_____________________________
CALVIN
Christian School
Presents…
Information for students and
families
THE LION KING
We are very excited to present the Lion King in
2016. It is a classic Disney story, with many
themes. Two of the clear themes are concerned
with facing your fears and doing what is right. We
believe that the Lion King embodies many
Christian values and when examined through a
Christian worldview, is a very powerful and
moving story.
Synopsis
Rafiki gathers the animals of the Pridelands to welcome the
newborn cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi.
The king's jealous brother Scar, no longer heir to the throne,
skips the ceremony, upsetting Mufasa.
Time passes and Young
Simba grows into a
curious young lion.
Mufasa explains the
circle of life and that
Young Simba will one day
be king of the Pridelands.
Young Simba shares this
news with Scar, who
encourages his nephew to
visit the forbidden Elephant Graveyard. Young Simba finds his
best friend Young Nala hunting with Sarafina and the
Lionesses and invites her on his adventure.
Once they ditch their overbearing babysitter Zazu, the cubs
encounter the
ravenous Shenzi,
Banzai, and Ed in the
graveyard. Mufasa
arrives and pummels
the hyenas then
takes the cubs home.
Scar emerges from
the darkness to
recruit the hyenas in
his murderous plan to become king.
Back in the Pridelands, Mufasa reprimands Young Simba then
shares the guidance of their ancestors, up among the stars.
Enacting his plan, Scar leaves Young Simba alone in the gorge
and signals the hyenas to scare a herd of wildebeest. Scar
alerts Mufasa, who leaps into the stampede to save his son.
Mufasa rescues Young Simba, but Scar pushes his brother back
into the gorge, where he is trampled. Scar blames Young
Simba for the king's death and tells him to run away and
never return.
As Sarabi, Young Nala, Rafiki, and the lionesses mourn the
loss of Mufasa and Young Simba,
Scar assumes the throne,
uniting lions and hyenas under
his dark reign.
Lost in the desert, Young Simba
meets Timon and Pumbaa, who
take him to their "worry-free" jungle home. Under Scar's reign,
the Pridelands are nearly destroyed. Now grown, Nala decides
to leave and seek help. To her delight, she finds Simba alive
in the jungle. Nala urges him to take his rightful place as king,
but still ashamed, Simba refuses.
Rafiki appears and helps Simba remember his father. With
newfound courage, Simba agrees to return to the Pridelands.
Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas while Nala rallies the
lionesses. Simba confronts his uncle, the truth of Mufasa's
murder is revealed, and Scar runs away, pursued by angry
hyenas. With peace restored in the Pridelands, Simba takes
his place as king and the circle of life continues.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Every student will be involved in the Lion King. There
are however, a few lead roles available. Check out the
characters, think about who you might like to be and
chat to your family about it.
___________________________________________________________
LIONS
Lions are the keepers and rulers of
the Pridelands. They value family and
honor above all else.
YOUNG SIMBA
Lion
The protagonist of the story, Simba is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't
wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his
father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny.
We are looking for a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role.
Male, Any Age.
Range: B3 - E5
Songs:
I Just Can’t Wait to be King
Hukuna Matata
SIMBA
Lion
Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex
moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar.
We are looking for a more mature actor.
Male, Grade 5 or 6.
Range: B3 - E5
Songs:
Hukuna Matata
Can You Feel the Love Tonight
YOUNG NALA
Lioness, Young Simba’s best friend
Nala is a courageous lion and is not afraid to speak her mind. Young Nala sings a
little.
We are looking for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub.
Female, Any Age.
Range: A3 - C5
Song: Just Can’t Wait to be King
NALA
Lioness
Nala grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar. Nala and Simba fall in
love and return to the Pridelands together.
We are looking for a mature actor to play this character.
Female, Grade five or six.
Range: G3 - E5
Songs:
Shadowland
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
MUFASA
King of the Lions
The strong, honourable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should
command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba.
We are looking for a mature and confident actor who can who can convincingly
portray the king.
Male, Grade 5 or 6.
Range: B3 - C5
Songs: They Live in You
SCAR
Lion
The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and
nephew, Simba. Cold hearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to
become king of the Pridelands.
We are looking for a mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while
handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humour.
Male, Grade 5 or 6.
Range: A3 - A4
Songs: Be prepared (Please note that Scar’s solos can be spoken, so we are looking
for an actor over a singer)
SARABI
Lioness, Mufasa’s mate, Simba’s mother
Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and
command of a queen.
Female, Any grade
Songs: The Mourning
SARAFINA
Lioness, Nala’s Mother
Sarafina has one short, spoken line
Female, Any Grade
Songs: The Mourning
LIONESSES
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands
We are looking for strong singers, as the material can be challenging and strong
dancers.
Female, Any Age
Songs: The Lioness Hunt, The Mourning, Shadowland
HYENAS
Scar's army, helping carry out his
evil plot to take over the
Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy,
mindless creatures who sing in
"Be Prepared."
ANZAI
Hyena
A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if
hyenas weren't so lazy.
We are looking for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and
gruffness.
Male or Female, Any Grade
ED
Hyena
The second member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his
only form of communication.
We are looking for an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through
physicality and facial expressions rather than words.
Male or Female, Any Grade
SHENZI
Hyena
One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the
trio and is always looking out for herself.
We are looking for an actor that is able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be
menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Female, Grade 4, 5 or 6
TIMON and
PUMBAA
Simba’s crazy sidekicks that
believe in the easy, care
free life but are fiercely
loyal to each other and Simba. Timon and Pumbaa both sing
Hakuna Matata, Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and Luau
Hawaiian Treat.
TIMON
Meerkat
An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own
shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of
the funniest characters in the show.
We are looking for a charismatic actor who understands comic timing.
Male or Female, Grades 3-6.
Range: B3 - B4
PUMBAA
Warthog
A kind-hearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation.
We are looking for someone who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon
and Simba with deadpan humour.
Male or Female, Grades 3-6.
Range: D4 - G5
RAFIKI and ZAZU
Lead roles that are key to the plot.
RAFIKI
Mandrill
A wise mandrill who acts as healer of
the Pridelands and guides Simba on
his journey home. She is an
omniscient character, evincing an air
of mystery.
We are looking for a confident
performer with a strong singing
voice.
Female or Male, Grades 3 to 6
Range: A3 - C5
Songs:
Rafiki has significant solos in “Circle of Life” and “He Lives in You,” and leads the
African chants throughout the show.
ZAZU
Hornbill
The anxious yet loyal assistant to
Mufasa who is always busy trying to
do his duty.
We are looking for a confident,
mature actor that can portray and
obnoxious and fretful character.
Male or Female, Grades 3-6
Songs:
Just Can’t Wait to be King (spoken)
THE AUDITION PROCESS
Everyone in the Primary School will be in the Lion King!
Auditions are for those students who would like to try out for lead
roles.
First round auditions
Term three, week 7-8
We will let you know when, during week seven, you will audition.
When you arrive, you can expect to be taught part of a song and
some choreography. You will then perform in groups of three or
four. We may ask students to sing a solo.
You will also have an opportunity to say a few lines from the Lion
King; most likely for the character you wish to play.
This will be your opportunity to show us your talents! But don’t
worry about it! We want this to be a fun experience for everyone.
Second round auditions
Term three, week 8-9
You may be asked to audition a second time.
If this happens, you can expect to learn a song and some
choreography. We will give you a section of script to practice at
home and perform too.
We may ask you to sing a solo.
WHAT TO EXPECT
If you chose to play a lead role, it is important that you
understand and are able to meet the rehearsal requirements.
Term four
2015

