The Ward Center for the Arts
at The St. Paul’s Schools
Audition Notice Hairspray the Musical Directed by Christina Enoch Kemmerer Music Direction by John Hendricks Choreographed by Natasha Cooper Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International AUDITION DATES & TIMES: Monday, August 29, and Tuesday, August 30, 2016 – 2:30-­‐5:30 p.m. CALLBACKS: Wednesday, August 31, & Thursday, September 1, 2016 – 3:30-­‐6:30 p.m. AUDITION LOCATION: Ward Center Theater PERFORMANCE DATES: November 4,5 and 10-­‐12 at 7 p.m. *No conflicts accepted for performance dates or the week before opening REHEARSAL DATES: September 2nd through November 14th, 2016 REHEARSAL TIMES: Most rehearsals run from 3:30-­‐5:30 Monday-­‐Friday. Please note: Some dance and music rehearsals may be held on Saturdays. Plot Summary: The 1950's are out and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is a family-­‐friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs. It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-­‐size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire -­‐-­‐ to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her 'do! Hairspray is ideal for a large cast of strong singers and dancers. It provides great opportunities in terms of set design, costuming, and lighting choices. Hairspray is rated PG: parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. 1 The Ward Center for the Arts
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Audition Requirements: Each audition will consist of the following: • Vocal Audition: 1 minute contemporary musical theatre song • Acting Audition: 1 character monologue from the selections below • Dance Audition: Jazz combination – to be learned at audition (*See note below) *We recommend you memorizing lines and lyrics so you can fully portray the character(s) at the auditions. Vocal Audition: Prepare 1 minute of a contemporary musical theatre song for the vocal audition. PLEASE DO NOT SING A SONG FROM HAIRSPRAY. You should have a clear sense of the character and show from which your song comes. Performing/Acting the song is just as important as your vocal quality you demonstrate. Choose a song that best highlights your vocal abilities and range. Bring sheet music in your key; an accompanist will be provided. A CD with an accompaniment-­‐only track is also acceptable, provided it is edited and cued correctly. No a cappella auditions. Please DO familiarize with music from the show. Anyone called back will be expected to sing songs from the show so the more you know them, the more easily you will be able to prepare. Acting Audition: Choose two short selections from the list to present in character. Please make clear physical and vocal choices in order to fully portray the character and your interpretation. Contrasting characters are recommended Dance Audition: All auditioners will be required to learn a short dance/movement combination, which will be taught at the auditions. If you have specific training in another style of dance (including, but not limited to tap, Irish step dancing, acro, point, etc.), you are encouraged to prepare 4-­‐8 counts of 8 in that style to present at the audition. Please bring music (cued up) – an auxiliary cord will be provided. Other things to note: • Please bring sheet music and/or musical accompaniment (cut and cued). Be sure sheet music is appropriately marked and taped with clear instructions for accompanist. • Please wear or bring comfortable dance attire. • All those auditioning are encouraged to provide a résumé of their onstage experience when registering for auditions. • Please bring a list of all potential conflicts including travel, etc. Any conflicts with the posted schedule must be discussed with and agreed to by the Director before casting can be confirmed. For More Information: Email [email protected] or [email protected] 2 The Ward Center for the Arts
