Tarzan - White Plains Performing Arts Center
Disney’s TARZAN
Equity Performer Auditions in NYC & White Plains, NY
White Plains Performing Arts Center [WPPAC]
Equity LOA Contract (Approval Pending) - Last season’s salary was $319/week for Equity performers Minimum of 2 principal contracts and 1 chorus contract
Total Non-Equity Stipend: $1050 - $1450 (based on role) + EMC points
Music & Lyrics by: Phil Collins / Book by David Henry Hwang
Producing Artistic Director/Director: Jeremy Quinn
Musical Director: Stephen Ferri
Choreography & Musical Staging: Lexie Fennell Frare
First Rehearsal: 11/23/14.
Daytime Rehearsals: Monday-Saturday (Times TBA) starting in NYC and then moving to venue/tech Tech Begins: Saturday, December 12 at 10am switching to evenings during tech week 12/14 - 12/17. Performance run: 12/18 - 12/20, 12/26 - 12/30 & 1/2 - 1/10, 2016 (3-6 perfs/week)
Venue Address:
White Plains Performing Arts Center
11 City Place, 3rd Floor (City Center)
White Plains NY 10601
(Right next to the movie theatre. Directions: www.wppac.com)
Synopsis: The king of the apes swings onto the stage in this powerhouse musical adaptation of the Disney film. Based on Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend Phil Collins and a book by TONY Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. High-flying excitement and hits like the Academy Award winning “You’ll Be in My Heart” as well as “Son of Man” and “Two Worlds” make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience.
We are looking to cast a very diverse company of strong actors who sing, move extremely well and dance. Seasoned performers of all types and ethnic backgrounds who enjoy the collaborative artistic process in a highly creative environment are strongly encouraged to audition.
Equity Performer Auditions (Equity Performers ONLY) by APPOINTMENT:
Monday, October 26, 2015 10 AM – 6 PM at WPPAC Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30 pm
OPEN CALL Auditions (Equity AND non-Equity) by APPOINTMENT:
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 3 PM - 9 PM at WPPAC
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?OPEN CALL Auditions (Equity AND non-Equity) by APPOINTMENT:
?Wednesday, October 28, 2015
10 AM - 5 PM at CAP21 Studios
18 West 18th Street (b/w 5th & 6th Ave.)
5th & 6th Floors (Studio 502 from 10am-12:30pm & Studio 607 from 1-5pm)
See all appointment-making & preparation instructions below.
Appointment-Making Instructions: For a 5-minute appointment (10/26, 10/27 or 10/28), please call 914-328-1600, x18 (M-F, 11-5 pm) or e-mail auditions@wppac.com beginning immediately. Appointments made by phone preferred. Include name, phone #, approximate time you’d like to audition and union status. Equity Members without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day, as time permits. Once you have been given an appointment time, it will be confirmed by email along with very detailed driving and mass transit directions using Metro-North from Grand Central.
What to Prepare - Please prepare 32 bars from the role in which you are interested (preferred). Contemporary Broadway (pop/rock) songs in the style of the show/composer that can be fully interpreted with strong acting choices are also acceptable. Must bring sheet music in the correct key.
A piano accompanist will be provided but will not transpose. Charts are NOT acceptable, NO cd’s and NO unaccompanied singing. See complete character breakdown below for more information on all roles.
Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.
Callbacks: Monday 11/2/15, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Callbacks are by invitation ONLY. Performers will be notified by email if they are expected to return for callbacks. Sides and music will be distributed before and at callbacks; please be as familiar with the show as possible if you are called back and be prepared to dance if asked. If you have tumbling or gymnastic skills listed on your resume, you may also be asked to demonstrate.
Theatre’s casting note: “Because of the short, intense rehearsal schedule, we are open and interested in seeing performers who may have done the show before. But it is NOT a requirement.”
Seeking: All roles are open/available.
ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
* Roles must be comfortable flying and have no fear of heights.
*TARZAN: (Male, early to late 20’s) Still untainted by civilization, his curiosity has grown as his skills develop. Tarzan is long, lean and very athletic (actor should be in great physical shape). He has great integrity and a strong sense of fairness.Tarzan falls passionately in love with Jane at first sight and wonders if she is the key to unlocking his mysterious past. Range: B2 - Bb4 pop rock belt
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?*JANE: (Female, early to late 20’s) is a proper, well-bred, young British lady, but a bit of a tomboy, too. She is very much the turn-of-the-twentieth-century independent female adventurer and scientist.
