THE SECRET GARDEN
– Equity Performer Auditions by APPOINTMENT in White Plains, NY
White Plains Performing Arts Center LOA $300/week minimum.
Music by: Lucy Simon / Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Producing Artistic Director: Jeremy Quinn
Musical Director: George Croom
1st reh: 4/23/12. Rehearses M-F (6-10 PM), Sa 4/28 and 5/5 (10–6 PM). Runs 5/11-5/20 (3 perfs/week).
Equity Performer Auditions (Principal/Chorus) by APPOINTMENT:
Monday, March 19, 2012 White Plains Performing Arts Center
10 AM – 6 PM 11 City Place, 3rd Floor (City Center)
Lunch from 1:30 – 2:30. White Plains NY 10601
(Right next to the movie theatre. Directions:
www.wppac.com)
For a 5-minute appointment, e-mail Barbara at
barbara@wppac.com or call 914/328-1600, x18 (M-F, 11-5 pm). E-mail 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. Appointments confirmed by e-mail, with detailed driving/Metro North directions to Theatre.
Please prepare a brief song from or in the style of the show – “legit” musical theatre selections only, NO POP/ROCK. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided, but may not transpose.
Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.
OPEN Auditions (Equity/non-Equity) by APPOINTMENT: Sunday, 3/18/12, 6-10 PM, same location.
OPEN Auditions (Equity/non-Equity CHILDREN) by APPOINTMENT: Tuesday, 3/20/12, 7-10 PM, same location. See appointment-making/preparation instructions above. Prepare 32 bars of a song from or in the style of the show. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided, but may not transpose. On 3/18 and 3/20, Equity Members without appointments are not guaranteed of being seen.
Callbacks: 3/26, 6-10:30 PM. Actors will be notified by e-mail if they are expected to return for callbacks. Sides and music will be distributed at callbacks; please be as familiar with the show as possible if you are called back.
Seeking (all roles are available):
Theatre’s casting note: “Because of the short, intense rehearsal schedule, we are open [to] and interested in seeing performers who have done the show before. But it is NOT a requirement.”
All roles require either a standard British or Yorkshire dialect.
Lily - (20 - 30) Soprano - Archibald's late wife, who died 10 years before the outset of the story. She is described by all who knew her as the gentlest, sweetest and most beautiful of women. She represents an absent ideal.
Mary Lennox - (Seeking a child 12-15 to play 10) Mezzo - Mary Lennox is a 10 year-old girl who, after the death of her parents in India, is sent to live with her uncle in Yorkshire, England. Mary changes drastically over the course of The Secret Garden: she evolves from a spoiled, unloved and unloving creature to a girl who is full of spirit and surrounded by friends. Seeking a strong actress with a hefty acting range who can carry the show, AS WELL AS sing extremely well. Should be familiar with “The Girl I’m Meant To Be” and “I Heard Someone Crying” if called back.
Archibald Craven - (30 years+) Tenor - The master of Misselthwaite, who suffers from a crooked spine and general ill health. He has been in a crushing depression ever since the death of his wife Lily, ten years before. Archibald is distant and spends most of his time abroad. At story’s end, he undergoes a change of heart when Lily comes to him in a dream.
Dr. Neville Craven - (30 years+) Baritone - Archibald's brother and Colin's uncle, he tends to Colin during Archibald’s illness. He is a bit stuffy and officious. Described as a weak man, he half-hopes for Colin's death so that he might inherit Misselthwaite. He was also very much in love with Lily. Strong singer.
Colin Craven - (Seeking a child 11-14 to play 10) Boy Soprano (unchanged voice) - Colin Craven is Archibald’s ten-year-old son and heir. When he was born, his father could not bear to look at him because of his resemblance to his mother (Lily). It is feared that he will grow to be a hunchback like his father, and he has been treated as an invalid since his birth. Colin is extremely imperious and gloomy; he is certain he is going to die. By the end, however, he too (much like Mary) will have undergone a transformation: he will have become a vigorous optimist, and will have won his father's love. Strong actor AND singer. Will need to be familiar with “A Round-Shouldered Man” if called back.
Martha Sowerby - (18-25) Mezzo - Mary's “simple” friend and maidservant, Martha is charming, frank and levelheaded. In her very ordinariness, Martha represents the goodness of all Yorkshire people. Older sister of Dickon, Yorkshire accent is required.
Dickon Sowerby - (18-25) Tenor - Dickon, a few years older than Colin and Mary, has lived on Missel Moor his entire life, and has a uniquely intimate relationship with the land. Typically, he has rosy cheeks, rough curly hair and a cheeky nature. He has the power to charm both animals and people: counts a fox, a crow, and two wild squirrels among his pets. His power to tame creatures works on Colin and Mary as well, and is one of the central causes of their wondrous transformations. He is the brother of Martha Sowerby. Yorkshire accent is required.
Ben Weatherstaff - (50 years+) Tenor - Ben is a gruff, elderly gardener who is only permitted to stay at Misselthwaite because he was a favorite of the late Mistress Craven. He introduces Mary to the robin redbreast, and helps the children keep the secret of the garden. Ben himself clandestinely tended the garden during the ten years in which it was locked, out of love and loyalty for the Mistress Craven. Although he is rather rough, Ben’s essential kindness is fundamental to his character. Yorkshire accent is required. Actor may double as a Dreamer.
Mrs. Medlock - (50 years+) Non-Singing Role - The head servant at Misselthwaite Manor, Mrs. Medlock is distinguished by her punctilious obedience of all Master Craven's odd rules. Beneath her rigid exterior, she, like all the people of Yorkshire, is basically kind. Yorkshire accent is required. Actor doubles as a Dreamer.
Mrs. Winthrop - (30-60) Non-Singing Role - A stuffy headmistress from the school Dr. Craven has selected for Mary. Actor doubles as a *Dreamer.
Dreamers (Ensemble): These characters, referred to collectively as the Dreamers, are people from Mary’s life in India, who haunt her until she finds her new life in the course of this story. All dreamers must be able to sing.
Rose Lennox - (25 years+) Mezzo - Sister of Lily and Mother of Mary
Captain Albert Lennox - (30 years+) Tenor - Father of Mary. Husband of Rose.
Alice - (20 years+) Soprano - Rose’s friend
Lieutenant Wright - (30 years+) Baritone - Officer in Mary’s Father’s unit
Lieutenant Shaw - (25 years+) Tenor - Fellow Officer
Major Shelly - (Adult: 30 years+) Tenor - Officer
Mrs. Shelly - (30 years+) Alto - Major Shelly’s wife
Major Holmes - (30 years+) Bass - Officer
Claire Holmes - (25 years+) Soprano - Major Holmes’ wife
Fakir - (Indian man, 25 years+) Tenor - Religious ascetic or mendicant monk considered a wonder-worker.
Ayah - (Indian woman, 20 years+) Alto - Mary’s nanny.
Theatre’s statement: “NON-TRADITIONAL CASTING IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. ALL ETHNIC TYPES WELCOME.”
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