Cats Auditions Bookings: To book your audition, please fill out the form at queenslandmusicaltheatre.com/auditions If you have any difficulties with the form, please email [email protected] A recent headshot needs to be uploaded to the form. Creative Team Director: Kade O’Rourke Musical Director: Julie Whiting Choreographer: Jo Badenhorst Audition Dates & Times: Saturday, 22 & Sunday, 23 June 2019 By appointment through Form on Website queenslandmusicaltheatre.com/auditions Dance Audition: All cast members need to do a dance audition. Sunday, 23 June 9.00 to 11.00 a.m. - Musical Theatre performers with limited, minimal, or no formal dance training or experience. 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. - Dancers with medium to high levels of formal dance training and experience. The style of the show requires dancers that are competent in Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet. There is also one Tap routine in the show. The show requires reasonable levels of fitness and energy! (If you are working at this time then another time may be arranged. Please note on your Audition Form in the Comments section.) Call-backs: Monday, 24 June Audition Location: Queen Alexandra Home 347 Old Cleveland Rd Coorparoo queenslandmusicaltheatre.com/rehearsal-venues Performance Dates: 25 Oct – 3 November (2 week season) Schonell Theatre Minimum Age The minimum age for performers in Cats is 13 years old. 2 Audition Requirements: • Auditions are by appointment only. All auditionees will need to do a singing audition and a movement audition. Audition Preparation - Singing • Prepare two song excerpts from Musical Theatre in the style of the show - specifically in the style of the songs sung by the character/s for which you are auditioning. • One song must be a song by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Songs from the show are acceptable as one of your excerpts only. • You should prepare about 32 bars of each song (approximately 1 minute per song is a good guide). The Panel may not hear both songs at the audition. With this in mind, please make appropriate cuts to your songs before your audition and choose appropriate excerpts with which to demonstrate your abilities. • As you will not be reading at your audition, please make sure you choose songs which allow you to show your characterisation of the role/s for which you are auditioning. • Please bring backing tracks for your audition on a device that can be plugged into a speaker (no CDs or USB sticks please) OR sheet music (with clearly marked cuts) for the audition pianist. A speaker and auxiliary cable will be available. • No a cappella auditions please. • Sheet music is available online at http://www.musicnotes.com or other sites for a small charge and easily can be printed via these websites. Audition Preparation – Acting • You will need to show your acting abilities in your song, so please choose wisely. Audition Preparation – Dance and Movement • Wear something suitable for moving and dancing, that fits well and moves with your body e.g. dance attire or fitness/activewear. Please do not wear skirts, dresses, baggy oversize t- shirts, etc. • Bring or wear suitable shoes. If you think you don’t have anything suitable, please do not purchase anything! Just wear runners or socks. Please do not wear thongs, sandals, flimsy type shoes that will slip off your feet! • Dancers please bring jazz shoes, ballet flats, and tap shoes. Once again there is no need to purchase anything, just bring what you have! • Group 1 audition will consist of learning one or two short sections of simple dance choreography. • Group 2 audition will consist of ‘from the corner’ style exercises to show us what you can do with turns, kicks, jumps etc. There will also be one or two short choreography routines to learn, which will then be performed in small groups. There will also be an opportunity for you to show us any acrobatic/tumbling skills that you are safely capable of doing e.g. cartwheels, walkovers, flicks, etc. • Group 2 please arrive well warmed up and ready to dance or arrive early to warmup beforehand. Rehearsals • Rehearsals commence on Wednesday, 26 June at 7.00 p.m. • Rehearsals are held on Monday (Principals only), Wednesday evenings – 7:00pm – 10:00pm and Sunday afternoons from 1.00 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Company) Specialist dancers and/or Principals may be called from 11.00 a.m. on Sundays. • Additional Rehearsals can be called by mutual agreement amongst cast members. • It is the expectation of both the Creative Team and Queensland Musical Theatre that everyone involved in this production will be available from the date of their casting through until 3 November, as required by the schedule. • To ensure that Cats is a production of the highest quality, and in fairness to all involved, it is essential that all cast members are available for all scheduled rehearsals. Everyone’s time is valuable, and it is vital that important rehearsal time is not wasted by the absence of required cast members. • All known absences at the time of the auditions must be recorded on the audition form. • Missing rehearsals without notice may result in cast members forfeiting their place in a routine or even in the cast. Full Day Rehearsals • Compulsory Full Day Rehearsals will be held on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 September Sitzprobe • Compulsory Sitzprobe is scheduled for Sunday, 15 September commencing at 9.00 a.m. Bump-in/Theatre Rehearsals • Cast will be expected to be involved in Bump-in and the theatre rehearsals leading up to performances. Membership/Production Fee • Those selected to be in the cast of Cats will be required to become financial members of Queensland Musical Theatre. • All Cats cast members are required to pay a Production Fee. • Failure to pay these fees by the 3rd rehearsal may result in your invitation to perform being withdrawn. Publicity • Those selected in the cast of Cats will be expected to distribute posters and postcards to their local areas; post, like and share about the show on social media and generally assist the Company to sell the show to South East Queensland audiences. General Information • The show calls for a cast that is prepared to have fun, work hard and above all show commitment. Further information: [email protected]
QMT – Cats Major Character Breakdown
Munkustrap 3 words – Charismatic, Energetic, Courageous Narrator of show. The leader of the cats in Deuteronomy’s absence. He likes to be in charge and is the one frequently telling the stories or directing the other cats. Commanding presence. Brother to Rum Tum Tugger. Vocal Range: B2-G4
Rum Tum Tugger 3 words – Curious, Seductive, Clownish Rum Tum Tugger is a show off, often trying to attract attention when it is not focused on him, and revelling in it when it is. Very flirty and will happily lead those on around him. We all know someone just like him. Many of the kittens and Queens are fans of his charisma. Brother to Munkustrap. Vocal Range: B2-F#4
Old Deuteronomy 3 words – Caring, Mature, Commanding Old Deuteronomy is considered to be a kind and just leader to the Jellicle Tribe. While he is 'old and tottery' and 'must go slow', he is fairly lively and moves along with a variety of songs performed for him. Vocal Range: G2-F#4
Grizabella 3 words – Timid, Hurt, Indomitable The glamour cat who left the tribe to experience the outside world and who now wants to come back. Grizabella's personality is characterized by regret, rejection, and loneliness. She is portrayed as an older cat, although she may not be as old as her appearance implies. Grizabella usually moves slowly and carefully. Vocal Range: G3-E4
Mr Mistoffelees 3 words – Electric, Friendly, Charismatic Mistoffelees is a rather mysterious, clever and cunning conjuring cat, often found being mischievous or performing amusing antics. He is the tribe magician and always knows how to entertain. Vocal Range: no solo singing
Victoria (The White Cat) 3 words – Inquisitive, Elegant, Innocent Victoria is one of the youngest cats. She is one of the kinder and more open cats and is an amazing dancer. Although her movements are graceful, elegant, and timid, she is not shy around the likes of the Rum Tum Tugger. The Jellicle Ball begins with her solo dance and she performs a pas de deux with Plato. Vocal Range: no solo singing
