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AUDITION NOTICE
The Wizard of Oz
By L. FRANK BAUM
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Background music by Herbert Stothart
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Please Read Carefully for Full Audition Information.
Please forward any questions regarding auditions, rehearsals, and the show to
About the Show
When young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold. To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home.
Information Meeting
Monday, March 18, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Audition Times
Tuesday, March 19 to Friday, March 22 (booking slots at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. & 8 p.m.). Note that some audition slots are reserved for adults and some for children.
Auditions for Adult roles and the role of Dorothy:
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Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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Friday, March 22, at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Auditions for Youth and Child Ensemble:
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Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m.
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Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m.
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Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m.
Please arrive on time for check in, administration and incidentals. Each audition group will be required for approximately 90 minutes
Call backs (If needed)
Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m.
First Rehearsal
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 7 p.m.
ALL AUDITIONS AND REHEARSALS TAKE PLACE AT ORPHEUS HOUSE, 17 FAIRMONT AVE.
Performances
May 31 to June 9, 2024, at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
• Tuesday through Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday matinees (2 p.m.).
• No performance on Monday, June 3
Audition Eligibility
All performers must be at least 10 at the time of audition.
You must book an audition appointment. No walk ups are permitted.
Orpheus strongly encourages individuals from equity-seeking communities and intersecting identities to submit. Orpheus is committed to providing our teams with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment and fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. Please advise us of any accommodation measures required which would enable you to apply.
Audition Bookings
• Booking open to Orpheus Members as of Monday, February 26
• Booking open to all as of Monday, March 4
• To book an audition CLICK HERE
General Orpheus Audition Notes
• Auditions are by appointment only.
• Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed time. The Production Assistant will support all those auditioning by providing forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions, and generally keeping things organized. The audition form will also be available on the Orpheus website to print and fill out before arrival, if desired.
• All those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and perform it as a group for the directing team. Following the dance audition, each person will sing and read individually. Sides will be provided at the audition. All 3 portions of the audition are mandatory for everyone.
• Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably.
• You are encouraged to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to your audition.
• As usual, an accompanist will play for each audition. Those auditioning must bring a printed copy of their selected music in the preferred key, with piano lines intact (please do not expect the accompanist to transpose your piece; a capella auditions, self-accompaniment and karaoke tracks are not permitted; vocal range may or may not be checked by the music director as part of the audition process).
Character Breakdown
Dorothy Gale (Lead)
Actor Age 16+
Stage Age 12 -14
Vocal range - Mezzo-Soprano, G3 to C5 (E5 ideal)
Dorothy is a young dreamer living on the long dusty plains of rural Kansas. She is spirited, inquisitive, and utterly endearing. Her character should solidly represent the “in between” years when one is no longer a child but not yet a teen. She is kind and loyal and not afraid to speak her mind.
Aunt Em/Glinda The Good Witch of the North
Stage Age 30-55
Vocal range – Mezzo-Soprano, G3 to C5
Both of these characters embody kindness and wisdom. Aunt Em is sensible and grounded, while Glinda is mysterious and ethereal. Glinda should be as imposing as the Wicked Witch, but in a completely different way. When she is on stage, comfort and calm are felt by all.
Uncle Henry/The Guard
Stage Age 30-55
Vocal range – Baritone, Bb2 to Eb4
Uncle Henry is a gentle, steadfast man who has worked hard to eke out a living in an unforgiving environment. He is slow and careful and reliable. The Guard is a by-the-book public servant who takes his job very seriously. He is not to be trifled with and delights in his authority.
The Cowardly Lion/Zeke (Lead)
Stage Age 20-50
Vocal range – Baritone, Bb2 to F4
The Cowardly Lion is a self-effacing, loveable character who has yet to find his place in the world. He should be physically imposing and capable of catlike, graceful, athletic movement. He is a true friend.
The Tinman/Hickory (Lead)
Stage Age 20-50
Vocal range – Bari-tenor, Bb2 to G3
The Tinman is an energetic, precise character who is somewhat impulsive and very confident. He can always be counted on and never tires. He should be lanky and capable of interesting, mechanical movement.
