Mamma Mia Info Pack
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Holiday Actors 2020 Musical On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is! Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to her wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought! Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing. LEAD ROLES Donna Sheridan (F) (Mezzo-Soprano E3-D5) - Sophie’s mother, the owner of the Taverna. Former lead singer of ‘Donna and the Dynamos’. Honest, straight and hard-working, she is the most naturalistic and vulnerable of the characters. Sophie Sheridan (F) (Soprano – F#3-E5) - Donna’s headstrong daughter, determined to have what her mother never had: a traditional family and a father to walk her down the aisle. Young, bright and energetic, she has lived all her life on the island and is ready to leave. Sam Carmichael (M) (Baritone D3-Ab4) - One of Sophie’s potential fathers and a wealthy architect. Sam has regretted leaving Donna all his life and now finds himself divorced and back in her presence. He is straight-laced, confident and composed. At times he is perhaps a little overbearing, but he is determined not to mess up the second chance he has been given… a very true and honest character within the chaos. Bill Austin (M) (Bari-tenor Bb2-F#4) - Another of Sophie’s potential fathers, a well-known travel writer. Bill has visited the far reaches of the earth, but never found what he’s really looking for. A real character. Bill has generally avoided the complexities of a relationship and now wonders if it’s too late. Lots of comedy and a golden heart within. Harry Bright (M) (Bari-tenor C#3-F#4) - Another of Sophie’s potential fathers and a respected London banker. Once a head-banging, partying musician who went down the straight road - at least with his career. He is quirky, in the closet and something of a romantic nostalgist. A nice guy, determined to make up for some past regrets and full of singing. Tanya (F) (E3-E5)- One of Donna’s oldest and best friends, Tanya has married several millionaires and discovered a lot more about plastic surgery than love - to the extent that she was ever looking. Wild, fun-loving and a big character, she flirts mercilessly with young men, happy to play, but not to stick around. Rosie (F) (E3-D5) - Donna’s friend, a former member of the Dynamos; unmarried, free- spirited and a renowned author of cookbooks. A character who has developed a confident, funny and self-deprecating exterior which masks her inner vulnerability. Mostly comic, yet one of the most poignant moments in the show in the heart of Act 2. Dances like nobody’s watching. FEATURED ROLES Sky (M) (Eb3-D5) - Sophie’s fiancé; a former stockbroker who moved to the island in a young version of a mid-life crisis. He is older than Sophie, but smitten by her exotic charm. Perhaps he is too eager to please and has not quite found all the answers he had hoped for on the island. Must be able to dance. Lisa (F) (G3-Db5) - Sophie’s friend who arrives to be a bridesmaid. Very energetic and kooky. Must be able to dance. Ali (F) (G3-D5) - Sophie’s friend. Impulsive and fun. Should contrast to Lisa and Sophie. Must be able to dance. Pepper (M) (A4-F5) - A flirty waiter at the Taverna featured through his brief relationship with Tanya. Hot, energetic and fun-loving, makes a great double-act with Eddie. Must be able to dance. Eddie (M) - A waiter, boatman and handyman at the Taverna. Other half of double-act with Pepper. Must be able to dance. Father Alexandrios (M/F) - The minister who officiates Sophie’s wedding. Often a heavy-weight Greek Orthodox priest, this is a delightful small role for a character actor of non-specified gender with some imagination. Featured Dancers (M/F) - More complicated dance sections. Strong dancing required. Featured Vocalists (M/F) - Strong harmony singers with mics throughout the show. Chorus (M/F) - Consists of the Islanders, who work at Donna's, Wedding-Guests. Acting, dancing and singing required. AUDITIONS Individual auditions will be held at TOAD Hall, corner of Manifold and Princess Street. All auditionees must be aged between 12/13 (Year 7, 2019) and younger than 21 as of the audition day. Thursday, September 12th - INDIVIDUAL AUDITIONS 7.30pm - 10.30pm Friday, September 13th - INDIVIDUAL AUDITIONS 5.00pm – 10.00pm Saturday, September 14th - INDIVIDUAL