Wicked Audition Pack 2y3y46

AUDITION PACK

Information Night There is an information night on Tuesday the 15th of November at the Civic Pavilion, The Concourse, Chatswood at 7.30pm. Come along to hear from the entire production team their plans for this exciting production of WICKED. Get all the details you will need to be ready for the Auditions and get firsthand information and tips for the Auditions from the team. With special guest performances this will be a must for anyone serious about landing a spot in the show!

About WICKED Get ready to 'Defy Gravity' as the worldwide phenomenon that is the musical WICKED flies onto the stage at The Concourse Theatre in Chatswood. WICKED tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy blew into town, there were two other girls kicking up a storm in the land of Oz. Galinda, blonde ambitious and very popular and green-skinned Elphaba, neglected and misunderstood. WICKED tells the story of these two mis-matched friends and how they became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. WICKED serves as a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, but turns the story on its head. Adapted from Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, it explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at University. By a misunderstanding, they end up as roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to care for each other and influence the others choices. These choices and their personal convictions take them on wildly different journeys. With a thrilling score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” Wicked has been hailed by The New York Times as 'The defining musical of the decade'. WICKED is a truly thrillifying experience that everyone will love.

Production Team Director – Stig Bell Musical Director – Greg Jones Choreographer – Kim Dresner Assistant Director – Peter Meredith Assistant Musical Director – Harrison Collins Assistant Choreographer – Nina Tierney

Performance dates The performance dates for WICKED are: Sat 20 May 2017 7.30pm Sun 21 May 2017 5.00pm Tue 23 May 2017 7.30pm (TBC – please hold) Wed 24 May 2017 7.30pm Fri 26 May 2017 7.30pm Sat 27 May 2017 1.30pm Sat 27 May 2017 7.30pm Sun 28 May 2017 1.30pm Tue 30 May 2017 7.30pm (TBC – please hold) Wed 31 May 2017 7.30pm Fri 2 June 2017 7.30pm Sat 3 June 2017 1.30pm Sat 3 June 2017 7.30pm Sun 4 June 2017 1.30pm

Rehearsal Dates Rehearsals are every Tuesday & Thursday commencing January 24th Jan 2017, 7.30pm-10.30pm (no rehearsal Australia Day) at the Mowbray Public School, 635 Mowbray Rd, Chatswood West. Please note that there will be one Sunday rehearsal per month from Feb-May (so 4 Sunday’s in total) from 10.00am-5.00pm Other important rehearsal dates are: Sun 14 May 2017 10.00am-6.00pm (TBC – please hold) Sun 14 May 2017 7.30pm Technical Rehearsal 1 Mon 15 May 2017 7.30pm Technical Rehearsal 2 Tue 16 May 2017 7.30pm Piano Dress Rehearsal Wed 17 May 2017 7.30pm Full Dress Rehearsal Thu 18 May 2017 7.30 Full Dress Rehearsal Sat 20 May 2017 1.00pm (TBC –please hold for Final Dress/preview)

Performance Venue WICKED will be performed at The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood www.theconcourse.com.au

Show & hip fees In the event you are cast in this production a small financial commitment of a $75 show fee is required to cover general istrative costs, rehearsal catering and the services of a professional photographer who will provide you with a souvenir photo disc at the end of the production. In addition if you are not a current member of Willoughby Theatre Company you will need to become a member to ensure you are covered by our insurance. The annual hip fee is $25. Show and hip fees are due to be paid at the first rehearsal and can be paid by cash or credit card.

Commitment to the Show WTC strives for the highest standard possible in our productions and this requires a substantial commitment from those involved not just to attend rehearsals but to also spend the necessary time away from rehearsals, revising music, lines and choreography. By accepting a place in this production cast are committing to attend rehearsals as well as publicity appearances, photo shoots or media calls as required. Failure to attend more than three rehearsals without a valid reason may result in a cast member forfeiting their place in the show. Set Construction and Painting Wicked cast will be required to attend scenery/set construction/painting on 3 occasions during the rehearsal period. These sessions take place most Sunday mornings from 9am onwards.

