THE LION KING to Hold Nationwide Open Calls for Broadway and Touring Companies, Beg. Feb 2013

Disney Theatrical Productions will be hosting open auditions, seeking possible future replacements for the Broadway and Touring companies of The Lion King. Auditions for the adult roles of Simba and Nala will be held in Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Auditions for the roles of Young Simba and Young Nala will take place in New York City at the Apollo Theater.

These open calls are for anyone, regardless of experience, who would like the opportunity to audition to be part of these stage productions. Professional and non-professional actors of all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For the first time in the history of The Lion King, online submissions will also be accepted. See details below.

The search will be overseen by Mark Brandon, Casting Director for Disney's The Lion King.

ADULT AUDITION DETAILS
Currently seeKing Strong male and female singers to play the leading roles of the African lions, Simba and Nala, who are in their late teens to early 30's. Must be attractive with sex appeal and charm. Must also be in excellent physical condition and dance and/or move very well. Simba candidates should have a strong high A and Nala candidates must have an excellent pop/belt to an E. We strongly encourage singers of all cultural backgrounds.

Please prepare one brief standard classic R&B song (ex: Stevie Wonder or Whitney Houston) that shows off voice and range. Please do not sing material from The Lion King. No standard Broadway theater music. Please bring sheet music. Pianist provided. Bring a picture/resume, stapled together.

ORLANDO
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Columbus Center, 4625 Middlebrook Road, Orlando, FL 32811

9:30AM - Sign-in begins
10:00AM - Auditions begin
11:00AM - Sign-in ends

ATLANTA
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Studio Dionne, 524 Plasters Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30324

12:30PM - Sign-in begins
1:00PM - Auditions begin
2:00PM - Sign-in ends

CHICAGO
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Ballet Chicago, 17 North State Street, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

9:30AM - Sign-in begins
10:00AM - Auditions begin
11:00AM - Sign-in ends

LOS ANGELES
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Screenland Studios, 10501 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601

9:30AM - Sign-in begins
10:00AM - Auditions begin
11:00AM - Sign-in ends

You may also send a headshot/resume and contact info ASAP to:
Binder Casting, Attn: The Lion King Simba/Nala
321 West 44th Street, Suite 606, New York, NY 10036

CHILDREN'S AUDITIONS DETAILS
Currently seeking children ages 9-12, between 52"- 58" in height, who can sing, dance and act to play the African lion cubs Simba and Nala. We encourage children of all backgrounds to attend. No performance experience necessary.

NEW YORK
Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027

9:00AM - Sign-in begins
10:00AM - Auditions begin
11:00AM - Sign-in ends

Please be prepared to be taught the last verse of "Just Can't Wait to be King." All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must remain at the audition site at all times. Please be prepared to wait.

You may also send a headshot/resume and contact info ASAP to:
Binder Casting, Attn: The Lion King Kids
321 West 44th Street, Suite 606, New York, NY 10036

ONLINE AUDITION SUBMISSIONS
If you are unable to attend an open call audition but would like to be considered, please send an email to lionkingcasting@gmail.com with the following information:

· A photo and resume

· Your current email address and phone number

· Your current physical address

· A YouTube link* containing ONE of the following:

o Adult Simba (male singers) candidates: download sheet music and audio file and record your rendition of "Endless Night."

o Adult Nala (female singers) candidates: download sheet music and audio file, and record your rendition of "Shadowland."

o Young Simba and Nala candidates: listen to the audition intro, download the sheet music and learn the melody of "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" by listening to the corresponding music file, then download the accompaniment music file and record your rendition of "I Just Can't Wait To Be King"

*Record your video audition. Upload to YouTube. Choose to make it public or private. Copy/paste the link.

Sheet music and audio files, as well as all of the details here, can be found by visiting lionking.com/casting.

As it enters its 16th year, The Lion King remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 20 global productions have been seen by more than 66 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the fifth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London's West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg and Madrid.

The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit online, LionKing.com.