Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Directed by Naomi Rose-Mock
Musical Director: Judy Arthur
Choreographer: Taylor Vaughan
Audition Information
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Contents
Contents
Welcome
What you should know about auditions
The Play
Mainstage Season Shows
Auditions
Rehearsal Schedule
Performance Schedule
Characters
Audition Notes
Credits
Audition Form
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3
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10
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for a Theatre Tallahassee production! We’ve put this
information packet together for you to help you learn a little more about the play, the characters
you will be reading for, and to give you some idea of what to expect during auditions.
If you’ve auditioned for us before, welcome back!
If this is your first time auditioning at Theatre Tallahassee, we’re thrilled to have you! Part of
community theatre is bringing in new members of the community. Whether you’re a veteran
performer who just moved to town or you’ve never been on stage before but really want to try,
we’d like to encourage you to try out for shows at Theatre Tallahassee.
What you should know about auditions
• Theatre Tallahassee auditions are open — we try our best to discourage directors from precasting roles.
• Sometimes auditions involve cold readings from the script, other directors prefer that you
prepare and will provide sides. Be sure to read the director’s notes on this production
so you’ll be ready. We keep copies of the script at the theatre, so if you would like the
opportunity to read it ahead of time, you can drop by during business hours and we’ll let
you peruse it at Theatre Tallahassee.
• Auditions vary a bit, director to director. All directors have their personal preferences on
how they want to run their auditions.
• We know that it can be disappointing not to get a part. We always have more people
audition than we have roles for, and there are many factors that directors have to weigh
when casting. We encourage you to come in and audition often, though. Just because you
weren’t right for one role, doesn’t mean that you won’t be perfect for another.
• We also like to encourage performers to get involved on the production side of shows.
Helping paint or build sets, costumes or props is a great way to meet people, network, and
get involved.
We look forward to seeing you on stage. Break a leg!
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
The Play
West Side Story is the multi-Tony Award-winning masterpiece with music by Leonard Bernstein and
lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the story focuses on the
forbidden love of Tony and Maria, set against the racially divided West Side of 1950s New York City.
The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a
turning point in American musical theater.
Featuring beloved songs like “America”, “Tonight”, “I Feel Pretty” and many more!
Mainstage Season Shows
This production is part of Theatre Tallahassee’s Mainstage season. If you’ve never performed on our
Mainstage, here’s a quick list of what you should know.
• Mainstage productions are performed in our main auditorium, which seats approximately
270 people.
• Rehearsals usually start about 5-6 weeks before the show opens.
• Opening night is usually held on a Thursday evening.
• Performances run for three weekends, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Auditions
• Dates: Saturday, Feb 6 & Sunday, Feb 7 at 7pm
• Location: Theatre Tallahassee 1861 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL.
• Call Backs: Monday, Feb 8 at 7pm by director invitation only.
Rehearsal Schedule
• Rehearsal period:Feb 15- April 6
• Rehearsals will be Sunday through Friday 7-10 (All cast will NOT be called for all
rehearsals!)
• Tech begins April 2
• Dress Rehearsals: April 4-6
Performance Schedule
•
•
•
•
•
Week 1: April 7-10
Week 2: April 17-21
Week 3: April 24-27
Weeknight and Saturday evening performances are 8 pm, generally with a 6 pm call time
Sunday matinee performances are at 2pm, generally with a 12 pm call time.
All actors must be able to commit to all performance dates & dress rehearsals.
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Characters
For a full breakdown of characters please visit: http://stageagent.com/shows/musical/993/
west-side-story/characters
NOTE: AGES ARE LISTED AS GUIDELINES. WE WILL BE FLEXIBLE WITH CASTING.
TONY (male lead, early 20’s, tenor) A handsome, sincere, and sweet young man, who has
outgrown the Jets.
RIFF (male lead, late teens-early 20’s, tenor) Charismatic, intelligent, slightly wacky leader of the
Jets.
MARIA (female lead, late teens, soprano) A lovely young immigrant Puerto Rican girl, excited and
enthusiastic about her new life in America, but with stubborn inner strength.