Scarecrow/Hunk (Lead)
Stage Age 20-50
Vocal range – Bari-tenor, Bb2 to F#4 (Ab4 ideal)
Scarecrow is genuine, down to earth, and completely loveable. He is empathetic and extremely loyal. He is a delight in every regard. He should be capable of broken, interrupted movement.
Miss Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West (Lead)
Stage Age 30-50
Both Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch are intimidating and cruel. They should represent the polar opposites of Aunt Em/Glinda. The Witch is ambitious and extremely theatrical. When she is on stage, everyone is unsettled and afraid. She needs to be imposing. The consummate villain.
Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz
Stage Age 40-70
These two characters should be more or less identical. They should embody the showman, the sideshow barker, the snake oil salesman. However, Oz must also ultimately be lovable and endearing.
Toto
Toto will be a marionette controlled by a performer who is visible to the audience. Therefore, we require a performer who will be able to competently operate Toto in various key scenes throughout the show.
The Jitterbug
Stage Age 25-50
The Jitterbug is the land of Oz’s great Vaudevillian. He is a menacing but gifted showman. Dangerous but oh so delightful.
Nikko, Commander of the Flying Monkeys
Stage Age 20-50
Nikko is cruel and intimidating. He loves to bring suffering and calamity to others. His troops obey him out of fear rather than respect. He is a worthy companion for the Wicked Witch.
The Munchkins
Stage Age 8 to 14
The Munchkins are shy tree dwellers who are rarely seen. They are sly and stealthy. Munchkins move quickly and skillfully through the undergrowth and treetops. The majority of the Munchkins will be played by children.
The Ensemble
The Ensemble of at least 20 performers, will appear throughout the show in a variety of roles, including the Munchkins, the Crows, the Trees, the citizens of the Emerald City, the Flying Monkeys, the Jitterbugs, and the Ghosts. They are the heartbeat of the show and will bring to life all of the various locations and populations that we encounter in Oz.
Notes from the Music Director
We ask that you choose a song in the style of The Wizard of Oz that will best show off your singing abilities. An accompanist will be provided. No self-accompaniment, taped accompaniment, or a cappella singing is permitted. Please provide printed music with piano accompaniment in the key that suits your voice; the accompanist will not transpose your music to another key. Images on cell phones and lead sheets/melody lines without piano accompaniment are not acceptable. Please make sure that all of the music required for the accompanist is clearly visible on the pages (particularly the bass line at the bottom of the page). Usually, a maximum of one verse and chorus, or 16-32 bars will be all that is required. Choose the section that shows off your skills best.
Pit chorus: We may use a pit chorus. Please let us know if this interests you on the audition form.
Notes from the Choreographer
The Wizard of Oz offers something for everyone, and all are welcome to audition. While the choreography does not require any specific dance style or technique, much of the story unfolds through choreographed scenes and well-known musical numbers that guide Dorothy and her friends on their journey, bringing the Land of Oz and its citizens to vibrant life along the way.
Dance/movement requirements:
·Dorothy must move well and be comfortable with simple dance choreography and character-specific choreographed movement.
· The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, with their signature movement styles, should be strong dancers.
· Featured roles – such as Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the West and the Wizard himself – must all be comfortable with choreographed movement and character-specific musical staging.
· The ensemble of at least 20 (which includes the 6-8 children we seek to cast) will be busy portraying various characters throughout – Munchkins and Monkeys and Jitterbugs, oh my! All should be comfortable with choreographed movement and character-specific musical staging. There are no stand-and-sing numbers in Oz!
· Six strong dancers within the ensemble (three female presenting and three male presenting) will be featured in various numbers. Tumbling or gymnastic experience will be put to clever use.
All audition candidates, including children, must participate in the dance audition. Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move in easily – nothing too baggy or constricting. Jazz shoes or character shoes if you have them. And if you don’t, a flat, soft-soled shoe that won’t slip off will do.
See you on the Yellow Brick Road!