Auditions for The Secret Garden
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013
Florissant Civic Center Theatre
Beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Stephanie Merritt,Director Nate Jackson, Musical Director.
The Secret Garden
Audition Announcement
Important Note: Please download and fill out an audition form ahead of time and bring to auditions.
For those auditioning for Colin will be asked to sing the following:
Colin_Audition_Section_Annotated.pdf
Those auditioning for Mary and Colin will read the following scene:
Click on Secret Garden Audition Information.pdf to download the following information as a printable pdf.
Auditions will be held for Hawthorne Players’ production of The Secret Garden on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Although this show is based on the classic children’s story, the musical has significant adult storylines and many adult characters.
Performances dates: August 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 8:00 pm and August 4 and 11 at 2:00 pm
Tech week is July 28 – August 1.
Please do not audition unless you are available for all tech week rehearsals, all performances, and strike following the final show.
Character-Specific Audition Instructions
Please read the instructions carefully to be best prepared and maximize your chances of being cast.
For all characters, please provide a recent headshot and theatrical resume. Headshots will not be returned. An accompanist will be provided – no a cappella or karaoke tracks, please.
Auditions for the role of MARY will begin at 9:00 am. Everyone under the age of 18 must have a responsible adult present at auditions. Prepare 16-32 bars in a style appropriate for the character. We will also do cold readings from the script. See character description for more information.
Auditions for the role of COLIN will begin at 10:00 am. Everyone under the age of 18 must have a responsible adult present at auditions. Auditions will consist of the song “Come to My Garden” (Colin’s solo section through the end, including the harmony parts). We will teach this section at the audition, but we recommend preparing in advance to maximize your chances of being cast. We will also do cold readings from the script. See character description for more information.
Auditions for FEATURED DANCERS will begin at 10:00 am. One male and one female will be featured as a dance couple in "A Girl in the Valley." Come prepared to learn a short, early 20th-century-waltz-inspired combination. Tennis shoes or jazz shoes preferred for males, character shoes preferred for females.
For ALL OTHER ROLES, please arrive at 10:30 am. See the character descriptions below. Come prepared to sing 16-32 bars in a classical style (i.e., legit or operatic style). Bring sheet music in the appropriate key.
•Those auditioning for the role of Martha should also be prepared to sing 16 bars in a belt style (in addition to 16-32 bars classical).
•Ladies auditioning ONLY for the role of Mrs. Medlock are not required to sing.
•We will also do cold readings from the script.
Callbacks, if necessary, will be held in the afternoon of Saturday, April 20. At callbacks, you may be asked to sing music from the show.
Character Descriptions:
Just a word about the roles in The Secret Garden. The age ranges outlined are the age of the CHARACTER, not necessarily the age of the actors we are looking for - the magic of theatre allows flexibility in casting!
Mary Lennox | Age: 11-13 | Standard British Accent. Orphaned in British Colonial India, she is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire, England. In the beginning, she is sullen, withdrawn, contrary. Over time she grows into a healthy and loving girl. Must be an excellent actor, able to carry scenes. **Actresses must be at least 13 years old by April 20, 2013. Older teens/young adults who can play young are encouraged to audition.
Archibald Craven | Age: 30-45 | Tenor | Standard British Accent. A wealthy man, born with a hunched back. Uncle of Mary Lennox, has been mourning the death of his wife for 10 years. Depressed and haunted, but tender. In other words, he is a good person who is struggling. In the end, he is able to become a caretaker for Mary and Colin.
Lily Craven | Age: 20-30 | Lyric Soprano | Standard British Accent. Archie’s deceased wife whose spirit haunts the house. She is kind, gentle, and beautiful. It hurts her to see Archie and Colin suffer, and she is searching for a way to reach them.
Dr. Neville Craven | Age: 25-40 | Baritone | Standard British Accent. Archie’s younger brother, a doctor. Handsome, confident, charismatic, charming. A man people listen to.
Rose Lennox | Age: 25-35 | Mezzo Soprano | Standard British Accent. Mary’s mother, now a ghost. Beautiful, charming, flirtatious, fun-loving. Status and appearance are important to her, but motherhood is seen as a distasteful obligation.
Captain Albert Lennox | Age: 30-40 | Tenor | Standard British Accent. Mary’s father, now a ghost. Easily persuaded by Rose in all matters.
Mrs. Medlock | Age: 50-70 | Non-signing role | Yorkshire Accent. The Cravens’ housekeeper. Stern, no-nonsense, makes sure the job gets done.
Ben Weatherstaff | Age: 50-70 | Character Bari/Tenor | Yorkshire Accent. The Cravens’ gardener. Plays the curmudgeon but has a heart of gold underneath. Loves working in the garden and knows many of its secrets.
Martha | Age: 18-25 | Mezzo Belter | Yorkshire Accent. A maid in the Craven house. A ray of sunshine in the gloom – very cheerful and very verbose. Excellent with children.
Dickon | Age: 17-25 | Tenor | Yorkshire Accent. Martha’s brother. Wise beyond his years with a talent for healing.
Colin Craven | Character Age: 10-11 | Boy Soprano | Standard British Accent. A sickly boy who gets attention by being overly demanding and dramatic. Covers up his fear with bravado but underneath is lonely and scared. Over time, he grows healthy in body and spirit.
Ensemble Roles. All of these roles have solos, small group features, and/or spoken lines. All actors in these roles must be able to harmonize. There will not be a dance audition; however, all members of the ensemble will do some dancing in the show.
Alice: A friend of the Lennox family, now a ghost. High soprano/coloratura.
Claire: A friend of the Lennox family, now a ghost. Soprano.
Ayah: Mary’s caretaker in India, now a ghost. Mezzo/Alto.
Fakir: One of the Lennox family’s servants in India, now a ghost. High tenor.
Lieutenant Shaw: A friend of the Lennox family, now a ghost. Tenor.
Lieutenant Wright: A friend of the Lennox family, now a ghost. Baritone.
Major Holmes: A friend of the Lennox family, now a ghost. Bass.
William, Timothy, Jane, and Betsy: A quartet of living servants in the Craven household. Each of these will double as other living characters.
Featured Dancers. We are seeking two dancers (one male, one female) for a feature during “Girl in a Valley.” Come prepared to learn a short, early 20th-century-waltz-inspired combination. Tennis shoes or jazz shoes preferred for males, character shoes preferred for females.
