Audition Packet for Dr. Dolittle Jr.

Director: Cheryl Skafte

Cheryl is thrilled to be directing her first Junior Intensive at The Duluth Playhouse! This is the second production she has directed for the Playhouse’s Children’s Theatre program, the first being Alice in Wonderland in 2012. Cheryl grew up in the Duluth area, and some of her favorite childhood memories involve performing on the Playhouse stage. She considers it an honor and privilege to be directing and teaching in the same program that molded her as a performer. Cheryl has been a lead teacher with the Duluth Playhouse’s children’s education program since returning to the Duluth area in 2005 after spending seven years moving to increasingly larger cities – St. Paul, Baltimore and New York City. She particularly enjoys writing the class scripts and teaching the 5-6 and 7-9 year old classes. She loves helping young people find their voices and fall in love with the theater. She is no stranger to the stage herself and has performed with the Duluth Playhouse’s Theatre for Young Audiences, the Underground Theatre and Wise Fool Theatre. This past June and July, she played the title role in Playhouse’s production of Pinocchio. When not at the theater, Cheryl works full-time for the City of Duluth as their Volunteer Coordinator where she organizes service initiatives for the Parks and Library. She also enjoys reading nearly anything from the New York Times Bestseller list and running in the Northern Minnesota Track Club’s fall and spring trail race series.

Casting Ages 8-18 Cast of approximately 35 - 45 actors to play a variety of roles. Students must be 8 years old on September 1st, 2018. Students cannot participate if they are 19 years old by September 1st, 2018

JAZZ SHOES – you will need black or tan jazz shoes for this production. Jazz shoes will be purchased with our group order once the show is cast.

COSTUME FITTINGS OUTSIDE OF REHEARSAL – There will also be scheduled costume fittings outside of the rehearsal schedule that will be determined once the show is cast.

Audition Information General Auditions Monday, August 20 from 5:00 – 7:00pm & Tuesday, August 21 from 5:00 – 7:00pm Callbacks will be held only if needed. These are scheduled for Wednesday, August 23 at 5:00pm. CALLBACKS Not all students will need to be at callbacks. Not getting a callback does not mean you will not (Only if Needed) be cast. The NorShor Rehearsal Spaces – 3rd floor of the NorShor building Location Take the skywalk from the Sheraton Ramp or take the elevator in the NorShor to N3 211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN, 55802 Audition Expectations: All actors must sing. Please prepare 16-32 bars of an appropriate song, preferably from musical theater, and bring your sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Actors will also be asked to read sides (scenes from the script) which will be provided at Audition auditions. Preparation Audition Documents: We request actors provide a resume and a current photo or headshot along with their completed audition form.

Script perusal: All are encouraged to read the play before auditioning. Scripts are available in the NorShor office for a $5 refundable deposit, maximum of 3 day check out. A. Fill out the Audition Sign Up Form on the Duluth Playhouse website at: Audition duluthplayhouse.org/ auditions B. Email Amber Burns at [email protected] to sign up for auditions. Please Sign Up indicate which day your child would like to attend, or Options C. Sign up at auditions. You may show up 15 minutes before an audition slot to register for that audition time.

Rehearsal and Performance Information Rehearsal Times: Mondays – Fridays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm ** Rehearsal will be 6-9pm during tech week Rehearsal Dates: September 10th – October 18th October 22 - October 25 (tech week) ** No rehearsal on Friday, October 12 and Friday, October 19 Where: The NorShor Rehearsal Spaces – 3rd floor of the NorShor building Take the skywalk from the Sheraton Ramp or take the elevator in the NorShor to N3 211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN, 55802

STUDENT MATINEES: Please note: We have two student matinee days Wed. October 31 and Monday, November 5th. Students will be called at 8:30 am those days. You will need to release your child from school for those performances. Please note all conflicts on the audition form. Conflicts play a role in casting.

Performance Dates & Times: (Performances are located on the Duluth Playhouse Family Theatre Stage) Friday October 26 7:00pm Saturday October 27 1:00pm & 4:00pm Sunday October 29 2:00pm Wednesday October 31 9am & 12:00pm Friday November 2 7:00pm Saturday November 3 1:00pm & 4:00pm Sunday November 4 2:00pm Monday November 5 9am & 12:00pm (STRIKE)

Any questions about the audition process or the production of Dr. Dolittle Jr. can be directed to Amber Burns: [email protected]

Character Breakdown

Doctor John Dolittle - An eccentric country doctor who loves animals more than people. He is smart, passionate, driven and the consummate optimist, always looking for the best in every situation.