AUDITIONS 8.30am – 8.00pm Sunday, September 15th - INDIVIDUAL AUDITIONS available if sufficient demand The individual audition slot requires you to sing a section of ‘Mamma Mia’ as taught at the Info Day (bars 60-78), and to sing through a scale. The score and lyrics are provided and the piano backing is available to download from www.holidayactors.com.au. We encourage everyone to also perform a 90 second character song of your choice which you believe best demonstrates your singing. You will also perform a short piece from the script (provided). If you are auditioning for a lead role, you will be asked to sing an additional section of a song from the show as indicated below. Please note this is not taught at the Info Day. Lead auditionees are only required to sing one additional song, regardless of how many roles you wish to be considered for. Lead Female: Under Attack bars 13-27 Lead Male: Knowing Me Knowing You bars 27-41 All auditionees will be asked to perform one of the short monologues (attached) in the character of their choice. Those who are not auditioning for a lead e.g. feature dancers or ensemble will still be required to choose and perform a monologue from below. Monologues are asked to be prepared in an Australian accent. Auditionees may be required to cold read scenes or monologues. Group Dance Auditions will be held after every 4 individual auditions. You will perform the dance that you learnt at the Info Day to the Casting Panel in small groups. Time slots are allocated. Please note the time when you sign up for your audition. During your audition those who wish to be featured dancers will be asked to demonstrate any special talents e.g. Fouettes, 3+ Pirouette spins, body stretches or contortions (splits, back bends, etc) any dance leaps (Split ‘Switch’ Leap, Calypso leap, Toe-Touch Leap, etc) or any other interesting dance talents. If you will be demonstrating any of these special skills don’t forget to stretch before your audition The videos of the Audition Dance can be found on the Holiday Actors Website or on Youtube to help you learn and practice. The videos are privately listed on Youtube and can be reached or found by using the unique links below: Full dance: https://youtu.be/Glg5md0wXlI Slow version: https://youtu.be/dAEEJEWE-r0 CALL BACKS Call backs will be held at TOAD hall, Sunday September 16 at 7.30 - 9.30pm. Those who receive a call back will be asked to perform sections of the script and score for a particular character, as given on the day. Only those who auditioned for a lead role may be asked to attend call backs, and call backs may not occur for every role. REHEARSALS Rehearsals start on Saturday 12th October at 10am in TOAD Hall unless otherwise advised. All future rehearsals are Saturdays from 10am-4pm, and Sunday afternoons (initially for leads/featured scenes). Please ensure you check the updated rehearsal schedule throughout the show process. If you have any concerns about your ability to fit in with the schedule, please discuss these with Angela. Any absences that you already know about (e.g. booked holiday) must be listed on your audition form. Key dates: - 16th-17th November: Brucknell Scout Camp (must attend) - 14th-15th December: Sitzprobe (must attend) - New Years Eve: Port Fairy (must attend) - SHOWS: 6 shows from Tuesday 7th January – Saturday 11th January By accepting a role, either lead or ensemble, you are committing to the rehearsals as scheduled, and adhering to start times. Illness and unexpected events can occur, however, missing prolonged periods or key dates is an issue. Please show respect for the production team and your fellow cast members by advising Angela (or other directors if relevant) of your absence as soon as possible. The production team endeavours to respect your time by beginning on time and working hard for your enjoyment and the success of the show. Please feel free to contact Angela Kenna (Director – 0447 060 831) or Lyle Russell (Production Manager – 0408 549 095) if you have any questions. AUDITION MONOLOGUES Donna: Cool with it? You don’t know my daughter. This would be like a bombshell. And I don’t know that. I don’t know where they are. I don’t know why they are here. And I have brought this all on myself. Why have they all turned up like this? It’s like some horrible trick of Fate! I don’t want them spoiling this.