Upcoming Auditions
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS
Book by Julian Fellowes
Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
New Songs and Additional Lyrics and Music by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles
Directed by Tod Kubo
Music Director: Vicki Clayton Harvell
Choreographer: Debbie Lauder
Audition Dates:
Monday April 3rd 7pm
Tuesday April 4th 7pm
Location: Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St, Davidson NC
Production Dates: June 22nd- Jul 2nd at the Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College Campus, Davidson, NC
Auditionees should prepare 16 bars of a song in the style of the show that best displays your vocal ability. An accompanist will be provided, so please bring sheet music in the correct key with marked measures. You will also participate in cold readings from the script and learn a short, choreographed dance routine so please wear comfortable fitted clothing. Bring jazz and/or character shoes.
Those interested should bring a recent picture, resume or list of theatre experience, and a list of conflicts for May through June time frame.
*Actors only need to attend one audition session.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 2nd
Please email your submission to Todd Olson, Artistic Director, [email protected]
Show Synopsis:
The jack-of-all-trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”
Character Descriptions:
Bert – The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. Age: 20’s to 30’s. Vocal range top: F#4, Vocal range bottom: B2
George Banks – The father to Jane and Michael Banks. Age: 35 to 45. Vocal range top: Eb4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Winifred Banks – George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. Age: 30 to 40. Vocal range top: D5, Vocal range bottom: A3
Jane – The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Age: 11 to 12. Vocal range top: F#5, Vocal range bottom: A3
Michael – The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Age: 9 to 10. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: A3
Katie Nanna – Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Age: 30 to 35.
Policeman – A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat. Age: 30 to 40.
Miss Lark – The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family. Age: 30 to 35.
Admiral Boom – A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. Age: 50s.
Mrs. Brill – The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Age: 50s. Vocal range top: D#5, Vocal range bottom: F#3
Robertson Ay – The houseboy to the Banks family. Age: 20s. Vocal range top: G#4, Vocal range bottom: F3
Mary Poppins – Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. Age: 20s. Vocal range top: C6, Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Park Keeper – Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. Age: 40s.
Neleus – The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Age: 10 to 15.
Queen Victoria – A statue in the park. Age: 40s.
Bank Chairman – The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed. Playing age: 50 to 60. Vocal range top: D4, Vocal range bottom: C3
Miss Smythe – The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary. Age: 40s.
Von Hussler – A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal.Age: 30s
John Northbrook – An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. Age: 30s.
Bird Woman – Tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Age: 50s. Vocal range top: C5, Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Mrs. Corry – Owns a magical gingerbread shop. Age: 40s.
Miss Andrew – George’s overbearing and scary nanny. Age: 40s. Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: Gb3
Dancers/Ensemble – Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers
All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open. DCP encourages anyone who is interested to audition and we are always eager to welcome new faces and fresh talent to our stage. Except as specifically required by the playwright for certain roles, Davidson Community Players has a non-discrimination casting policy, open to members of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations, and abilities. We encourage and welcome members of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to audition for our productions.
Non-Discrimination Policy
All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open. DCP encourages anyone who is interested to audition and we are always eager to welcome new faces and fresh talent to our stage. Except as specifically required by the playwright for certain roles, Davidson Community Players has a non-discrimination casting policy, open to members of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations, and abilities. We encourage and welcome members of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to audition for our productions.
Auditioning at DCP
DCP encourages everyone to audition for a show regardless of your acting experience. We want you to feel comfortable at auditions and we strive to make this a rewarding experience for everyone.
In order to provide you with the best audition experience possible, we have compiled a few helpful hints and bits of information about the audition and rehearsal process.
- Read over the audition notice thoroughly. The audition information will provide details about character description, audition requirements and general information about the rehearsal schedule.
- Read the script and/or research the play. For non-musicals directors generally ask for a cold reading, which are scene selections from the script, so familiarity with the script is certainly beneficial.
- If you are auditioning for a musical, you will be asked to perform a song of your choice as well as participating in a group dance audition. You will need to provide sheet music for the accompanist at the audition. Choose a song that showcases your voice. Read the audition notice carefully to see if there is a particular style of song requested by the director. DCP offers musical theatre audition workshops which are a great way to prepare for auditions!
- Update your resume and headshot. Your resume should include your theatre and/or performance experience, if any. If you have special skills or training that is relevant to theatre, please list on the resume. Your headshot does not need to be professional; however, it is suggested that it be a recent photograph. Attach the headshot to the back of the resume and bring to auditions.
- Unless otherwise noted, auditions are held at the Armour Street theatre. You will enter through the basement door nearest the gravel parking lot where you will be greeted by our audition assistant. You will sign in and be given a numbered audition form. Please fill out the form as completely as possible with special attention paid to the area where you list your conflicts.
- Depending on the director, you may be seen as part of a group or individually. For a non- musical, you will be asked to do cold readings with others who are auditioning.
- For musicals, you will be asked to perform your musical selection and then learn and present a dance sequence. The director may ask you to do a cold reading as well as dance and sing.
- If you are auditioning for a Connie Company production, you may be asked to participate in theatre games and improvisations.
- Some directors will schedule a "callback" or second round of auditions. Notification of callbacks will be made by phone within 24 hours of the final audition. Being called back does not mean you are cast in the production and likewise NOT being called back doesn't mean that you are NOT cast in the production.
- Casting the show is the responsibility of the director and in the case of a musical, the director and music director. Our DCP policy is that all casting decisions will be made within 72 hours of the final audition (or callback) unless there are extenuating circumstances. Casting offers will be made by a phone call. After the cast is confirmed, the cast list will be posted on the DCP website. DCP will send out notices to those who are not cast via email.
- DCP encourages and welcomes people of all races, genders and abilities to audition for all productions.
In general, plays rehearse 6 weeks and musicals 8-10 weeks. Rehearsals are usually held five days a week, Sunday-Thursday, in the evening. All rehearsals are held at the Armour Street theatre unless otherwise noted. The director will provide a rehearsal schedule at least two weeks in advance. Directors are encouraged to create rehearsal schedules taking into account the actor conflicts. The week prior to the production is "tech" week, which will be nightly rehersals until opening. A "brush up" rehearsal may be scheduled between the first and second week of the show.
Casting is the most difficult part of being a director. Directors agonize many hours over the casting process to ensure that the best choices are made for their particular production. Frequently a strong actor may not be cast because the actor does not fit the director's vision for the part, is physically mismatched with other cast members or has numerous conflicts. Please don't be discouraged if you are not cast for a production; just keep auditioning!