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CHARACTER MONOLOGUES FOR ACTING AUDITION (please choose one) MONOLOGUE A Tracy, you can't do this. You're new to the Council. You'll be blackballed and thrown off the show for sure! Not me. I like these people. But whether or not they’re on TV won't get me a recording contract. That came put wrong......I've been singing and dancing and smiling on that show for three years waiting for it to easy to my break. You've got everything: brains, talent, personality. Me? I've got one chance to be seen nationwide. Tracy. Saturday night is everything I've worked for. I'm not going to throw it away. C'mon. I'm leaving and you gotta go too. MONOLOGUE B Elsewhere in local news, teenage TV personality and rabble rouser, Tracy Turnblad, has escaped from the Baltimore Women’s House of Detention. Authorities believe she may have been aided by the once promising formerly wholesome teen idol, Link Larkin. If sighted, citizens are asked to notify police, or if phone service is not available, simply shoot to kill. In entertainment news, Eva Marie is no saint…. MONOLOGUE C Tracy, this TV thing....You really want it? Then you go for it! This is America, babe! You gotta think big to be big. When I was your age my parents begged me to run away with the circus, but I said, "No. That's what you want. I have dreams of my own." I dreamt of opening a chain of joke shops worldwide. So, okay I've got only one, but some day, if I can figure out how to stop the air from leaking out of the sofa sized Whoopee Cushion, I'm going to make noise heard 'round the world!' You follow your dream, baby. I'm grabbin' an Orange Crush and heading back to the Har-­‐Dee-­‐Har-­‐Hut. I've got my dream.....And I wuv it! MONOLOGUE D Bang your drum, Bonzo. No one cares. Don’t get any more cute ideas about protesting or even showing up at the special. I’ll have armed guards surrounding the Eventorium to make sure Tracy can’t get within 100 miles of that place. Game, set, match. Now if you doublewide twins will excuse me. I have a national television spectacular to produce. MONOLOGUE E You want to be famous? Learn how to get blood out of car upholstery. Now that's a skill you can take right to the bank. You think I wanted to spend my life washing and ironing other peoples clothing? No. I wanted to design them. I thought I would be the biggest thing in brassieres. Well, you better be careful what you wish for. Now start folding. MONOLOGUE F Hey there, Teenage Baltimore! Don’t change that channel! ‘Cause it’s time for the Corny Collins Show! Brought to you by Ultra Clutch Hairspray! For hair that holds up even in a NASA wind tunnel! Now don’t forget Guys and Gidgets – our very first prime-­‐time spectacular is coming up on June 6th. We’ll be live at Baltimore’s brand-­‐new Eventorium broadcasting nationwide! Talent scouts will be on hand from all of the major record 3 The Ward Center for the Arts
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labels, and sponsoring the event will be none other than our own ULTRA CLUTCH HAIRSPRAY. So, let’s give a great big fawning Baltimore salute to the President of Ultra Clutch, Harriman F. Spritzer. Hairspray Character Descriptions Tracy Turnblad -­‐ A pleasantly plump teenager with a big heart who has dreams of being a dancing star ... as soon as she's out of detention for her big hair. Tracy isn’t afraid to be herself and stand up for what she believes in. She must be friendly, relentless, and goodhearted with a vibrant, lovable personality and love to sing and dance. Tracy is on stage for a LOT of the show so she must have stamina and talent – she performs in 10+ numbers including “Good Morning Baltimore,” “I Can Hear The Bells,” and many more! It is truly a BIG role! Mezzo-­‐Belt. Edna Turnblad -­‐ Tracy’s kind, plus-­‐sized mother; runs a laundry business out of her home but hasn't been out in a while. Played by Harvey Fierstein on Broadway, and John Travolta in the movie, this drag role requires a strong comic male performer who is ready for his inner woman to take the spotlight. Edna is not a man pretending to be a woman, she is all woman! Just, you know, with a distinctive voice. Performs in 5+ numbers including “You're Timeless To Me.” Tenor. Wilbur Turnblad -­‐ Tracy’s goofy father, who owns the Har-­‐De-­‐Har Hut joke shop and is still madly in love with his wife, Edna. He encourages Tracy to follow her dreams. Performs in 2+ numbers including “You're Timeless To Me.” Baritone. Corny Collins -­‐ the exciting, confident dancing and singing host of his own TV dance show (think American Bandstand at its inception). Corny is in favor of Tracy and racial integration. