Auditions

10 Performances will run from July 13-28, 2024

Director/ Choreographer | Jessica O'Brien
Musical Director | Stephen Strouse
Stage Manager | Gillian Roberts
AYE Teaching Artist | Alyssa Kiselev

ACCEPTANCE THROUGH AUDITION ONLY

In-person auditions scheduled as follows:

• Monday, April 22, open call from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 23, open call from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

LOCATION
All auditions will be at the Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Your "Song Cat" General Audition:

  Please prepare two songs (16-32 bars each), but you may be asked to sing only one. It is recommended that one of the songs be for the CAT you are auditioning for, but this is not required. You must sing with piano accompaniment; please provide sheet music. Song sides for each "Song Cat" are provided below:

  GRIZABELLA
  DEMETER, BOMBALURINA, MUNGOJERRIE, RUMPLETEAZER
  GUS (ASPARAGUS)
  OLD DEUTERONOMY
  RUM TUM TUGGER
  SKIMBLESHANKS
  MUNKUSTRAP

• Please be prepared to dance. Bring ballet or jazz shoes as well as tap shoes if you have them.
• The production team is accepting virtual submissions. Please follow the requirements for the general audition and submit a dance reel showcasing your technique and special skills. Please send all videos or direct any questions to the following email address: [email protected].
• The production team is also seeking additional off-stage singers to support the vocal demands of the show.
• Actors between the ages of 12 and 17 who are cast in this production will participate in the Algonquin Youth Ensemble. Not accepting actors under the age of 11. **More information is at the end of this audition posting.

ACTORS MUST FILL OUT THIS AUDITION FORM PRIOR TO ATTENDING AN OPEN-CALL AUDITION:
CATS The Musical, Audition Form

Please submit the following via this form:

• Headshot
• Resume

CALLBACKS:
Callbacks will be by invitation only and will take place on the nights of the general auditions.

REHEARSAL INFO:
Rehearsals will be at Algonquin Arts Theatre or in a nearby location. Rehearsals to begin Mid-May of 2024. Exact rehearsal schedule will be set once the availability of all actors is learned but will take place during weekday evenings and weekends (depending on role and when called).

BEFORE YOU AUDITION, be advised that all actors must be available for rehearsals that are to be scheduled according to the actor's role. It is mandatory for actors to be available for all scheduled evening TECH rehearsals (July 8-12) and performances (July 13-28). Conflicts will not be accepted after the cast has been announced.

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:
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SYNOPSIS
Based on T.S. Eliot's book of poems, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," Cats immerses the audience in the world of nocturnal "Jellicle Cats." Eliot's poems are brought to life as the felines dance and sing about their unique characteristics before gathering for the Jellicle Ball at which one among them is chosen to ascend to the supernatural "Heaviside Layer."

Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece comes to life on stage with breathtaking choreography and dazzling costumes that have captivated audiences worldwide.

ROLES AVAILABLE:

GRIZABELLA
Female, playing age 35 - 55. Grizabella is a survivor, but she is vulnerable and now an outcast from the tribe. She was once very glamorous, but with age, her beauty is fading. An exceptional singer/actress with movement skills is required.

OLD DEUTERONOMY
Male, playing age 35 - 55. Old Deuteronomy is the beloved leader of the tribe. Should possess excellent high baritone/tenor vocals with classical sound & vocal warmth. A small amount of movement is required.

JELLYLORUM
Female. Jellylorum is practical and loving; a storyteller. Strong pop belt voice with the ability to also sing classical soprano.

GUS (ASPARAGUS)
Male. Gus is the theatre cat - a fragile old cat who reminisces about his days of being an actor. A fantastic character actor/singer role.

BUSTOPHER JONES
Male. Bustopher Jones is the central character in his song. A distinguished, aristocratic tomcat. Strong baritone-tenor.

JENNYANYDOTS
Female. Jennyanydots is the 'Gumbie Cat.' Motherly, an Edwardian 'do-gooder.' A comedic character actress with excellent movement and tap skills.

RUM RUM TUGGER
Male. Rum Tum Tugger is the 'rock-star' cat with wild comedic sexuality. Must be a charismatic performer with a fantastic pop/rock voice and strong falsetto. An outstanding presence with good dance skills.

MUNKUSTRAP
Male. A commanding presence. The son of Old Deuteronomy, who takes the lead in his absence. Sings "Old Deuteronomy". Excellent baritone singer with movement/dance skills required.

SKIMBLESHANKS
Male. Skimbleshanks is the railway cat - a fastidious, neat, and ordered cat obsessed with punctuality and cleanliness. He possesses a big heart and a sense of exuberance - authoritative with a bright personality. An excellent high baritone/tenor with very strong dance skills is required.

BOMBALURINA
Female. Tall and statuesque, she is a fierce female who is also a protector of the tribe. She is one half of the duo who sings 'Macavity.' Must be an experienced dancer with fantastic extension. She is an excellent mezzo-soprano.

MR. MISTOFFELEES
Male. Mr. Mistoffelees is the magician - impish, with an expansive personality. Must be a phenomenal principal dancer with outstanding classical technique. Gymnastic skills and tricks are a plus. Good high baritone vocals.

DEMETER
Female. A neurotic but highly intuitive cat. Demeter is one half of the duo who sings 'Macavity.' She is an excellent and experienced dancer with very strong mezzo vocals.

MUNGOJERRIE
Male. Mungojerrie is one half of a notorious double act. He is cheeky, irreverent, young and full of energy. An outstanding dancer with acrobatic skills and excellent vocals.

RUMPLETEAZER
Female. Rumpleteazer is one-half of a notorious double act. She is cheeky, irreverent, young, and full of energy. An outstanding dancer with acrobatic skills and excellent vocals.