Lunchtime rehearsals only (once per week)
Term one
2016


Lunchtime rehearsals
occasional after school rehearsals
Term two
2016


Lunchtime rehearsals
after school rehearsals
Term three
2016





Lunchtime rehearsals
after school rehearsals
Saturday rehearsals
dress rehearsal/s
performance
WANT TO AUDITION?
Write your name down on the
audition sheet outside Miss
Sykes’s classroom before Friday
th
29 August.
Any questions?
Chat to Miss Sykes or email her
at [email protected]
PARENT INFORMATION
We are very excited to present the Lion King in 2016. It is a
complex musical with incredible costumes, scenery and props.
The music is sensational. The students will have many
opportunities to learn about African culture and learn some Zulu,
Swahili and Xhosa.
Every student will be in this musical. However, if your child is
interested in auditioning for a lead role, please talk to them
about all that it will involve. We want the whole experience to be
as fun as possible. However, there will be times of stress,
pressure, frustration and nervousness.
Hey Parents! Want to be involved?
Here’s how!
Stage: Backdrop painting, prop making and painting
Costumes: This is a MASSIVE part of the Lion King! We need a
team of creative people to help design and make many costumes!
More details of other ways to be involved will follow. In the
meantime, if you are keen, please email Lizzy
([email protected]) to express your interest.