Auditions - Carousel

Plot short version

Carnival barker, Billy Bigelow loses his job when he flirts with Julie Jordan, whom he later marries. When he learns that Julie is pregnant, Billy is desperate to support his young family. He is coerced into an ill fated robbery and when he is caught, takes his own life. Billy is allowed to return to earth (where it is fifteen years later) and, through the power of love, gives Julie and his daughter hope for a better future.

Full Synopsis

The strains of the "Carousel Waltz" can be heard at an amusement park in a New England town in 1873 as the community, consisting of fishermen, sailors, mill girls, children and their families, enjoy the sights and sounds of a carnival atmosphere. Two mill girls, Carrie Pipperidge and Julie Jordan, are having a good time until Mrs. Mullin, owner of the carousel, sees her charismatic carousel barker, Billy Bigelow flirting with Julie. When he challenges her, Mrs. Mullin fires him. Unfazed, Billy invites the girls to have a beer with him.

While he is off to get his belongings, Carrie asks Julie whether she finds Billy attractive, but Julie is evasive ("You're a Queer One, Julie Jordan"). Carrie confides that she has a fellow of her own, the fisherman Enoch Snow, whom she plans to marry ("When I Marry Mr. Snow"). When Billy returns and is left alone with Julie they begin to talk about love and the kind of person each would be attracted to. When Billy asks if Julie could ever marry a person like him, Julie replies that she would - if she loved him ("If I Loved You").

Several months later, everyone is preparing for the first clam bake of the season (“June Is Bustin' Out All Over”). Carrie and Enoch Snow dream about their future together as man and wife (“When the Children Are Asleep”). By contrast, Billy and Julie - who have been married for a few months - are desperately unhappy. Unable (or unwilling) to find work, Billy lashes out physically at Julie and soon begins to spend time with his trouble-making friend Jigger (“Blow High, Blow Low”).

When Julie informs him that she’s pregnant, Billy is suddenly filled with an overwhelming feeling of tenderness for both his wife and his unborn child (“Soliloquy”). He is determined to get money for them to assure their future, and out of desperation, he agrees to commit a robbery with Jigger that evening.

The clam-bake proves a joyous affair (“This Was A Real Nice Clam Bake”), but the festivities are halted when Enoch catches naive Carrie in a compromising situation with Jigger Craigin and angrily calls off the wedding (“Geraniums in the Winder” and “Stonecutters Cut It On Stone”). Julie shares her view of love and relationships (“What's the Use of Wond'rin'”). But Billy’s inability to make wise choices becomes evident when he gets involved in the hold-up with Jigger. Caught by the police, he stabs and kills himself rather than go to jail. Julie is overwhelmed as her cousin Nettie tries to comfort her (“You'll Never Walk Alone”).

Billy is taken to heaven where he meets the Starkeeper who, after showing Billy his daughter’s unhappy life on earth (Louise’s Ballet), permits Billy to return to earth for a single day to gain redemption for unfinished business. He finds that his daughter Louise - now 15 - is an unhappy child, due highly to his choices in life. In an attempt to cheer her up, Billy tries to give Louise a star he took from the Starkeeper, but she rejects his gift. As a reflex action in his disappointment, Billy slaps her - he has failed again. A distressed Louise shares this meeting with her mother who realises that love can transcend many things, allowing for forgiveness (“Reprise: If I Loved You”).

At Louise’s high school graduation, Billy, unseen, urges his daughter to believe the wise words of the speaker, Doctor Seldon (“Reprise: You’ll Never Walk Alone”) and proclaims to Julie “know that I loved you!” By admitting his love, Billy finds compassion and redemption.

Savoyards strives to instill a love of the theatre in all who participate in our productions. We encourage experienced actors as well as individuals with little or no theatrical experience to get involved. We strive to ensure auditions are conducted in a fair and professional manner and that the utmost respect is afforded to all who audition.

• Audition expectations will be made available on the website prior to Auditions.
• All Auditionees who are present in a timely manner will be afforded the opportunity to perform the basic audition.
• Savoyards prohibits pre-casting.
• Savoyards does not discriminate.
• Audition Board will consist of Director, Assistant Director, Choreographer, Musical Director plus others as requested by Director. Qualified Savoyards Board Members as designated by Director, will audit audition to guarantee Savoyards Audition and Casting Policy is respected and as an advisor to Director as needed.
• Auditionees will be notified of casting status by phone, e-mail by Wednesday 7th July 2010.
• Only Auditionees, Audition Board, & Savoyards Board members will be allowed in Audition Room.
• Anyone sitting on the Audition Board may not be considered for leading roles.

