audition information pack

introduction Diva Productions is an award winning company who are fast developing a reputation for exceptional, powerful, quality theatre in West Yorkshire and quality scenic projections in the UK and Worldwide. We never compromise on artistic quality in anything we do. Our work is artistically ambitious, entertaining and engaging. What drives us as a company in choosing our projects is the relevance of the production to today’s audience. We value good quality theatre and that is what we deliver to our audiences. We enjoy working with new people and value the relationships we have established over the years. We are now in our 5th year as a company and we are excited for the creative projects ahead for Diva, continuing in producing shows that excite and entertain. Our work is produced with passion, love, and dedication, with a mind for the innovative, to bring our own twist to modern and original theatre. We are delighted that you are interested in joining us in this production and we are sure you will enjoy the experience working with a dedicated and hard-working company. Evita charts the young and ambitious Eva Peron’s meteoric rise to sainthood. Set in Argentina between 1934-1952, the Tony-winning musical follows Eva Duarte on her journey from poor illegitimate child to ambitious actress to, as wife of military leader-turned-president Juan Peron, the most powerful woman in Latin America, before her death from cancer at age 33. The events in Evita’s life are presented in song and commented on by the show’s narrator, Che. Well-known numbers from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece include “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Oh What a Circus,” “Buenos Aires” and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.” With strong leading and featured roles, a large ensemble and one of Lloyd Webber’s most-loved scores, combining Latin, jazz, pop and more traditional influences, Diva Productions cannot wait to bring to life their production of Evita.

the production team

Andy Ashley - Producer / Director Andy Fretwell - Producer

Jonathan Mitra – Musical Director Kimberley Baker – Choreographer

For more details about our team see our website.

the audition process

ADULT AUDITIONS (16+)

Auditions for all roles, dance team and ensemble will take place on

SUNDAY 14th APRIL from 9:30am – 6pm

at St Thomas a Becket College Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield. WF2 6EQ

5 minute walk from Sandal & Agbrigg Railway Station

All auditionees are asked to take part in a short workshop style audition, which will focus on

characterization and movement. There is no need to prepare anything for this part of the audition.

All auditionees will be issued on arrival an individual audition time for their individual singing audition. Registration will open from 9am.

The audition pieces for each role can be downloaded from our website.

Please note

You may audition for up to TWO specific roles but will be asked what is your FIRST choice.

If the audition panel decides there is a need for callbacks for specific roles, these will be held w/c 15 April 2019 in the evening.

Please complete the audition registration form on our website by no later than 5pm on Friday 12th April to indicate what you intend to audition for.

www.divaproductions.co.uk/evita

CHILDREN AUDITIONS (7 – 15 Year olds)

Auditions for the child roles / dancers aged under 16 will take place on

SUNDAY 12th May from 9:30am to 2pm at St Thomas a Becket College

Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield. WF2 6EQ

All auditionees are asked to take part in a short workshop style audition, which will focus on characterization and movement. There is no need to prepare anything for this part of the audition.

All auditionees will be issued on arrival an individual audition time for their individual singing

audition. Registration will open from 9am.

Children should prepare their own choice of Musical Theatre Song, that will best showcase their voice and range.

Children for the children’s ensemble must be aged between 7 and 14. Children auditioning for the dance team must be aged 14 and over.

Please note

The audition panel may decide to send some children home after certain stages of the workshop.

Please complete the audition registration form on our website by no later than 5pm on

Friday 12th April to indicate what you intend to audition for.

www.divaproductions.co.uk/evita

workshop tips

There is no need to prepare anything for the workshops as such, but here are some pointers to, hopefully, put your mind at rest...

ü This is strong ensemble show: We need to see you can work well with others ü You may be asked to work individually, in pairs or groups during the audition ü You will be required to attempt some choreography. ü Don’t take yourself too seriously – the workshops will be designed to be fun and

enjoyable – so relax and go for it! ü You may like to bring water, comfortable clothes and a sense of humour!

production information Rehearsals For those successful in being cast we will start rehearsals on Monday 13th May 2019. Rehearsals will take place at St Thomas a Becket College on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:30pm. We will also introduce Sunday evenings in July (6pm – 8pm) For your convenience, we will issue a full rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. We ask that should you be offered a part within the company of Evita that you make this production your first priority. We ask that you do not audition or accept roles in productions that rehearse around the same time. Whilst we appreciate that there will be occasions you may not be available for rehearsals, it is not accepted by the creative team that you miss rehearsals for any other shows, unless these are agreed in advance at the time of audition. Therefore please make any current commitments known to the panel at the time of audition. Fees There will be a one-off show fee of £100 for this production. (£20 due at the first rehearsal and balance payable in four further installments of £20 in June, July, August and September) We do not charge additional subs, membership fees or any other levy’s in addition to the show fee. Copies of the Libretto/Vocal Book will be provided with a refundable deposit of £25 or can be made available electronically. Performance week The Performances will take place at The Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds from Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th October 2019 (including at Saturday Matinee.) The week of the show we will also require cast and crew on: Sunday 29th September All day call – Get In / Technical rehearsal Monday 30th September 5:30pm call for Technical Rehearsal Tuesday 1st October 5:30pm call for Dress Rehearsal. You must be available for all of these dates / times as well as the evenings of Sunday 22nd, Monday 23rd, Wednesday 25th and Friday 27h September 2019. If you cannot do any of these dates you should NOT apply.

character analysis

Please note ages indicated are stage “playing” ages rather than actual age of performer. All roles will be played with an English accent unless otherwise specified.

