AUDITION INFORMATION: DREAMGIRLS

Book By Tom Eyen Music By Henry Krieger Original Broadway Choreography by Michael Bennett

Directed by Julie Hamberg Associate Directed and Choreographed by Ike Anderson

Audition Dates: Sunday & Monday, January 24 & 25 Rehearsals Start: Around February 21, 2016 Performance Dates: May 20, 2016 – June 11, 2016

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAY

DREAMGIRLS is the smash-hit Broadway musical (and winner of SIX TONY AWARDS) about the meteoric rise of a female trio of black singers. As the Dreamettes gain in popularity, the group’s manager decides to replace their overweight lead singer with a more glamorous and svelte prospect. Loosely based on The Supremes and Barry Gordy’s Motown. DREAMGIRLS features the songs that launched the careers of Jennifer Holliday, Loretta Devine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

FREE MUSICAL WORKSHOP: SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 FROM 1-5PM

There is a FREE Audition Workshop at the MUSIC RESOURCE CENTER, located at 105 Ridge Street in Charlottesville, where you will learn:

HOW TO DRESS TO IMPRESS & ENJOY YOUR AUDITION RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ATTACK THE SCENE DANCE AUDITION TECHNIQUES VOCAL AUDITION TECHNIQUES

THE WHERE AND WHAT OF AUDITIONS: SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 (1-6PM) AND MONDAY, JANUARY 25 (7-10PM)

Auditions are held LIVE ARTS, located at 123 East Water Street in Charlottesville, where you will sing 30 seconds of a song.

(Bring sheet music if you have it (for piano player), bring a recorded song track, or even sing Acapella! Don’t have a prepared song? Sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY or AMAZING GRACE. We just want to hear your voice.)

Sign up for an audition time with TRACIE SKIPPER at [email protected] or just show up!

DREAMGIRLS PRINCIPAL CAST BREAKDOWN (AGES 16+)

EFFIE MELODY WHITE Female, 20-40ish, African American – powerful belt, large and in charge, lead singer of The Dreamettes. Journeys from snappy confidence to depths of betrayal, but triumphs in the end. Seeking actor with willingness to dig deep emotionally as well as belt.

DEENA JONES Female, 18-40ish, African American – mezzo soprano, initially modest backup singer for Dreamettes. Replaces Effie, under pressure. And falls for Curtis, knowing Effie had him. The Diana Ross-esq character, so must move from innocent to “star.”

LORRELL ROBINSON Female, 18-30ish, African American – soprano, the youngest backup singer. Speaks her mind. Eager for success, swept off her feet by married James Thunder Early. High energy and attitude encouraged for this role, with a touch of the romantic.

MICHELLE MORRIS Female, 18-40ish, African American – soprano, replacement backup for Effie. Wants to stay out of in-fighting. Falls in love with C.C., and helps bring brother and sister together in the end.

CURTIS TAYLOR Male, 25-45ish, African American – tenor/high baritone, a Cadillac dealer turned the Dreams’ brilliant manager, then music mogul. Charming, smooth, and funny, he’s ruthless in the pursuit of his dreams. Dumps Effie and James in pursuit of glory.

C.C. WHITE Male, 20-30, African American – tenor, talented song writer for the Dreamettes/Dreams and is Effie’s brother. Initially enthralled by Curtis’ business smarts.

JAMES "THUNDER" EARLY Male, 30-50, African American – tenor/strong falsetto, a James Brownlike flashy star of early R&B that Curtis steals from Marty. A trendsetter, but trends pass him by. Be ready to be a showman, and let loose.

MARTY MADISON Male, 40’s-60’s, African American – baritone, early manager of James Early, cleans up after many of James’ messes, old-school, honest and loyal.

ENSEMBLE AND FEATURED ROLES (10-20 parts)

Looking for additional cast members (aged 16 and up).

WAYNE, FRANK, DWIGHT, M.C., CHARLENE & JOANN, MORGAN, JERRY, FEMALE & MALE SINGING GROUPS (Stepp Sisters, Les Style, Dave & The Sweethearts (Pat Boone-esque), Little Alpert & the True Tones, The Five Tuxedos, Tiny Joe Dixon, and the James Early Band