that you can balance all of the things you’re involved in. You will keep your sanity this way, and we won’t be forced to have a bunch of rehearsals you can’t attend, therefore making blocking impossible.
Character Name | Lines/scenes | Character Description
Steve Bentley | 170/8 | Fast-talking co-producer of the pageant. A charming con artist whose confidence far exceeds his resources. Excellent comic timing and physical comedy required.
Joe Allen | 140/7 | Steve's enthusiastic partner and Sheri's half-brother. Optimistic, lovable, and slightly naïve. A terrific comedic role with lots of energy.
Sheri Page | 130/10 | Efficient pageant coordinator and Joe's practical half-sister. The voice of reason surrounded by chaos. Strong actress with dry comedic delivery.
Gail Anderson | 60/3 | Undercover police sergeant posing as a reporter. Smart, determined, and serious, making her interactions with the absurd characters especially funny.
Miss Better Health | 30/5 | Sweet, innocent contestant who genuinely believes everything she's told. One of the audience's favorites.
Miss Cranberry Bog | 30/5 | Experienced pageant contestant who considers herself an expert. Confident, competitive, and delightfully smug.
Miss Wildlife | 25/5 | Earnest contestant who shares many of the opening comic moments. Good featured role.
Sonia (Miss Savings & Loan) | 50/5 | Police cadet working undercover as a contestant. Honest, eager, and somewhat inexperienced.
Miss Seashore (Polly) | 15/5 | Nervous but pleasant contestant. A solid supporting comedic role.
Mrs. Hoopway | 60/7 | Tough theater owner determined to collect her rent and evict Steve and Joe. Strong, commanding comedic character.
Knuckles Skinner | 50/3 | Classic movie-style gangster searching for Steve and Joe to collect a debt. Larger-than-life character with comic intimidation.
Miss Industry | 25/4 | Overly enthusiastic contestant who becomes wildly excited over everything. Requires fearless physical comedy.
Rick | 20/3 | Cable television producer covering the pageant. Practical and often confused by the insanity around him.
Lois Del Monaco | 20/2 | Dramatic aspiring actress convinced she's destined for stardom. Big personality and theatrical flair.
Mumbles | 20/4 | Fast-food vendor whose constant mumbling creates comic confusion. Excellent character role.
Pippi Wrongstocking | 20/4 | Beautiful Swedish contestant hiding her true identity. Charming, poised, and sincere.
Chad | 20/4 | Pippi's protective brother. Straight character who helps advance the plot.
George Vincent | 35/2 | Cheerful local TV weatherman and pageant judge. Friendly and optimistic.
Dee-Dee | 15/3 | Rick's camera operator. Dry sense of humor and good reaction comedy.
Cuddles O'Boyle | 50/4 | Knuckles' flashy girlfriend. Loud, loyal, and full of personality.
Fingers | 40/4 | Knuckles' nervous henchman. Constantly anxious and unintentionally funny.
Mrs. Georgia Hopkins | 25/2 | Overbearing former stage mother with an oversized personality. Character role.
Deputy Scott | 10/3 | Process server attempting to deliver an eviction notice. Small but memorable comedic role.
Rose Bowl | 15/2 | Waitress at mumbles café turned beauty pageant judge. Penny and Rose function almost like a comedy duo
Penny Loafer | 15/2 | Waitress at mumbles café turned beauty pageant judge. Penny and Rose function almost like a comedy duo
Esther | 15/2 | theater security guard. A want-a-be police officer. Small but very funny part.
Memorization of audition lines is not required. It is, however, highly recommended that you be familiar with the scenes provided. (You'll have several weeks to look these over, and if you show up to your audition and are reading them for the very first time we will be able to tell, and you will stand out from the students who have been practicing.)
Being familiar with your lines helps all of us. It will give you more confidence when you step onto the stage and it will allow us to see your face for your audition. We do not want to see you looking down at the script / have the script directly in front of your face for your entire audition. If you need to glance at the paper for a refresh and there's a pause between lines while you do, that's OK! It's more important to us that we are able to see your face while you act.
You will have other actors on stage with you during your audition scenes - be prepared to interact with them.
