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Welcome to the audition process for Franklin Civic Operetta Association’s production of CHICAGO at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. FCOA and the Barrow are excited about presenting this ground-breaking production to our community and equally excited you are auditioning.

This packet is designed to make the audition process as streamlined as possible for you, the actor. In this packet you will find loads of information on the show, characters, audition process, and more. Any sheet which is marked at the top TURN IN AT AUDITION needs to be filled out and turned in to the table at the auditions. SYNOPSIS: In roaring twenties Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband Amos to take the rap...until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess" Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune and acquittal. This sharp edged satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse and was the winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

SHOW/AUDITION INFORMATION

Show Dates: Sept 26, 27, 28 and Oct 2, 3, 4

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, July 26, 2:00pm Sunday, July 27, 6:00pm Monday, July 28, 6:00pm

Note: You do NOT need to be there promptly at the starting time in order to audition PRODUCTION STAFF:

SINGING: Prepare 32 bars of a song of your choice. With the exception of Mary Sunshine's "Little Bit of Good," there is very little pretty, legit singing in this show. It's heavy on the belting and on the twenties style of pop singing, so choosing something in that vein would be helpful. I'm okay with hearing songs from this show in audition. Accompanist will be provided (pro tip: it's almost never a good idea to audition a capella). DANCING: We'll be looking not just for dancing ability, but trying to assess level of ability and how well you can pick stuff up. You'll be taught a sequence at the audition, and we'll look at dancers in groups. Just relax and give it your best shot. READING: We will do some cold reads on the spot. If you definitely just want to sing and/or dance without every opening your mouth, we won't make you read anything. There will be a copy or two of the script in the waiting area so that you can look over things ahead of time if you wish. All auditions will take place at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, Little Theatre, 1223 Liberty Street, Franklin PA, 16323. Please use the side-door in the alley.

Stage & Music Director: Peter Greene Choreographer: Kelly Zerbe Head Costumer: Brigid Kennedy Producers: Jenn Fox & Davin Cutchall

AUDITION PACKET FOR CHICAGO AT THE BARROW-CIVIC THEATRE

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CASTING REQUIREMENTS MAJOR ROLES: VELMA KELLY: Former vaudeville star, brassy, tough, convicted killer Songs: All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do It Alone, My Own Best Friend, I Know a Girl, When Velma Takes the Stand, Class, Nowadays ROXIE HART: Ambitious, tough, not as smart as she thinks she is Songs: Funny Honey, Roxie, My Own Best Friends, Me and My Baby, Nowadays BILLY FLYNN: Smooth, polished, successful, amoral lawyer Songs: All I Care About Is Love, We Both Reached for the Gun, Razzle Dazzle MATRON MAMA MORTON: Runs the prison, an opportunist (no dancing) Songs: When You're Good To Mama, Class MARY SUNSHINE: Feel-good, sob story journalist (she will be a she in our production) Songs: A Little Bit of Good, We Both Reached for the Gun AMOS HART: Roxie's sad sack husband, not too bright (no dancing) Song: Mister Cellophane OTHER ROLES: FRED CASELY: The callow player that Roxie kills SERGEANT FOGARTY: Investigating officer at Fred's murder LIZ: Murderess. She killed the gum popper ANNIE: Murderess who killed the Mormon with six wives JUNE: Her husband ran into her knife six times MONA: Murderess. Had artistic differences with her man HUNYAK: The Hungarian murderess. Anybody speak Hungarian? Convicted and hanged. HARRISON: The district attorney prosecuting Roxie GO-TO-HELL KITTY: Heiress who finds her man in bed with two women HARRY: Her man. He makes poor choices, but he does get to say, "Are you gonna believe what you see or what I tell you?" ALSO: We have a doctor, a tailor, a judge, a bailiff, a court reporter, and a person who single-handedly plays all twelve members of the jury. ENSEMBLE: There is room in the chorus for people who are singers but might not have the greatest dance skills, as well as dancers who are not necessarily God's gift to singing. If you are the total package, that is most excellent. But we absolutely have space for people whose skill set is not quite so broad. We are structuring the show to incorporate actors of many levels of skill and stamina. Roxie and Velma are both de-manding roles- basically run a few miles, then belt out a song, then run another mile while belting out a song. For everyone else, requirements vary. The featured dancing ensemble will work hard, but for some folks considerably less dance will be required, and there are some roles that only require you to be able to walk and talk at the same time. In audition, you'll have the opportunity to share your comfort level. I can't remember a show where this came up before, but people have been asking so, here we go. No, we will not have a height or weight requirement for this show. Human beings come in various levels of curviness, and there's no reason for the show not to reflect that. That said, this is a show that is a lot about sex and sensuality, and if you're generally only comfortable on stage wearing a hoop skirt and a parka, there are fewer (I won't say none) opportunities for you. But I'll also say this-- I never, ever, ever send any performer out on stage to be embarrassed. I know some folks are concerned about doing a show that they associate with people dancing around barely in their underwear-- we will be tasteful and appropriate, but we will also strive to keep it hot. If you have further questions about this, don't hesitate to get a hold of me.