General Casting Information Named principal roles – Please see detailed information on the next page

Ensemble – townspeople, munchkins, citizens of Oz, students, emerald city guards, flying monkeys, and a range of smaller character roles and soloist opportunities (All ages, genders, backgrounds and voice types). Some dance/movement skill required

Off stage Vocal Ensemble – A small group of male and female voices (approx. 8-10 people) to the onstage vocals. This group will be required to attend all rehearsals when music is being learnt and other full run-throughs or dress rehearsals as scheduled. A full commitment to rehearsals and all performances is required.

Dance Ensemble – This production will feature a small but dedicated dance ensemble made up of male and female dancers with strong technical training in ballet and jazz. Dance ensembles are not required to sing but this is an advantage. N.B. There are no children characters or roles in WICKED. Minimum age for participation is 16 years at the time of the Audition with parental consent required for any performer under the age of 18.

Principal Casting Information Role

Gender

Age

VoiceType Style

Elphaba

F

18-35

Mezzo

Belt/Pop

Galinda

F

18-35

Soprano

Lyric/Belt

Nessarose F

18-35

Alto

Broadway

Fiyero

M

18-35

Tenor/Bari Belt/Pop

Boq

M

18-35

Tenor/Bari Broadway

Morrible

F

35-65

Alto

Broadway

The Wizard M

40-65

Baritone

Broadway

Dillamond M

35-65

Baritone

Broadway

Frex

35-55

Tenor

Broadway

M

Range

AUDITIONS General Notes We will be holding both Vocal and Dance/Movement auditions. Please note that everyone is required to attend a Dance Audition even if you are only auditioning for a principal role.

There will also be a dedicated Dance Ensemble and the ability to sing for this group is an advantage but optional. We are also holding pre-audition dance workshops. Please refer to the Dance Audition section for all the details Be prepared that the audition many not be able to hear your entire song and may ask you to perform particular sections only.

Vocal Auditions Ensemble/Offstage vocalists – any person interested in auditioning for the Wicked ensemble cast or the offstage vocal ensemble should prepare a song of their choice they feel best showcases their vocal range and ability. Principal roles - Unless auditioning for one of the named roles below you should prepare a song of your choice that you feel best showcases your range and capabilities. Whilst you do not need to perform a song from the show, you should keep in mind the character and vocal style most appropriate when selecting a song. The Wizard, Morrible, Elphaba, Galinda, Dillamond, Boq, Nessa, & Fiyero will also be required to do a Cold Read on the day Elphaba – Please prepare The Wizard and I for your vocal audition. Call back excerpts will be Defying Gravity & No Good Deed Glinda – Please prepare the opening section leading into No One Mourns the Wicked (Let us be glad, let us be joyful..etc) & a song of your choice to demonstrate your belting ability. Call back song is Popular. Fiyero – Please prepare a song of your choice. Call back will be excerpts from As Long as Your Mine & Dancing Through Life. Unfortunately we can not provide sheet music to you but the majority can be ed for a small cost via musicnotes.com or sheetmusilus.com

To Book your vocal audition All auditions should be booked via our online booking system. http://www.meetme.so/wtc-wicked-auditions For questions about the vocal auditions please Stig Bell [email protected]

Vocal Auditions will be held on the following dates and at the following locations: Date: Time: Location:

Wednesday 30th of November 7.30pm-10.30pm Mowbray Public School, 635 Mowbray Road, Chatswood West (Entry is via Hartfield Street)

Date: Time: Location:

Thursday 1st of December 7.30pm-10.30pm Mowbray Public School, 635 Mowbray Road, Chatswood West (Entry is via Hartfield Street)

Date: Time: Location:

Saturday 3rd of December 9.00am-5.00pm The Studio, The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood (Entry is via the Stage Door on Anderson Street)

