16 july 2016 hornsby rsl club - squarespace legally blonde 2016 audition brief 2 ... with music and...

AUDITION BRIEF

Performances: 8 - 16 July 2016 Hornsby RSL Club

SYMT Legally Blonde 2016 Audition Brief

2

ABOUT SYDNEY YOUTH MUSICAL THEATRE Sydney Youth Musical Theatre is now in its 39th year of staging productions in the Sydney region, and it remains the only exclusively youth musical society in Australia. Each year, we stage two productions: one in July for our 14 - 25 year-old members, and a November production for our 10 - 18 year-old members. We aim to develop and nurture a passion for the performing arts in young people by providing opportunities to become involved in a range of areas, both on and off stage. We are a not-for-profit community group that relies on the help and support of members and their families to continue producing top-level productions. ABOUT LEGALLY BLONDE The story of Legally Blonde follows the journey of Elle Woods, a sorority-sister valley girl, who enrolls at Harvard Law School to try to win back her former boyfriend, Warner. The musical is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown, and the 2001 the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture of the same name, starring Reese Witherspoon. With music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and book by Heather Hach, the musical is a new take on this well-known and loved story. The audience joins Elle as she discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and attempts to defend exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. The musical sends an important message in staying true to oneself and not judging a book by its cover. DATES Orientation: Saturday, 30 January 2016 2-3pm Individual Auditions (10 mins): Wednesday, 3 February 2016 7-10pm

Saturday, 6 February 2016 12-5pm Sunday, 7 February 2016 10-2pm

Call backs:* Sunday, 7 February 2016 3-5pm Group Dance Auditions: Saturday, 6 February 2016 3-4pm Saturday, 6 February 2016 4-5pm Rehearsals: Saturday afternoons, 1-5pm (commencing 13th February 2015) Rehearsal/Audition Venue: West Pennant Hills Scout Hall

Wilga Street, West Pennant Hills *Not all characters will be required for callbacks. We are looking for performers between the ages of 14 and 25 as of July 2016. SYMT reserves the right to cast beyond this age restriction. If you have any enquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


3

Production Managers: Chrissy Strickland and Craig Pinkerton Director: Kaleigh Wilkie-Smith Musical Director: Andrew Bartle Choreographer: Kathryn Harradine Assistant Director: Jon Emmett Assistant to Choreographer/Dance Captain: Amy Stringer ORIENTATION SESSION We will be holding a one hour information session on Saturday, 30 January 2016 at 2.00pm, at the West Pennant Hills Scout Hall, Wilga Street, West Pennant Hills. The session will give you an opportunity to meet the production team, learn more about the show and to ask us any questions you may have. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with the production team. THE AUDITION PROCESS

All auditionees will be required to attend an individual singing/acting audition, as well as a separate group dance audition. Singing and Acting Audition (Individual Booking) Booking an Audition You must book an individual (10 minute) audition slot via www.symt.org.au. Booking a time for your audition is required, as walk-ins on audition day are not possible. Audition slots will become available immediately after the Orientation session on Saturday, 30 January 2016. The available audition times are: Wednesday, 3 February 2016 7-10pm

Saturday, 6 February 2016 12-5pm Sunday, 7 February 2016 10-2pm

Singing All auditionees will be required to prepare approximately one minute of a song of your choice in the style of the show that will demonstrate both your singing and acting abilities. A proficient pianist will accompany your audition. It is essential that you bring clearly marked sheet music for the accompanist. Backing tracks and a cappella auditions are not acceptable. Most songs you might choose for your audition can be found online on sites such as www.musicnotes.com. Acting Those auditioning for principal roles are asked to prepare to read a short ‘side’ at their audition immediately after singing. Please note that not all auditionees may be asked to read at the audition.

