The Wizard of Oz: Audition Packet! Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 1 Greetings students! This audition packet will assist you in preparing to audition for The Wizard of Oz. In this packet you will find a summary of the plot of the musical, a list of characters and their descriptions, short monologues and scenes from the musical for you to prepare, and song selections for you to prepare. There are many unique and special roles in The Wizard of Oz. Some focus on singing, others on dancing, and some very important parts are strictly acting parts. There are opportunities for students to showcase special skills (e.g., juggling). Although we suggest you audition with material that corresponds to the role (or roles) in which you are interested, you will be considered for all roles (male or female). Steps to Audition 1. Before making a commitment to the middle school musical, please read through all the information on the permission form along with your parent(s), which has important rules, guidelines, and the schedules rehearsal dates. The permission form can be found on the Wizard of Oz page on the TMS website 2. Fill out the permission form with your parent as well as an audition form (both available in the middle school main office). Return the permission forms to the main office no later than Monday November 27. BRING YOUR AUDITION FORM to your audition. 3. Sign up for an audition time via the sign-up genius link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080549a8ae2ca7ff2-audition. 4. Prepare for the audition using the information provided in the audition packet monologues and songs included. Links to the vocal tracks for the song selections can be found on the Wizard of Oz page on the TMS website. Each vocal track selection is a combination of 2 audio tracks (Guide Vocals followed by Accompaniment only). You can learn the song using the guide vocals, then use the accompaniment to practice. Please memorize your lyrics; only audition with the lyrics if absolutely necessary. Please do not copy the vocal style of the singers on the sample tracks, the voices are simply for you to learn the song, they do not represent how we think you should interpret the songs. 5. Vocal and acting auditions are Tuesday, November 28 and Thursday, November 30. Dance and additional acting auditions are Friday, December 1. Call-back auditions will be conducted on Monday December 4 and Tuesday December 5. 6. The casting will be completed by Friday December 8. Each performer should prepare: At least 1 song selection and the monologues/snippets associated with at least one character. Although you should choose the material that interests you the most, you will be considered for all the characters in the show, regardless of which songs/scenes you choose. You may be asked to read something else from the audition material. The more prepared you are with your material, the better you will be able to showcase yourself and the more fun you will have! If there are any questions, please feel free to email Susan Vardy at sbvardy@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing you all!
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 2 MUSICAL SUMMARY The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life ( Over the Rainbow ). The family s mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to impound Dorothy s cherished dog, Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with kindly Professor Marvel, who subtly convinces Dorothy to return home. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz. In Oz, Dorothy is greeted by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Apparently, Dorothy s house has landed upon and fatally stricken the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from the Wicked Witch of the East, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine ( Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead/Munchkin Musical Sequence ). The celebration is interrupted as the Wicked Witch of the West suddenly appears, seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister s shoes, which are now on Dorothy s feet, the Witch vows to return and quickly vanishes. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to see the Wizard of Oz ( Follow the Yellow Brick Road ). Along the way, Dorothy meets three new friends, each of whom lacks a crucial characteristic: The Scarecrow ( If I Only Had a Brain ) The Tinman ( If I Only Had a Heart ) and the Lion ( If I Only Had the Nerve ). Together, the four new companions make their way towards Oz ( We re Off to See the Wizard ). The Witch attempts to sedate the travelers with a poisonous field of poppies, but Glinda reverses the spell with healing snowflakes ( Poppies/Optimistic Voices ). The travelers, arriving at the Emerald City, are delayed by a stubborn Gatekeeper, but Dorothy s tears convince him to relent and let them in ( Merry Old Land of Oz ). As the group awaits its audience with the Wizard, the Lion boasts he is King of The Forest. Finally, they meet the imposing and irritable Wizard, who demands the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. The four friends travel deep into the haunted forest. Suddenly, they encounter jitterbugs, who make them dance until they collapse from exhaustion ( Jitterbug ). The Wicked Witch s flying monkeys swoop down, capturing Dorothy and Toto. At the castle, the Witch vows to take Dorothy s life. Meanwhile, the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinman infiltrate the castle disguised as Winkie guards. The foursome and Toto are reunited, but the Wicked Witch interferes, threatening the Scarecrow with fire. Dorothy, dousing the flames with a bucket of water, accidentally strikes the Witch, who smolders and melts into nothing ( Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead Reprise ). The four friends, triumphant, take the Witch s broom back to the Wizard. The Wizard remains imperious and imposing, but Toto pulls aside a curtain to reveal a meek and ordinary man speaking into a microphone. The Wizard, revealed to be a humbug, nonetheless grants each traveler s request, giving the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion each a token of their newly-acquired abilities. The Wizard offers to take Dorothy back to Kansas in his hot-air balloon, but the balloon accidentally takes off without her, and Dorothy is left alone and crestfallen. Glinda appears and explains that Dorothy has always had the power to return home. All she must do is close her eyes, tap her heels together three times, and repeat to herself, There s no place like home. Back in Kansas, Dorothy awakens, confused, with a bump on her head. Reunited with all her loved ones, and relieved to learn the storm has left Miss Gulch incapacitated by a broken leg, Dorothy shares the tale of her miraculous journey, celebrating the joy and healing power of home.