Call Backs Elphaba/Glinda: Date: Time: Location:

Monday 5th December 2017 7.30pm-10.30pm Mowbray Public School, 635 Mowbray Road, Chatswood West (Entry is via Hartfield Street)

All other roles: Date: Time: Location:

Tuesday 6th December 2017 7.30pm-10.30pm Mowbray Public School, 635 Mowbray Road, Chatswood West (Entry is via Hartfield Street)

DANCE AUDITIONS To Book your dance audition All auditions should be booked via our online booking system. http://www.meetme.so/wtc-wicked-auditions

Dance Workshop We would like to give everyone the opportunity to perform at their very best so we will be holding a general dance workshop where our Choreographer, Kim Dresner will be teaching the Audition routine in advance of the Dance Audition on Sunday the 4 th of December. The dance workshop is not compulsory but highly recommended to be able to give the best audition possible and will take place on Tuesday 29th of November 6pm-7pm and a second session 7pm -8pm at The Jazz Factory, 2nd Floor /1A Lindfield Ave, Lindfield. General Dance Auditions All auditionees (excluding offstage vocal ensemble) must book ONE audition slot (maximum 50 people per slot). Available slots are: 10am – 11am 11am-12pm 12pm -1pm Choreography on the day will be taught once and then auditionees will perform in groups of 5. Please wear comfortable loose fitting clothing and appropriate footwear. Dance Auditions will take place Sunday 4th of December at The Jazz Factory, 2nd Floor /1A Lindfield Ave, Lindfield. Please book your time via our online booking system Dance Ensemble Audition The Dance Ensemble Audition is an open call. Interested Dancers should attend 3.00pm5.00pm Sunday 4th of December at The Jazz Factory, 2nd Floor /1A Lindfield Ave, Lindfield. The small dance ensemble will be made up of male and female dancers with strong technical training in ballet and jazz. The first hour of the audition will be technique based including turns, leg extensions, jumps and leaps. Dancers may also be partnered and asked to execute some lifts/partner work. (Continues next page)

Skills including tap dance, pointe work and acrobatics are desired and dancers will have the opportunity to show off their special skills during the first hour of the audition. The second hour will be an advanced dance routine. The production team will be looking for dancers that not only have the technical and stylistic qualities required but who are able to pick up choreography quickly. Auditionees will be taught choreography in 20-30 minutes and then perform twice in small groups. All dancers must attend the general dance audition as well. Singing audition is optional but we would like to find advanced dancers who have the ability to sing in the ensemble too. Please book your time via our online booking system

For any questions about the Dance Audition please Kim Dresner [email protected]

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS Role Elphaba Thropp Some movement required

