Information Meeting
Sunday November 20, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Audition Times
Thurs. Dec 8 & Fri Dec. 9 (booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm & 8 pm)
Sunday Dec. 11. Booking slots at 1 pm, 2 pm, & 3 pm
• please arrive on time for check in, administration and incidentals
• each audition group will be required for approximately 90 minutes
Call backs (If needed)
Sunday Dec. 11 at 7 pm
First Rehearsal
Thursday Dec. 15 at 7:00 pm (subject to change)
ALL AUDITIONS AND REHEARSALS TAKE PLACE AT ORPHEUS HOUSE
(17 FAIRMONT AVE.)
Performances
March 10 to 19, 2023 at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
Tuesday through Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday matinees (2 p.m.).
No performance on Monday March 13
About the Show
Book and Lyrics by Joe Dipietro, Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
Based on a Concept by George W. George
Hockadoo! Huey Calhoun, a local boy with a passion for music desperately wants to bring Soul, R&B and Rock & Roll music to southern white audiences during the early 1950’s. Felicia Farrell is an aspiring black singer who performs under the watchful eye of her overprotective brother in his underground night club. When Huey and Felicia connect over their shared love of music, dreams and ambitions, they are faced with objections from not only their families but the world around them. Can music transcend race? Can love win over hate? Memphis is the winner of 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Audition Eligibility
All performers must be at least 16 at the time of audition.
All who wish to audition for and volunteer with an Orpheus production must provide proof of vaccination to participate. Your second dose must have been administered 14 days or more prior to the date of your audition or your first arrival at Orpheus. Proof of vaccination must be provided before your audition.
You must book an audition appointment. No walk ups are permitted.
Audition Booking and Inquiries:
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Booking open to Orpheus members as of Monday, November 14, 2022
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Booking open to all as of Monday, November 21, 2022
General Orpheus Audition Notes:
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Auditions are by appointment only.
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Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed time. The Production Assistants will support all those auditioning by providing forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions, and generally keeping things organized. The audition form will also be available on the Orpheus website to print and fill out before arrival, if desired.
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All those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and perform it as a group for the directing team. The dance routine instructions will be available on the website and a “Bootcamp workshop” is also available on Saturday, November 5. Following the dance audition, each person will sing and read individually. Sides will be available on the website ahead of time and will also be provided at the audition. All 3 portions of the audition are mandatory for everyone.
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Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably.
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You are encouraged to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to your audition.
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As usual, an accompanist will be provided for each audition. Those auditioning must bring a printed copy of their selected music in the preferred key, with piano lines intact (please do not expect the accompanist to transpose your piece; a capella auditions, self-accompaniment and karaoke tracks are not permitted; vocal range may or may not be checked by the musical director as part of the audition process)
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The directing team reserves the right to videotape the audition process for the purposes of casting.
Roles:
Huey Calhoun (Lead):
White, male presenting. Stage age 30-40. Must be able to pull off southern accent.
Vocal Requirement: vocal range C3-B4, strong singer in the style of Gospel / Rock
Felicia Farrell (Lead):
Black, female presenting. Stage age 25-35.
Vocal Requirement: vocal range G3-A5, excellent belter in the style of R&B/Gospel
Delray Jones (Lead):
Black, Male presenting. Stage age 35-45
Vocal Requirement: vocal range Bb2-Bb4, excellent singer could ideally riff
Gator (Feature):
Black, Male presenting. Stage age 20-40
Vocal Requirement: vocal range F#3-A4, excellent singer
Bobby (Feature):
Black, Male presenting. Stage age 25-45
Vocal Requirement: vocal range G3-C5, excellent singer
Gladys Calhoun (Feature):
White, Female Presenting. Stage age 50-65. Open to younger actresses who are willing to be aged using stage makeup.
Vocal Requirement: vocal range B3-A5
Mr. Simmons (Feature):
White, male presenting. Stage age 40-65. Non dancing. Actor must be comfortable with racist dialogue that is necessary to the plot of the show.
Vocal Requirement: light singing
Perry Como/Frank Dryer/Ensemble:
White, male presenting. Stage age 25-35.
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Wallin Joe/Reverend Hobson:
Black, male presenting. Stage age 20-45.
Vocal Requirement: vocal range Eb3-Gb5, strong upper range, solid falsetto
Someday Backup Singer/Ensemble:
Black, female presenting. Strong dancers required. Various ages.
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Be Black Trio/Ensemble:
Black, male presenting. Strong dancers required. Various ages
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Teenage Girl/ensemble:
White, female presenting. Strong dance skills required. Stage age 16-18.
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Teenage Boy/Ensemble:
White, male presenting. Strong dance skills required. Stage age 16-18.
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Ensemble:
Black/White, male and female presenting. Various ages. Strong dance skills. Maybe required to play additional characters.
Vocal Requirement: solid singers in style of Gospel, Rock & Pop
Notes from the Choreographer:
Dancers of all levels are welcome to participate in the audition.
Lead characters will be required to move well and pick up simple choreography and staging/blocking.
Members of the Ensemble will be involved in several fast-paced, high energy dance numbers. We are looking for actors with the stamina and technical skill to sing, act and deliver an engaging performance while dancing.
There will be partner work and lifts incorporated into the choreography of the show.
Performers are highly encouraged to prepare in advance for the dance component of the audition. We have provided an in-depth YouTube tutorial so that you can practice the dance at home. The link is included above and in your audition package upon registration.
Notes from the Music Director:
Choose a song that highlights your abilities and your range. A song that fits the style of the show (Gospel, Rock, or R&B) is helpful to the directing team. The use of a song from the show is acceptable.
Please prepare a short, strong part of your song for us to enjoy. 16 to 24 measures of music is preferable.
COVID-19 Policies & Procedures
All who wish to audition for and volunteer with an Orpheus production must provide proof of vaccination to participate. Your second dose must have been administered 14 days or more prior to the date of your audition or your first arrival at Orpheus. You must book an audition appointment. No walk ups are permitted.
Proof of Vaccination may be provided in advance, but is not required. If you do not have your proof of vaccination upon arrival for your audition, you will not be permitted to audition.