Auditions

What is Peter and the Starcatcher?

• Have you ever wondered why Peter Pan doesn't want to grow up?  How did Hook lose his hand? What exactly is Tinker Bell?

• Peter and the Starcatcher is the magical origin story of Peter Pan, a tale that generations have grown up knowing and loving. 

• In 2012, Peter and the Starcatcher won FIVE Tony Awards! From best actor, best scenic design, best sound, etc.

• It was groundbreaking at the time because a small ensemble of actors played hundreds of roles, creating the world through narration and physical storytelling rather than elaborate sets. 

• The audience is invited to be part of the experience, using their imagination to transform a few props into a world of adventure. 

• A shiny piece of fabric can become the sea, or two actors holding a rope can become a ship's railing. 

• The play is filled with adventure, humor, and heart.  It explores timeless themes like friendship, bravery, and the power of belief and imagination. The play balances playful and poignant moments, making it relatable to both children and adults. 

• Although it won in the category of PLAY, Peter and the Starcatcher does have a small handful of songs that add to the magic. There are no solo songs, but some songs may include solo parts. Everyone will need to at least sing as part of a group, but don't stress, it is not a full musical! 

Important Dates

• Auditions Wednesday, Nov. 5th. 3:15 to 6 pm (West Theater)

• Callbacks (by invitation) on Thursday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 7 (if needed).

• Lead rehearsals will start in December, and full rehearsals in January. 

• Performances March 12, 13 & 14 @ 4:30 pm 

• Saturday rehearsals Feb. 28 and March 7

• Tech starts February 16th and rehearsals ramp up Monday to Thursday (All actors must be fully available). 

Synopsis

Tony-award winning Peter and the Starcatcher tells the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A wildly theatrical adaptation of the best-selling novel. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair... and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.

A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.

Peter and the Starcatcher uses ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination to bring the story to life.

LEAD CAST- 

There are about 12 lead roles. (List is linked)

Traditionally, this show was done with almost an entirely male cast. We will be looking for a diverse group of actors from various grades and genders. We are open and excited to cast any gender for any role, so please be open to exploring! 

• When you sign up for an audition, you will be asked if you want to be considered for a lead role or prefer an ensemble role. If you choose a lead, we will still consider you for a smaller role, unless you indicate LEAD ONLY. Do not show up with one role in mind, be open so the judges can play with you in different roles to see where you fit. 

Ensemble: We'll be taking an additional 18 actors who will help us play over 100 other roles. Everyone will have lines!

Sailors; Seamen; Seafarers; Orphans; Pirates; Mermaids; Mollusks; Narrators

Time Commitment

• This is singlehandedly the most complex question as it really depends on your part. 

• Overall we rehearse Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:15 to 6 pm. (Wed - the tech team meet)

• Leads should expect rehearsal three times a week. 

• Ensemble will rehearse on Monday and Thursday.

• From February 16th rehearsals will ramp up and the ensemble should expect rehearsal at least 3 times a week. 

• Due to this commitment, it will be impossible to be in both a sport and the show. 

• We never rehearse over a holiday, but it is important that performers are back on time after Chinese New Year.

• We do encourage students in the cast to sign up for other clubs and activities that are more flexible which they are welcome to attend when their schedule allows. 

Sports Teams and the Play

• Students cannot be in the Play and a Season 2 sport - sorry ;)

• Timing of Auditions vs Tryouts: Auditions start Nov 5, so that students will know their role before they try out for sports teams. 

• Commitment: When do you have to commit? 

  • • If you sign up for auditions and get a lead or supporting lead, we will assume you will NOT try out for a sports team and that your priority will be the role given. (Why?  When we cast, it's a giant puzzle and a lot of our energy goes into seeing what dynamics work between the characters. In the same way, the coaches of a sports team don't want to waste time looking at you for their team only to have you decline a place as you want to be in the play.)

    • However, if you get an ensemble role, you can hold off on accepting the role until you try out for the sport of your choice. If you make the team and want to decline the ensemble role, we will completely understand. If you know you want to be in the play, no matter the size of the role, do not try out for a sport, as this is not fair to the coaches. 

    • MS Athletics at a Glance: LINK

    • Performers in the play can sign up for a Season 3 sport. They should sign up on Schools Buddy, then communicate with their coach and Ms. Sparrow, working together with the directors, we will work out how many tryouts you will be able to make. Communication will be key! The show is over 2 weeks after Season 3 starts, so you will not miss any games. 

