AUDITION INFORMATION

Show Info GYPSY is a 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It is loosely based on the memoirs of entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. The character of Louise is based on Lee and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

GYPSY tells the story of Rose, an overbearing stage mother who is determined to make her girls the stars of vaudeville. Rose overwhelmingly favours her younger daughter, June, who headlines the act, while Louise is relegated to the chorus. Rose’s attention eventually turns to her older daughter, but it is Louise herself who discovers her own talent, and becomes a bigger star than Rose ever dreamed possible. Set against the freewheeling days of vaudeville and burlesque, GYPSY explores ambition, jealousy, family relationships, and the bittersweet loss of innocence. The show contains many songs that have become standards including: Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Small World, Let Me Entertain You, All I Need Now is the Girl and You Gotta Get a Gimmick. It is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century's conventional musical theatre art form, often called the "book musical."

Rehearsals:

Monday & Wednesday Evenings, 7:15pm -10:30pm
Sunday Afternoons 1:00pm - 5:30pm

1st rehearsal Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Note: not all cast members are called for all rehearsals, but must be available if called.
Note: it is possible that additional rehearsals could be called from time to time.


Performances: 11 shows over 3 weekends: Evening performances are at 8pm (7pm call); Matinees are at 2pm (1pm call)

Week 1: Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 1 (evening), Sunday November 2 (Matinee)

Week 2*: Thursday, November 6 to Saturday November 8 (evening), Sunday November 9 (Matinee)

Week 3*: Thursday, November 13 to Friday November 14 (evening), Saturday November 15 (Matinee)

*Please note that Wednesday evening performances may be added in the 2nd or 3rd week of the run. The cast will be given ample notice if this is to happen.

Other information: All members of the cast are required to become members of the group and pay membership fees. In addition, all cast members are expected to help out in other areas of the production from time to time with activities such as flyer drops, set construction and painting, etc. All cast members assist in strike after the final performance.

Please be aware that the two weeks prior to opening night will be full cast calls for all rehearsals. In particular, you should plan to be available every evening from October 26 through 29 for rehearsals. Cast must also be available for all performances.

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Audition Requirements:

Auditions are booked in 7 minute increments and may be booked on or after the Information Night - May 13. Auditionees are required to perform one song, a short monologue/story/joke and participate in a group dance audition in the middle of the audition evening. Men auditioning exclusively for the Character Player roles will not be required to prepare a song or participate in the dance audition. The group dance (movement) audition will occur in the middle of every evening from 8:20 to 9:10pm. Therefore anyone who has an audition time before 8:20pm will need to wait after their audition for the dance break and all those who have an audition time after 9:10 will need to arrive by 8:00pm in order to have time to sign in prior to the dance audition.

A number of roles will require a call back – see the Call Back section for exact details. If you indicate interest in being considered for any of these roles you will be notified by e-mail by June 5th if you have received a call back. Arrangements will be made to get call back material to those chosen, most likely by e-mail or fax. Please ensure your e-mail or fax contact information is accurate at time of audition! (Note: If you do not have email or would prefer not to be contacted by email, we will make other arrangements to contact you and send you call back material.) Casting for all roles will be announced after Saturday, June 14th. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition time. This will allow you time to get settled and to fill out the necessary paperwork (audition information sheet). Bring a Theatre Resume & photograph if available although not mandatory).

• Prepare a short song, or part of a song (approximately 1 minute long), but not from the show. If you only wish to be considered for one of the 3 male character players you are not required to prepare a song.

o Please no Pop or Rock. The style of classic musical theatre would be ideal. Some pieces are suggested in the character breakdowns below. You are not required to perform one of the example pieces - they are just suggestions.

o You MUST bring sheet music, in the correct key for the accompanist. Pre-recorded accompaniment is not permitted. Please, no Acappella

o Your selected solo piece should demonstrate your vocal range. You may be asked to perform some basic range tests or improvisational work with the song

o When making your decision about your music you might like to keep in mind that the last verse and chorus of most songs usually makes good audition material.

• Prepare a SHORT monologue/story/joke, 60 seconds in length (max).

o You will be asked to do some basic improvisational work with the monologue

• Everyone auditioning will participate in a movement (dance) audition that will last approximately 40 minutes

o Please bring comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. Ladies may wear character shoes if they wish, but opting for comfortable, non-slip footwear is fine too.

 

fAuditions

After information night,

to book an audition, contact:

MIKE SCOTT @ 416 699-5861

Non-Paying – Non-Equity

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Call-back Requirements:

Everyone who auditions for a role will be contacted by E-mail and advised if they receive a call back or not. Only the following roles will be called back: Rose, Louise, Dainty June, Herbie, Tulsa, Tessie, Mazeppa, Electra and all the children’s roles including Baby June and Young Louise. Anyone auditioning for other roles will be considered for the show but will not be required at the call-backs.

If you are auditioning for one of the above roles, please indicate on the audition information sheet (obtained at the sign-up or at the audition) whether you are willing to be considered for another role IF you are not given a call back for the role(s) you indicated. Please be honest. We will not cast you in a smaller part just because you’re willing to take one!

People who are required for call-back auditions will be notified by e-mail on the evening of June 4th or 5th and materials required for the call-back will be forwarded by e-mail. Please ensure your e-mail or fax contact information is accurate at time of audition! (Note: If you do not have email or fax we will make alternate arrangements to get call-back material to you.)

Please note that while people not being considered for one of the roles listed above are not required at call-back auditions, no casting for any roles will be decided prior to the end of the call backs on June 14th.

People being considered for the following principle roles will be required at the times specified below:

Note: Overlapping times are intentional. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your call time.

People who are not available for the call backs cannot be considered for these roles.