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Mater Dei High School Theatre Department Presents

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)

April 11, 12, & 13, 2019

Please carefully read all of the following information!

Thank you for choosing to audition for our production of Cinderella. Being a part of this production will be a

great experience but it is also a serious time commitment!

The general rehearsal schedule will begin in January 2019, and go through the show in April. Most rehearsals

will take place Monday through Friday. There may be occasional Saturday rehearsals as well. For this

production there will be required tech and set building days. Those will be included in the calendar and

distributed at auditions.

Required for auditions:

Bring your COMPLETED audition form WITH all CONFLICTS listed

Have ONE music piece prepared if you are auditioning for an ensemble role (labeled)

Have TWO music pieces prepared if you’d like to be considered for a principal role (one

ensemble/ one principal)

PREPARE for your vocal audition by knowing the music and warming up vocally

BE ON TIME…If you are late, you may forfeit your chance to audition

To be in the show, you MUST audition.

We will NOT be warming students up vocally during auditions, so come warmed up and ready to sing.

We may ask you to sing a different song from the show, so please be familiar with ALL of the provided

numbers if you want to be considered for a principal role.

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Show Synopsis Cinderella (Broadway Version) The story concerns a young woman forced into a life of

servitude by her cruel stepmother, who dreams of a better life. With the help of her Fairy Godmother,

Cinderella is transformed into an elegant young lady and is able to attend the ball to meet her Prince, but, in this

version, she must open the Prince Topher's eyes to the injustice in his kingdom. The Prince's parents have died,

leaving the kingdom in the hands of a villainous prime minister, who has been the Prince's mentor and has

duped his young charge into approving oppressive legislation. The rebel Jean-Michel, a new character, and

stepsister Gabrielle are in love, and the two seek to overthrow the government. The score includes the best-

known songs from the original version and features four songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue.

Students are encouraged to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Watch the movie, or find clips on YouTube

Principle Cast of Characters

Ella – Charismatic, opinionated and funny. Ella sees the good in everyone despite her hardships and suffering

from her Stepmother and stepsisters. We see her blossom into a confident woman.

Topher – A misguided and lost prince who longs to do something important with his life. Though brave and

heroic, he feels lonely and unfulfilled. Charming, but NOT a stereotypical ladies man, he is moral, genuine, and

kindhearted.

Madame – Ella’s wicked Stepmother. The epitome of vanity and fashion. A schemer who values wealth, status,

and material possessions above all else. Unapologetically dismissive and sometimes cruel.

Sebastian – Topher’s Prime Minister who is secretly conspiring with Madame to find a bride for Topher. He

believes he should rule the kingdom

Marie – The local beggar, also, Ella’s Fairy Godmother! Wise, warm, otherworldly, and charming

Gabrielle – Ella’s Stepsister. Gabrielle has been encouraged all her life to Quietly passionate, empathetic, and

witty.

Charlotte – Stepsister. Brash, obnoxious, self-centered, LOUD, and bratty. She never passes up the opportunity

to be the center of attention

Jean-Michel – A feisty, passionate peasant determined to make a difference for the working class. Has a crush

on Gabrielle, but isn’t allowed to date because of his social class.

Lord Pinkleton – Sebastian’s right hand-man. Announces royal balls, banquets, and even the weather.

Knights, Peasants, Serfs, Townspeople, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, Giant, Servants, etc.

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Casting

GENERAL INFORMATION

Casting can be one of the most exciting aspects of theatre and also one of the most painful (for both actors and directors).

In a high school setting, directors often dread that aspect of their job because they care deeply for their students and know

that someone is going to be disappointed no matter what choice they make. For better or for worse, disappointment will

always exist as long as theatre exists. That being considered, casting at Mater Dei mimics casting in the real world of

theatre; it is left entirely up to the discretion of the director, who puts together the best possible cast she can. Below are

the primary qualities taken into account when considering a student for a role:

➢ Attitude…Do they have a positive attitude? Do they work well with and respect directors and peers?

➢ Reliability…How well have they fulfilled previous commitments?

➢ Ability/Type…Can they play a particular role (as) well?

A student who meets all three criteria for a role, however, is not necessarily going to be cast in that role. Casting a show is

like putting together a puzzle; everything has to fit together just right. If one piece of the puzzle is moved somewhere

else, it changes where all of the other pieces can fit. Therefore, the person who is best for a certain role is not always cast

in that role. The idea is to create the best overall show so that students can benefit from collectively being a part of

something that is far greater than any one individual.

THE CAST LIST SURPRISED ME…NOW WHAT?

