Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel

By Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II

Directed by Thomas J. Kasdorf & Matt Starika-Jolivet

In a Maine coastal village toward the end of the 19th century, the swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan. Billy loses his job just as he learns that Julie is pregnant and, desperately intent upon providing a decent life for his family, he is coerced into being an accomplice to a robbery. Caught in the act and facing the certainty of prison, he takes his own life and is sent 'up there.' Billy is allowed to return to earth for one day fifteen years later, and he encounters the daughter he never knew. She is a lonely, friendless teenager, her father's reputation as a thief and bully having haunted her throughout her young life. How Billy instills in both the child and her mother a sense of hope and dignity is a dramatic testimony to the power of love. It's easy to understand why, of all the shows they created, CAROUSEL was Rodgers & Hammerstein's personal favorite.

Produced by Middleton Players Theatre at Middleton Performing Arts Center, Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol Street,Middleton

Performances: May 16-17, 2015

Performance Times: Saturday, May 16 at 7:30p.m.
Sunday, May 17 at 2:00p.m.

Ticket Prices: Adults $35.00 Seniors $30.00 Students $25.00

Call 800-838-3006 for reservations or more information.

How you can help support MadStage! Radio theater page Submit show information to MadStage Information about performance venues Wisconsin playwrights and scripts page Theater humor page Win Free Tickets! Thanks to all those who've contributed to MadStage in the past year! About MadStage Theater and dance classes, workshops, teachers and schools Performance links Performance-related job and volunteer opportunities, plus internship listings Dance Groups featured on MadStage Theater groups featured on MadStage Performance Calendar Home

Auditions

Auditions will be held on the following days:

2/27/2015
2/28/2015
3/1/2015

Middleton Players Theatre is pleased to announce audition dates for its 2015 Summer Season. Auditions for all shows will be held at the same time. We are seeking a large number of Adult Singers/Actors/Dancers to fill a multitude of roles in all three shows. We are also seeking a small ensemble of Children for Carousel and 1-2 children for the role of Tam in Miss Saigon. Those auditioning can audition for any or all shows offered.

General Open Audition Dates & Times:
Friday, February 27 (6:30p.m. – 10:00p.m.)
Saturday, February 28 (11:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. & 5:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.)
Sunday, March 1 Kids Auditions Only! (12:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.)

Dance Call Audition Dates and Times:
Saturday, February 28 (10:00a.m. or 4:00p.m.)

Call-Back Audition Dates & Times:
Sunday, March 1 (3:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.)
Monday, March 2 (6:30p.m. – 9:00p.m.)

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Whether auditioning for one show or the entire season, all adults auditioning is required to prepare the following materials:
1.) 16-32 bars of (1) Ballad and (1) Up-tempo song from a Broadway musical. The songs should vary in style and should showcase the performer’s vocal style and range.

2.) All auditioners must attend one of the three offered dance call auditions. Dance auditions will consist of a simple movement combo and a Jazz/Ballet combo. Be prepared to wear comfortable, loose clothing and proper shoes for dancing.

CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS:
All children interested in auditioning for either Carousel or Miss Saigon should come on Sunday, March 1st from 12:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Children do not have to prepare a song for auditions, but advanced sign up is required. Auditions will consist of several acting/improvisation exercises and a small dance/movement routine. Children should come wearing comfortable clothes and be ready to show off acting ability. Some older children might be asked to cold read from the script. (Average age for youth roles: 8-14)

AUDITION SIGN UP:
All adults need to sign up in advance for an audition time. Children also need to sign up in advance, but all children will audition at the same time. Walk-ins will be accepted if time allows.

To sign up for an audition, please go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084fa8a62ea0f49-summer

VIDEO AUDITION SUBMISSIONS:

If you will be unable to attend one of our general call auditions, you may submit a video audition. You’re video needs to contain your two songs as described above. The first step is to contact us at mptdirectors@gmail.com and request an audition application. You are welcome to submit a dance video as well, although it is not required. If the directors want to see a specific person dance, you may be contacted to submit video footage or to come in for a dance call at a later time.

(Video auditions will not be accepted for Children)
TIPS:

1.) THE VERY BEST- Your video may be the only chance for you to show us what you’ve got! In a regular, in-person audition, you have one shot. With a video, you can take as many “takes” as you need. Take multiple shots and send us the best one you have.

