BRISBANE & PERTH CHILDREN CASTING BRIEF & AUDITION INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SHOW
Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company (“RSC”) and is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.
Matilda The Musical creative team - Matthew Warchus (Director), Peter Darling (Choreographer), Rob Howell (Set & Costume Design), Chris Nightingale (Orchestrations & Additional Music), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Design), Simon Baker (Sound Design), Ellen Kane (Associate Choreographer Worldwide), Nik Ashton (Associate Director Australian Production), Fabian Aloise (Associate Choreographer Australian Production), Tom Hodgson (Australian Associate Choreographer), Stephen Amos (Australian Associate Music Supervisor/MD).
Matilda The Musical is produced in Australia by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Louise Withers, Michael Coppel & Michael Watt with Andre Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers.
PRODUCTION DATES
• Rehearsals commence in Brisbane – (on or about) week commencing 29 August 2016
*If based in Perth - Please note children cast in the production will need to be available to rehearse their rehearsal period in BRISBANE & MELBOURNE. Rehearsals in Melbourne will be for 4-5 weeks in October-November 2016 and children cast in the production will need to have a parent / guardian available to accompany them for the entire duration of this time in Brisbane & Melbourne. Please note, children cast in the production will need to be available to go on tour to perform in Brisbane, then in their home city of Perth and also in a proposed subsequent Australian capital city following Perth and possible New Zealand cities. Children cast in the production will have to have a parent/legal guardian accompany them for the entire duration of the tour in the Australia and New Zealand. • Performances will take place at the Lyric Theatre QPAC located in Southbank, Brisbane QLD commencing (on or about) November 2016 & Perth’s Crown Theatre, Burswood Perth WA commencing (on or about) February 2017
• Contracts will be for the “Run of Play” Australasia and commitment is expected to be between 10-14months from the start of rehearsals.
CHILDRENS AUDITION DATES IN PERTH Proposed auditions dates should auditions be required in Perth: Sat 18th June 2016 Sun 19th June 2016 Monday 20th June 2016. (Dates subject to change) Page 1 of 4
ROLE REQUIREMENTS • ROLES: We are looking for BOYS under 148cms tall who can sing, act, and dance. Please note some can also be movers with limited dance training who demonstrate strong potential, but some roles must be trained dancers. • All children auditioning must ordinarily reside in Perth with their home address within 60 minutes travel to the Crown Perth Theatre located in Burswood, Perth. (Guide for checking time & distance please use Google maps). • Children must be born between 29 August 2003 and 1 February 2007 • Boys must have unbroken voices.
• Please refer to above role description for height requirements. The maximum height will be 148cm. Please note children will be measured prior to their audition, so please ensure the height submitted on applications is accurate.
• All children must have proof of current Perth WA school enrollment at the time of auditioning, and proof of date of birth.
SUBMISSION PROCESS Please email a photo and resume to: [email protected]
Please be sure to include ALL the following information: • Child’s full name • Date of birth • Current height • Current school address • Home suburb & postcode • Name of guardian • Guardian’s contact phone numbers (home and mobile) & guardian’s email address • Any relevant experience / training • ONE current photo - NO production/costume shots please. • Please do not include any dance or eisteddfod certificates, or copies of awards.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS – CLOSE OF BUSINESS WED 8TH JUNE 2016
The Casting office will be in touch will all applicants regarding the progress of their application.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Please note that the children’s roles in Matilda the Musical have very particular height and vocal requirements. Should a child cast in the show mature beyond these requirements, they may no longer be able to remain in the production.
• We are aware that some businesses have been offering workshops 'focusing on' Matilda or offering to prepare children for Matilda auditions. Please be aware that these workshops are not officially associated with the production, and therefore we cannot guarantee auditions will be granted to all workshop participants. Each applicant will be assessed independently. It is a preference of the 'Matilda' auditioning process that young people auditioning for some of the roles have no training or coaching on the show material, with the creative team preferring to work with children who respond naturally to what is needed or asked of them rather than in a pre-learned or anticipated way. This preference has been applied in respect of auditions for the London and New York productions.
• Please note that auditions may be photographed and/or recorded as part of each child’s participation in or attendance at such auditions for casting purposes. Any recording made of auditionees during the audition process may be included in any future official Matilda production use, including but not limited to, a documentary, Matilda social media clip, film or program, news story or promotional reel, without compensation.
• If offered a role, a child may not be able to be in the show if their school and/or Education Authority do not approve the child to be absent from school for periods as required. This approval will need to be sought by the Parent with the support of the Producer prior to the child being contracted for the show. A proposed outline of rehearsal and performance requirements will be outlined, so schools understand the time requirements of the child – please note, however, that production schedules will vary and change, and therefore flexibility is mandatory. Please note when children are required to travel away form their home base of PERTH, Travel Allowances and wage provisions will be provided per the terms of the Matilda the Musical Performer’s Collective Agreement.
• Please note, children cast in the production will need to be available to go on tour to perform in proposed subsequent Australia capital cities following Brisbane & Perth and possible New Zealand cities. Children cast in the production will need to have a parent/legal guardian accompany them for the entire duration of the tour. The parent/legal guardian will be responsible for each drop off and pick up from work calls along with supervision at all times when the child is not at work.
• It is the Producer’s preference that children cast in Matilda the Musical remain at their usual school throughout their employment on the production, however please be aware there may be key production periods either during rehearsals, before opening the show or during the season where it may not be possible for a child to attend their normal school due to the production schedule requirements at the time. During such periods the Producers may then choose to supply a tutor in order for children to be schooled at the workplace to maintain their level of school. The appointed tutor would liaise with each child’s individual school in terms of curriculum and work to be covered during this time. The Producers will appoint a tutor when the show tours and when the child is not residing in their home city.
• We continue to work closely with the child employment departments in each State to ensure that we meet all the states requirements in keeping the health and wellbeing of the child first at hand.
• We trust that you will support and accommodate your child’s requirements if cast in the production of Matilda the Musical. We believe working on a world-class production such as Matilda the Musical is an excellent Page 3 of 4
opportunity to provide a positive educational and life experience for a child. Should the child be chosen to move through the audition process, the producers will provide ongoing information to keep agents, parents and the child informed about next steps, and the requirements of the production. As involvement in the production will require school co-operation, family co-operation and a considerable time commitment from the parents and the child, it is imperative that a child only remains in the process with the full support and commitment of their family, school and agent (if applicable).
• Matilda Australasia is a committed equal opportunities employer with responsible child safeguarding practices in place.
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