G(a)linda Uppland Some dance required

Fiyero Tigelaar Strong dancer required

Nessarose Thropp No movement required

Details Elphaba is the main protagonist and ‘heroine’ of the story and the show primarily revolves around her. Her green skin has made her a social outcast and a source of shame for her noble and wealthy family. She keenly feels the lack of a ive parental figure in her life. Although she rarely shows it, she is deeply hurt by her family’s rejection and underneath her broody and gruff exterior she yearns for acceptance and inclusion. She is however very smart, highly principled and has a very strong sense of right and wrong. She has a talent for magic, a skill she has tried to keep hidden. Intense, and quick to anger, she has a natural affinity for those on the outer margins and this drives her crusade to right the wrongs in Oz. Elphaba is likeable, honest and in every way ‘good’ but she is in a constant battle with her feelings over the wrong she sees around her. This duality is a core driver of the character throughout the show. In her anger and frustration she ultimately embraces everything she once rejected about herself and transitions into becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. Galinda is Elphaba’s polar opposite. Beautiful, blonde and incredibly popular, Galinda is initially superficial, vain and obsessed with getting her own way at every turn. She is supremely confident and totally self-absorbed. She has very little awareness of the way she affects others. She is from a wealthy aristocratic family and has had nearly everything she has ever wanted provided to her. Although she and others are convinced of her ‘goodness’, she often uses other people, sometimes cruelly, to get her way. She begins to see the world differently when her conscious is pricked by an act of kindness from Elphaba. Whilst she begins to feel empathy and friendship for Elphaba, her ambition and desire for popularity keep her from truly evolving into the’ good’ person she wishes to be. She begins to understand that true goodness comes from within, and it is in witnessing Elphaba’s ultimate sacrifice that she finally transforms into Glinda the Good. Fiyero initially appears as vain and superficial. He is from a wealthy and privileged royal family. He is very handsome and a Prince no less! He exudes a sensuous confidence that any woman would find irresistible. He has a hedonistic carefree approach to life and only wants to spend his time dancing and having fun, avoiding any and all responsibilities. Despite this (or because of this) there is a deeper sadness within him that his life will never amount to much, and he is fascinated by Elphaba’s sense of purpose and desire to change the world for good. He is initially interested in Galinda as a potential match but eventually is drawn to Elphaba whom he falls deeply in love with. Elphaba’s younger sister, Nessa initially appears as a sad and tragic figure. Strikingly beautiful, she is born with paralysis in her legs that see her wheel chair bound. Nessa has been spoilt terribly by her father who has lavished all his love and attention on her. Despite this she feels a deep sense of insecurity and social awkwardness as a result of being in a wheel chair. She has an enormous desire to love and be loved. As a result of Galinda’s scheming she is matched with Boq, who in an effort to impress Galinda treats Nessa kindly. Nessa immediately falls head over heels in love with him. As the story progresses Nessa becomes increasingly obsessed with Boq who does not return her affections. Tragically she refuses to see that Boq does not love her. Her sense of abandonment and bitterness twist her character toward hatred and anger and she ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the East.

Role Details Madame Morrible Perhaps the one true villain of the story, Madame Morrible is the heistress of Shiz No movement required

Boq Some movement required

The Wizard Some dance required

Frexspar Thropp No movement required Melena Thropp Dance required Chistery Dance required

University. She is also secretly conspiring with the Wizard to achieve power and control of Oz. She is manipulative, dark and cunning. She understands the power of fear and public propaganda and is really the person behind the Wizards rise to power. She is able to play on each characters weakness to achieve her own personal aims. Madame Morrible tricks Elphaba into using her magical powers to create the winged monkeys for the Wizard. When Elphaba realizes her mistake and flees, Madame Morrible spreads the rumour that she is a Wicked Witch, in order to turn the people against her. She whips the citizens of Oz into a frenzy and makes Elphaba enemy number one. The role requires a strong character actor. Described as an unusually tall Munchkin boy, Boq is the love interest of Elphaba's younger sister, Nessarose. However, the feeling is not mutual; Boq only became involved with Nessarose in hopes of impressing Galinda, on whom he truly has his heart set. Unfortunately, Galinda has so little regard for him that she cannot his name (calling him Biq). When Nessarose eventually becomes the governor of Munchinkin land, she uses her power to enslave Boq as her personal servant. When Boq confesses his love for Galinda, Nessarose becomes extremely angry with him. At that point, she tries to cast a spell on him from Elphaba's spell book. This causes Boq's heart to shrink until it is completely gone. In a desperate attempt to save Boq's life, Elphaba turns Boq into the Tin Man The Wizard is the ruler of Oz and highly venerated by the citizens of Oz who see him as ‘Wonderful’. In reality he is a circus performer and inventor blown to Oz in a hot air balloon from Omaha, Nebraska. He uses elaborate illusions and props to convince his followers that he is a powerful Wizard. He is quite selfish and thrives on the adulation and adoration of the citizens of Oz. Manipulated by Morrible he seeks to further extend his influence across Oz by subjugating the speaking animals. Although less aware of Morrible’s deeper intentions he recognizes that through her he will give the Ozians a reason to continue to follow and adore him. Whilst he is naïve and unaware of how his actions are affecting others, there is an underlying pragmatic ruthlessness to his character. It is only in the final moments that he comes to realise too late, the folly of his actions. Frex is Elphaba’s father and the Governor of Munchkin land before being succeeded by his daughter Nessarose whom he dotes on. He travels often as Governor and it is during once such absence that is wife Melena engages in an illicit affair resulting in the pregnancy and birth of Elphaba. He is utterly embarrassed and ashamed of Elphaba and gives her the role of Nessarose’s carer and guardian after his wife dies giving birth to Nessa. Wife to Frex and mother of Elphaba and Nessa. She secretly despises her husband and engages in a secret affair with a travelling salesman who gives her a strange green elixir that results in the birth of her daughter Elphaba. A Monkey who is the Wizards man servant. He has apparently lost the power of speech. Elphaba is tricked into using her magic to give him and the other monkeys wings. He eventually leaves the Wizard to Elphaba. The role requires a strong character/physical actor or dancer

