AUDITIONS
Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Directed by: Dylan Sladky
Music Directed by: Shanae Tullis
Stage Management: Cora Beeman
Choreographer: Shannon Jung
Assistant Stage Management: Connor Esteb
In Person Auditions:
Thursday, September 19th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Callbacks:
Saturday, September 21st, 1:30pm - 6:00pm
Performances:
December 6th - December 21st
ABOUT THE SHOW
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages..
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Actors under the age of 18 must be enrolled in at least one class with Metropolitan Performing Arts. Actors under the age of 12 are not eligible for mainstage productions. If Actors are between the ages of 12 and 18 and enrolled in 3 or more classes they have a spot in the cast/tech team pending their audition. All actors must audition for the Musical in order to be cast. Actors over the age of 18 are volunteers. There is no monetary compensation for this show. If actors between the ages of 12 and 18 are cast in this show, they will need to enroll on Active in Mainstage White Christmas and agree to pay a show fee of 300.00 per student. (discounts if applicable may apply) Show fees include the cost of *Performance/Show Conditioning. All students in Mainstage must take Show Conditioning if possible with their schedule. This class is not a substitute for a dance class. * If you have already signed up for Show Conditioning for the year please talk with our Office Manager as this can be put towards your show fee if cast.
Our Show fees help us to perform amazing shows like Newsies and White Christmas. The Rights for a show like White Christmas are over $4000, plus the cost of scripts. Plus, costumes, sets and more. This is just a small ask to help us perform the shows your kids love. If you would like to become a show sponsor for White Christmas or any future shows please let Kris Heller or Chulina Wheeler know or pick up a flier in the MPA lobby.
Audition Submission and Contact Details
There will be no email audition submission for this show.
Audition & Callback Date, Time and Venue
In person Auditions will be Thursday, September 19th, 5:00 - 9:00pm
Callbacks
Callbacks will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 1:30pm - 6:00pm
The audition, callback, rehearsal and performance venue is
Metropolitan Performing Arts located at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98686.
Audition and Callbacks Panel
You will be auditioning for the Director Dylan Sladky, Music Director Shanae Tullis, and Choreographer Shannon Jung. An MPA representative may also be present. An accompanist may also be present in the room at auditions and/or callbacks. The Stage Manager, Cora Beeman, and ASM Connor Esteb will be at the venue to run the callbacks and assist with any questions.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Irving Berlin's White Christmas is a fun, moving, high-energy and choreography heavy musical and it requires a cast to match. We are looking for:
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A variety in look with all ethnicities, body shapes and sizes.
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Versatility in acting range, with the ability to play more than one character, including characters in contrasting ages.
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Strong solo singers who can also blend in an ensemble
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Strong singers who can danceStrong dancers who can sing
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Triple Threats
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Friendly people who work hard
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Commitment to the show and rehearsal process
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A great attitude.
Bob Wallace:
A superb singer with a crooning style that moves well.
Phil Davis:
Strong jazz and tap-dancing needed - A song-and-dance comic performer.
Betty Haynes:
A female singer of quiet beauty and charm who must move well.
Judy Haynes:
Strong jazz and tap-dancing needed - A song-and-dance comic performer.
Susan Waverly:
She must have an excellent belt voice and be able to move well.
Ralph Sheldrake:
Jokester army buddy of Bob and Phil's, now a major television executive. Belt voice, moves well.
Rita:
Performer in the Wallace and Davis Company. Brash and fun, friends with Rhoda. Perhaps not the brightest.
Rhoda:
Performer in the Wallace and Davis Company. Brash and fun, friends with Rita. Perhaps not the
brightest.
Ezekiel Foster:
Practical, the ultimate laid back New Englander. A man of few words. Caretaker at The Inn. Takes life at the a very very leisurely pace.
Mike:
Bob and Phil's Stage Manager. Can be overly dramatic and often hysterical, but gets the job done. Works to attempt a sense of control and order for the company.
Tessie:
Young character woman to play Bob and Phil's secretary. Mezzo-Soprano, Belter.
Jimmy:
The Proprietor of "Jimmy's Back Room", a none-too-classy nightclub.
The Ensemble:
Cigarette Girl
Snoring Man
Mrs. Snoring Man
Train Conductor
Dance Captain
Seamstress
Assistant Seamstress
Ed Sullivan Announcer
Regency Room Announcer - Offstage Voice
Sheldrake's Secretary - Offstage Voice
"Jimmy's Back Room" Clubgoers
Train Passengers
Inn Guests
Patrons of The Regency Room
Please Note: General Henry Waverly and Martha Watson the Housekeeper will be played by guest adult actors.
THE CHARACTERS
AUDITION FORMAT
Please try to bring in a headshot, acting resume and completed audition form. If you do not have these things that is okay but if you do we would like to see them. Please don't stress but treat this like a professional audition.
Auditions
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Thursday, September 19th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm : Sign ups for a time block in The Greenroom.
Vocal
You are required to sing 32 bars or less of a musical theatre song that demonstrates your vocal range and ability. This should be a selection from a song that you know well and can perform off by heart. Please choose a song in the style of White Christmas, preferably from The Golden Age of Musical Theatre ( 1940s-1960s There will be an accompanist but if you do not have sheet music you can sing with a track if you provide one. There will be a Bluetooth speaker and an aux cord provided for your use at the audition, although we do encourage you to use the pianist.
Monologue
You are also required to prepare an 1 minute comedic monologue that demonstrates your acting ability, that you can also perform fully memorized. Be prepared to adjust it as the director asks in your audition. Please no monologues from movies, television shows or social-media sources.
Callback Format
All auditionees should keep the call back date ( September 21st from 1:30pm - 6:00pm ) available in case of a callback. You will be contacted if you are required for callbacks and emailed further music to prepare if required. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the songs from the show before callbacks. Everyone should be prepared to dance and to read a script excerpt from the show in a "cold read". You will be dancing, so remember to bring appropriate clothing and shoes and if you are interested in being part of the tap dance call, please bring your tap shoes. There will be time to change in between the dance call and the rest of callbacks.
Casting Outcomes
We will notify you as soon as possible of the outcome of your audition whether you are cast or not. Please ensure that the contact details you provide on your audition form are correct and legible. Auditionees who are cast will be contacted by telephone. Auditionees who are not cast will be notified by email.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
Rehearsals
General rehearsals are planned to commence September 26th. All rehearsals are held at Metropolitan Performing Arts or at a TBD offsite location. Please note that rehearsal calls are subject to change. All potential rehearsal days are listed below. Not all cast members may be called to each rehearsal day, but you must have it available.
Please note all conflicts and possible conflicts at the time of your audition.
