Audition Packet

Dance Tutorial ……February 12​th General Auditions……February 17​th&​ 18​th Callbacks…….. February 20​th

Performances…….. May 7­9

Seussical, the Musical Audition Schedule

Thursday, February 12​th 2:30-4:30 Dance Tutorial ALL students auditioning MUST meet in the auditorium at 2:30. Tuesday, February 17​th 2:30-4:00 Dance Auditions Tuesday, February 17​th 4:00-6:00 General Auditions Thursday, February 18​th 3:00-7:00 General Auditions

The CALL BACK list will be posted on line @ www.wvhsmusic.org & www.wvhs/fine arts/theatre. Friday, February 20​th ​ 2:30 - ??? ​Call Backs

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION!

Students are required to:

1. )​ ​prepare​ appropriate audition materials as explained below. 2. )​ bring the ​Acting Audition Form/Music Audition Form/Dance Audition Form​ with you to the audition completely filled out. 3. )​ Fill out the “Conflict” sheet, indicating all of your commitments/ and or potential conflicts 4. )​ notify the directing staff before February 14t​ h ​ of any possible schedule conflicts relating to call backs​. 5. ) ​Be available (and prepared) for the callback audition on ​Friday at 2:30 in the Auditorium. 6. ) ​Fill out the ​Role Acceptance​ portion on the Acting Audition Form. 7. ) Complete​ all ​three​ portions of the audition process.

SHOW SYNOPSIS Based on the Dr. Seuss books: Horton Hears a Who!, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, Horton Hatches the Egg, I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew, McElligot's Pool, Hunches in Bunches, If I Ran the Circus, The Butter Battle Book, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!, The Cat in the Hat, The Sneetches and Other Stories, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?, Oh, the Places You'll Go!, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

Story:​ The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to a butter battling military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton's attention to the speck of dust and his "loitering" care of Mayzie LaBird's egg has elicited taunting and accusations from the rest of the animal kingdom, except for Gertrude McFuzz, who longs for his attention, and JoJo, whose "thinks" save them all in the end.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS THE CAT IN THE HAT ​(age 16­30) The ​Cat ​playfully provokes change in the lives of those around him/her by creating obstacles and rites of passage. As in Dr Seuss’s books, the Cat’s intentions, although mischievous, are benevolent. The Cat’s main objective is to have fun stirring things up, using some risky tactics, but always to a good end. Physical attributes and movement abilities​: Loose­limbed, fluid mover with some vaudeville skills, and comedic and athletic propensities.

HORTON ​(age 20­35) Horton’s ​main objective throughout the show is to protect the defenseless charges in his care — Mayzie’s abandoned egg and the invisible planet of Who. His secondary objective is to become connected with another being that values and cares for him. Horton, as an elephant, is a slow­moving, gentle giant — a contemplative thinker in a world of agile, fleet­footed, quick and opinionated jungle animals. Physically and socially different than the other animals, Horton is an easy scapegoat. But Horton’s bulk is matched by his solid, steadfast integrity and deeply­grounded beliefs.

GERTRUDE ​(age 18­30) Gertrude’s ​main objective is to win Horton’s attention and affection. She is determined to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Gertrude is a wallflower who is more comfortable observing others than being the center of attention. This is a difficult personality trait for her when she wants to be noticed by the elephant whose kind heart she has come to love. Gertrude doesn’t quite fit in with the other jungle animals, feels unsure of herself socially, and the physical flaws she perceives in herself give support to her insecurities.

MAYZIE ​(age 25­35) Mayzie’s ​objective is to have a good time while leading life to the fullest. She finds great pleasure in her sexuality and enjoys being admired, adored, sought after and serviced, whether by her Bird Girls, groupies, or by the paramours she meets on her adventures. Many have a hard time keeping up with her, as she is a real powerhouse, with great intelligence, beauty, and style. She has real star power and enjoys nothing more than being in the spotlight.

THE SOUR KANGAROO​ (age 25 ­40) and ​ROO​ (age 6) The ​Sour Kangaroo ​is the diva queen of the jungle. She is a tyrannical marsupial with attitude! She has style and flair, but she is also hard­hearted and sour. She has worked her way to the top and commands power and respect, but her rise to power did not come easily and she knows how hard life can be. Having been around the block a few times, she does not suffer fools gladly. She believes nonsense leaves people out in the cold, without food or home, and survival is the key instinct to coping in the jungle. To her, reality is not open to interpretation, and Horton’s claims are seemingly impossible, and therefore disturbing. Roo ​is a baby Sour Kangaroo. Determinedly imitating his/her mother, Roo has guts and gumption and a similar defiant attitude. Roo is a hopper with a smooth bounce who appears through a costume pouch in the Sour Kangaroo’s dress.

