MAURER PRODUCTIONS ONSTAGE IN COLLABORATION WITH KELSEY THEATRE
TO HOLD OPEN AUDITIONS FOR SHREK THE MUSICAL JAN 23-26, 2014
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IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a non-equity, all volunteer, community theater production. Actors are *not* financially compensated. Rehearsals and performances are held on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ. Please consider this before making a decision to audition.
A packet explaining the audition process and requirements is available at...
http://www.mponstage.com/registration/images/stories/mponstage/Shrek_Audition_Packet_Final_MPO.pdf
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AUDITION NOTICE:
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Shrek the Musical
Presented by Maurer Productions OnStage & Kelsey Theatre
Performed at The Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ
Producers: John Maurer*, Diana Gilman Maurer*, Dan Maurer*
Director: Laurie Gougher*
Music Director: Peter de Mets*
Choreographer: Stephanie Venanzi
Stage Manager: Beverly Kuo-Hamilton*
Costume Design: Kathy Slothower*
Lighting Design: Kitty Getlik*
Props: Elizabeth Blazejewski*, Dottie Farina*, Rosie Karlin
(* NJACT Perry Award Nominee or Winner)
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AUDITION DATES:
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Auditions will be on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. (See address above.)
+ Youth Auditions (Ages 8-12): Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 6pm to 9pm
(NOTE: All youth appointments are now full. Youth actors may put their name on a waiting list by sending their request to audition@mponstage.com)
+ Adult Auditions (Age 13+): Saturday, January 25, 2014 - 9am to 6pm
+ Adult Auditions (Age 13+): Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 12pm to 7pm
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FOR APPOINTMENT:
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Auditions are open to all, but we ask that you make an appointment
online at http://www.mponstage.com/registration
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PERFORMANCES:
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All performances will be held at Kelsey Theatre. The show will run for 8 public performances over 2 weekends, plus one private school performance the Friday morning of the second weekend. The performance dates are as follows:
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 8PM
Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 2PM and 8PM
Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 2PM
Friday, June 6, 2014 at 8PM
Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 2PM and 8PM
Sunday, June 8 at 2PM
Special School Performance on Friday, June 6 at 10AM
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ABOUT MAURER PRODUCTIONS ONSTAGE:
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Over the past nine years, MPO has staged 26 productions at Kelsey Theatre which have been honored with 60 NJACT Perry Award nominations and 12 wins in various technical and performing categories. The company's most recent musicals include Monty Python's Spamalot, Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA.
This main stage production will be directed by Laurie Gougher, director of Pennington Player’s productions of Seussical the Musical and 13 the Musical. She recently received a Kelsey Award for her music direction of Pinnworth Productions’ The Pirates of Penzance and a Perry Award nomination for her music direction of MPO’s Avenue Q.
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ABOUT THE SHOW:
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Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, this live stage version of Shrek was nominated for eight Tony Awards including best score and best book for a musical when it originally opened on Broadway in 2008. It is set in a faraway kingdom turned upside down, where an unseemly ogre — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek. Full of all-new songs, great dancing, great scenery, and even a giant dragon, Shrek the Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and irreverent fun for everyone!
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ACTORS/DANCERS NEEDED: ALL ROLES ARE OPEN
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NOTE: This show calls for a large cast of fairytale characters. Doubling assignments will be determined by the available talent at auditions. We will be casting a group of 6 featured dancers who may or may not also play featured roles in the ensemble. NOTE: The actor cast in this role will be required to wear
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Shrek (Male, Age 25-45, Vocal Range: A2 - G#4)
A big, green, terrifying ogre who lives alone on a swamp. He embarks on a journey to rid his land of fairytale creatures and, along the way, falls in love with Fiona. Begins as a grumpy hermit, but reveals his layers and eventually becomes the hero.
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Donkey (Male, Age 20-35, Vocal Range: C3 - B4)
A talking donkey who joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad's guards. Quite the chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek's looks and practically forces himself into his good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, but also an optimistic with heart.
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Lord Farquaad (Male, Age 25-40, Vocal Range B2 - D5)
The comically short, ruthless ruler of Duloc. He is in search of a princes to marry so that he can become king. Has an intensely unfair bias against fairytale creatures that stems from a resentment of his father. Self-absorbed, lonely, and cruel. NOTE: The actor playing this role will execute all blocking and choreography on his knees.
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Pinocchio (Male, Age 20-40, Vocal Range E3 - F#4)
The leader of the fairytale creatures. He is an animated puppet whose nose grows every time he lies. Plenty of sass with a penchant for lying. NOTE: There is a very specific character voice associated with this role.
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Fiona (Female, Age 20-30, Vocal Range F3 - G6)
The beautiful princess of Far Far Away, she transforms into an ogre every night when the sun sets. Rescued by Shrek and eventually falls in love with him. Quirky, blunt, and multi-talented, she is not an ordinary princess. NOTE: This role requires strong singing and dancing, including tap.
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Dragon (Female, Age 25-45, Vocal Range F3 - Eb5)
A dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle. She eventually falls in love with Donkey and attempts to keep him there forever. Imposing and flirtatious, but tired of her job as the glorified baby-sitter. NOTE: This role is sung offstage as the dragon will be a 24 foot puppet. In this version of the show, the Dragon sings “Forever”, not “Donkey Pot Pie”. This song calls for strong vocal chops and a very high belt. The Dragon singer will most likely double for other female roles in the show.
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Gingy (Female, Age 15-40, Vocal Range B3 - C#5)
A gingerbread man initially kidnapped by Lord Farquaad. His wit and resolution help him both avoid trouble and inspire the rest of the fairytale creatures. Gingy is a puppet that Will be operated by the actress appearing as the Sugar Plum Fairy. NOTE: This role calls for a very specific character voice and high soprano range.
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Adult Ensemble/Secondary Roles (Male/Female, Ages 13+)
The ensemble will play the remainder of the roles in the story, including Mama and Papa Ogre, King Harold, Queen Lillian, Teenage Fiona, Big Bad Wolf, Three Little Pigs, White Rabbit, Fairy Godmother, Peter Pan, Wicked Witch, Mama and Papa Bears, Mad Hatter, Elf, Three Blind Mice, Angry Mob, Guards, Knights, Pied Piper, Thelonius, Bishop and other assorted creatures and citizens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All adult secondary roles have dialogue and solo singing. The ensemble players in this show will be onstage almost constantly and are an integral part of the cast.
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Child Ensemble/Secondary Roles (Male/Female, Ages 8-12)
4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) will share the roles of Young Fiona (a featured soloist), Young Shrek, Ugly Duckling, Baby Bear, Dwarf and other assorted creatures and citizens.
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6 Featured Dancers (Male/Female, Ages 13+)
The dance corp will perform various styles including light chorus, tap, jazz, and hip hop. Some partnering will be involved. NOTE: Featured Dancers may also be members of the Adult Ensemble.
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HOW TO AUDITION:
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In order to book an audition appointment, you must register online with our CastMe system by visiting http://www.mponstage.com/registration and following the instructions. Once you have created an account on the CastMe system, you must upload your resume and headshot, as well as any additional information you feel would be appropriate and helpful in the casting process. A series of online video tutorials are available to help you with the registration process.
Be sure to download the Audition Packet from our website and read it thoroughly.
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QUESTIONS:
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Please download and read the audition packet first. Then, if you have questions, please call Maurer Productions OnStage at 609-882-2292 or send email to auditions@mponstage.com
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