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CASTING CALL FOR YOUNG MALE SINGERS
HighburyOperaTheatre is looking for two 13-16 year old male singers with
acting ability to play the part of Young Gooner in the opera première of Fever
Pitch, based on the novel by Nick Hornby, with music by Scott Stroman and
libretto by Tamsin Collison. Fever Pitch will be performed at the Union Chapel in
Islington from Thursday 21st September to Sunday 24th September.
This is a FREE professional performing opportunity and applicants do not
need to have previous professional or amateur performance experience to
apply for this role. We are interested in hearing from applicants who are strong
singers and confident actors.
Singing and Acting requirements for Young Gooner:
- Male between 13 and 16 years of age
- Male with a broken voice
- Passionate and enthusiastic performer
- Confident singer and performer
- Good vocal projection and loud speaking voice
- Good team player
Applicants must be available for all of the following performance and
rehearsal dates:
Rehearsals
Performances
August 29th – 1st September, 9-3pm.
Thursday 21st September: 2-3pm school
performance
Sunday 3rd September, 2-5pm
Thursday 21st September: 7.30-9.30pm public
performance
Sunday 10th September, 2-5pm
Friday 22nd September: 2-3pm school
performance
Sunday 17th September, 2-5pm
Friday 22nd September: 7.30-9.30pm public
performance
Wednesday 20th September, 5-9pm (dress rehearsal with a dinner break)
Saturday 23rd September: 2-4pm public
performance
Saturday 24th September: 7.30-9.30pm public
performance
Sunday 24th September: 2-4pm public
N.B. All rehearsals will take place at venues performance
in Highbury.
Sunday 24th September: 7.30-9.30pm public
performance
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Please note that your child will only be taking part in 4 out of 8 of the
performances listed, as this production is double cast. These will include
one school performance, two public evening performances and one public
matinee performance. A performance schedule with specific dates will be
confirmed following the audition process.
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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Date of auditions: Thursday 18th May or Thursday 25th May.
Time of audition: 4-5.15pm or 5.15-6.30pm
Audition venue: Christ Church, 155 Highbury Grove, London N5 1SA.
Audition requirements:
All applicants will be required to attend a group audition and a 10 minute solo
audition.
Group audition: The group audition will be lead by HighburyOperaTheatre Youth Director, Rachel
Maby, and Fever Pitch’s Director, Bernie Byrnes. In the workshop, applicants will
learn a new song from a musical or an opera, which will then be staged. There
will also be a mixture of musical and drama activities. The purpose of the
workshop is to see how well the applicant responds to direction and works
creatively in an ensemble. Solo audition:
Each applicant will have a 10minute audition with the director and/or the youth
director and conductor. HighburyOperaTheatre will provide a pianist for the
auditions. Please prepare the following to perform:
- A song lasting no more than two minutes, to be performed by memory.
This can be either a classical, musical theatre or folk song with or without
piano accompaniment.
- A one to two minute spoken monologue, to be performed by memory.
This could be either an excerpt from a play or a poem.
The applicant will need to bring:
- Loose clothing suitable for physical drama activities in the workshop
- Two copies of sheet music of chosen song
- One copy of chosen monologue
- Two passport photos (taken within the last 6 months)
- A copy of a birth certificate or passport
To apply for an audition, please complete the YOUNG NICK HORNBY
AUDITION APPLICATION FORM (p3), CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENCE
APPLICATION FORM (p4) and MEDICAL DECLARATION (p5) and email to
H i g h b u r y O p e r a T h e a t r e Yo u t h D i r e c t o r, R a c h e l M a b y , a t
[email protected] The deadline for 18TH May audition is Monday 15th May.
The deadline for 25th May audition is Monday 22nd May. !4
YOUNG NICK HORNBY AUDITION APPLICATION FORM
Child’s name:
Child’s date of birth:
Name of parent/guardian:
Song title and composer chosen for
audition:
Title and author of monologue/poem
chosen for audition:
Preferred date and time for group and
solo audition (underline):
Thursday 18th May
Thursday 25th May
4-5.15pm
4-5.15pm
5.15-6.30pm
5.15-6.30pm
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Previous and current singing/acting
experience (no more than 100 words):
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CHILD PERFORMANCE LICENCE APPLICATION FORM
1) Child’s name:
2) Child’s home address:
3) Child’s date of birth:
4) Name and address of the school the
child currently attends: OR
If the child is not attending school, the
name and address of the child’s private
teacher:
5) Details of each licence in relation to the child granted during the twelve months
preceding the date of the application by any local authority, or in Scotland, any
education authority, other than the licensing authority to which this application is
made, stating a) The name of the authority:
b) The date the licence was granted:
c) The dates and nature of
performances or activities:
6) Details of each application in relation to the child for a child performance licence
refused by any other authority in the last 12 months, stating a) The name of the local authority or
education authority:
b) The reasons (if known) for the
refusal to grant a licence:
7) Details of any performances for which a child performance licence was not
required in which the child took part during the previous 12 months, stating a) The date of the performance:
b) The number of days of
performance:
c) The title of the performance:
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d) The name and address of the
person responsible for the
production:
8) Dates (if any) on which the child has
been absent from school during the
twelve months preceding the date of
the application by reason of taking
part in a performance or activity:
9) Amount of any monies earned by the
child during the last twelve months,
stating whether the monies earned
were in respect of performances or
activities for which a licence was
granted or a performance for which
a licence was not required:
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Medical declaration to be completed by child’s parent
Does your child have:
(answer yes or no)
If yes please provide details including any treatment or
medication:
Asthma
Any allergies
Any skin conditions
Hearing impairment
Visual impairment
Any learning disability
Any physical disability
Any medical conditions?