Attached are seven sides for the principal roles. You should familiarise yourself with all appropriate sides for your gender, as you may be asked read for a role that you have not specified. All girls auditioning for Elle should memorise side #1, as well as familiarising themselves with the other female sides.

http://www.symt.org.au/

http://www.symt.org.au/


4

This show contains many featured ensemble roles (both singing and speaking), the majority of which will be cast during auditions. If you are interested in any of these roles, please note that in your audition form. You may or may not be asked to read a short ‘side’ given to you at the audition. All readings must be performed in an American accent. Dance Audition (Group Audition) All auditionees are required to attend one of two dance auditions, at the following times, according to their month of birth:

Saturday, 6 February 2016 3-4pm (Born between January and June) Saturday, 6 February 2016 4-5pm (Born between July and December)

All auditionees will learn a short dance routine (as a group) that will be taught during each of the two slots. You should wear comfortable clothing and enclosed footwear in which you can move freely. If you have any acrobatic, gymnastic or cheerleading skills, please note this on your audition form. You may be given an opportunity to demonstrate these skills at your dance audition. Please note that you must attend a dance audition, regardless of the role for which you are auditioning. In addition to technique, we are also looking for strong character movers and enthusiastic performers. Callbacks Callbacks will be held for some principal roles. Therefore, please note that everyone auditioning for principal roles must be available to attend callbacks on Sunday, 7 February 2016 between 3-5pm. When Will I Know If I Have a Callback? Great question. If you book your individual audition for the Wednesday (3 February 2016) or Saturday (6 February 2016) slots, you will be notified that you have a call back by the end of the day of your individual audition. If you do not hear from us on that day, please assume you are not required to attend a call back. If you book your individual audition for Sunday (7 February 2016), you will notified at your individual audition that we would like you to attend the call back for that afternoon. Please note a number of principal roles may be cast without a call back.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN CAST? All successful auditionees will be contacted by phone. Those who are unsuccessful will be notified by email in a timely manner following auditions. Those who are successfully cast will be required to pay a cast fee of $210 to cover your annual membership to SYMT, insurance, a cast t-shirt, a disc of professionally taken photos from the show and other production costs (e.g. Hall hire, sound, lighting). Fees will be due by Saturday, 27 February 2016 (week 3). Non-payment of cast fees will jeopardise your place in the show.


5

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE Before booking an audition, ensure you read the production schedule carefully and only book an audition if you are able to commit to the rehearsal period and all performances. Unexplained absences from rehearsals will forfeit your position in the show. Please note that there will be a performance on Thursday, 14 July 2016 at 7.30pm.

Week Date Event Time Venue

Week 1 13-Feb-16 Rehearsal 1pm-5pm WPH Scout Hall



Week 4 05-Mar-16 Rehearsal 1pm-5pm WPH Scout Hall



Week 7 26-Mar-16 No Rehearsal - EASTER

Week 8 02-Apr-16 Rehearsal 1pm-5pm WPH Scout Hall





Week 13 07-May-16 Rehearsal 1pm-5pm WPH Scout Hall




Week 17 04-Jun-16 Rehearsal 1pm-5pm WPH Scout Hall




Week 21 02-Jul-16 Rehearsal 12pm-6pm WPH Scout Hall

Sunday 03-Jul-16 Tech Rehearsal All day Hornsby RSL

Monday 04-Jul-16 Dress Rehearsal 6pm-10:30pm Hornsby RSL

Tuesday 05-Jul-16 Dress Rehearsal 6pm-10:30pm Hornsby RSL


6

Week Date Event Time Venue

Wednesday 06-Jul-16 Dress Rehearsal 6pm-10:30pm Hornsby RSL

Thursday 07-Jul-16 NIGHT OFF Hornsby RSL

Friday 08-Jul-16 Performance #1 (7:30pm)

5.30pm call Hornsby RSL

Saturday 09-Jul-16 Performance #2 (7:30pm)


Sunday 10-Jul-16 Performance #3 (2pm) 5.30pm call Hornsby RSL

Thursday 14-Jul-16 Performance #4 (7:30pm)


Friday 15-Jul-16 Performance #5 (7:30pm)


Saturday 16-Jul-16 Performance #6 (2pm) 12 noon call Hornsby RSL

Saturday 16-Jul-16 Performance #7 (7:30pm)



7

CHARACTERS

Character Description Dance Ability Singing Ability

Elle Woods Main protagonist. Enthusiastic, bubbly, larger than life, intelligent, empathetic. The story follows Elle’s journey, therefore the actress must be a very strong character actor, with lots of heart.

