Kellett Senior School Presents Our Production of `The Wiz`

Kellett Senior School
Presents Our Production of
‘The Wiz’
Performance Dates
2/3 & 4 December 2015
Dear Parents and Students,
We are proud to announce the auditions for our next Senior production of the hit musical, The Wiz.
‘A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock,
gospel, and soul music. This timeless tale of Dorothy's adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly,
modern musical’ Samuel French
Auditions will be held in two rounds:
First Round – Friday 29 May, after school
Call backs- Week beginning 1 June, after school (day to be advised)
Clarification
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Auditions are open to all current Y7 – 12 students
We are expecting cast members to be exemplary students. They must be up to date with their school work and
have favourable ATL’s. Staff will be asked to comment on the proposed casting
Current and previous commitment to the Arts will be taken into consideration
Actors need to commit to two rehearsal sessions after school each week and occasional ‘Pizza Rehearsals’ for
extended times after school and some Saturdays – students must be prepared to make these rehearsals the
priority over other commitments
As with all auditions, not all students will be selected – please talk this through with your child before signing up
for audition process. Depending on the results of the first round of auditions, students may be selected for call
backs- not every student will make it through to the second stage.
Performance dates are 2, 3 and 4 December.
Audition Panel
Kate Rossiter - Senior Music Curriculum Leader
Tim Hall- Senior Drama Curriculum Leader
Andrew Fordham- Senior Music Teacher
Bindya Chauhan- Senior Drama Teacher
An independent specialist will be present for the call back round.
Preparing for the Audition
Please complete the below expression of interest, and bring to the first round auditions on Friday
29 May, in room 2210.
The first round of auditions will require students to prepare a short singing extract and a short monologue,
detailed below. Students should take time to prepare themselves and seek appropriate help and advice (both
inside and outside of school) as they require. We will always be on hand to help with advice and preparation
leading up to the audition. In addition there will be one optional lunchtime ‘workshop’ to assist with
preparation.
Should your child be successful in going through to the call back stage, they will be provided with a longer
singing extract and monologue.
1.
ACTING AUDITION: Prepare the short monologue below, and perform from memory.
We will be looking for:
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A confident and well projected speaking voice
Someone who can speak clearly with appropraite emotions, physical expression and character
Clear evidence of preparing for the audition
Context: This speech is towards the end of the musical. The ‘Wiz’ is speaking to the citizens of Oz about leaving and he is
encouraging them to fell positive about their lives and about their future. He flies off with Dorothy shortly after this
speech.
WIZ: My fellow Ozians. No...uh uh. Just let me say...my friends. On this memorable day when friends must part,
remember to every thang...there is a season. And remember there is a time to keep...and a time to cast away. Time when
we must stop...holding on to the things that make us feel safe! We have got to know in our hearts that the things that we
hold up as sacred are sometimes holding us d-d-d-down!! Down!! When you know you oughta be up!
2.
SINGING AUDITION: Prepare the first 8 bars of ‘Ease on Down the Road’ below, and perform from memory.
Students will be expected to sing with a backing track see here (up until 0.25 secs):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzzBljkgEyE (demonstration)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcm7MzJ_7VM . (backing track)
We will be looking for:
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Secure pitching and a confident, well projected voice
Clear evidence of preparing for the audition
The Wiz Band
There will be opportunities for students of an appropriate standard to be involved in the band, dependant on
instrumentation and available parts. Further details will follow.
The Wiz Back Stage and Technician Team
There will be opportunities for students to get involved in the back stage and technical team. Further details will follow.
The Wiz Set Design Team, Make Up Team and Wardrobe
There will be opportunities for students to get involved in the above areas. Further details will follow.
Other Opportunities
As these arise, students will be notified internally
Costs Involved
Each student may need to purchase an original script and score from the school. Estimated cost for this is around $400
per student. There will also be an ECA charge, to be advised. There may be some expectations for costuming depending
on the roles allocated
Extended Rehearsal Dates - ‘Pizza Rehearsals’
We will give a more detailed list of extended and Saturday Rehearsals (Pizza Rehearsals) to students offered places, by the
end of this academic year.
Best wishes
Tim Hall (Senior Drama Curriculum Leader)
Kate Rossiter (Senior Music Curriculum Leader)
Audition Form
The Wiz
Reminder
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Auditions are open to all current Y7 – 12 students
We are expecting cast members to be exemplary students. They must be up to date with their school work and
have favourable ATL’s. Staff will be asked to comment on the proposed casting
Current and previous commitment to the Arts will be taken into consideration
Students should only audition if they are to be at Kellett Secondary School from August 2015
Actors need to commit to two rehearsal sessions after school each week and occasional ‘Pizza Rehearsals’ for
extended times after school and some Saturdays – students must be prepared to make these rehearsals the
priority over other commitments
As with all auditions, not all students will be selected – please talk this through with your child before signing
up for audition process
Please fill in the details below:
Student Name:
Tutor Group:
Parents please type or sign your name and date in the box below to acknowledge the contents and conditions of the
audition document.
Parent Name:
Date:
Optional: Please indicate any supporting information about the audition application here. This may include
past/current experiences and reasons to be involved in the production which you would like us know about.
Please bring this form with you to the first round audition on
Friday 29 May, Room 2210