ANITA (female lead, early 20’s, mezzo-soprano) Older and wiser in the ways of the world than
Maria, flashy, sharp-tongued, and with a knowing sexuality.
BERNARDO (male lead, early 20’s, Baritone) Handsome, proud, fluid leader of the Sharks, with a
sardonic chip on his shoulder.
CHINO (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Shy, gentle, sweet-faced young boy, the intended
husband of Maria.
ACTION (male, late teens-early20’s, baritone) Most aggressive member of the Jets, a cat-like ball
of fury.
ANYBODYS (female, late teens-early 20’s). Scrawny teen-aged girl, dressed to imitate the Jets,
and wants desperately to be taken seriously by them.
DETECTIVE SCHRANK (Male, Adult) Plainclothes policeman used to being in charge,
superficially pleasant to cover his venom, fear, and bigotry.
DOC (Male, Adult) Middle-aged drug store owner, tired and worn out.
OFFICER KRUPKE (Male, adult) A not-too-bright street cop.
DIESEL (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Lieutenant to Riff, big, slow, steady
BABY JOHN (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Youngest member of the Jets, awed at
everything, even being a Jet; tries to act like a big man, but is vulnerable
A-RAB (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Small of stature, enjoys everything, takes nothing
seriously, unaware, can be explosive
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
SNOWBOY (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Bespectacled, self-styled expert
VELMA (female, late teens-early 20’s, mezzo-soprano) Riff’s girlfriend, young, slithery, sexy, lost in
a world of jive.
GRAZIELLA (female, late teens-early 20’s, mezzo-soprano) Girlfriend of Diesel, impressed with
herself.
PEPE (male, late teens-early 20’s, baritone) Lieutenant to Bernardo, typically proud, and resentful
of discrimination
CONSUELO (female, late teens-early 20’s, mezzo-soprano) Tough, young Puerto Rican girl lots of
baubles; mezzo-soprano. Pepe’s girlfriend.
ROSALIA (female, late teens-early 20’s, mezzo-soprano) Young Puerto Rican girl, more demure,
not too bright; mezzo-soprano.
GLAD HAND (male, adult) Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-equipped social director at the local
gym dance.
JETS MALE ENSEMBLE
JETS FEMALE ENSEMBLE
SHARKS MALE ENSEMBLE
SHARKS FEMALE ENSEMBLE
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Audition Notes
Please prepare sixteen measures of a song in the musical theatre genre and bring sheet music.
An accompanist will be provided. We STRONGLY discourage a capella singing or recorded
accompaniment.
The audition will consist of the performance of your prepared piece and learning a short dance
combination.
Callbacks (by director invitation only) will include reading and singing from the show and a more
intense movement audition.
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Information
Credits
WEST SIDE STORY
Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Directed by NAOMI ROSE-MOCK
Musical Director: JUDY ARTHUR
Choreographer: TAYLOR VAUGHAN
Stage Manager: SERGIO YANES
Theatre Tallahassee
1861 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32303
Box Office: 850-224-8474
Admin: 850-224-4597
Theatre Tallahassee.org
Facebook.com/TheatreTallahassee
Twitter.com/TheatreTLH
West Side Story
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
West Side Story
Theatre Tallahassee
Audition Dates: Feb 6 & 7, 2016
Audition Information
Audition Form
Please fill out this form and bring it with you to auditions
Name:
Auditioning for the following roles:
Will you accept any role offered, included ensemble, understudy, or swing roles?
Do you read music?
o Yes o No
o Yes o No
Vocal Range: Email: Age Range: Home Phone: Height: Cell Phone: Hair Color: I prefer to be contacted via: (check all that apply)
o phone call o text message o email
Are you willing to change your hair color/
style? o Yes o No
Schedule Conflicts: (please list ALL schedule conflicts: vacations, weddings, school, work, etc.)
Previous Experience: (you may attach a resume instead)
Dance Training/Experience:
Special skills: (accents, juggling, etc.)
If you are not cast, would you be interested in working backstage, or on a production crew (costumes,
props, etc.) for this production? o Yes o No
How did you hear about these auditions?