Minimum intermediate.

Soprano with strong pop belt.

Paulette Bonafonte

A hopeless-romantic hair stylist who leads some of the show’s strongest vocal numbers. Accent: broad lower-class American (e.g. Boston, New York, New Jersey).

Strong Mover. Mezzo-Soprano.

Vivienne Kensington

Rivals Elle for Warner’s affections. Career driven, smart, savvy, and uptight law student.

Intermediate. Soprano with strong pop belt.

Brooke Wyndham

Delta Nu Alumni. Business woman and exercise video star. Energetic, commanding, but charismatic.

Advanced, with skipping.

Mezzo-Soprano.

Pilar, Margot and Serena

Elle’s Delta Nu Sorority Sisters and closest friends. Excitable, energetic and sassy. Must be very strong character actors.

Advanced (Minimum five year’s dance experience preferred).

Alto/Soprano.

Enid Staunch feminist lesbian studying law at Harvard. Quirky, odd ball, wants to save the World. Think Julia Stiles, Lena Dunham, Zoe Deschanel, Mindy Kaling.

Beginner/ Intermediate

Mezzo-Soprano.

Emmett Forrest

Post-grad law student, Elle’s eventual love interest (#spoilers) Career and education obsessed, until he meets Elle. Emmett is a huge contributing factor to Elle’s journey, as she is to his. Very intelligent, level-headed, compassionate, kind. Very poor dress sense.

Beginner minimum. Tenor.


8

Character Description Dance Ability Singing Ability

Warner Huntington III

Elle’s boyfriend. Handsome, over-confident, cocky individual from a privileged family background. A little boy who hasn’t really grown up.

Beginner minimum. Tenor.

Professor Callahan

A highly successful lawyer and professor at Harvard. Intimidating, manipulative, suave, well presented. Must be able to command the room.

Beginner minimum. Baritone.

Ensemble (Male and Female)

Ensemble includes Delta Nu Chorus, Harvard Students, Skippers, Court Room Ensemble, Salon, Frat Boys. We are looking for strong singers, actors and dancers to make up the ensemble, including 20+ featured roles. High enthusiasm and work ethic will set you apart.

Beginner to Advanced.

All.


9

Audition Sides Please see attached the audition sides by gender. Please familiarise yourself with all gender appropriate sides, as we may ask you to read for any of these roles. Ladies auditioning for ELLE, please also memorise side 1.


10

FEMALE SIDES


11

SIDE ONE Elle* & Emmett *Elle to memorise

ELLE. Emmett, I’m sorry – EMMETT. I don’t need you to be sorry. I need you to tell me the alibi. ELLE. I can’t because I gave Brooke my word. Having an alibi isn’t the only way to win this case.

EMMETT. No, but it sure would help.

ELLE. Work with me. We’ll free Brooke the right way. The noble way. EMMETT. This isn’t a Lifetime Original Movie, Elle. I’m not interested in nobility right now. I’m more interested in saving Brooke’s life. ELLE. No, you’re not. You’re more interested in impressing Callahan. EMMETT. Well, he IS my boss. And if I impress him he’ll make me associate.

ELLE. And jeopardize your client’s trust and our integrity?

EMMETT. Well, when you put it that way.

ELLE. Exactly, you butthead. My word means something. I know yours does too. EMMETT. Butthead? Really?

ELLE. Yes, really. C’mon, let’s get out of here. EMMETT. Why do you always have to be right?

ELLE. I don’t have to be . . . when I’m with you, I just am. Hey, if you want to impress

Callahan, I can help. EMMETT. Okay, how?