Asparagus 3 words – Dramatic, Mature, Fatherly The theatre cat. The old cat was famous in his youth as he was a cat of the stage. However, he is now very old and soon will be gone but he tells the rest of the tribe of his youth and his roles on stage. He is usually slightly absent-minded, a bit grumpy and he prefers to doze in a corner than be too involved in the goings-on around him. Vocal Range: B2-G#3
Skimbleshanks 3 words – Protective, Bright, Self-regarding Skimbleshanks is an energetic ginger tabby known as "the Railway Cat". He is one of the adults of the tribe, always protecting the kittens whenever danger is near. Despite this, he is a jolly and cheerful cat, often seen dancing and being silly with the younger toms. He is a very animated character and has a Scottish accent. Vocal range: C#3-F4
Bombalurina 3 words – Seductive, Friendly, Confident She’s a red female who loves to flirt with all the toms but really has her heart set on the Rum Tum Tugger. She plays a leading part in introducing several of the cats and has a slightly protective side shown toward the kittens and her best friend, Demeter. Vocal Range: G3-E4
Demeter 3 words – Skittish, Friendly, Cautious Demeter is a strong female character in the show, whose best friend is Bombalurina. Despite being quite a strong character, she can be anxious and easily startled. Sympathetic to Grizabella. Mezzo soprano in a trio. Vocal Range: G3-F5
Jellylorum 3 words – Motherly, Busy, Cheery Jellylorum is a kind of ‘mother’ amongst the cats and is the Opera Cat of the tribe. She is often seen trying to bring order to the Jellicles or scolding kittens when they misbehave. Sings soprano in the the trio. Vocal Range: G#3-C6
Jemima 3 words – Curious, Playful, Thoughtful Jemima is one of the younger cats and can be seen as sweet, affectionate, innocent and intuitive. She’s one of the first cats to show kindness towards Grizabella and sings parts of ‘Memory’. Vocal range: G4-F5
Mungojerrie 3 words – Mischievous, Loyal, Cheeky Mungojerrie is a young, high-energy, mischievous character and is a small-time crook along with his partner, Rumpleteazer. Want’s to be a “cool cat” like the Rum Tum Tugger to get just as much attention from the girls. Acrobatic ability desirable and a slick mover. Vocal range: Db2-F#4
Rumpleteazer 3 words – Sly, Mischievous, Loyal Rumpleteazer is a young female, high-energy, mischievous character and is also a small-time crook along with her partner, Mungojerrie. Rumpleteazer is lovable at the same time as being naughty and cheeky. Acrobatic ability desirable and a slick mover. Vocal range: Db4-D5
Jennyanydots 3 words – Motherly, Content, Lazy Jennyanydots is another kind, motherly figure that is known as The Old Gumbie Cat as she sits all day. She loves knitting and crocheting and rules the mice and cockroaches. Although she is less active than the younger cats, she watches everything going on around her with fascination and enthusiasm. Tap ability required. Vocal range: G3-C#5
Bustopher Jones 3 words – Aristocratic, Friendly, Approachable Bustopher Jones in a man of leisure and a connoisseur of fine dining! Immaculately groomed and presents himself as a very proper individual (think Edwardian style), although after enjoying many fine meals at the best restaurants about town, he is the fat cat of the bunch. Range: B2-F4
Macavity 3 words – Mysterious, Hypnotic, Dangerous Macavity is the show’s only real villain. He is a well-known escape artist among the cats. He apparently possesses magical powers as he can appear and disappear, since he's never seen at the scene of the crime. Always causing trouble for the Jellicles. Vocal range: no solo singing
Other smaller named characters – Griddlebone – Female. A fluffy white Persian cat. Appears in ‘Growltiger’s Last Stand’/’Ballad of Billy M’Caw’ (may be played by Jellylorum). Vocal range: G#3-B6.
Growltiger – Male. A pirate cat – a theatrical character played by Gus in his youth. Appears in ‘Growltiger’s Last Stand’/’Ballad of Billy M’Caw’ (may be played by Gus). Vocal range: B2-G#3
Quaxo – Male. A black and white cat. Mistoffeles’ alter ago (doubled with Mistoffeles). Vocal range: G#2-D#4
Alonzo B3-D4 Coricopat D4-F5 Tantomile D4-E5 Bill Bailey A4-C4 Electra A4-D5 Victor A3-C4 Carbucketty B4-E5 Etcetera A4-C5 Cassandra G4-E5 George spoken Admetus spoken Plato spoken 2nd girl (Memory) Eb4-Eb5
Chorus of Cats and Kittens