AUDITIONS for LIZZIE
produced by Green Valley Theatre Company
directed by Christopher Cook
WHEN:
Monday June 16 @ 7:00pm for VOCALISTS ONLY (these are the four female/female-presenting vocalists that will portray the roles of Lizzie, Emma, Alice, and Bridget onstage- very strong singers that hold close harmonies accurately and consistently).
Tuesday June 17 @ 7:00pm for STORYTELLERS ONLY (these are the 8 to 10 performers of all genders that do not sing in the show but will utilize a variety of alternative storytelling techniques including shadow, projected light, puppetry, and manual cinema, to provide the visual storytelling of the production).
If additional callbacks are needed, they will be by invitation only on Wednesday June 18.
WHERE:
Green Valley Rehearsal Studio
Inside Sac Media Center
915 Fee Drive
Sacramento, CA 95815
Video submissions will NOT be accepted, live in-person auditions only.
WHAT TO BRING:
> Resume, or list of previous theatre roles, training, and experience.
> Headshot, if available (don’t go get one just for this).
> List of rehearsal conflicts. Please review all pertinent dates. Availability will be a key factor in casting.
> Alternatively, you can provide these ahead of time via our online audition form.
VOCALIST AUDITION FORM HERE
STORYTELLER AUDITION FORM HERE
WHAT TO PREPARE:
VOCALISTS:
> Be prepared to sing a (roughly) one-minute cut of a Broadway or rock tune that shows your ability and range. A verse and chorus, or maybe two, is all we need. No guide vocals allowed on the track- we want to clearly hear you, not Pat Benetar. You can provide a link to the karaoke track (spotify, youtube, etc.) when you arrive at auditions or provide it with your online registration. Please know the timestamps for the start and stop of your cut. Preparation is key! Be memorized and put your best foot forward.
> Be familiar with the following tunes from the show that correspond to any character(s) for which you are auditioning- you do not need to be memorized for these tunes, we will have sheet music available. This is the material that will be used for both auditions and for any same-day callbacks if there is time, so not everyone will be heard on both songs listed for the character they are auditioning for:
- Lizzie: This is Not Love (measures 59-107, soundtrack 1:47-end), Mercury Rising harmonies (measures 40-64, soundtrack 1:20-2:17 )
- Bridget: The Fall of the House of Borden/The Alibi (measures 37-60, soundtrack 1:16-end), Mercury Rising harmonies (measures 40-64, soundtrack 1:20-2:17)
- Alice: If You Knew (measures 74-105, soundtrack 2:08-end), Mercury Rising harmonies (measures 48-64, soundtrack 1:38-2:17)
- Emma: Sweet Little Sister (measures 55-93, soundtrack 2:38 to end), Mercury Rising harmonies (measures 48-64, soundtrack 1:38-2:17)
STORYTELLERS:
> No pre-selected material is necessary- there will not be readings or vocals, instead we will participate in physical and visual storytelling exercises.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
> Only auditioners and Green Valley staff are permitted in the audition room- no guests/observers/emotional support humans.
VOCALISTS:
> No monologue is required. There will be readings from the script. Sides will be assigned and distributed at the audition.
> There will not be a movement/dance audition.
> We will hear all self-selected material first, then BRIEFLY review some of the character-specific material above before hearing auditioners on those tunes.
We will not have time to hear every auditioner for every role they have indicated they will accept, but each auditioner will sing a minimum of twice: once on their self-selected material and once on the show material we assign to them.
There will be short readings from the script- you will be assigned scene partners at auditions- you will BRIEFLY review the scenes with your group before being brought in to read.
At this point, some auditioners will be released and others may be asked to stay for a same-day callback- not all auditioners will be asked to stay for callbacks.
STORYTELLERS:
> Wear appropriate clothing for movement.
> There will be various physical storytelling exercises, tableau, and pantomime.
> You may be asked to work in groups or solo for these and you’ll be asked to respond to direction and incorporate additional methods or techniques.
REHEARSALS:
Begin Sunday June 22.
Rehearsals will be held at the Green Valley Rehearsal Studio and will then move to the performance venue based on venue availability.
All Rehearsals Sunday-Thursday 7:30pm-10:30pm.
Tech week is Sunday August 3 - Thursday August 7.
Absolutely no conflicts permitted during tech week.
PERFORMANCES:
Cosumnes River College Black Box Theater
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823
8pm on August 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
2pm on August 17, 24, 31
Absolutely no performance conflicts permitted.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
SYNOPSIS:
In the heat of late summer 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife are found murdered in their house. The main suspect in the murders is Andrew’s youngest daughter from a previous marriage, Lizzie Borden. Using a searing rock score, and based on the historical record, LIZZIE explores the heady and heated days leading up to the murder and Lizzie’s controversial acquittal of all charges and the creation of a new American myth.
Green Valley’s production will feature four female/female-presenting vocalists that will portray the roles of Lizzie, Emma, Alice, and Bridget onstage- these vocalists must be very strong singers that hold close harmonies accurately and consistently. There will simultaneously be a cast of live non-singing performers that will utilize a variety of alternative storytelling techniques including shadow, projected light, puppetry, and manual cinema, to provide the visual storytelling of the production.
CASTING:
> Performers must be 18 or older at the time of auditions- no exceptions.
> Performers of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to audition for all roles.
> All roles are available- none are precast.
> We encourage auditioners to message or email us if you have any questions about the demands of a particular role.
VOCAL ROLES:
Lizzie Borden: Vocal range F#3-F#5
Emma Borden: Lizzie’s older sister. Vocal range F#3-D5
Bridget Sullivan: The Borden family maid. Vocal range E3-E5
Alice Russell: Lizzie’s friend and confidant. Vocal range F#3-A5
STORYTELLING ROLES:
8-10 creative, enthusiastic performers who are comfortable with the physical movement required to visually communicate the story.
FAQs:
Q: Can I audition for both vocalist and storyteller?
A: Yes, however the two require completely separate skillsets. Storyteller is not a consolation prize for not being selected as a vocalist, will not include singing in the show, and only those who are enthusiastic about performing as storytellers should audition for that function.
Q: Can I receive the sheet music for the tunes listed?
A: The sheet music for the song sections listed in the announcement will be shared a few days before the audition with those who have registered for Monday’s vocal auditions via our online audition form.
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