Madeline Mugg - Dolittle's sassy friend who thoroughly enjoys the adventures she goes on with Dolittle. Madeline is Dolittle's compatriot, sharing his love and views of animals.

Tommy Stubbins - A happy-go-lucky kid who idolizes and enjoys playing with the animals.

Emma Fairfax - A strong, tough woman who is willing to speak her mind. She learns to appreciate Dolittle's love of animals and grows to have feelings for him.

General Bellowes - Emma's uncle and the magistrate of Puddleby-On-The-Marsh. An ill-tempered man with limited people skills, this non-singing role.

Albert Blossom - A shrewd business man who owns a dilapidated touring circus. This curmudgeonly old guy is a nice character role for a solid singer and actor.

Gertie Blossom - One tough cookie. She is Albert's wife and makes sure the circus runs the way she wants it to. She is very grounded and is able to speak with a heavy European accent.

Berta, Vladimir, Mavis – Worker’s in Blossom's circus. Each of these smaller roles have to show lots of personality with only a few solo singing lines.

Straight Arrow - A well-educated and passionate man living the life of a warrior chief on Popsipetel Island. He's warm and embracing to both humans and animals.

Polynesia - Doctor Dolittle's intelligent, spunky assistant: his right-hand parrot. She speaks in English with the Humans, and she is often the one with the answers.

Jip - Dolittle's ever-faithful dog.

Herbert - A quiet hedgehog who likes to sit in Doctor Dolittle's chair.

Dab-dab - A pet duck. This role is a good mover and is willing to act a little goofy.

Toggle - A nearsighted plough-horse who comes to Doctor Dolittle for glasses. Toggle is one of the calmer animals.

Sheila - A fox who has been hurt by a hunter's trap.

Pushmi-pullyu. - A two-headed llama. This is a great role for two solid dancers who can work together to appear as one animal.

Rufus - Bellowes' big, energetic dog. This role is someone who is larger-than- life and enjoys playing to a crowd.

Chee-chee - A monkey who is capable of steering a ship. The actor playing Chee-Chee needs to be willing to jump around the stage.

Sophie - A seal and non-speaking role.

Bailiff – Officer of the Court

DR. DOLITTLE JR. Audition Form Please bring this completed form with you to the audition along with a resume & current photo or headshot. Please print clearly!

Student Name: Birth Date:

Student Preferred Pronoun (circle) He She They Other (please indicate): ______Prefer not to say We require the following information for the purposes of helping our staff use the most respectful language when addressing our students and understanding our population better. Home Address: City, State, Zip:

Parent Phone #’s Student Phone # (optional) 1. 2. Parent/ Guardian Email: Student Email:

Email address will be used to announce casting, general show info, rehearsal changes, and future Playhouse notices. Age: Height: Weight: Hair Color:

T-SHIRT SIZE: Please circle one: Child Small Child Medium Child Large Adult Small Adult Medium Adult Large Adult XL Other______Parent/ Guardian Names:

If you have had previous stage experience, please list a selection below if it is not already listed on your attached resume. Play (Show) Title: Role: Location (Theatre performed at): Date:

1.

2.

3.

Are you familiar with the script? Yes _____ No _____ If so, is there one particular role/show you are most interested in? Yes _____ No _____

If yes, which one(s)? ______

Will you accept another part if not offered any listed above? Yes _____ No _____ Will you accept a non-speaking role? Yes _____ No _____ Do you have any siblings or relatives auditioning for a part? Yes _____ No _____ If so, will you accept a part if they are not offered one? Yes _____ No _____

Do you sing, dance, play piano or have other special talents? If so, please explain level of skills:

Do you have ANY conflicts with the rehearsals as listed on the audition form? Yes _____ No _____ Please list ALL conflicts below and be as specific as possible. Conflicts will inform casting.

Are you available for all the performance dates as listed in the information packet? Yes _____ No _____

Signature of Parent/Guardian ______Date ______