AUDITION PROCEDURE

Familiarisation Night

• Monday 28th June, 2010 @ 7:30pm - Wynnum State High Assembly Hall, Peel Street, Manly

Auditions

• Wynnum State High Assembly Hall, Peel Street, Manly
• Friday 2nd July – Chorus, children and minor roles (7:30pm – 10pm)
• Saturday 3rd July – Principal roles (12:30pm – 6pm)
• Sunday 4th July – Specialty Dancers & Louise (9am -12noon)
• Principal roles (12:30pm – 6pm)
• Monday 5th July – Callbacks for Principal roles (7.30pm – 10pm)
• Auditionees will complete an Audition Form upon arrival. Please submit a small photograph/headshot.
• If time is a consideration, please arrive at your earliest availability to complete Audition Form, which will be available 30 minutes prior to start of auditions.
• Principal auditions will be held in intervals of 15 minutes.

Auditions will consist of:

All Principal characters:

1. Vocal – A prepared suitable song (bring sheet music or recorded CD accompaniment. CD player provided). N.B. The Director may respectfully stop you at any point in your song beyond 16 measures, based on time restrictions.
2. Choreography – will be taught at the audition as required by character.
3. Dialogue – Prepared piece as supplied at Information Night.

Specialty Dancers:

1. Open group audition plus bring prepared any specialised movements or extra dance not shown in audition (Please bring jazz shoes, ballet shoes & pointe shoes).
2. The role of Louise dancing – audition with specialty dancers, contemporary style ballet.
3. Group vocal work
4. Dialogue – Auditionees for the role of Louise will read a prepared piece supplied at Information Night.

Chorus/children/minor roles:

1. Song and Movement will be taught at audition. This will be a group audition. Please come PREPARED to dance (suitable clothing and footwear).
2. Dialogue – auditionees wishing to be considered for minor roles will be asked to read a prepared piece available at Information Night.
3. Children – will be included in the general chorus audition groups.

EVERYONE PLEASE BRING

1. Resume and Headshot (A snap shot will work if you don’t have a headshot)
2. A list of known conflicts from rehearsal through to the run of show
3. Sheet music or CD accompaniment (principals).

All Auditionees will be notified of casting status by e-mail or phone no later than Wednesday 7th July, 2010.

Attendance conflicts during Tech Week and the Show Run may limit your casting options.

REHEARSAL/SHOW INFO

• Rehearsals will be scheduled three times per week, commencing Wednesday, 7th July. This first rehearsal will be an opportunity to meet the entire cast, deal with administrative tasks (scripts and rehearsal CD distribution, etc) and a full table read. Being mid week, the children in the cast will not be required to stay for the table read.
• Rehearsals are regularly: Monday 7:30pm – 10pm; Wednesday 7:30pm – 10pm; Sunday 12noon – 5pm, at Wynnum High School hall (unless otherwise notified).
• Each cast member may not be called to every rehearsal, but must be available to be called.
• Launch – Wednesday, 18th August at the Performing Arts Complex at Iona College. Not all cast members will be required to perform in the launch.
• Bump In at the Performing Arts Complex at Iona College is Saturday, 18th September.
• Tech Week is week commencing Saturday, 18th September. Technical rehearsals will run:

1. Sunday, 19th September – full technical cue to cue rehearsal for the benefit of all technical departments (costume, hair and makeup, sound, lighting, props, stage crew). ALL CAST ARE REQUIRED – FULL DRESS.
2. Monday, 20th September – full dress rehearsal.
3. Wednesday, 22 September – full dress rehearsal.
4. Friday, 24th September – Preview Night.
5. Saturday, 25th September at 7.30pm – Opening Night.

Show runs:

• Sat 25 Sept @ 7.30pm
• Sun 26 Sept @ 1.30pm
• Sat 2 Oct @ 1.30pm
• Sat 2 Oct @ 7.30pm
• Sun 3 Oct @ 1.30pm
• Fri 8 Oct@ 7.30pm
• Sat 9 Oct @ 1.30pm
• Sat 9 Oct @ 7.30pm
• Also touring to Brolga Theatre, Maryborough Sat 16 Oct @ 2pm

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DETAILED CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS