THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - Opera Australia Non Equity Auditions

Opera Australia is calling for Australia’s finest vocalists, actors and dancers to audition for its brand new production of The Phantom of the Opera, which will take place on the iconic overwater, outdoor stage at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in 2022.

Auditions for principal and ensemble roles will be held virtually at first and then in-person in Sydney in late November 2021. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to perform in one of the most renowned musicals of all time, featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable score, timeless story and the iconic masked character, in Australia’s first outdoor production of the musical.

The Phantom of the Opera premiered on the West End in 1986 and remains Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most successful musical, now seen by more than 140 million people worldwide.

In 2022, The Phantom of the Opera will continue the tradition of the fabulous spectacles that have graced Mrs Macquaries Point since Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour opened in 2012, with world-class performances including the greatest local and international singers, musicians, dancers and creative teams.

Applicants will audition for one of Australia’s most in-demand theatrical directors Simon Phillips, Phantom musical director for three decades running, Guy Simpson, and choreographer Simone Sault who performed the role of Meg Giry in Phantom’s 1998 Australasian Tour. Together the three will lead a creative dream team that delivers a whole new level of spectacle to the musical’s defining moments.

This production of The Phantom of the Opera is by special arrangement with the Really Useful Group. Audition submissions will be accepted via webform only - and should include a current biography (PDF) and headshot and link to a video.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2022 Submissions

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT MONDAY OCTOBER 18, 2021

For more information on Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, The Phantom of the Opera please visit https://opera.org.au/productions/the-phantom-of-the-opera-on-sydney-harbour
Please see The Phantom of the Opera on the Harbour casting brief attached.

AUDITION INFORMATION AND CASTING BRIEF

SEASON DATES
Performers must be aged 18 or over by the commencement of rehearsals, and must be available for the

following dates:
Rehearsals commence (on or about – Sydney): 21 February 2022 Stage rehearsals commence: on or about 15 March 2022 Performance season: on or about 25 March – 24 April 2022

Cast members must be available for the entire period. Cast members may be required to be local to Sydney for the rehearsal and performance period.

Please find following a casting brief detailing the roles for the production - please note the specific requirements for each role and submit accordingly.

All ethnicities are encouraged to submit for an audition.

Audition Information

• First and second round auditions will be done via video submission. Instructions on first round submissions below.

• If you have previously auditioned for an Opera Australia production, we encourage you to submit a different piece. Please see notes on music choice below.

  FIRST ROUND AUDITIONS

• Vocal Auditions: Please note the specific vocal range required for each role and submit a piece of non-show material of your own choosing. We ask that you really consider your music choice – please select music that will show the creative team that you are perfect for the world of Phantom of the Opera, i.e “legit” classical or traditional musical theatre as opposed to modern or contemporary pieces.

• Dancers, please submit both dance and vocal (you will be required to sing). Please refer to the vocal instructions above. Your dance submission should be up to 1 minute in length and should demonstrate your skill and experience in the particular dance styles mentioned below.

• You will be contacted directly should you progress to the second round of auditions, where we will require you to submit show material for a specific role.

• Information including dates and locations of final round auditions (which will be in person) will be confirmed after the submissions close.

Submission Process

• Submissions will be accepted via the following webform only: Handa Opera Submissions

• Please make sure that all files attached to the submission are clearly labelled with name of

  performer on CV file name and Headshot file name. CVs must be in PDF format.

• Video links must be in either of two forms:

o An Unlisted YouTube link

o A Private Vimeo link (with the password provided) or an Unlisted Vimeo link • One link containing all the material is preferred.

Further technical instructions can be seen below – please note that no files can be submitted and downloaded. All videos must be online links.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT MONDAY OCTOBER 18, 2021

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour auditions are at the risk and sole financial responsibility of the auditionee.

Opera Australia are committed equal opportunity employers.

ALL ETHNICITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT

Video Requirements
Please use Unlisted YouTube Video links or Private or Unlisted Vimeo links. Some useful references

below on privacy settings:

YOUTUBE

Go to Edit button in Video settings then navigate to the Privacy section. Select “Unlisted” and then “Save Changes”. You can now share the link to the video that is unlisted to public searches.

VIMEO

Use setting “Only people with a password” for the privacy setting and then remember to include the password in the submission form when submitting your link. If you have a Pro, Premium or Business account please choose the setting “Only people with the private link” and then share the link – this will set the video as unlisted and alleviate the need for a password.

Roles

CHARACTER:

AGE: VOCAL:

DETAILS:

CHARACTER:

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CHARACTER:

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CHARACTER:

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CHARACTER:

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CHARACTER:

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DETAILS:

THE PHANTOM

30-40

High baritone or tenor (with strong low range) with a contemporary sound. Able to sustain high A flat with ease in full voice and high C# in falsetto.

Looking for a truly dynamic actor, a leading artist, with excellent acting and singing ability. The Phantom is both frightening and irresistible.

CHRISTINE DAAE?

18-25

Sings G below middle C to high E.

Playing age should be as young as possible but is normally early to mid-twenties. A beautiful lyric soprano. Soprano voice that combines elements of classical and musical theatre singing.

RAOUL, VICOMTE de CHAGNY

20s-30s
Contemporary high baritone/tenor (2 octave range from A flat to A flat). Young, dashing, handsome aristocratic man who falls in love with Christine.

MONSIEUR FIRMIN (Baritone: high E/F) & MONSIEUR ANDRE? (Baritenor: high G with ease)

30s-50s As above

The Managers of the Paris Opera House – both roles require good instincts for stylish comedy – they are elegant yet often slightly befuddled and bumbling. Firmin is the hard money man. Andre? is charming with an artistic temperament.

CARLOTTA GIUDICELLI

30s-40s
Coloratura soprano to high E

A middle-aged Italian coloratura soprano, the archetypal Diva – prima donna of the Paris Opera. Strong operatic singer with a good comic sense. Requires opera training.

MADAME GIRY

LATE 30s-50

Mezzo soprano to high B flat with no discernible break between head and chest voices.

Ballet Mistress of the Opera Populaire. An ominous, stern, forbidding figure.

CHARACTER:

AGE: VOCAL: DETAILS:

CHARACTER:

AGE: VOCAL: DETAILS:

CHARACTER:

AGE: VOCAL: DETAILS:

CHARACTER:

AGE: VOCAL: DETAILS:

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DETAILS (FEMALE):

DETAILS (MALE):

MEG GIRY

Should convincingly play late teens to early 20s A solid soprano and a strong mix - sings to a G

A young petite ballet dancer. Needs strong classical dance technique. Pointe experience beneficial. A member of the Corps de Ballet.

UBALDO PIANGI

30s-40s
Range to legit high C. Requires opera training.
Archetypal middle-aged, Italian operatic tenor, companion to Carlotta.

ENSEMBLE: MALE ENSEMBLE/SWINGS

25-50s
Strong, trained singing voices, able to contribute to an operatic choral sound.

A range of “character” players to play small roles and understudy all of the male principals.

ENSEMBLE: FEMALE ENSEMBLE/SWINGS

25-50s
Strong, trained singing voices, able to contribute to an operatic choral sound.

A range of “character” players to understudy all of the female principals and to play small roles.

DANCERS (MEN AND WOMEN)

Experienced dancers with a strong foundation in the following techniques: classical/neo classical and contemporary - think Nederland Dans Theater/Akram Khan Giselle for English National Ballet. Throughout the Opera we will draw on a fusion of the techniques and style mentioned above. Confidence in floor work and partner work is essential, pointe work experience is a plus.

Strong vocal ability preferred.

Experienced dancers with a strong technique, demonstrating skills in
either classical/neoclassical and/or musical theatre. Partner work required. Male dancers require solid and strong physiques.

Strong vocal ability preferred.

Further information

Email auditions@opera.org.au

Submissions: Handa Opera Submissions