Auditions for Mary Poppins JR
We are thrilled about this awesome opportunity for the kids of Marshall to explore theater locally, and our next show is sure to be amazing! Come join us! You will have a great time working together, learning about theater, and making friends and memories that last a lifetime.
All of London is shouting from the rooftops about this exciting stage adaptation of the classic tales of Mary Poppins. Join the Banks family as they encounter adventure after fun-filled adventure with their curious new nanny, Mary Poppins. Adapted especially for young performers, this musical includes favorite Sherman brothers songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” as well as wonderful new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. With colorful characters and an irresistible score, Mary Poppins JR. is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for all ages!
PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR AUDITIONING.
Mary Poppins JR cast members should be kids between 6 and 18 years old. Most roles require singing and dancing, although there are some non-singing and non-dancing roles. Whether it will be fun for them or not will depend on how much work they are willing to put into it. If you have more than 3 schedule conflicts, please contact us before auditioning to discuss whether your child will have enough rehearsals to learn their parts.
Parent Meeting and Parent Committees
A parent meeting of cast members will be held on an announced date. Please have at least one parent/guardian attend the meeting. Every production requires much preparation, so all parents are encouraged to sign up for an area in which they can assist. This is a community theater and its success relies on volunteer involvement of parents, so we need you to help your kids succeed!
Dance Crew
We are extending an invitation to any kids who would like to be a part of the dance crew only (without singing and acting). Please, contact us if your child would like to have a dance-only part!
Please read all the information, and follow directions for successful auditioning!
Audition Preparation:
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Prepare a script excerpt. You don’t have to have it memorized, but you need to know it well. You can choose a role you want to read from one of the provided excerpts. We will also try out other parts with other kids involved. The more roles you'll read for, the higher change you'll have at a good part.
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Prepare a song, and choose about a minute of it, it should be between 30 and 60 seconds. We suggest finding a "karaoke" version on Youtube, so we can use it during the auditions as an accompaniment for your singing. The song can be anything, but it can't be a song from Mary Poppins musical. Show us your great stage presence. Act out your song!
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If you want a dancing part, we might be asking to do a few simple moves so we can see your dancing skills!
If you are unable attend the auditions and would like to do a video recording for auditions, contact our stage manager Alfy ASAP at (936) 332-9864.
Steps for the Audition Process:
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Auditions will be held on two days: Friday Dec 8th 5-8pm and Saturday Dec 9th 2-5pm at Marshall Fine Arts Academy (401 S Washington Ave, Marshall, TX).
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Callbacks will be on Monday Dec 11th 6-8pm at Marshall Fine Arts Academy.
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There are multiple time slots to choose from, so pick the one that works for you.
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Sign up for one audition time slot through SignUp Genius - click here! Can't come? Let us know, and we'll figure something out together. All the slots are filled? Let us know and we'll add slots just so you can join!
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Compare your calendar with the rehearsal and performance schedule. List any sure or potential conflicts on your audition application.
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Kids will be auditioning alone for the singing part, and then together with other kids reading excerpts from the script. The parents are welcome to wait in the foyer or drop them off and pick them up in an hour.
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If you don't have any theater experience, and don't know what to prepare for the auditions, just come as you are, and we'll read from the script together. However, you have a much better chance of being cast for a role if you come prepared, so read the “Audition Preparation” section carefully.
Audition Process:
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Complete all the paperwork and have your picture taken by one of our volunteers.
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Wait quietly in the foyer until your name is called. This is a good time to practice and prepare.
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When you hear your name, enter the audition room.
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Give your application to the audition panel and introduce yourself - give your full name and age.
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Take a breath, plant your feet, and sing your prepared song.
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Thank the audition panel for their time and return to the foyer to wait for your script reading audition.
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Return to the audition room and read from the script with others.
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You did it! Now you wait for the cast announcement and then rehearsals begin!
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will be held on Mondays from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and Fridays from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. There will be rehearsals where we don’t need everyone when working on different scenes, but we will let you know about them ahead of time.
The week of the production we will have tech rehearsal every day (Monday – Thursday) leading up to the show dates (Friday & Saturday). Every cast member should plan on being there every day.
Parents! Make sure your kids come to rehearsals prepared, well fed, and dressed appropriately and comfortably (tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes; no heels or sandals).
Work at home:
All cast members are required to work on their lines, songs and dances at home. We will provide all the materials needed, but parents are required to help their children work on their parts and come to the rehearsals prepared. Songs and lines need to be memorized by the due date on the calendar.
Costumes:
Some parts of the costumes will be provided for all cast members, however, there will be some items that will need to be supplied by the students such as shoes, accessories, undergarments, stage make-up items, etc.
Fees:
There are no cast fees for the season, but parents are required to secure a set amount in sponsorships. If you prefer, you can cover this amount yourself. If a family cannot secure sponsorships or pay the fee, they are expected to join the fundraising team to help find sponsors.
Parent Involvement:
A parent of cast members meeting will be held on the date in the calendar. Please have at least one parent/guardian attend the meeting. Every production requires much preparation, so all parents are required to sign up for an area in which they can assist. This is a community theater and its success relies on volunteer involvement of the community and the parents.