Undoubtedly, there are times when we are all surprised by the way a show is cast. As described above, the process is

tricky and there are usually many different possibilities. It is natural for emotions to run high when a cast list is posted

and it is perfectly ok to feel excitement, disappointment, or perhaps both after reading the list. Cast lists are final, so it is

best to focus on how to improve for the future rather than to dwell on what has already happened. At no time is it

appropriate for students or parents to try to convince a director to make any changes after a cast list is posted. I try to give

students 24 hours to “accept” their roles in a show. Take those hours to get mad, sad, or excited. Then decide to be a part

of the show or not. Remember, there is only one person who can play Cinderella, and there will be lots of people who

will not. If your life goal is to play a lead role (ie: Cinderella) then we need to work together to establish better goals for

yourself. For this show I need a hardworking, professional team. So, after the cast list is posted, take 24 hours and then

pull yourself up by your boot straps and walk into our first rehearsal ready to cheer for the whole company. If you cannot

do that, then you should not choose to be in this show. I will have zero tolerance for drama, negative talk, peer critiques

and bad mouthing other students as the cast list goes up and throughout the entire production process.

This story is magical, endearing, and important. I cannot wait to work with you all to make this beautiful piece come to

life. This show is far more important than any single role, so please focus on that. Be ready and excited no matter how

your puzzle piece fits into the big picture. We will be creating impossible magic together, and I promise you that if you

are cast as Dancing Tree number 3, you are important to this show. You are needed. You matter. You will shine.

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COMMON CASTING MYTHS

➢ Myth: The director has favorites so he always casts them in the best roles.

➢ Reality: As an educator, I care about the wellbeing and success of all of my students. While there are certainly

students who will have lots of leading roles, this is because they are the best students for those roles…not because

they are my “favorite students.”

➢ Myth: Seniors always get the best roles.

➢ Reality: It is true that some upper classmen are more likely to be cast in major roles than underclassmen, but this

is because upperclassmen typically have more experience, have developed their skills, and are more prepared for

those roles than younger students. Preference, however, is not given to students in any grade. It doesn’t matter if

the student is a freshman or a senior…they will be cast based on who is right for the role.

➢ Myth: The director pre-casts the show before auditions.

➢ Reality: I never decide on a cast until after auditions have been completed. When choosing shows for the year, I

have to take into consideration the students who might be able to do certain roles so one could say I go through a

process of loose “pre-casting” in my head in order to determine if a show is right for our student body. When it

comes to actually casting the show, however, I remain 100% open to what I learn about students in their

auditions. One of the greatest excitements I find in directing is when a student shows up to an audition and does

something I never would have expected them to do! A show is not cast until the cast list is posted.

CASTING CHANGES

The director reserves the right to recast any role at any time or to excuse any student from a cast or crew. This could

happen for a number of reasons, including because a student is not fulfilling his or her responsibilities to the cast, has

engaged in irresponsible or illegal behavior, or because a student has become ill and is unable to perform to full capacity.

Audition Songs

Ensemble (choose one only) Ten Minutes Ago (M F)

In my Own Little Corner (F)

Now is the Time (M)

Principal (choose one if you would like to be

considered for a principal role)

Stepsister’s Lament (Stepsisters)

Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful (Topher)

Who am I (Topher)

There’s Music in You (Marie)

Now Is the Time (Jean-Michel)

Impossible (Ella/ Marie)

Lovely Night (Ella)

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Hemet High Theatre Presents

ALL MEN and WOMEN – General Audition Excerpt #1 – TEN MINUTES AGO

All Students will sing two excerpts at auditions.

Excerpts do not need to be memorized, but you are

encouraged to do so.

WOMEN

#1 – Ten Minutes Ago

#2 – In My Own Little Cor ner

MEN

#1 – Ten Minutes Ago

#2 – Now is the Time

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Audition Form: Cinderella Mater Dei Theatre Department

Name: ___________________________________________ Grade: 9 10 11 12 Homeroom teacher and room number _______________________________________________________ Your cell phone number: __________________________________ Text? __________________________ Age_____________ Height _____________ Hair color _____________ T-Shirt size ______________________ Please check all positions of interest:

_______Principal _______Supporting _______ Ensemble

_______ Set/Prop Crew _______ Stage Crew _______ Tech Crew _______ House Crew _______ Costume/ Make-Up Crew

Vocal Part: _____________________________ Range:__________________________________________ Availability This is one of the most important elements of your audition sheet. Availability plays a huge role in casting, and failure to complete form below honestly may result in dismissal from the production. List the time and obligation for each of the days listed below. Example: Monday: 2:45-5:00 Swimming practice/ Thursday: 6:45-8:30 Church

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Activities, Jobs, Responsibilities after school (times should already be listed above): Known conflicts or unavailable dates/times: (performances, games, appointments, out of town trips, etc.) If you receive a part in this production, regardless the size, you are expected to attend- and be prepared for- ALL REHEARSALS and PERFORMANCES. By signing bellowing you are agreeing to these terms. Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ___________________