AUDITIONS FOR UPPER DARBY SUMMER STAGE
Audition Information
Philadelphia’s renowned summer theater program, Upper Darby Summer Stage, is seeking actors ages 18- 28 for their 43rd season summer production of 42nd Street. Brian Walsh will direct, Gina Giachero will direct music and Kevin Dietzler and Devon Sinclair will choreograph.
The Philadelphia Inquirer raved about last season’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, saying, “Summer Stage manages to reach a level of professionalism and aesthetic excellence that is nothing short of miraculous.”
Auditions are June 3rd at 1:00 PM with callbacks on June 4th and 6th at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 North Lansdowne Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026.
Please pre-register for your audition at https://goo.gl/forms/ioumd2saxn3NzufJ3
See information about our pre-audition workshops below including a Tap Master Class by Peter John Rios
Rehearsals begin June 7th and run Monday thru Thursday evenings, 7 PM to 10:30 PM. Tech will be Saturday, July 21st and Sunday, July 22nd. The week of July 23rd, rehearsals will go from 6 to 11 PM.
Performances are July 27th at 7:30 PM, July 28th at 7:30 PM, August 3rd at 7:30 PM, and August 4th at 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Song Selection: 42nd Street has a traditional classic Broadway score. Please prepare a traditional Broadway song. No pop, rock or contemporary musical theater.
Dance Component: There will be a dance portion to the audition, so please come prepared with clothes, tap shoes (if you tap) water, etc. While 42nd Street is a dance/tap heavy show, there are roles for actors who simply move well. Our first callback will be dedicated to tap. See information about our pre-audition workshops below including a Tap Master Class by Peter John Rios
Please feel free to email Brian ([email protected]) any questions you may have about song choice, auditions etiquette, etc. If you have a conflict with the audition dates, you must contact Brian Walsh at [email protected]. We can always arrange for an alternate time or have you send a video submission.
There is a minimal fee for participation if you are cast in the show which includes a t-shirt. 42nd Street Character Breakdown
Female Roles
Peggy Sawyer – The all-American, genuinely talented girl; innocent, hopeful, spirited; a triple threat: she acts, she sings, and must be a spectacular tapper; mezzo/belt. Dorothy Brock - A genuine Broadway Star with a splash of Diva; very elegant; must move well and possess a strong sense of comic timing; low alto to low Eb. Anytime Annie - The archetypal chorus girl; knows the ropes and is no fool; must have strong belt and great tap skills. Maggie Jones - Half of the writing duo; must sing and move well and be able to play comedy with great warmth and charm; character alto. Phyllis – A chorus girl, part of the group. Lorraine – A chorus girl, part of the group. Women’s Ensemble - Tap/dance experience is a plus, but not required. The roles of Gladys, Diane, Ethel, etc. will come from the ensemble.
Male Roles
Julian Marsh - A powerful and charismatic actor to play a successful Broadway director; baritone, up to an Ab. Billy Lawlor - The classic juvenile; handsome, charming; spectacular tapper, and soaring tenor. Bert Barry - Half of the writing duo; must sing and move well and be able to play comedy with vaudeville timing; character baritone. Pat Denning - handsome vaudeville performer down on his luck; Dorothy Brock's true love; baritone. Andy Lee - The dance director of the show; must be a first rate tap dancer; bari-tenor. Abner Dillion - Character role; the star's "sugar daddy" from Oklahoma; a bit of a potential thug/bully; ability to sing a help but not necessary. Pat Denning - A handsome vaudeville performer down on his luck; Dorothy Brock's true love; baritone. Men’s Ensemble - Tap/dance experience is a plus, but not required. The roles of Mac, Doc, Thugs, etc. will come from the ensemble.
Show Synopsis
One of show business’s most classic and beloved tales, 42nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.
Peggy arrives to New York City from her hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania, armed with her tap shoes and big dreams. Peggy’s talent catches the eye of legendary Broadway director Julian Marsh, who gives her a spot in the chorus of Pretty Lady, his newest show. Pretty Lady stars Dorothy Brock, the classic Broadway diva, who takes an instant dislike to the new girl in the cast. When Dorothy is injured during the show’s previews, Pretty Lady looks like it will have to close, unless a new girl talented enough to lead the show can be found — someone like Peggy Sawyer!
Peggy’s rise from showgirl to star is the stuff of show business dreams. 42nd Street is full of crowd-pleasing tap dances, popular musical theatre standards, and show-stopping ensemble production numbers.
Audition Workshops
We will be offering 3 opportunities to prepare for 42nd Street auditions.
There will be a one-time $5 admission fee to attend one or all of the workshops that will help offset the cost of renting the space. You only have to pay once, but then can attend all 3 workshops!
WORKSHOP # 1 Intermediate/Advanced Tap Master class held by Peter Rios!
WHEN: Monday, May 14 from 7 - 9pm WHERE: Players Club of Swarthmore, Second Stage, 614 Fairview Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
For those people who have strong basic technique but are looking to develop and clean their skills/style. Emphasis on musicality, specificity and precision. The class will start with a series of warmups/exercises for all levels that will progress in difficulty as the class moves into across the floor work, short phrases and a routine.
PETER JOHN RIOS, a director, choreographer, performer and dance instructor in and around the Philadelphia tri-state area. Peter is entering his eighth year as the Tap Dance Instructor for the Musical Theatre dept. at his alma mater, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Peter has worked with Upper Darby Summer Stage on the mainstage productions of Crazy for You ('01, co-choreographer), George M ('02, director/choreographer), How to Succeed in Business... ('03, director/co-choreographer) and the 2005 production of 42nd Street (co-choreographer).
WORKSHOP # 2 Audition Workshop held by the Mainstage Staff
WHEN: Tuesday, May 15 from 7 - 9pm WHERE: Players Club of Swarthmore, Second Stage, 614 Fairview Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Are you new to Mainstage? Would you like to meet the staff and learn a little more about 42nd Street and expectations for auditions? This workshop will offer insight into what to expect and how to prepare for your music and dance auditions. The workshop will end with a brief preview of sequences and steps that will be used in the audition dance.
WORKSHOP # 3 All-Level Tap Workshop with the Choreographer, Kevin Dietzler
WHEN: Wednesday, May 23 from 6 - 9pm WHERE: Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Mainstage choreographer Kevin Dietzler will hold one final workshop that will be tailored toward tappers of all levels. The class will begin with a warm up and overview of basic techniques and will culminate in a breakdown of sequences and steps that will be used in the audition dance. All are invited to come and brush up on your technique to prepare for auditions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kevin Dietzler ([email protected]). Hope to see you there!