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Auditions

 

Rent
Auditions

DATES & TIMES
Monday, May 3 – starting at 7:30pm (registration open from 7pm to 9pm)
Tuesday, May 4 - starting at 7:30pm (registration open from 7pm to 9pm)
Callbacks – Thursday, May 6

Audition Location:
        Industrial Strength Theatre (269 Sunset Park Dr, Herndon, VA 20170)

ALL ROLES OPEN. ALL ROLES VOLUNTEER (NON-PAID)

PREPARATION FOR AUDITIONS:

No appointment required
No resume' or headshot required.
Bring your calendar with you to list all potential rehearsal conflicts between May 10 and July 29
Rehearsal calendar will be determined based on conflicts – principals may rehearse 3-4 evenings per week, plus a weekend morning/day rehearsal. Ensemble 2-3 evenings per week, plus a weekend morning/day rehearsal. Rehearsal calendar will intensify in mid-July and into tech week July 23-29.
Rehearsal conflicts will weigh heavily in casting decisions. Substantial conflicts in July are discouraged.
Performance conflicts will not be accepted – Open Friday July 30 – Strike Sunday August 22 (Up to 13 performances on all Friday and Saturday nights, Sundays (matinee OR evening), and some Thursdays. No double performances are planned.)
AUDITION FORMAT:
Please prepare TWO Songs:
1) Prepare to sing one song from RENT. Why? Frankly, it is just easier to determine which voices are up to the vocal demands of this score. If you want to be considered for a principal, then please prepare a song by that character. Accompanist provided, no sheet music required (unless you have prepared a transposition).
2) Prepare to sing 16 bars of another song a cappella (from a musical preferred). Bring sheet music in case we ask you to sing it again with accompaniment. Why? The a cappella harmonies in RENT are challenging, we need to hear your a cappella abilities.
Dance - You should "dress for movement" but we may save dance auditions for callbacks.  Obviously, Rent is not a heavy ‘dance’ show, but we will want to see your ability to learn and execute some basic movement in time to music.
If you would like to be considered for Angel, Maureen or Mimi, you are encouraged to bring/wear heels for your audition.
Acting – Your song is your primary vocal AND acting audition. Just being able to sing the songs is only part of the casting process. You will also be evaluated on ‘stage presence’ and your ability to ‘act/emote/sell’ a song. You may be asked to sing to someone else (on stage or in the audience) or read a scene.
 
CASTING:

8 Principals – 5M, 3W (age 18 to early 30s -- need to REALLY be able to pass for 20’s)

8 to 10 Ensemble – age 16 to 70 -- combination of male and female. All ensemble members will perform multiple roles in the show, including many featured song solos and speaking parts.

If you don’t already know the principal roles, rent the movie or the Broadway Final Performance on DVD. (Synopsis: http://mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000281)

Role			Voice Part	Lowest note  			Highest note
Mark Cohen		Tenor		C# below Middle C (C#3)		G above Middle C (G4)
Roger Davis		Tenor		B  below low C (B2)		A above Middle C (A4)
Benjamin Coffin III		Tenor		E-Flat below Middle C (Eb3)	F above Middle C (F4)
Tom Collins		Baritenor	F# below low C (F#2)		A above Middle C (A4)
Mimi Marquez		Alto		F# below Middle C (F#3)		E above high C (E5)
Maureen Johnson		Soprano Belt	Middle C (C4)			F above high C (F5)
Joanne Jefferson		Alto		B-flat below Middle C (Bb3)		E above high C (E5)
Angel Schnard		Tenor**		C below Middle C (C3)		A above Middle C (A4)
			**with a falsetto to G-flat above high C (Gb5)
Ensemble 	 	Soprano						F above high C (F5)
			Alto						C above Middle C (C5)
			Tenor						A above Middle C (A4)
			Baritone/Bass					E above Middle C (E4)

All ethnicities and backgrounds are welcome. Non-standard casting will be considered.  Vocal and acting abilities are more important than type.


PRODUCTION TEAM:

Directed by Todd C. Huse*
Music Direction by J. Michael d’Haviland* assisted by Scott Richards*
Choreography by Lorraine Magee*
Stage Managed by Angie Anderson*
Produced by Rich Klare*
Key Production Team Members: Kevin King (Set Design), AnnMarie Castrigno* (Lighting), Stan Harris* (Sound), Judy Whelihan* (Costumes), John Henry Boes (Video), Meg Miller (Hair/Makeup)
* - has received WATCH Awards or Nominations, or been key to a Ruby Griffith Award recognized production.


ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION:
The fundamental production concept begins with “What if Jonathan Larson hadn’t died?” Rather than create a replica of the production that was frozen in time since that fateful Off-Broadway premiere and was then faithfully recreated on Broadway and on tour for over 13 years, we want to give area audiences the same great music and story they have come to expect but with a fresh view on how it is told. Please don't let that scare you away.  Elden Street Players is dedicated to challenging our artists and audiences to strive for and to expect more. Are you up to the challenge? If you make it to callbacks, we will give everyone an idea of the concept to allow you a fully informed decision before casting. We encourage you to audition… prove to us you can meet the acting and singing demands of this show, and then let us prove to you that it can be done differently.

 

The production runs July 30 - August 21, 2010.

The Elden Street Players (ESP) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit, community theater.

ALL ROLES ARE OPEN

All roles are volunteer positions and un-paid.

 

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