We will likely go through all audition scenes included in your packet (except callback scenes). You may be asked to read for parts that you did not list on your sign-up. This helps fill in gaps and keep things moving. Be flexible, willing to help, and willing to take direction. We may see something in you that you never considered. Also, be prepared. Don't just read over the 1 or 2 audition scenes that have the character you're interested in.
We may do a couple of the large group scenes twice to give you a chance to warm up, relax, and start to feel comfortable together. You or the entire group may be given a suggestion to try something different before you read the second time; pay attention and make an effort to use the suggestion. If your second read through is exactly the same as the first, that tells us you don't take directions well.
Audition do’s:
Speak up, as loud as you can.
This doesn't mean shout. It means Project your voice. We should be able to hear you from the back row.
Take your time. Breathe. Pause when appropriate. Theatre isn't a race to the finish line. It's an experience that's meant to be enjoyed.
Ask questions.
Try to do more than just say the words. This show is a comedy - make us laugh.
Practice the audition lines out loud with someone else before hand. If you are saying them for the first time at your audition, it will show.
Trust your instincts.
Have a good attitude regardless of the outcome. Most plays, multiple people will audition for the same character, only 1 can be cast in each role. This is a difficult decision for casting directors and they take it to heart, because they know when it's all said and done not everyone will walk away with the role they auditioned for. We will do our very best to give everyone who auditions a part of some kind as long as the number of roles allows.
Choose to look at play auditions like life - things don't always work out the way we hope. But, the measure of a person is shown more in the way they handle disappointment than success. If you handle yourself with grace in hard situations those moments will be remembered. And if you handle your disappointment poorly, those will be remembered too. Only you can decide the type of person you will be remembered as.
Audition don’ts:
Don't rush. But don't feel bad if you do; everyone does! This is why we will give you the chance to do multiple scenes.
Don’t pace or sway or fidget with your hair/clothes.
Don’t worry if you stumble over words. If you mess up a word, or a line, or whatever, it's okay. Live theatre isn't perfect, it's in the moment. Just keep the scene going. Don't say "crap!" or get frustrated or start laughing. Treat your audition like you would a performance. The show must go on.
Don’t break character.
Don’t apologize - no one’s perfect, especially at an audition! And we do not expect you to be perfect. We just ask that you try your best and have a good attitude about whatever happens!
Here are some questions to ask yourself about the character:
What does the character want? Does this change during the story?
How does he/she stand? Walk? Talk?
How does he/she relate or react to others in the scene?
Where would the character pause? You don't have to race through the lines (even if you do want to get it over with)!
Having the right mindset is vital to the growth and success of the theater program.
Every person is important whether you're in a lead, supporting, or ensemble role. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to get the role they really want every time they audition for a show. Receiving rejection is hard, but it's something everyone experiences many times in life (not getting the job, not getting the promotion, etc.). What's important is how you handle that rejection.
In our program, it is extremely rare that a student who auditions doesn't receive A part in the show. The only times that happens is when there are a limited number of roles and there is no ensemble, but that is information directors will know and announce ahead of time. In the musicals, it is unlikely that you will receive rejection in the form of not being cast, but you may feel rejection in the form of not being cast in the role you wanted.
When we cast a show, we are looking to highlight everyone's strengths in a way that will make our show the best it can possibly be. For example, maybe there are two students who we are considering for the lead female role. Both girls can sing extremely well, but one is a stronger actor and one is a stronger dancer. If we are casting a dance heavy musical (such as Footloose) where the lead actress dances constantly throughout the show, we will likely cast the student who is the stronger dancer. If we are casting a less dance heavy show (such as Mamma Mia) where the lead actress (Donna) does not do much dancing at all, we will likely cast the student who is the stronger actress so that the student who is a stronger dancer can be in a role where that strength can be utilized more. As another example, maybe we have two students who we are considering for two roles in Les Mis. One of those roles is the Jean Valjean (a very serious, leading role) and the other is Mr. Thénardier (a very comedic and evil, supporting role) who has to have great comedic chemistry with the student who plays his wife, Mrs. Thénardier. Both of the boys we're considering can sing and act extremely well so they could both handle either role, but one of them is good friends with the female student we cast in the role of Mrs. Théndardier and the other has never spoken to her before. In this situation, we will likely cast the students who are already friends as Mr. and Mrs. Thénardier because they will get along and bring a lot of humor and positive energy to those roles together.
