Please note:
This audition is for youth only. Adults (over age 18) will not be cast in this show.
The Morgan-Wixson's
Youth Education-Entertainment Series (Y.E.S.)
invites young performers (ages 9 - 18) to audition for
The Emperor’s New Clothes
A musical tale based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
Book by Don Battye, Music & Lyrics by Peter Pinne
Directed by EVE KELLER
Choreography by SOPHIE DAVIDSON
Produced by AMY LEHR & HOPE WINTNER MEISEL
SYNOPSIS
This re-telling of the original Hans Christian Andersen tale adds some modern flair and tells the story of a quirky, game-loving, yet clueless leader. The Emperor challenges the boy that asks for his daughter’s hand in marriage to beat him in some of his favorite games, including a live action game of chess! Meantime, the royal fashion designer is afraid of losing her job to two crafty tailors who catch the Emperor and his court in their web of false beliefs.
AUDITION DATES
Monday, December 2, from 4:45 - 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 3, from 4:00 - 6:00pm
No appointment needed. Actors only need to attend one day of auditions.
CALLBACKS
Friday, Dec. 6 from 4 to 6:15 p.m.
You will be notified by email if you will be needed for callbacks.
PREPARE
Prepare 32 bars (verse and chorus) of an up-tempo song in the standard musical comedy style with accompaniment on a CD, Iphone, Ipad or the Android equivalents as we do have playback ability for those devices. Please do not sing pop songs, liturgical music, or country western. In addition, please do not sing “Popular,” “Let It Go,” or “Good Morning, Baltimore.”
Be prepared to dance.
LOCATION
Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Street parking available. Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot (2509 Pico) is available on weekends and on weekdays after 6 pm. Do not park at our next-door neighbors -- AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI -- or you will be towed.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am on
February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16
PLUS…
Morning School Shows take place at the theater on
Thursday, February 6 and Tuesday, February 11
School shows will require actors to miss their morning classes on those days. They can receive community service credit.
Please note that actors MUST be available for all performances, including school shows (2 performances on each school show day). This is non-negotiable!
REHEARSAL DATES/TIMES
Rehearsals will begin with a read-through to be announced (either Sat, 12/7 in am or Mon, 12/9 in the afternoon) and are held Monday through Friday from the 4:00 to 6:30 pm time frame and Saturdays from either the 9:30 am-2:00 pm OR 1:00 to 5:00 pm time frame- depending on theatre availability.
Actors are not called for all rehearsals, only rehearsals where they are being used for a scene. Rehearsals will be worked around actors’ schedules as much as possible. During the week leading up to the show, Jan. 25 through Jan. 30, all actors will be called to all rehearsals.
As always, we consider homework a priority!
BRING
A picture (school picture or snapshot is fine), resume or list of shows done, and your conflicts for the rehearsal period. All conflicts MUST be submitted prior to callbacks. Please check with your school choir/band/theatre director, your soccer/baseball coach, or any other adult who schedules your time, about all conflicts PRIOR to auditioning. If additional conflicts arise after casting, it may result in an actor being replaced.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
In reference to the character descriptions that follow—most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderfluid, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. In addition, we will list disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors with disabilities as well as non-disabled actors for all roles. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
We are actively committed to casting an inclusive show that reflects the community.
Emperor: Male, 12-18 yrs. A King who finds politics boring and is more interested in his appearance and winning at games. Vain, silly, quirky with strong comedic timing.
Prime Minister: Open to gender, 10-18 yrs. Head of the government. Serious, cynical, and tries desperately to get the Emperor in touch with his duties of governing.
Madame: Open to gender, 12-18 yrs. Royal Fashion designer and mother of Fredrick. She is proud and a bit haughty yet fearful of losing her job. She is tense from trying to please the Emperor’s demanding tastes from unique clothing.
Fredrick: Male, 9-16 yrs. Suitor to Emperor’s daughter. He is levelheaded, confident, supportive and caring.
Emperor’s Daughter: Female, 9-16 yrs. She is in love with Fredrick. Sweet, patient, and aware of her father’s quirks.
Wheeler & Dealer: Open to gender, 10-18 yrs. Liars and cheats who pose as tailors and trick the Emperor by making an outfit that isn't real while pressuring others to feel foolish if they admit they think it doesn't exist. Flashy and confident. Good physical movers…tumbling, cartwheels, and/or scooter riders who can create some circus style movements.
Ensemble: 9-18 yrs, all voice types to play a variety of characters such as Silkworms, Courtiers, Models, Chess Pieces, children in the crowd. Must sing and dance well.
OTHER
Non-Equity, no pay.
Y.E.S. does not charge tuition or fees to participate.
CONTACT
Questions or requests for additional information should be directed to Eve Keller at
eve.acttwo @ gmail.com
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