Auditions for the Des Moines Community Playhouse's 100th season opener, Billy Elliot the Musical,” will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. Due to construction at the theatre, auditions will be held at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School,
3650 Woodland Ave., West Des Moines. All auditions are open to the public; no one is pre-cast. Those auditioning must bring a prepared solo; an accompanist will be provided as well as the ability to play a track from an iPhone or similar device. Questions about auditions should be directed to Robin Spahr, 515-974-5365.
“Billy Elliot the Musical” contains speaking roles for 2 men, 2 women, 2 boys ages 10-13, 1 girl age 9-12, and an ensemble of men, women, boys and girls, ages 8 and up. Performances are Oct. 5-28, 2018, at the newly renovated Des Moines Community Playhouse. Where race, ethnicity, gender, age, or other personal differentiations are not specified by the script, the Playhouse casts plays without regard to these attributes, and actively encourages participation by all members of the community. “Billy Elliot the Musical” is directed by John Viars with music direction by Brenton Brown and choreography by Megan Helmers.
To help dancers prepare for auditions, Helmers will conduct one free workshop at Valley High School in their Drama Room. The workshop is not mandatory but will give those auditioning an opportunity to learn some of the choreography from the show. The dance workshop will be held 2:00-4:00 PM, Sunday, July 8. Helmers will teach a short dance combination that will be used in the July 15 audition. Actors will have an opportunity to ask questions about auditions. Participation in the workshops does not guarantee a role but will acquaint actors with the show and the musical audition procedure used at the Playhouse.
Set in a northern English mining town, against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike, “Billy Elliot the Musical” is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Billy’s journey starts when he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class. There he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and community and changes his life forever.
The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. The theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.
For up-to-date audition information and general guidelines, visit the Playhouse website at
dmplayhouse.com or contact the Playhouse at 515-974-5365.
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