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Nicest Kids In Town” and “Hairspray.” Tenor. Penny Pingleton -­‐ Tracy's slightly dorky, but lovable best friend who is often by her side (when not grounded for life by her mother, Prudy). Falls head over heels for Seaweed. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now” and “Without Love.” Belt. Amber von Tussle -­‐ bratty, selfish resident princess of The Corny Collins Show. Her mother's daughter through and through, she is willing to do anything to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant. Council Member. Performs in 7+ numbers including “Cooties.” Belt. Velma von Tussle – Amber's slim and attractive but overbearing mother who pushes her daughter to seek stardom. Velma is the scheming producer of The Corny Collins Show who tries to steer it in the “white” direction. Her sensitivities are offended at the very sight of Tracy. A great villainess role. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Miss Baltimore Crabs”. Belt. Link Larkin -­‐ Teenage heartthrob, aspiring young Elvis, and male lead dancer on The Corny Collins Show. Falls in love with Tracy (Amber is soooo jealous!). Council Member. Performs in 7+ numbers including “It Takes Two.” Crooning Baritone. Seaweed J. Stubbs -­‐ Motormouth’s son and a talented dancer on The Corny Collins Show, but only allowed on “Negro Day.” Ends up in detention with Tracy. Falls in love with Penny. Performs in 4+ numbers including “Run And Tell That.” Tenor. Motormouth Maybelle -­‐ the sassy Corny Collins “Negro Day” DJ. Owner of a record store and mother to Seaweed and Little Inez. Plus-­‐sized, she helps Edna find pride in herself. Performs in 3+ numbers including “Big, Blonde & Beautiful” and “I Know Where I've Been.” Soulful Alto. Little Inez – Seaweed's little sister and just as talented a dancer. Tries to audition for The Corny Collins Show but is turned away because she is black by Velma. Performs in 3+ numbers including “Run And Tell That.” Belt. The Dynamites -­‐ Judine, Kamilah, and Shayna – Talented black vocal trio a la The Supremes. Featured in many numbers together and usually in tight harmony. May double for other ensemble roles like 'Cindy Watkins,' etc. 4 The Ward Center for the Arts
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Council Members -­‐ Tammy, Brad, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, IQ, Lou Ann – Dancers and singers on The Corny Collins Show. Perform in 5+ numbers including “Nicest Kids In Town” and “You Can’t Stop The Beat.” Detention Kids -­‐ Gilbert, Duane, Lorraine, Stooie, Thad – Kids we find in detention, and most in Motormouth Maybelle's record shop. Perform in 4+ numbers including “Welcome to the 60’s” and “You Can’t Stop The Beat.” Female Authority Figure – The roles of Prudy Pingleton (Penny's uptight mother), the sadistic gym teacher, and the prison matron. (May possibly be played by one performer) Male Authority Figure – The roles of Harriman F. Spritzer (President of Ultra Clutch cosmetics, Corny Collins show sponsor), the high-­‐blood pressure principal, and Mr. Pinky (owner of a plus-­‐sized dress shop). (May possibly be played by one performer) Hairspray and Ethnicity At the St. Paul’s Schools, inclusivity is an integral part of our mission. We are excited to present a show that fully embraces and encourages diversity of all kinds. This show is about the racial segregation of the 50s and 60s and also preconceived ideas of what people should look like. It is not our intention to drastically alter anyone’s appearance through stage makeup to make them fit an ethnicity. Roles that are written to be specifically race-­‐based will be cast accordingly. In order to distinguish the differences in body types, costume pieces may be added to further identify the characters of Tracy and Edna. Vocal ranges Lowest note Highest note Tracy Corny Penny Amber Velma Little Inez Link Shayna Kamila Edna Judine Seaweed Motormouth Wilbur Matron Brenda E top of stave A above stave G above stave F top of stave C on stave E top of stave A above stave A above stave D top of stave D on stave E top of stave G above stave E top of stave F# top of stave G above stave D above stave G below m C D above m C B below m C Middle C G below m C Middle C G below m C G on stave F bottom of stave F below m C E bottom of stave F below m C E below m C G below m C A below m c D on stave opt top A opt top A 5