Role Midwife No movement required Pfannee Some dance required Shenshen Some dance required

Details Appears in a flashback sequence at the opening of the show. Delivers Elphaba and reveals the green baby for the first time. This role will most likely be cast from the Ensemble.

One of Galinda’s closest friends and avid followers. Small speaking role. This role will most likely be cast from the Ensemble.

Another of Galinda’s close friends and followers. Small speaking role. This role will most likely be cast from the Ensemble.

Musical Numbers Act I

"Overture" – Orchestra, then Citizens of Oz (ensemble) and "No One Mourns the Wicked" – Glinda and Citizens of Oz (ensemble), Elphaba's Mother, Elphaba's Father, Midwife, Salesman (prerecorded for click-track section) "Dear Old Shiz" – Students (ensemble) and Glinda "The Wizard and I" - Madame Morrible and Elphaba "What is this Feeling?" – Galinda, Elphaba, and Students "Something Bad" – Doctor Dillamond, Elphaba, Madame Morrible (speaking) "Dancing Through Life" Fiyero, Boq, Nessarose, Madame Morrible (speaking), Galinda, Pfannee (speaking), Shenshen (speaking) "The Ozdust Dance" –Boq, Nessarose, Madame Morrible (speaking), Galinda (speaking), Fiyero (speaking) "Popular" Glinda, Elphaba (speaking) "I'm Not That Girl– Elphaba "The Wizard and I - Elphaba, Madame Morrible, Conductor (speaking), Nessarose (speaking), Galinda (speaking), Boq (speaking) "One Short Day" – Elphaba, Glinda, and Citizens of the Emerald City/Show Chorus(ensemble), Palace Guard (speaking) "A Sentimental Man" – Wizard, Elphaba (speaking), Glinda (speaking) "Defying Gravity" – Elphaba, Glinda, Guards, and Citizens of Oz (ensemble) Act II "Act II Opening"– Orchestra, Ensemble, Glinda (speaking) "Thank Goodness ~ Part 1" - Glinda, Crowd (ensemble), Madame Morrible, Fiyero (speaking) "Thank Goodness ~ Part 2" - Glinda, Madame Morrible, Fiyero (speaking), Crowd (ensemble), "Thank Goodness ~ Part 3" - Glinda, Crowd (ensemble) "Wonderful" – Wizard, Elphaba "I'm Not That Girl~Reprise"– Wizard (speaking), Madame Morrible (speaking), Glinda "As Long As You're Mine" – Elphaba, Fiyero "No Good Deed" – Elphaba "March of the Witch-Hunters" – Ensemble, Boq, Lion, Glinda (speaking), Madame Morrible (speaking), Elphaba (speaking) "For Good*" – Elphaba, Glinda "A Sentimental Man~Reprise" – Wizard (pre-recorded and live), Morrible (speaking), Glinda (speaking) "Finale" – Glinda, Morrible (speaking), Ensemble, Fiyero (speaking), Elphaba

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