• OUTSIDE CONFLICTS: Please list your conflicts when you sign up online for an audition. If we think we can work around them, we'll do our best to accommodate, but it's difficult to make a schedule considering everyone's conflicts. The more open you are the easier you are to work with. 

• FEBRUARY 16 till Showtime: We CANNOT ACCOMMODATE ANY CONFLICTS THE LAST THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOW! Please do not audition if you cannot live with this. 

How Do I Sign Up for An Audition?  

1. Parents must register you for an audition on School Buddy. This is the equivalent of the parent permission to audition and confirms they understand the time commitment. Registration opens: Oct 29, 6pm - Nov 4, 12pm

2. STUDENT AUDITION FORM: LINK

To fill in the form, you will need to consult your parents for any conflicts you might have that will get in the way of auditions. I need you to be REALLY specific and include everything from dates of dentist appointments to extended family vacations. It's best to complete this form with your parents. If you sign up and later need to change your answers, resubmit, and I'll delete your first responses. Keep in mind that the fewer conflicts, the easier you are to cast.  You will also need access to a photo of your face that you can upload.

3. What is the Cast Fee?  This is a one-time fee ($60)  that will cover all of the costs associated with being part of the cast and save a great deal of time in the usual collection of money along the way. The fee includes 4 substantial snacks for the evening performance nights, post-performance cake and drinks, food for the Red Carpet Gala later in the year, the cast t-shirt, a copy of the poster for signing as a memento, a professional photographer, access to all the photos and a copy of the video. The fee will be collected via a link sent from the activities office. 

*Shoes, underclothing, and dance shorts need to be provided by the actor's family. 

NOTE: The Cast Party: The traditional off-campus cast party is no longer a school-sanctioned event. If parents decide to host a cast party, we can help coordinate contact information, but teachers will not be involved in planning or attending the event. Our annual Red Carpet Party, which takes place once the video is complete, will take the place of the school-sanctioned cast party. 

What do I need to prepare for the Audition 

1. Monologue: Click on the link and choose one to prepare. 

What else will happen at the audition?

1. You will be taught a short verse of song and will sing as a group, separated by gender. 

2. You will be taught a movement sequence in physical theater and we'll see how you handle that. 

On the Day of the Audition 

• Make a good impression. 

• Come dressed to move. Girls should avoid skirts and have their HAIR BACK! 

• Stay hydrated. Bring water and eat a low-sugar snack to fuel you before you arrive. 

• No food in the theater ever! 

• Your behavior at auditions and the support you offer to peers is as important as your actual audition. 

What should I expect at auditions?  

3:15 pm REGISTRATION:  Theater lobby. You will find your name and find your number to wear at the audition. 

3:20 to 3:30 - You will be introduced to the panel of judges. 

3:30 to 3:40 - Vocal Warm Up

3:40 to 4:40- Monologue Performance (Everyone watches everyone. Be positive and respectful)

4:40 to 5 pm - As a group we'll learn a song. You will sing in small groups. (Boys in singing/Girls in physical theater and vice versa)

5 to 6 pm - Physical theater activity (no preparation needed). 

How are decisions made? A diverse panel of judges will watch the live auditions. Using a rubric, each judge will assess, and those scores are compiled. Students who earn a score above the cut-off point will be invited for a callback. Students being called back for a lead or supporting lead will have the opportunity to act with scripts to show their ability to characterize and take feedback. All students will receive responses by email. 

What is a "Call Back?" 

Casting a play is a lot like doing a puzzle. As a director, I am looking for the right piece to fit into the puzzle. Sometimes I need to see how pieces fit together. At the open audition, I get to meet everyone who is interested in taking part in the play. Then I decide which students may be able to play certain characters. I then email students with an invite to the Call Backs. At the "call back audition" I have actors do more scene work with other students to see how they work together. (Scripts will be supplied to those who get offered a callback.) Slowly, as director, I start to see the puzzle come together as I find the right person for each role. This is tough for some people as you may be an amazing actor, but you might just not fit any of the characters we are looking for. For example, in Fame I needed four middle school students who can play teachers. This means I was looking for some height and some maturity. Not everyone fits this role. 

If I don't get a callback, does that mean I am out? Not necessarily. We need to fill the lead roles first, then we need to go back and fill all of the supporting or ensemble roles. Whether you get a role or not, you will get an email on Friday evening. 

Why do we email the audition results rather than posting them at school?

While we wish there was room to take everyone, the fact is there is a limited number of parts. It has been our experience that disappointment is easier to face when surrounded by a supportive family rather than having to read it off a board at school with all your friends watching.