AUDITIONS: MARY POPPINS
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."
Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft. This show is a perfect opportunity to showcase a strong, iconic female performer, as well as unique special effects and illusions.
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held on:
Saturday, May 5 from 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Sunday, May 6, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
For audition appointments, please send an e-mail to amgesling@yahoo.com.
Walk-ins will be worked in as time allows.
Readings and dance will be at the callbacks.
Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, May 8 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm
You will be informed by email if you are required for callbacks.
Advance appointments are not necessary. Actors only need to attend one day of auditions.
All auditions, and any necessary callbacks, will be held at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
Street parking available.
Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot is available on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m. Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI or you will be towed.
PREPARE
Please prepare 32 bars of a ballad or up-tempo piece in a standard musical comedy style- no pop or rock.
Be prepared to dance and have clothing and shoes appropriate for a dance audition.
PERFORMANCE DATES
June 30 - August 04
2018
The first four weekends:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sunday afternoons (matinees) at 2:00pm.
Fifth weekend:
No Friday performance; Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
Closing weekend:
Saturday shows only, August 04 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.
Please note that actors MUST be available for all performances unless otherwise negotiated with the production staff prior to casting.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals begin in May.
All rehearsals will be held:
Monday through Thursday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturdays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm
and Sundays from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Actors are not called for all rehearsals, only those rehearsals where they are being used for a scene.
BRING
Picture, resume and your conflicts for the whole rehearsal period.
We must have all conflicts no later than callbacks or you will not be cast in the show.
If additional conflicts arise after casting, it may result in an actor being replaced.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Mary Poppins
(Lead) Female, 25-45, C6-Gb3
Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says.
A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well.
She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
Bert
(Lead) Male, 25-45, F#4-B2
The narrator of the story and a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, he has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. He watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
Jane Banks
(Lead) Female, 10-15, F#5-A3
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Playing “age” 12 years.
Michael Banks
(Lead) Male, 8-12, E5-A3
The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Playing “age” 9 years.
George Banks
(Supporting) Male, 35-55, Eb4-Bb2
The father to Jane and Michael Banks; a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul.
A baritone, he may speak-sing as necessary.
Winifred Banks
(Supporting) Female, 35-55, D5-A3
George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
Admiral Bloom
(Supporting) Male, 45-75, Any
A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark.
Can be any vocal range as needed.
If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.
Mrs. Brill
(Supporting) Female, 25-55, D#5-F#3
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular.
She does not have to be a strong singer.
Robertson Ay
(Supporting) Male, 25-55, G#4-F3
The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy, and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.
Bank Chairman
(Supporting) Male, 45-75, D4-C3
The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt.
He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
Birdwoman
(Supporting) Female, 25-75, C5-Gb3
She is covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds."
There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
Miss Andrew
(Supporting) Female, 25-55, F5-Gb3
George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way.
A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
Ensemble
Male & Female, 15+
All voice types and ages, must move well.
The Ensemble will also play many different and varied characters.
Non-Equity, there is no pay.
Questions? Please email LLGesling@gmail.com.