BIRD GIRLS ​(Age 19­ 30) The three ​Bird Girls ​are a flamboyant “girl group.” Individually, each is a gorgeous, tropically decked­out, hot jungle bird. As a trio, they live to sing, dance and perform. They love to tell stories, embellished by their melodious voices and expressive physiques. The Bird Girls are visceral, sensuous beings who respond to the stimulus around them. Whenever there is music, they are “on.” They live in the moment, embodying the mood and feel of their environment at any given time. Because they have a heightened awareness of the external world and themselves in it, they are less internally aware and are not introspective or contemplative.

WICKERSHAMS ​(age 17 ­35) The ​Wickersham Brothers ​live to impress the world with their strength and prowess. They want to be seen as virile, dominant, alpha males. They are impulsive bad boys who like to monkey around, creating havoc for fun. They pride themselves on their agility, speed, and cunning, and feed off of each other, seeking out vulnerable prey to subordinate. In order to feel a sense of superiority, they intimidate, bully and harass those they consider to be weaker.

YERTLE, THE TURTLE (​age 20 ­40​) Yertle ​believes he has been endowed with some superior gifts not shared by the other animals and deserves a higher stature. He has a sense of entitlement and has a need for order. He likes to be the one who is looked to for decision­making and setting things right.

JOJO ​(age 8­12) JoJo ​wants to be valued and loved for himself. He lives in a society that doesn’t seem to notice or care about any of the things he holds dear to his heart. He feels unseen and unappreciated by his family and community and begins to doubt his own worth. He longs for a friend with whom to share his thoughts, a soul mate who can understand his experience. JoJo stands out in a world that values conformity. When he expresses the wondrous thoughts in his head, instead of inspiring awe and emulation, he is met with disdain and disapproval.

MR. MAYOR ​(age 30­50) Mr. Mayor ​wants to be a good leader and father. He is a recently­elected official who is proud of his new role and eager to prove his abilities. He feels he must embody the high standards he hopes his citizens will live up to. Mr. Mayor has taken a leadership role at a difficult time. Not only is the planet rudderless, and open to dangers from without, but there are internal problems as well. War is brewing on his home front, and, in his own home, he is disturbed by the troubling antics of his dreamer son, JoJo. As a public official, Mr. Mayor expects his son to exhibit upright behavior, not the surprising, unruly, disruptive behaviors that have him sent home from school. Mr. Mayor likes his world to be tidy and predictable.

MRS. MAYOR ​(age 25­45) Mrs. Mayor ​wants, above all else, to be a good wife and mother. She is married to a recently­elected politician who takes great pleasure in representing the community he loves. She is proud to be his wife and wishes to uphold the values they share and she strives to present their family as an exemplary, well­put­together unit. But this is not an easy time in Mrs. Mayor’s life. The planet they live on has only just nearly been rescued from peril. And although temporarily safe from that danger, she worries about the war that looms on the horizon and she has concerns closer to home.

GENERAL GENGHIS KHAN SCHMITZ ​(age 30­60) General Genghis Khan Schmitz ​sees the world in simple contrasts: good and evil, weak and strong, boy and man. He believes in values of militaristic regimentation: conformity, rigorous and disciplined physical training, and following orders without questions. There is no place on the battlefield for dreaming. General Genghis Khan Schmitz believes in what is familiar to him, and aberrations from that frighten and confound him.

THE GRINCH ​(age25­45) The ​Grinch ​is a green beastie who lives in Whoville. He is a happy member of the Who community, but this wasn’t always the case. He once lived angrily apart and wished to disrupt the pleasantry of the Whos. His story and change of heart are all part of Who culture now, and happily retold every Christmas.

WHOS CITIZENS ​(all ages) The ​Citizens of Who ​are innocent, slightly quirky people who value conformity and clean living. For the most part, they are happy, hard­working, earnest citizens who enjoy their lives and one another. The Whos do not examine their lives deeply. They live simply from day to day and depend on those in charge to lead them. Like white, middle class Americans in the 1950s, they live in a bubble of pleasant uniformity. Their thinking is restricted to what is known and familiar to them; any deviations from the norm are viewed with confusion and suspicion. The Whos’ main objective is to keep the status quo: to keep their planet safe.

The ​Dance Tutorial​ will take place on T​ hursday, February 12​th ​ from 2:30-4:30 in the Auditorium. ​ Students will be taught a routine/combination by our choreographer. They will be evaluated on Tuesday. Some students may be asked back for a dance “call back” on the day of call backs. We suggest wearing jogging or sweatpants for the dance call in order to move freely and avoid injury.

The Acting and Vocal Auditions will take place in the Auditorium/Choir Room on Tuesday, February 17​th ​ (After the Dance Evaluation) or Wednesday, February 18t​ h​. (choose one).

The ​Acting Audition​ ​will consist of a monologue of the student's choice, which should be between ​00​ ​: 30 – 1:00 minute​ in length. Do not let your monologue exceed 6​ 0 seconds​. In addition to the monologue, each student ​may​ be asked to perform in a short improvisation.

