P.T.I. Auditions

Do you remember this British television comedy sitcom that ran for 13 years from 1972 to 1985?  Playhouse Theatre Incorporated is bringing this show back to life in a stage version directed by Sheryl Watson and performed at Playhouse, April 14 to 28, 2012.
  
 Act One includes a sales week of German merchandise where the staff get into the spirit with a German dance  while dressed in lederhosen and accompanied by a “live” Ompah band.  Set, wardrobe, props and set dressing requirements for this show are extensive so assistance is needed in all areas of production. Numerous "special effects" are included in the production so if you have "Weta Workshop" type skills. let us know. 
This show is a lot of fun, get involved!

Enquiries: contact Sheryl ph (09) 818 5751 or 021 215 1271
Email: enquiries@playhousetheatre.org.nz 

      Characters yet to be cast for stage version of 
                       "Are You Being Served?" (as at 9/2/12) 

Cesar:
Male (30 to 40yrs) to play the role of the Spanish revolutionary in act 2 - Spanish type accent needed.

Mr Grainger:
Male (50 to 60yrs) Ernest Grainger is the senior of the Men's Department.  He has a similarity to Winston Churchill.  The original actor in the TV series used to do impressions of him.  Balding head an advantage!

Nurse:
An attractive, voluptuous young lady needed for cameo role as 'Young" Mr Grace's nurse 
in Act 1 and waitress role in Act 2. Age 20 to 25 

Musician 
An experienced tuba or euphonium player is needed to join with our piano accordianist and drummer for the oompah band that plays when the Grace Brothers staff attempts a German folk dance.

                                                                 CAROUSEL
                                         by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein
                                       Directed by Pauline Vella

                                                                     AUDITIONS

                           March 3^rd and 4^th at Playhouse Theatre Glen Eden

Composers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II have created a musical masterpiece, operatic in its soaring arias which depict great passion and drama and yet with robust and lusty company numbers to reflect the hard working community contained in the story.

We are utilising the services of an American Company The MT Pit. The score is expertly recorded by professional musicians in a state of the art facility. We invite you to check them out at http://www.themtpit.com/ to check out the quality of orchestra we will have.

Please note that there will be understudies appointed for the roles of:

Billy, Julie, Carrie, Enoch, Louise (Dance Role) Mrs Mullin and The Star Keeper. There will be understudy rehearsals, but there are no guaranteed understudy performances.

CAROUSEL takes place in a normal hardworking community so we are looking for actors/singers/dancers of all ages, race, size. CAROUSEL is a story of real people.

Audition Process:

Everyone auditioning will be required to attend the Movement Workshop
on Sunday March 4^th at 9.30 am.

There is a range of movement required for CAROUSEL to suit all levels, but we need to build up a cast from basic movers to principle solo dancers so we need to see you all.

Please arrive ready to start on the 4^th at 9.30. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Bring a drink bottle and a snack if needed.

We will let people go as we have seen what we need to from you all, if you are let go at any stage this does not mean you are eliminated it is just the most efficient manner to get what we need to see from everyone.

All auditionees including specialty dancers will need to attend a singing audition. These will be at 10 - 15 minute intervals on Saturday morning 3^rd of March and Sunday Afternoon March 5^th from 1.00 pm.

Choosing a CAROUSEL audition song:

Please bring sheet music in the key you wish to sing. A classical type "old school" musical theatre song will be best. For a guide just think of something that has violins in it, not electric pianos. We do not wish you to sing with a CD backing track or unaccompanied. An excellent pianist will be available for your audition or you can choose to bring your own

Feel free to use a CAROUSEL song if you wish.

All Men and women need to be happy to sing to an E at times.

Company - be prepared to sing for about one minute, which is about a verse and a chorus.

THE CHARACTERS:

Carrie Pipperidge - Age around 18 - Vocal range D - G   Lead Role
Happy, sweet, go getter, in love with Enoch Snow. Practical, ambitious, adaptable, enthusiastic, romantic, funny, vivacious, not too bright. Not particularly well educated, but great personality, fun, spirited. Pragmatic as she ages. Songs - When I Marry Mr Snow & When The Children Are Asleep. Please have awareness of When I Marry Mr Snow, so that if we choose to hear more of you after your audition song, you can sing this with the music in hand.

