AUDITION INFORMATION PACKET 1

P.S. 261 Afterschool Productions Presents

JR

AUDITION INFO Who? 3rd-5th grade students When? December 4th & 5th (attendance required both days) Where? Auditorium

Please fill out the AUDITION FORM (page 3) and bring it to Day 1 of auditions. Visit www.ps261afterschoolproductions.com for more information. ______AUDITION PROCESS

Day 1: Singing Not enrolled in Afterschool Enrolled in Afterschool

Students not enrolled in Afterschool must be Students enrolled in Afterschool must report to accompanied by an adult, who will be asked to the cafeteria. Ricky will bring you down in small wait at a designated area on this day. groups to the auditorium. When you are finished auditioning you will return to your Line up for non-afterschool students begins at Afterschool class. 3:00 pm in the auditorium lobby. When students are finished auditioning you are free to leave.

What To Prepare Please come prepared to sing one verse and chorus of a pop/rock song that shows off your voice. In total your song should last approximately 30 seconds.

Day 2: DANCING & ACTING Auditions will take place from 3:15-5:30pm for all students. Students may not be picked up before 5:30.

Students not enrolled in Afterschool must be accompanied by an adult.

Students enrolled in Afterschool must first report to their original classes, then go to the Afterschool Auditions group. What To Expect Students will learn and perform a short dance combination and act out a scene from the show. Please come dressed in clothes and shoes appropriate for movement.

Not a dancer? No worries! We are looking for students to try their best and have fun!

YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH DAYS OF AUDITIONS This is a musical, therefore everyone will be singing, dancing, and acting throughout the show. We want a chance to see all of your many talents! 2

PRODUCTION INFORMATION & IMPORTANT DATES

REHEARSALS: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm beginning January 3, 2019

TECH WEEK: Saturday, May 11th and May 13th-16th

PERFORMANCES: Friday, May 17 @ 7pm Saturday, May 18 @ 2pm Sunday, May 19 @ 2pm

Students must be present for all tech week rehearsals and all performances

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION: Tuesday, January 15th from 6:00-7:00pm This is a mandatory meeting to discuss our vision for the show and its many wonderful volunteer opportunities. Childcare and pizza will be made available for students.

All parents/guardians must volunteer a minimum of 2 hours with the show.

Any questions? Contact director Rachel Gubow at [email protected].

A MESSAGE ABOUT CASTING

We hold auditions to truly see the singing, dancing, and acting abilities that students bring to the table. As directors, it is our job to find the best fit for each role. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the size of students’ roles will increase from 3rd to 4th to 5th grade. There is no promise that 5th graders automatically get lead roles.

We are happy to be able to cast every student that comes to audition and do our best to give featured parts to as many students as possible throughout the rehearsal process. We want every child to have their moment to shine on stage!

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Set in the French Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, Once On This Island includes elements of the Romeo and Juliet story and of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Little Mermaid as we watch a young girl on a tropical island use the power of love to bring together people of different social classes.

Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the self-important gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune's life. When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel's heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and unites them. It is ultimately the power of love that brings us all together. COMPLETE THIS SHEET AND BRING WITH YOU TO THE FIRST DAY OF AUDTIONS. 3 PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY. **THIS IS YOUR TICKET TO AUDITION!**

Once On This Island Jr. Audition Form

Student Name: ______

Parent/Guardian Name: ______

E-mail: ______[______] Initial Here to acknowledge this is a 2-day audition process and students should not be picked up before 5:30pm on Day 2 (Wed, Dec 5th).

Grade (circle one): 3rd 4th 5th

What song you will be singing?

______

Previous Experience Have you performed in other musicals or plays? Do you take dance or singing lessons? Please list those experiences here! ______Special Talents Do you play a musical instrument? Can you juggle or do acrobatics? Please list those talents here! ______Top 3 Roles Look at the list of characters on the back of this sheet. Write down the top three roles you would like to play.

1. ______

2. ______Audition #______3. ______Staff Use Only List of Characters 4 *Not all characters are listed below. Students may be given featured parts during the rehearsal process based on participation and behavior *

• Ti Moune Ti Moune is the focus of our story and is featured in solo songs and dances. The actress performing the role should have an excellent voice and be an excellent dancer. She must be able to drive the energy of her scenes and be a committed storyteller. • Daniel Beauxhomme The leading male. He must have a good voice and be comfortable acting and moving. This role is dramatic and exciting. • Mama Euralie Mama is the symbolic mother of us all and the adoptive mother of Ti Moune. She is loving, practical, funny and earthy. • Tonton Julian Tonton is the loving father to his adopted daughter, Ti Moune. Tonton is strong, practical, and supportive. He is faced with the difficult task of letting Ti Moune chase her dreams, even if it means that he may never see the daughter he loves again. • Papa Ge Described as "the sly demon of death." He or she is also the closest thing to a "bad guy". Does not need to have a polished or pretty voice, but should be a strong character and must have an evil laugh! • Asaka The Goddess of the Earth. An excellent singer who moves well, with a robust personality. This character is larger than life! • Agwe The God of Water. A powerful singing voice with a driving energy. • Erzulie The triumphant Goddess of Love. A graceful mover with a pretty voice, confident yet charming. • Storytellers These narrators tell the story of the Once On This Island Junior. They sing throughout the show, guiding the audience through the journey. • Little Ti Moune A featured acting part to portray a frightened, but spunky young girl. • Gatekeeper Boy or girl, someone with a booming voice and strong stature. An actor who takes command of the stage. • Daniel's Father Unlike Tonton Julian, Daniel's father is not sympathetic or understanding of his son's wishes. This is a small male role requiring some singing and acting. • Andrea Andrea is Daniel's refined and beautiful fiancée. Daniel and Andrea have been promised to each other by their parents since birth. She is sophisticated, educated and the exact opposite of Ti Moune. Andrea needs to come across as the ultimate snob.