16 July 2016 Hornsby RSL Club - Sydney Youth Musical Theatre

AUDITION BRIEF
Performances: 8 - 16 July 2016
Hornsby RSL Club
SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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-GoldwynMayer 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
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Sunday, 7 February 2016
7-10pm
12-5pm
10-2pm
Call backs:*
Sunday, 7 February 2016
3-5pm
Group Dance Auditions:
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Saturday, 6 February 2016
3-4pm
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 legallyblonde@symt.org.au.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
Production Managers:
Director:
Musical Director:
Choreographer:
Assistant Director:
Assistant to Choreographer/Dance Captain:
Chrissy Strickland and Craig Pinkerton
Kaleigh Wilkie-Smith
Andrew Bartle
Kathryn Harradine
Jon Emmett
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
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Sunday, 7 February 2016
7-10pm
12-5pm
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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
Saturday, 6 February 2016
3-4pm (Born between January and June)
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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 2
20-Feb-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 3
27-Feb-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 4
05-Mar-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 5
12-Mar-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 6
19-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 9
09-Apr-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 10
16-Apr-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 11
23-Apr-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 12
30-Apr-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 13
07-May-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 14
14-May-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 15
21-May-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 16
28-May-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 17
04-Jun-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 18
11-Jun-16
Rehearsal
1pm-5pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 19
18-Jun-16
Rehearsal
12pm-6pm
WPH Scout Hall
Week 20
25-Jun-16
Rehearsal
12pm-6pm
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
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Week
Date
Audition Brief
Event
Time
Venue
Wednesday 06-Jul-16
Dress Rehearsal
6pm-10:30pm
Hornsby RSL
Thursday
07-Jul-16
NIGHT OFF
Friday
08-Jul-16
Performance #1
(7:30pm)
5.30pm call
Hornsby RSL
Saturday
09-Jul-16
Performance #2
(7:30pm)
5.30pm call
Hornsby RSL
Sunday
10-Jul-16
Performance #3 (2pm) 5.30pm call
Hornsby RSL
Thursday
14-Jul-16
Performance #4
(7:30pm)
5.30pm call
Hornsby RSL
Friday
15-Jul-16
Performance #5
(7:30pm)
5.30pm call
Hornsby RSL
Saturday
16-Jul-16
Performance #6 (2pm) 12 noon call
Hornsby RSL
Saturday
16-Jul-16
Performance #7
(7:30pm)
Hornsby RSL
Hornsby RSL
5.30pm call
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
CHARACTERS
Character
Description
Dance Ability
Singing Ability
Elle Woods
Main protagonist.
Minimum
intermediate.
Soprano with strong
pop belt.
Strong Mover.
Mezzo-Soprano.
Intermediate.
Soprano with strong
pop belt.
Advanced, with
skipping.
Mezzo-Soprano.
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.
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).
Vivienne
Kensington
Rivals Elle for Warner’s affections.
Career driven, smart, savvy, and uptight
law student.
Brooke
Wyndham
Delta Nu Alumni. Business woman and
exercise video star.
Energetic, commanding, but charismatic.
Pilar, Margot
and Serena
Elle’s Delta Nu Sorority Sisters and closest
friends.
Excitable, energetic and sassy. Must be
very strong character actors.
Enid
Staunch feminist lesbian studying law at
Harvard.
Advanced
Alto/Soprano.
(Minimum five year’s
dance experience
preferred).
Beginner/
Intermediate
Mezzo-Soprano.
Beginner minimum.
Tenor.
Quirky, odd ball, wants to save the World.
Think Julia Stiles, Lena Dunham, Zoe
Deschanel, Mindy Kaling.
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
Character
Description
Dance Ability
Singing Ability
Warner
Huntington III
Elle’s boyfriend.
Beginner minimum.
Tenor.
Handsome, over-confident, cocky
individual from a privileged family
background.
A little boy who hasn’t really grown up.
Professor
Callahan
A highly successful lawyer and professor at Beginner minimum.
Harvard.
Baritone.
Intimidating, manipulative, suave, well
presented.
Must be able to command the room.
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.
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Beginner to
Advanced.
All.
SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
FEMALE SIDES
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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!
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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!
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
MALE SIDES
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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 breakup.
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.
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SYMT Legally Blonde 2016
Audition Brief
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.
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