2.) SOUND BALANCE- It is important that we be able to hear you. Making sure you are not too far away from the camera (or too close to the camera) will help, especially if you are not using a microphone. Also make sure the camera isn’t too close to your piano or sound system, otherwise the accompaniment will overpower the sound. We need to hear your voice and the accompaniment clearly and in balance with each other.

3.) WE NEED TO SEE YOU- Whether it’s for the vocal audition or for a dance portion, we need to be able to see you. For you vocal audition, make sure you are centered in the frame. It’s not necessary for us to see you from head to toe, but we’d like to see as much of you as possible, without harming the sound quality. For a dance audition, make sure the camera is set back far enough that you never dance out of frame. For this portion, we do need to see you from head to toe at all times.

4.) SLATE YOURSELF- Before you begin singing, please make sure you tell us your name and the show(s) you are auditioning for. (If you are only auditioning for a specific role, please tell us that role.) If you’re submitting a dance clip, please slate yourself again before that section.

WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO:

All submissions must be received by Monday, February 16, 2014 to ensure we will be able to view your submission for consideration.

EMAIL- If you are recording your submission digitally, you can send your file to mptauditions@gmail.com. Your file needs to be a compatible file type (.mov, .mp4, ,m4v, .mpg, etc.). We have to be able to easily open your video file.

ONLINE- You can post your video on YouTube or a similar site. Simply send us the link.

Please, no hard copy DVDs or VHS.

Please let us know if you have any other questions. Good Luck!

 

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CAROUSEL IN CONCERT-
Known as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s favorite of all their collaborations, Carousel tells the beautiful and heart wrenching story of a young woman who falls in love with a roustabout carnival barker. Based on Molnar’s Liliom and set against the backdrop of a New England coastal village at the turn of the 20th century,

Projected cast size & description:
LARGE- 40-50 Principle and Ensemble performers, including children, ages 7 & up.
(Strong singer/actor’s with some dance skill, including several dancers with strength in ballet.)

NOTE: Actors of all diverse backgrounds are encouraged to audition!

*Denotes that an offer for a specific role has been made
Understudies will be cast for principle roles.

ROLES:

*Julie Jordan- SOPRANO – (late teens/early 20s, then ages) A shy but head strong young woman who falls for Billy, which ushers in a tumultuous relationship.

*Carrie Pipperidge- ALTO – (20s, then ages) She is Julie’s best friend and a more conventional young woman for her time.

Mrs. Mullins- SPOKEN – (40s or older) Owner of the Carousel in the local amusement park. She tries to keep a tight rein on Billy and disapproves of his relationship with Julie. She fires Billy when he marries Julie. She’s a middle aged widow.

*Billy Bigelow- BARITONE – (Late 20s/early 30s) A successful barker for the Mullin Carousel. Attractive to the young women, he is a rogue and ladies’ man. He’s never learned to deal with anyone, especially those he loves, with anything other than violence.

*Nettie Fowler- MEZZO – (30s -50s, then ages) Julie’s somewhat older and wiser cousin. She runs the local spa, a kind of eating establishment. She takes in Julie and the unemployed Billy after their wedding. Nettie is the lead singer in “June is Busting out all Over” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

*Enoch Snow- TENOR – (late 30s, then ages) Fisherman and future tycoon. He marries Carrie and together they have many children.

Jigger Craigin- BARITONE – (30s – 50s) Sailor off of a whaling ship who gets Billy involved in the theft that ultimately ends in Billy’s suicide.

Starkeeper/Dr. Seldon- SPOKEN – (50s or older) A heavenly figure who also plays Dr. Sheldon later in the show.

Louise- SPOKEN – (early teens) Billy and Julie’s 15 year old daughter. Major dance role – involved in 6 minute ballet sequence

Enoch Snow, Jr- SPOKEN – (early teens) Eldest son of Enoch and Carrie. Cares for Louise very much.

Carnival Boy- DANCER ONLY- (late teens/early 20s) Must embody the look and soul of Billy. Major dance role – involved in 6 minute ballet sequence

ENSEMBLE- (teens and up) Townspeople, Amusement Park Carnies, Children, and Seafaring Men.