Jane is an attractive ingénue with a bit of a motor mouth brought on by her fascination and passion for all the expedition has to offer. Once meeting Tarzan, this young girl blossoms into a woman. Looking for a naturally honest actress that has a great sense of comic timing and a big, warm pop belt (less musical theatre ingénue but can still do that when required). Range: F#3 - F5
KALA: (Female, mid 20’s to mid 30’s, All ethnicities) A motherly ape who raises Tarzan after he loses his parents to the leopard. She is incredibly strong, even after suffering the loss of her own child. She shows a depth of emotion equal to that of any human, if not greater. She must be an actress of GREAT depth. She is the heart of the show. She needs to be someone that understands being a mother or someone that has desperately longed to be a mother. Range: E3 - Eb5 (Alto)
KERCHAK: (Male, mid 30’s to mid 40’s, All ethnicities) The gruff bull-ape who leads the tribe and insists that Tarzan, even as a baby, poses a threat to the family. He is conflicted by his dedication to his mate Kala and his responsibilities as leader of the tribe. This performer should have a strong, authoritative presence while being able to display key glimpses of the silverback’s tenderness. Must be in excellent physical condition. Stage combat required, possibly flying. This is probably the most difficult role in the show. He must be a very gifted actor who has a commanding presence with
excellent vocal resonance (without trying) in order for this role to work. Range: Ab2 - Gb4
*TERK: (Male, early to late 20’s) A young adult ape whose friendship with Tarzan has grown much stronger through the years. Other than Kala, Terk is the only ape who visits Tarzan in exile. He would like to think he knows it all and often relies on his great sense of humor. He tends to stay in one place, not growing much in life experience or knowledge. This role requires someone with a Motown pop/soul tenor belt. Experience with scat is a plus. Range: Eb3 - B4
PORTER: (Male, early 50’s to early 60’s) a British professor and gentleman who is traveling to Africa to prove his theory on the social habits of apes. A single father to Jane, he maintains his temper and demeanor to the very last moment. He offers a bit of humor through his slightly eccentric, mad- scientist enthusiasm. Range: B2 - C4
CLAYTON: (Male, early 30’s to mid 40’s) A brutish British expedition guide and the "villain" of the show. He has been hired by Professor Porter to lead a scientific research trip but is actually planning to hunt apes for profit. Clayton is a greedy and self-centered macho male who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Should be the villain you love to hate. Speaking Role ONLY.
SNIPES: (Male, mid 20’s to mid 30’s) Head of the expedition crew. Stage combat and British accent
required.
*YOUNG TARZAN: (Male, 9-12) An innocent ten-year-old human, raised by apes. He is immensely curious and possesses a keen ingenuity. Tarzan is daring but desperately wants to fit in with the rest of the family. Young Tarzan is written for an unchanged voice. Must be a very strong singer. Range: C3 - E4
*YOUNG TERK: (Male, 10-13) A sarcastic adolescent ape. He is an outcast due to his meager size and inability to keep up with his brothers and sisters physically. Terk replaces his physical inadequacy
with eloquence and intelligence. He finds a kindred spirit in Tarzan, the other outcast of the family. Must be a very strong singer. Range: G3 - B4
*FEMALE ENSEMBLE (6): (Women, early 20’s to late 30’s) Ape Tribe/Jungle Creatures/Tarzan’s Mother swimming double/Lepoard/Jane and Kala’s understudies. All must sing very well and be excellent dancers. Some will be tumbling, most will fly, some will be involved with combat and cannot be afraid of heights. Style of dance is jazz/hip-hop/African. Tumbling, silks and aerial work a plus. All vocal ranges needed. Need to have a jazz background/understanding with soul/rock intensity.
*MALE ENSEMBLE (6): (Men, 20-40 yrs old) Ape Tribe/Expedition Crew/Jungle Creatures/Tarzan’s Father swimming double/Tarzan, Kerchak and Terk understudies. All must sing very well and be excellent dancers. Some will be tumbling, most will fly, some will be involved with combat and cannot be afraid of heights. Style of dance is jazz/hip-hop/African. Tumbling, silks and aerial work a plus. All vocal ranges needed. Need to have a jazz background/understanding with soul/rock intensity.
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