Principal Roles

EVA PERON: (Mezzo-Soprano, 21 – 40) A beautiful, ambitious and power-seeking woman, who rises to become the spiritual leader of Argentina by the age of 26. She is also a woman of few options, who uses her sexuality to build power. Must be a strong actress, singer and dancer who can convincingly play Eva from ages 15 to 33 within the production. Must be able to convey Evita’s strength, power and charisma as well as her vulnerability. Must have strong vocal ability and stamina with ability to belt. CHE: (Tenor, 21 - 40) Dashing, impulsive, jealous, and manipulative. Che is a political activist and the narrator of the show, a radical who isn’t reluctant to ask tough questions and demand answers. Must be a strong actor who can move well. Must have a strong rock tenor voice. JUAN PERON: (Baritone, 30 - 55) An officer in the Argentinean army who rises to become the Argentine President. He is a man who is dignified, charming, and authoritative. Must be a strong actor / singer with excellent stage presence and be able to move well. Featured Roles AGUSTIN MAGALDI: (Tenor, 25 – 40) A tango singer with whom Eva has her first love affair. A charming loser – never quite made it. Must be a strong character actor with strong singing voice. Must have excellent stage presence. He will also appear in the ensemble. PERON’S MISTRESS: (Mezzo-Soprano, 18 - 30) A very beautiful, fragile, vulnerable, innocent young teenage Mistress. She is “dismissed” out of Peron’s life by his future wife, Eva. The Mistress ponders the rejection during her song, “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.” Must be a strong singer and actress. She will also appear in the ensemble. Ensemble ADULT ENSEMBLE (16+): We are seeking a broad range of males and females with excellent singing voices in all ranges to play everything from Generals to Peasants. A fully featured, versatile ensemble that helps define this world. Must be able to sing to a high standard and move well. DANCE ENSEMBLE (14+): Men and women who are strong dancers to play soldiers, tango dancers, and the dance chorus. CHILDRENS ENSEMBLE (Boys and Girls ages 7-14): Must be able to sing and hold harmonies, act and move moderately well. These young actors will be featured as well as appearing in the adult ensemble at times.

audition pieces

A copy of all audition materials, including backing tracks is available to download from our website.

CHARACTER SINGING Eva Peron Don’t Cry For Me Argentina

Buenos Aires You Must Love Me (It is possible we may not ask you to sing all three)

Che Oh What a Circus High Flying Adored

Juan Peron She’s a Diamond Agustin Magaldi On This Night Of A Thousand Stars Peron’s Mistress Another Suitcase In Another Hall All other roles / Ensemble / Dancers / Children

Your choice of Musical Theatre song

Please note As this is a sung-through show there is no separate acting audition. Please make sure therefore your audition focuses on acting through song. Backing tracks can be downloaded to help with your preparation for the audition. You may use these in the audition or if you prefer there will be a piano accompanist who will play live. Please use the 2006 London Cast recording as a guide when preparing if necessary. If selecting your own choice of song please ensure it is a musical theatre piece that will best showcase your voice and range. You can either forward a backing track to us before the audition or bring your own device and connect to our audio playback through an aux cable (headphone/mini-jack).

what to do next – your five stage plan!

1 2 3 4 5

Good luck!

DownloadtheauditionmaterialsfromourwebsiteTherearesingingauditionpiecesforeachcharacter–sheetmusicandbackingtracksareprovided.Goto:http://www.divaproductions.co.uk/evita

RegisterforyourauditionOnceyouhavedecidedwhichpartsyouwanttoauditionforgotoourwebsiteandclickontheREGISTERNOWtab–fillintheonlineformandsubmit!Easy!Rememberyoucanauditionforamaximumoftwocharacters.Registration closes 5pm on Friday 12/04/19

PrepareforyourauditionUsingthematerialsdownloadedinsteponegetpracticingyourstunningactingandawesomesingingreadytoblowusawayattheaudition.Ifyouhaveafreechoiceofsong–pickagoodonethatshowsoffyourrange.TakePartInTheAuditionAdults(16+)shouldarriveatStThomasaBecketonSunday14thAprilfrom9amfora9:30amstart.Remembermainauditionslotsaregivenoutonafirst-come-firstservedbasissobepreparedtowaitforyourslot.Children(7–15yearolds)shouldarriveatStThomasaBecketonSunday12thMayfrom9amandbepreparedtostayuntil2pm.

Keepyourfingerscrossed!Afterthatit’sthewaitinggame...sorryaboutthat...weknowitstheworstpartoftheprocesssowewillletpeopleknowiftheyhavebeensuccessfulassoonaswecan.

Further information can be found on our website

www.divaproductions.co.uk

For all other enquiries contact us by email: theatre@divaproductions.co.uk

Or Phone: 07701 064673

@divatheatreuk