If you don't get the role you wanted, there could be any number of reasons why and those reasons are not always because you weren't "good enough" or because someone else was "better than you." And they are never because the directors "like them more" than you. Casting a show is like putting together a puzzle and, a lot of the time, there are multiple ways we could put the puzzle together. Our job as directors is to determine where each person fits into the puzzle based on chemistry, singing/dancing/acting abilities, vocal range, age, height, scheduling conflicts, etc. in order to make our show as successful as possible. We do our best to make sure your talent is going to be placed in a way that highlights your strengths and supports everyone else's weaknesses so we end up with a balanced cast.
Professionalism
Whether you get the role you wanted or not, professionalism is the key. If you do not get the role you wanted, the first decision you need to make is whether or not you want to accept the role you did get. If you're truly unhappy with the role you got, you are allowed to say no and choose not to be in the show. If this is your choice, it's important to make this decision as quickly as possible and you must tell your directors right away so the role can be re-cast before rehearsals begin. This should be done in a formal and polite way either via email or an in-person conversation. Asking your friend to tell us you have decided to quit, or just not showing up once rehearsals begin, is extremely unprofessional. If that is how you quit your job, your manager would be very unlikely to hire you again in the future. This is the same in theater. If you're a sophomore and you're unprofessional and difficult to work with this year, what is going to make us think differently about you when you're a senior?
If you choose to accept the role you were given despite the fact that it's not the one you wanted, you have the ability to choose one of two mindsets.
If you're bitter and resentful, then you're just wasting your and everyone else's time. It won't be a positive experience for anyone. You might even earn a bad reputation with the directors and the rest of the cast for making the rehearsal process unpleasant.
But... if you choose to make the best of it, there are so many positives you'll receive. You still get to be in an amazing show. You can learn new skills and strengthen your weaknesses that can make you a better performer. You'll grow your theatrical resumé. You can have fun and make memories with your friends throughout the rehearsal process.
If you truly love theater and performing, stick with the show. Keep auditioning and participating in future productions. No matter what role you're cast in, every show is a new chance to learn and have fun. Remember that the directors cast you into the show because they genuinely wanted to work with you and they thought that you would be a great part of the team. So, take that with you as a positive, and keep trying.
The full rehearsal schedule will be posted once the show has been casted.
(There will be no Friday rehearsals until November to account for Football/Marching Band season)
All blockinng rehearsals September-October will be approx. 3pm - 5pm - watch the Group Calendar in Student Square for specific dates & times and who is called each day
Additional evening rehearsals will be held with Mrs. Carroll on select nights with select students
Over the first few weeks these will be used as one-on-ones or small groups for character development & costuming
As we get closer to tech week these will be specific groups and used for polishing & fine tuning already blocked scenes
1st Official Read-Thru - Thursday, September 3rd 5pm-7pm
ACT 1 off book by October 5th
ACT 2 off book by October 26th
Set Construction Days : TBD
All students involved in the Fall Play will be required to attend & help with at least 1 Set Construction Day. This may involve building sets, painting, or helping with costumes/organizing props/prop room.
Parents are encouraged to attend set construction as well and help be a part of the team that makes this show special. We especially welcome those familiar with/who own power tools, are comfortable with painting, are good at sewing/altering clothes, etc., but these skills are not a requirement. Remember - it takes a village.
Tech Week: Nov. 9-13 & Nov. 16 - 5pm - 8:30pm - Notes will be from 8-8:30
Dress Rehearsals: Nov. 17-19, 3:30pm - 8:30pm - All students are to stay after school to get in costume/mics, 3:30 is curtain & the first run through will begin promptly at that time - 1hr for dinner each night at 5:30pm - Notes will be from 8-8:30
Performances:
Fri. Nov. 20: 4:30 call, 7:00 curtain
Sat. Nov. 21: 4:30 call, 7:00 curtain
Sun. Nov. 22: 12:30 call, 3:00 curtain
STRIKE & Cast Party TBD
100% Mandatory attendance is required for all Cast & Crew the weeks of Tech Week & Dress Rehearsal & Performances.
Monday, November 9th - Sunday, November 22nd