ELLE. Listen, I love your scruffy vibe, but “Casual Friday” is so not in Callahan’s vocabulary, and you have to dress the part if you want to get ahead. EMMETT. Elle, didn’t your mother ever teach you about not judging a book by its cover? ELLE. She did. And books with tattered covers stay on the shelf.


12

SIDE TWO Vivienne VIVIENNE. Elle. You’re looking...fluffy. As usual.

ELLE. Hello, Vivienne. Thanks for your great tip on the “costume party.” I see you

came as last Year’s Sample Sale.

WARNER. Pooh B- Elle... You have to ace his course to get that internship and he’s

not called “C-Minus Callahan” for nothing.

ELLE. Warner, I’m completely cognizant of both those facts.

VIVIENNE. You’re not going to make it through the semester, let alone get Callahan’s

internship. (Looking at ELLE’s costume.) Even if you keep going . . . and going . . . and

going ... Face it, bunny: One of these things is not like the other. Someday, we’ll

nominate Supreme Court justices . . . And you’ll... tan. Run home, Elle, and change out

of your skank costume.


13

SIDE THREE Brooke ELLE. (Introducing herself.) Delta Nu’s former U.C.L.A. President Elle Woods! I knew I recognized your mug shot!

BROOKE. Shut up! ELLE. Oh, yeah! Your DVD’s got me in shape to be June for the Girls of U.C.L.A. calendar! BROOKE. That’s so great! Thank god someone on this team gets me!

ELLE. Sisterhood’s forever. I believe you. And I will fight with everything I have to clear your good name. But that involves an alibi. BROOKE. I can’t tell it. ELLE. Everyone has secrets. For years I denied my highlights. BROOKE. It’s beyond highlights, Elle. My secret is nuclear and if it gets out, I could lose my fitness empire. It means everything to me. If I tell you...will you Delta Nu

Sister Swear not to tell anyone? ELLE. I will double Delta Nu Sister Swear.

BROOKE. You’re hardcore. Okay. On the day my husband was killed, I had...

(whispers silently) Lipo. ELLE. What?

BROOKE. (Again, quiet.) Lipo. ELLE. Brooke, you’re going to have to speak up, I can’t –

BROOKE. (Bursts out loudly.) LIPOSUCTION! MINIMALLY INVASIVE, OUTPATIENT LIPO, B BUT LIPO!

(ELLE gasps.) ELLE. Oh my god!

BROOKE. I had to do it. Serious cottage cheese was showing up. ELLE. Your secret’s safe with me. BROOKE. I can’t lose my fitness empire. I’d rather rot in jail! You gotta take care of me, Elle! You swore!


14

SIDE FOUR Paulette, Pilar, Margo & Serena MARGOT. Oh my god! PILAR. Did you see that? SERENA. She’s got the most perfect Bend and Snap I’ve ever seen! MARGOT, SERENA, PILAR. She’s a natural! PAULETTE. (Freaked out.) I see dead people. ELLE. No! It’s just my Greek Chorus! I’m so psyched you can see them now, too! PAULETTE. But I haven’t had any vodka.

SERENA. When your Bend and Snap has that much snap, it’s been known to alter all laws of physics and logic.

PAULETTE. What are you talking about....Bend and Snap...?

ELLE. (Demonstrating.) The Bend...and Snap! (The girls ad-lib reaction of approval to her Bend and Snap.) It’s a move invented by U.C.L.A. cheerleaders to break the will of the opposing team. But it also has real world applications: the Bend and Snap is 99.99% effective on straight men.

PAULETTE. Yeah, I’ve got a great track record with those. SERENA. I see the problem here...and it’s not physical: it’s spiritual. Paulette just needs a little...spirit.

MARGOT. And Serena knows about spirit: she’s a U.C.L.A. Cheer Team Leader. MARGOT, PILAR, SERENA. Go Bruins! Bruin Power! (etc.) PAULETTE. Cheerleaders scare me!

SERENA. Paul-Ette. Do you know why cheerleaders get the guy and keep the guy?