Taking any regular
medication(s)?
Been to see or had a
referral to a hospital
consultant in the last 6
months?
I confirm that I have
parental responsibility for
this child.
Signature of parent:
Print Name:
Postal Address (if
different from child)
Parents Email Address
Parents Telephone No.
Date:
I certify that to the best of my knowledge the details in this application are correct.
I hereby apply for a licence under section 37 of the Children and Young Persons
Act 1963:
Signature of applicant:
(To be signed by person named on page 1)
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Date:
HighburyOperaTheatre: Who are we and what do we do?
Highbury Opera Theatre was founded in 2011 by a group of committed
musicians, dramatists, artists and educators living and working in Highbury.
Professional and amateur artists work alongside each other to stage theatrical
musical productions, with the aim of inspiring and engaging with local audiences
and the Highbury community. HighburyOperaTheatre is artistically lead by acclaimed conductor and composer,
Scott Stroman. Scott Stroman has committed the last 30 years to being a part of
and developing the musical life in Highbury, through his work as an arts
educator, director of Eclectic Voices adult choir and previous role as music
director at Christ Church Highbury. Alongside this work he holds a post as
professor of jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has an
international career as a conductor and composer, with previous positions
including music director at the Opera de Lyon, music director for the Globe
Music Exchange and director of the African and Gospel Music Workshop at the
Dartington International Summer School.
Since it’s inception in 2011, HighburyOperaTheatre has mounted four large-scale
productions, featuring actors and musicians from our local area and beyond.
Our casts feature professionals, post-graduate students, adult amateurs, and
local schoolchildren. We are proud to be a local opera company run by and for
the local community around us.
This production will be the eighth HighburyOperaTheatre. Previous productions
have included:
Lost in the Stars by Kurt Weill
Tobias and the Angel by Jonathan Dove
Clemency and Seven Words from the Cross by James MacMillan
Noye's Fludde by Benjamin Britten
As You Like It by Scott Stroman Fables youth opera by Scott Stroman and A Soldier's Tale by Igor Stravinsky.
To read more about us, please visit out website www.highburyoperatheatre.com !10
About the Production
Fever Pitch has twice been made into a feature-length film and into a theatrical
play but has never before been staged in musical form. With an original score by
internationally renowned composer and musician Scott Stroman, this exciting
new show will feature professional, amateur and school-age performers and an
outstanding professional band.
Meet the artistic team:
Berni C. Byrnes - Director
Bernie C. Byrnes is a multi-award winning writer
and director. Bernie was Dramaturg on award
winning shows Muse of Fire at Shakespeare’s
Globe and Little Soldiers, Theatre Re. International
projects have included projects in Poland, the
USA, Mumbai and Singapore. Previous directing
commissions include St John's Smith
Square, Soho Theatre, OffCuts, Ugly Sister, South
Hill Park, Ivy Paige, Stone Crabs and the Royal
Shakespeare Company.
Bernie is an established theatrical practitioner, a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member
of the Guild of Directors. She has worked
alongside Stephen Pimlott, Ed Hall, Michael
Attenborough, Gareth Armstrong and Wayne
Sleep. Scott Stroman - Composer
and Conductor
Scott Stroman is the Artistic Director of
Highbury Opera Theatre and works as a
performer, composer and conductor.
Scott is a Professor of Jazz at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He
played trombone international with artists
such as Dizzy Gillespie, Liza Minnelli and
Billy Bobham.
As a conductor and music director, he
has worked in both classical and jazz
settings, from his post as music director
at the Opera de Lyon to big band leader of the London Jazz Orchestra.
Scott is a highly experienced music educator and directs groups of all ages. He
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has delivered workshops on improvisation, performance, conducting, world
music and singing for professional bodies, such as the London Philharmonic
Orchestra, Dartington International Summer School and Globe Music Exchange.
He often combines his roles as conductor, performer and educator to create
unique programmes, crossing boundaries between styles and cultures.
Sarah Wilkinson - Assistant music director
Sarah Wilkinson is a pianist and music director. Sarah studied
Music at King’s College London, Accompaniment at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and repetiteur work on
the English National Opera. She currently woks as the
accompanist for Islington Music Centre, Deansfield and Apollo
Chamber Choirs and is Assistant Director and accompanist of
Eclectic Voices.
Sarah is an active music educator in Highbury: she is the
Musical Director of their associate children’s choir, Highbury
Youth Choir and classroom music teacher at Dallington school.
She also directs Summer music and drama courses in
Highbury and works as a piano teacher alongside her coaching
and performing work.
Rachel Maby - Youth Director
Rachel Maby is a mezzo soprano who trained
on the joint course at the Royal Northern
College of Music and University of
Manchester.
She was raised in Highbury and this is her
second production directing the children’s
chorus with Highbury Opera Theatre. She is an extremely experienced children’s
music educator – she currently works as choir
d i r e c t o r f o r H M D T M u s i c ’s C Y M H
instrumental school, music director for HMDT
Music’s I can sing! music theatre programme
and singing teacher for Hertfordshire Music
Service. She has worked as music director on many
youth productions, most notably Haringey
Shed’s 2016 Summer production and Chant
Production’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup
stadium performances.