Huronia Players Hold Auditions for RENT

RENT

Auditions for RENT

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AUDITION INFORMATION

Director: Lori-Ann Clancy
Producers: Anna Hartman & Danielle Smith
Vocal Director: Victoria Thompson
Music Director/Conductor: Amanda Thorpe
Choreographer: Stephanie Gendron
Stage Manager: Paula Desjardins

Performance Dates: August 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, & 17, 2013

• Cast must be available for ALL performances
• Cast members and crew must agree to become a member of the Huronia Players ($10 fee)

Show Synopsis

(taken from the Music Theatre International website)

Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Based loosely on Puccini's La Bohème,  Jonathan Larson's RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

Audition Dates and Times

ATTACHED to this article is a PDF document of the RENT Rehearsal Schedule.

You will register for an audition during a block of time on one of the following dates. You MUST attend the group dance audition on the same day. The blocks of time are:

• Fri. May 3 – individual acting/singing auditions from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
  ~ Group dance audition for everyone auditioning on this date is from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
• Sat. May 4 – Block one: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Block two: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  ~Group dance audition for everyone auditioning on this day is from 12:00-1:30 p.m.
• Sun. May 5 – Block one: 12:30-2:30 p.m.  Block two: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
  ~Group dance audition for everyone auditioning on this day is from 2:30-4:00 p.m.

You must register for your audition by emailing our stage manager Paula Desjardins at pdesjardins1030@rogers.com. We suggest that you book your audition date and time as early as possible. Please download the audition form; complete and bring it with a photo of yourself to your audition.  Any questions about the audition information, requirements or schedule can also be directed to Paula via email.

Auditions will take place in rehearsal space at the Midland Cultural Centre (MCC)

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Age:  All cast members must be between the ages of 19 and 35.

Sing/Act: 

• You must have two songs prepared. If you are interested in playing a lead role in RENT, please sing one of that character’s songs and sing another contrasting piece...we want to hear you sing a ballad and an upbeat number. You may perform them a cappella (without accompaniment), with your own instrument, or with music playing in the background (we will have an iPod dock that you can use). We may not have time to hear both songs in their entirety, therefore, do not be offended if you are asked to stop part way through.
• Pick two songs that demonstrate your versatility as an actor and exhibit your vocal range. We want you to play a character; therefore, avoid the temptation to stand still in front of us reciting lyrics; include facial expressions and body language – show us your interpretation of the song!
• You should have both songs memorized so that you can show the audition panel what you are made of!!

Dance:

• EVERYONE auditioning must participate in a group dance audition. The times for each date are listed on the previous page.
• If you do not attend this group dance audition, you will NOT be considered for ANY part, regardless of how good your singing/acting audition is.
• Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate foot attire (dance shoes or running shoes) to your audition. You do not have to be an experienced dancer.

Callbacks:

• EVERYONE interested in a lead role must be prepared to attend a singing/acting callback session on Saturday, May 11 from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
• The callback list will be posted on our website on Tuesday, May 7. If you want to audition for a lead role and you have job -make sure that you book the callback date and the cast meeting date off!!!

Cast List:
The cast list will be posted on Sunday, May 12 on the Huronia Players website.

Cast Meeting:

• EVERYONE on the cast list must attend our first cast meeting on Tues., May 14 from 7:00 -10:00 p.m. at the MCC. All scripts, rehearsal schedules and music will be handed out and we will do a read/sing through of the script/score.

Rehearsal Information:

• Please take a moment to peruse the tentative rehearsal schedule.
• Full cast (‘Company’) rehearsals are MANDATORY 
• If you miss three rehearsals, you will be cut from the show.
• If you cannot commit to this intense rehearsal schedule, DO NOT audition.

Casting Information:

• 10-12 males (including the 5 lead roles) & 10-15 females (incl. the 3 lead roles)

The following is a list of the casting requirements for the lead roles:

ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD
A transvestite street drummer infected with HIV. He loves to dance and has a magnetic personality. 
C3 - A4 
Tenor

BENJAMIN COFFIN III
Wealthy landlord of Mark and Roger's building. Benny wants to start a multimedia studio. 
Eb3 - F4 
Tenor

JOANNE JEFFERSON
A headstrong public interest lawyer and Maureen's lover. 
Bb3 - E5 
Alto

MARK COHEN
A filmmaker and video artist, determined to capture "real" life on film. Roger's roommate. 
C#3 - G4 
Tenor

MAUREEN JOHNSON
A performance artist, Mark's ex-girlfriend, currently Joanne’s girlfriend.
C4 - F5 
Soprano Belt

MIMI MARQUEZ
A dancer with AIDS and a drug problem. Desperate for a place to feel safe and protected. 
F#3 - E5 
Alto

ROGER DAVIS
(must be able to play the guitar)
An edgy, struggling musician who's HIV+. He hopes to write one last meaningful song before he dies. 
B2 - A4 
Tenor

TOM COLLINS
An HIV+ computer genius who has recently returned to New York after an absence. Has a deep capacity for love and understanding. 
F#2 - A4 
Bari-tenor 
There is only one high A (A4) for this character. It is of short duration.

Visit the Huronia Players website for additional information.... http://www.huroniaplayers.ca/index.php/rent