JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - Frisco Youth Theatre Non Equity Auditions

Auditioning for

Jack and the Beanstalk

Grades 1-8

January 29, February 1 at Power House of Dance - Frisco

There is much more to this play than Jack and a beanstalk. Of course, there's the proverbial giant, but there is also the giant's overworked, over-wrought wife, an aria-singing harp, a golden-egg-laying chicken with performance anxiety, and a blue-eyed stranger who looks surprisingly like Jack's long-lost father.

Naturally, there's the village at the foot of the beanstalk and the giant's home in the sky, but there is also, 10 years earlier, a sailing ship caught in a storm off the coast of Pago Pago (or was it Bora Bora) with its blue-eyed master pulled mysteriously from the wreckage by a giant hand. Certainly, there's Jack's distressed mother and the peddler who sells Jack the magic beans, but there is also the peddler's story of having bought the beans from a blue-eyed stranger; the Ladies Plum and Pomegranate, who provide the comic relief in Jack's village; and Jack's pals, including a rough and ready tomboy named Adelaid.

Without a doubt, there's the giant's fe, fi, fo, fum, but there is also his wife's rhyming collection of bigness puns. With all the familiar ingredients in the mix, plus so much more, and with fresh and witty dialogue, this play will be a rediscovered delight for actors and audiences alike.

Directed by Brandon Cunningham

Brandon is a DFW native that has been working in theatre, film and radio most of his life. He is a writer, director, actor and DJ on KNON 89.3 FM. He has been involved with the organization for almost a decade and now is honored to be teaching his knowledge and passion of the performing arts to a new generation. He studied Film Production at the Art Institute. Brandon is particularly proud of his two hardworking and talented daughters who have grown up in the program here at NTPA.

Jack and the Beanstalk Fun Facts

• Jack and the Beanstalk was first published in 1734.
• According to research, the story originated more than 5,000 years ago!
• Jack and the Beanstalk is the best known in a series of stories called the Jack Tales all about the life of the stock character Jack.
• The traditional name for the Giant who lives on top of Beanstalk Land is Blunderbore.
• Walt Disney made a short of the same name in 1922 and a separate adaptation in 1947 called Mickey and the Beanstalk
• Jack appears as one of the main characters in the musical Into the Woods