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AGE: There are no young person roles in this show. I'm not setting a hard and fast age limit, but you must be able to come across as an adult on stage. I will miss all my orphans and street urchins from my past few shows, but I can't send anybody out on stage who can't pass for a grown up. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: We are structuring the show to incorporate actors of many levels of skill and stamina. Roxie and Velma are both demanding roles- basically run a few miles, then belt out a song, then run anoth-er mile while belting out a song. For everyone else, requirements vary. The featured dancing ensemble will work hard, but for some folks considerably less dance will be required, and there are some roles that only require you to be able to walk and talk at the same time. In audition, you'll have the opportunity to share your comfort level. I can't remember a show where this came up before, but people have been asking so, here we go. No, we will not have a height or weight requirement for this show. Human beings come in various levels of curviness, and there's no reason for the show not to reflect that. That said, this is a show that is a lot about sex and sensuality, and if you're generally only comfortable on stage wearing a hoop skirt and a parka, there are fewer (I won't say none) opportunities for you. But I'll also say this-- I never, ever, ever send any performer out on stage to be embarrassed. I know some folks are concerned about doing a show that they associate with people dancing around barely in their underwear-- we will be tasteful and appropriate, but we will also strive to keep it hot. If you have further questions about this, don't hesitate to get a hold of me. SHOW BLOG: http://fcoachicago.blogspot.com

CASTING REQUIREMENTS

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Auditions are first-come, first served on the dates and times specified. Please feel free to fill out your forms early. 1. Youth under the age of 18 require the signature of a parent/guardian on the audition form.

2. Please turn in completed Audition forms from this packet (audition form, conflict sheet) at the time you audition.

3. Vocal auditions are done individually with the production crew. No parents will be allowed to observe the auditions.

4. Please be prepared to sing a prepared 32 measure piece from a musical theatre piece. Visit www.musicnotes.com or www.SheetMusicPlus.com for sheet music resources.

5. Please dress comfortably as you may be asked to learn a quick piece of choreography and perform it as part of a group.

6. If you are auditioning for a major character part, you may be asked to cold-read from the script.

7. Your picture will be taken as part of the audition process. This will be to facilitate casting, costume and make-up requirements for the show.

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Cast list will be announced as soon as possible-it will posted at the theatre, on our show blog at http://fcoachicago.blogspot.com, on the website at www.barrowtheatre.com and emailed to those cast who provide an email. Casting will be dependent on an audition and the actors conflict schedule. REHEARSALS

A cast meeting for all cast will be set to familiarize the cast with the script and other materials, including the rehearsal schedule, begin costume measurements, and meet the production team. Rehearsals will be scheduled for Monday through Thursdays, in the evenings (time TBA). Additional rehearsal times for dance and other needs will be decided on based on the conflict calendar and announced (possibly Sat-urdays or Sundays). As the show evolves, and we get closer to Opening Night, rehearsals will start re-quiring all actors to be present. Some rehearsals will go longer than 9pm and we ask for your under-standing as part of the creative process. We ask that all actors please bring a pencil with them to mark blocking and choreography notes in their scripts. It is expected that all cast will be on time to their schedule rehearsals. Cast will notify the director or stage manager if they will be late. HEADSHOTS/PUBLICITY

Cast in principle roles will have their headshot on display in the outer display cases (if you have not had one taken yet it will be arranged). Also, names of cast and their roles will be released as part of the show publicity and marketing.

SHOW MEMORABILIA

All cast and crew will have the opportunity to purchase memorabilia commemorating the production.

PRODUCTION CREW

Family, friends, and neighbors interested in joining the production process by assisting with preparing and making costumes, set construction and painting, distributing posters and flyers, and working on the Stage Crew for the show should speak with the producers. We are all members of a theatre family working together to create a wonderful experience for our pa-trons and actors & crew. Building a strong community theatre is one of the BCT and FCOA’s core values. Thank you for your support in advance. PLEASE FILL OUT THE AUDITION SHEET and turn in at your audition.

SEE YOU AT AUDITIONS!

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Number (Do not fill out)

AUDITION FORM—CHICAGO Name_________________________________________________________ Audition Date__________________ (Please PRINT your name as you would like it to appear in the program, newspaper, & all show publications)

Age__________ Height_____________ Male/Female (circle)

Address________________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address___________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone________________________________ Cell Phone __________________________________________

Please list here or attach separate sheet describing recent theatre and/or dance experience: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What vocal part do you usually sing?_____________________________ Vocal range?________________________ In which role(s) are you most interested? ____________________________________________________________ Will you accept any role offered to you? YES NO (Please be honest as this will help the casting process) I am available for all show dates and times. YES NO (Sept 26, 27, 28 & Oct 2, 3, 4, Thurs-Sat at 7:30 PM and Sun at 2:00 PM) This show runs two weekends! Please indicate all conflicts below, including any regular weekly conflicts or explanations (include dates and times)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you are part of the cast, do we have your permission to distribute your name and telephone number to the rest of the cast and crew as part of a contact list? YES NO

I understand that in auditioning for a part in this Franklin Civic Operetta Association (FCOA) and Barrow-Civic Theatre (BCT) pro-duction, that being cast in the production is a commitment on my part and I am prepared to participate actively in the produc-tion. I also agree that I am volunteering my time to be a part of this production; that FCOA and BCT my use my image and name for publicity purposes; and I will not hold FCOA and BCT liable for injury or accident while participating in this production. ______________________________________ _______________________________________ ______________ Signature Printed Name Date

PARENT SECTION IF AUDITIONER IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE _____________________________(child’s name) has my permission to participate in this FCOA/BCT production. This permission includes all rehearsal and performances. I will be responsible for picking him/her up from the theatre, or making sure he/she has a ride home, within 15 minutes of the end of each rehearsal and performance. I will telephone, 24 hours in advance, if he/she cannot attend a scheduled rehearsal for reasons other than scheduled conflicts.

______________________________________ __________________________________ ___________________ Parent Signature Printed Name Best Contact Phone

THANK YOU FOR AUDITIONING!

**TURN IN AT AUDITION**