PAULETTE. Because you jump around in short skirts? SERENA. Yes. And because we demand and command attention. PILAR. For real. You must become the cheerleader you fear. SERENA. You’ve got the pom-poms. It’s time to shake ’em.


15

SIDE FIVE Enid ENID: I did the peace corps overseas, inoculating refugees in family clinics that I

built myself from mud and trees. I fought to clean up their lagoons and save their

rare endangered loons then led a protest march against insensitive cartoons.

STUDENTS: Pretty impressive, good -

ENID: But now I’m on the legal track because this country’s out of whack and only

women have the guts to go and take it back!


16

MALE SIDES


17

SIDE ONE (Same as SIDE ONE from Female Sides) Elle* & Emmett *Elle to memorise

ELLE. Emmett, I’m sorry – EMMETT. I don’t need you to be sorry. I need you to tell me the alibi. ELLE. I can’t because I gave Brooke my word. Having an alibi isn’t the only way to win this case.

EMMETT. No, but it sure would help.

ELLE. Work with me. We’ll free Brooke the right way. The noble way. EMMETT. This isn’t a Lifetime Original Movie, Elle. I’m not interested in nobility right now. I’m more interested in saving Brooke’s life. ELLE. No, you’re not. You’re more interested in impressing Callahan. EMMETT. Well, he IS my boss. And if I impress him he’ll make me associate.

ELLE. And jeopardize your client’s trust and our integrity?

EMMETT. Well, when you put it that way.

ELLE. Exactly, you butthead. My word means something. I know yours does too. EMMETT. Butthead? Really?

ELLE. Yes, really. C’mon, let’s get out of here. EMMETT. Why do you always have to be right?

ELLE. I don’t have to be . . . when I’m with you, I just am. Hey, if you want to impress

Callahan, I can help. EMMETT. Okay, how?

ELLE. Listen, I love your scruffy vibe, but “Casual Friday” is so not in Callahan’s vocabulary, and you have to dress the part if you want to get ahead. EMMETT. Elle, didn’t your mother ever teach you about not judging a book by its cover? ELLE. She did. And books with tattered covers stay on the shelf.


18

SIDE SIX Warner WARNER. Elle, I want you to know how happy you’ve made me. Every guy dreams

about finding a girl like you. But Pooh-Bear, as a future attorney, I’m going to need

someone serious by my side. You know, less of a Marilyn and more of a Jackie.

Somebody classy and not too tacky.

ELLE. What?!?!

WARNER. Okay, that came out wrong. You see, Pooh-Bear, I think we should break-

up.

ELLE. You’re breaking up with me? I thought you were proposing.

WARNER. I did talk to my parents about it Pooh-Bear, but...they expect a lot from me.

I’m going to Harvard Law School and my brother’s at Yale Law – so’s his new wife,

and she’s a Vanderbilt for crying out loud.

ELLE. Oh, so I’m not good enough for you? Warner, I’m from Malibu! I’m not exactly

trailer- trash here! Richard Simmons is our neighbor!

(ELLE begins to cry)

WARNER. Elle, if I’m going to be a senator when I’m thirty, I need someone serious.

ELLE. I’m not serious? But I’m seriously in love with you.


19

SIDE SEVEN Callahan CALLAHAN. Ms. Woods, could I have a word? ELLE. Of course. Thank you, Professor Callahan, for what you said before. It meant a lot. CALLAHAN. You deserved it. But don’t tell the other law students I said so. I have a scary reputation to uphold. ELLE. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them you’re a complete nightmare. CALLAHAN. You’ve got instincts. And instincts, legal or otherwise, can’t be taught. Trust your instincts. (CALLAHAN goes in to kiss ELLE. She backs away.)

CALLAHAN. I thought you were smarter than that…

ELLE. Is this the only reason you gave me an internship?

CALLAHAN. It’s been nice working with you, Ms. Woods. You can show yourself out.

16 july 2016 hornsby rsl club - squarespace legally blonde 2016 audition brief 2 ... with music and...

Documents