Julie Jordan - Age around 18 - Vocal Range C - G   Lead Role
Determined, hopeless romantic, shy, serious, somewhat childlike, not worldly wise, steady, loyal, quiet, dignified, sweet but strong. Dreamer, naive, trusting, falls in love with Billy without knowing him, has no expectations that he will be anything than what he is and that is enough for her. In love with him years after his death. Songs If I Loved You & What's The Use Of Wondering.
Please have an awareness of If I Loved You so that if we choose to hear more of you after your audition song, you can sing this with the music in hand.

Billy Bigelow - Age around 25 - Vocal Range G to G   Lead Role
Irresistible to Women, careless, impulsive, distrustful, compulsive, opportunist, had a hard life, charming, sexy, edgy, looks for easy way out, lazy, not ambitious, not reasoned, goes for the instant gratification, immature, reactive not proactive, easy led. But still likeable to women. A Ladies Man. A loner. Loves Julie but doesn't really know how to show it or what it means. Songs If I Loved You & Soliloquy. Please have knowledge of Soliloquy so that if we choose to hear more of you after your audition song, you can sing this with the music in hand

Enoch Snow - Age around 25 - Vocal Range B to A   Large Supporting Role
Steady, Ambitious, Determined, High Expectations, Life Is Planned Out, Serious, Careful - could be a little boring. Antithesis of the carelessness of Billy. Songs When The Children Are Asleep & Geraniums In The Winder. Please have some familiarity of When The Children Are Asleep so that if we choose to hear more of you after your audition song, you can sing this with the music in hand

Nettie Fowler - Age Range to 40 - Vocal Range C to G - Supporting Role
Nettie is Julie's cousin. Astute Business Woman, but fun. Kind, responsible, honest, generous, caring, wise, patient. Whole town loves her. Songs - June Is Busting Out All Over & You'll Never Walk Alone.

Jigger Craigin - Age Range around 35 - Vocal Range C to D   Supporting Role
Bad, whaler but crook as well. Breaks the law, users everyone when he can, has been involved in robberies, cheats at cards. Looking for opportunity to further his interests at all times. Has Billy pegged as an easy target to get him to do Jigger's dirty work for him. Some solo singing.

Mrs Mullin - Age Range to 40 - Acting Role only - Supporting Role
Owns the Carousel, bold brassy, common, hardened by life. Loves Billy. Unforgiving, suspicious.

The Starkeeper/ Dr Seldon - Age Range 60 plus - Supporting Role
Wise old man in "Up There" No nonsense, pragmatic, wise, can be humorous. No solo singing. Is also in the company.

The Heavenly Friend - Age around 14 - 15 - Can Be Male or Female - Supporting Role
World weary, seen it all, not engaged with "his/her" clients - just conducting them on the journey from down here to up there. No solo singing. Is also in the company. Not engaged. A life cut off too soon perhaps?

Louise Bigelow - Age 15 - Large 12 minute solo dance - also dialogue - Featured Supporting Role
Daughter of Billy and Julie - teased all her life for the failure of a father she had. Sad, lost, defiant, big dreams, looking for acceptance and guidance. Must be lyrical dancer with true ballet style.

Enoch Snow - Jnr - Age around 16 - 18 - Has lines
As it says he is a mini me of His father. Wants to have good intentions but pre programmed
to be Enoch Jnr.

THERE WILL BE READINGS AVAILABLE FOR THESE ROLES AT THE THEATRE PRIOR TO YOUR AUDITION. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A ROLE WITH DIALOGUE PLEASE ARRIVE AN EXTRA 10 - 15  MINUTES TO THE AUDITION PRIOR TO YOUR AUDITION TIME, SO YOU CAN LOOK THROUGH THE READINGS.

Specialty Dancers - 4 to 5 great company dancers - women and men

Featured Male in Louise's Ballet  - May be just this very stand out role in Act Two or you may choose to be in the Company Throughout. Must be beautiful classical ballet styled dancer - strong and mainly.( A Billy type in relation to manliness and sex appeal)

Company: Large Company Wanted:- Singers and Movers

Snow Children - 9 assorted boys and girls - double cast aged to playing ages 15 to about 5 years of age. The children will also be in the prologue and 2 company numbers. Children must be keen to be there, be patient, easy to get on with a large number of people and of course well behaved and able to follow instructions. Please note the following: There are adult themes in CAROUSEL - Billy the main character kills himself in the disgrace of a failed robbery attempt. Some of the children are unpleasant to Louise.

There will be designated Chaperones for the children each time they are at rehearsals or during the season.

Company Women and Men - all ages, people representative of a small community.
Must be able to sing in tune and hold a tune in harmony. You must attend all rehearsals as called, be dedicated to this amazing show and be prepared to have as much fun as possible.