The ​Vocal Audition​ will consist of your performance of ​your best 32 measures​ of a solo selection of your choice. ​It must be accompanied on piano.​ ​You may not sing a number from the show​.

** ​The Musical staff supports all involvement in extra curricular activities at WV. However, because of the individual commitment required for the show, it is crucial that you are ​thorough​ when filling out the conflict section of your audition forms. This means include all activities, college visitations, family commitments, etc.

Material Selection The Acting Auditions Seek a role in your own maturity and emotional range from material with which you are familiar. Do not attempt a monologue without first reading the entire play, if possible. Please edit any inappropriate material/words in the monologue. See Mr. Calvert with any questions regarding the monologue. ​NO ORIGINAL MONOLOGUES!!! No monologues from movies may be used. Monologues can be found in the library and can come from a variety of sources. Some of these sources are Full Length Plays *, Scene Books*, Play Anthologies, Collection of Monologues, or other Theatre related sources. * Best Choices

Choose a piece that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Selection should be self-explanatory with a clear beginning, middle, and end. You may edit a piece liberally to achieve clarity. Two or more speeches may be combined as long as connections are smooth or intentional. The monologue may come from any printed source of dramatic/comedic literature.

Avoid expositional material, which requires great explanation or emotional intensity. Remember your material must have emotional peaks, which are used effectively and honestly. In addition, avoid dull and passive pieces, which dwell on character or plot exposition. Your ​character​ should be actively involved in overcoming obstacles in order to fulfill an immediate objective or intention.

Think of your audition as a 1 minute one act play entitled "The Audition of (your name)", written by, arranged by, produced by, and starring yourself. Your audition should contain: 1) your entrance, 2) introduction of selection, ​Title/Author/Character​ 3) transition from yourself to character, 4) presentation of the selection, 5) transition back to yourself from character, and 6) a “thank you.”

The Music Auditions Please select no more than ​32 measures​ of a song from pop, musical theatre, or gospel style for the vocal portion of the audition. It must be thoroughly prepared, and if you select a stylized piece, be sure to reflect the uniqueness of that style in your performance. For men, the piece can include some rapping, but must also demonstrate singing range and ability.

Select an excerpt, which demonstrates the optimum strengths, versatility, and quality of your instrument. For example, a piece that demonstrates your ability to access a more comprehensive vocal range will be preferential to one which is more limited in register. The excerpt should demonstrate your most resonant vocal tone quality, and the brilliance and projection of your voice. It is usually to your advantage to use a piece that you have established a “comfort level” with: familiarity will allow you to focus on your expression and delivery. If you are called back, the ​“Callback Music Packet”​ will be uploaded to the WVHSMusic.org website. It is your responsibility to download and print the music callback packet from a computer. You may find that the CD will help you to prepare these selections. The Original Cast Recording of ​Seussical, the musical​ is available to download on iTunes, Amazon mp3, etc. Please see Mr. Myers or Mrs. Best with any questions. ​These selections will be required performances by everyone who is called back on Friday.​ Unprepared performers will find little favor with the directors. Presentation Dress comfortably, but remember that image is a part of your presentation. Do not try to “costume” yourself; avoid apparel that contradicts your character, and hairstyles that might hide your face. Facial expression is important in your delivery, and we must SEE your face to be able to benefit from that performance technique.

Plan to use just one chair or nothing in your staging. The focus should be on you, not your set design.

No props should be used unless it is something you might normally carry (hand props).

CALL BACK INFORMATION

Call Backs will take place on F​ riday, February 20t​ h ​ ​from 2:30 pm in the Auditorium until we are finished. The call back list will be posted online at wvhsmusic.org. If your name appears on the call back list, please meet in the Auditorium ​promptly​ at 2:30 so we can begin. The cast list will be posted Monday, February 23r​ d ​ after school outside the Choir room (121), Theatre Room (213), the Auditorium, and Online.

Call Backs will consist of ​singing​ specific selections from S​ eussical, the musical. ​IF YOU ARE CALLED BACK, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PREPARE THE MUSIC SELECTIONS MARKED BY GENDER (AS “MEN”, OR “WOMEN”) IN THE “​CALLBACK MUSIC PACKET​”​.

To be considered for a “lead” role, you MUST attend call backs. If you have a conflict with the call back schedule, you must notify Mr. Calvert/Mr. Myers/ Mrs. Best prior to February14​th ​ to allow us to consider possible adjustments in the way we structure the call back audition​.

IN THE EVENT YOU DO ​NOT​ MAKE CALL BACKS, DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT​ BEING CONSIDERED FOR A PART IN THE ENSEMBLE. The final cast list will be posted on M​ onday, February 24t​ h ​ ​in the same locations as the callback list and online. If you have any questions about the audition please see Mr. Calvert (213), Mr. Myers or Mrs. Best (121), Mrs. DeDecker (214) Thank you and B​ reak a Leg!!