SYLLABUB
Female. Young, curious, and loves life. An excellent technical dancer. Must have beautiful clear soprano vocals.

VICTORIA
Female. Victoria is young, uninhibited, inquisitive, and has a beautiful physique. She is an outstanding dancer with excellent classical training. She must have exceptional extension and facility.

FEMALE ENSEMBLE ROLES
Outstanding dancers with excellent ballet/jazz/tap technique and training. Must be strong singers/dancers, as all named ensemble roles will come with various principal understudies. Some require excellent acrobatic skills. Additional ensemble roles: Cassandra, Jemima, Etcetera, Electra & Tantomile.

MALE ENSEMBLE ROLES
Outstanding dancers with excellent ballet/jazz technique and training. Must be strong singers/dancers, as all named ensemble roles will come with various principal understudies. Some require excellent acrobatic skills. Additional ensemble roles: Coricopat, Plato, Macavity, Alonzo, Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, Rumpus Cat, & Growltiger.

**ALGONQUIN YOUTH ENSEMBLE (AYE)
Here at Algonquin Arts Theatre our produced Broadway Series performances work closely with the Education Department. This gives us an opportunity to educate students in all areas of the performing arts. Through our Performing Arts Academy (PAA) each semester (Fall-Winter, Winter-Spring & Summer) we offer a program called the Algonquin Youth Ensemble (AYE). AYE is an audition-only, comprehensive instructional, full immersion theatre education program. The Algonquin Youth Ensemble is a class first. There is not a tuition fee to participate in this particular program. Students will be selected based on their audition alone. Not all who audition will be cast/ selected for the program. Transcending the typical theatre program, AYE members not only have the opportunity to study theatrical disciplines with experienced professionals, but also must apply what they have learned in a fully mounted main stage production. This particular production is open to students ages 12 to 17 years of age, participants commit not only to all production rehearsals (as needed), tech rehearsals and performances.

Six performances will run August 10-18, 2024

Director: Ian Moore
Stage Manager: Caroline Laberdee
Choreographer: Bridget Hughes
Musical Director: Mark Megill

ACCEPTANCE THROUGH AUDITION ONLY
Due to the sensitive nature of the title, we are only inviting actors 20 years of age or older to audition.

• Auditions for this production will begin with a video submission. Please create a video of you singing a song either from the show or in a similar style of the show's music. Provide a link in the audition form below to any of the following platforms: YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox.
• Video submissions are open from time of this posting through Sunday, May 12, 2024.
• Audition Requirements: Please prepare 32 bars of music from a song in a similar style to the show that best shows your voice and range. If you are invited to call backs, please wear or bring appropriate clothes and shoes for the dance portion. For further auditions, music cuts, and sides from the show will be provided.

CALLBACKS:
Callbacks will be by invitation only and will take place in-person at Algonquin Arts Theatre on Sunday, May 19th at 7:00 PM.

LOCATION:
Callbacks will be in the dance studio at the Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ.

ACTORS 20 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER MUST FILL OUT THIS AUDITION FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A CALLBACK
Spring Awakening Audition Form

Please submit the following via this form:

• Headshot
• Resume

REHEARSAL INFO:
Rehearsals will be at Algonquin Arts Theatre or in a nearby location. Rehearsals to begin in June of 2024. Exact rehearsal schedule will be set once the availability of all actors is learned but will take place during weekday evenings and weekends (depending on role and when called).

BEFORE YOU AUDITION, be advised that all actors must be available for rehearsals that are to be scheduled according to the actor's role. It is mandatory for actors to be available for all scheduled evening tech rehearsals (August 4th - August 9th ) and six performances (Saturday, August 10th - Sunday, August 18th, 2024). Conflicts will not be accepted after the cast has been announced.

ROLES AVAILABLE:
Due to the sensitive nature of the title, we are only casting actors 20 years of age or older to audition.

Wendla
Innocent. With every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her and her changing body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution. Explores her newly-found sexuality with Melchior.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 looking to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Melchior
A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society's rules. An atheist and radical student. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 looking to 20
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G2

Martha
A schoolgirl who faces constant physical abuse from her father. She harbors a secret crush towards Moritz.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Moritz
Melchior's best friend, a troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. His haunting sexual dreams and academic failures eventually drive him to suicidal thoughts.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Thea
Wendla's best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Hanschen
A rather narcissistic schoolmate of Melchior's. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst. Optional Doubling as RUPERT.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Anna
A German schoolgirl and Martha's best friend. Optimistic and a bit naive, she has a difficult time understanding Martha's trials.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Ernst
A schoolmate of Melchior's. Naive and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen. Optional Doubling as REINHOLD.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Ilse
Martha's sister, who was also abused and has run away from home to live in an artists' colony. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: E3

Georg
A clumsy schoolmate of Melchoir's. He is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. Optional Doubling as DIETER.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Otto
A classmate of Melchior's. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate. Optional Doubling as ULBRECHT.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Adult Woman
Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: FRAU BERGMAN, Wendla's mother; FRAULEIN KNUPPELDICK; FRAULEIN GROSSEBUSTENHALTER; FRAU GABOR, Melchior's mother; and FRAU BESSELL, Martha's mother.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3

Adult Man
Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: HERR SONNENSTITCH, the boys' teacher; HEADMASTER KNOCHENBRUCH; HERR NEUMANN, Ilse's father; HERR RILOW, Hanschen's father; HERR STEIFEL, Moritz's father; FATHER KAULBACH; DOCTOR VON BRAUSEPULVER; HERR GABOR, Melchior's father; and SCHMIDT.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 50

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