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 3 The Wizard of Oz CHARACTER BREAKDOWN & DESCRIPTION LEADING & SUPPORTING ROLES Dorothy Gale: Sweet and innocent but with a definite streak of boldness; outspoken and headstrong girl, who dearly loves her family, friends and dog, Toto. Dorothy lives on farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em & Uncle Henry, but dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she will not get into trouble; Strong vocalist and dancer required. Aunt Em Gale: A hard-working farmer s wife who is very firm & no-nonsense but also warm and caring; she cares very deeply for Dorothy, but doesn't understand her energy! Sings reprise of Somewhere Over the Rainbow as a duet with Dorothy. Uncle Henry Gale: Likable farmer; Honest, hardworking and adoring uncle to Dorothy; Non-singing role. Hunk (Scarecrow): Hunk is a clumsy farmhand on the family s Kansas farm. As the scarecrow, he wants nothing more than to get a brain. Very loveable, funny - and - smart! Moves well and very flexibly (remember he has no bones); Sings. Hickory (Tin Man): Hickory is a kind, sweet and nurturing farmhand. As the Tin man, he wants nothing more than to get a heart! The Tinman used to be a real man, but the Wicked Witch changed him. Very loveable and caring. Must move well --- (the Tinman is very rigid - he's made of tin! but also must skip and turn); Sings. Zeke (Lion): Zeke is a farmhand who acts tough, but whose fearful self comes out in any scary situation. As the Lion, he wants courage! The Lion is very funny, loveable, and bigger than life. Must move well and sing. Miss Almira Gulch (Wicked Witch of the West): Well-off, cold-hearted Gale neighbor who hates Toto! Miss Gulch is a socialite, very stuck up and bitter. She uses her status in the community to get her way. She has targeted Dorothy's dog Toto for her wrath. As the Wicked Witch of the West, she wants revenge on Dorothy after Dorothy kills the Witch's sister. The Witch is dramatic and evil through and through. A non-singing role, but cackling is a must! Toto: Dorothy s dog, who comes to life in Munchkinland. Non-singing, but lots of exuberant energy and agile movement! Professor Marvel (Wizard): Professor Marvel is a traveling salesman who makes a living by telling fortunes. He is a bit of a conman, but has a good heart; Non-singing role. As the Wizard of Oz in Act 2, he is a bit of a scoundrel, but becomes a kinder and likable. He is a strong presence. Glinda: Good Witch of the North who is friendly, radiant. The mother figure indeed the Queen figure - for Munchkins and for Dorothy as well, who she guides through Oz; Delicate and graceful. Singing role. Doorman: Comical character in Emerald City; starts out tough but melts into a softy. Guard: First person to meet Dorothy upon arrival to Emerald City; Comical; changes from harsh to sympathetic.
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 4 ENSEMBLE CAST There are many ensemble roles that appear in Munchkinland, on the way to Oz, and in Emerald City. Some sing, some dance, (some do both), and some are non-speaking roles. Many roles will be doubled-up. Cyclone: Dancers will help create the tornado effect through interpretive dance, moving scenery and manipulating puppets or rigged costumes; Non-singing roles. Characters that make and appearance in the tornado are: Lady (in rocking chair), Cow (2 people), Men (2 in row boat) Munchkins: Residents of Munchkinland where Dorothy s house lands after the cyclone; All are enthusiastic and full of joy. All participate in singing (some solos, some not) and all move to music (some dance). The Munchkins have many individual identities including the following featured roles: Barrister: Lawyer of Munchkinland, with lines/vocal solos Mayor: Mayor of Munchkinland, with lines/vocal solos Coroner: Verifies the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, with lines/vocal solos City Fathers 1 and 2: Two of the city leaders of Munchkinland, with lines/vocal solo Tots #1, #2, and #3: The three tots represent the Lullaby League; they sing and dance Tough Guys #1, #2, and #3: They look tough; they represent the Lollipop Guild; they sing Munchkins #1 and Munchkin #2: with solo lines Dorothy meets the following characters on the way to see the Wizard: Apple Trees #1, #2, and #3: with lines Crows: must move well, sing Jitterbugs: A small group of dancers (forest creatures) who have been sent by the Wicked Witch to out-dance Dorothy. The musical number Jitterbug was cut from the movie of the Wizard of Oz, but is a great dance feature. Nikko: Leader of the Winged Monkeys, with a few lines Winged Monkeys: The Wicked Witch s menacing animal army; no lines, no singing, but stylized movement Winkie Guards: The Wicked Witch s enslaved guards who are overjoyed at her death; some singing and stylized movement Leader (Leader of the Winkie Guards): Head Guard with a few lines Ozians: Citizens of Emerald City with group song and dance. Featured in Emerald City are: Optimistic Voices: Late 1930 s-style female vocal trio who sing short chorus to welcome Dorothy and group to Emerald City Cat: non-speaking; Toto chases the cat just as the Wizard s balloon takes off
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 5 The Wizard of Oz AUDITION MATERIAL MONOLOGUES/SNIPPETS DOROTHY Dorothy (1): Aunt Em! Aunt Em! Just listen to what Miss Gulch did to Toto. Aunt Em, she hit him and... Oh, but Aunt Em, Miss Gulch hit Toto right over the back with a rake just because she says he gets into her garden and chases her nasty old cat. But he doesn t do it every day, just once or twice a week and he can t catch her old cat anyway. Now she says she s going to call the sheriff! Dorothy (2): Toto was the only friend I had in the world and I ll never see him again as long as I live (Toto returns) Toto, darling! Oh, you came back! You got away from the horrible woman, you wonderful dog. But she ll be coming back for you any minute. We ve got to get away! We ve got to run away! Dorothy (3): Follow the yellow brick road Follow the yellow brick road Now which way do we go? (Looking at Scarecrow) That s funny. Wasn t he pointing the other way? Don t be silly, Toto, scarecrows don t talk. Why, you did say something. Are you doing that on purpose or can t you make up your mind? You haven t got a brain? How can you talk if you haven t got a brain? Dorothy (4): But it wasn't a dream. It was a place. And you and you and you...and you were there. But you couldn't have been could you? No, Auntie Em, this was a real truly live place and I remember some of it wasn't very nice, but most of it was beautiful--but just the same all I kept saying to everybody was "I want to go home," and they sent me home! Doesn't anybody believe me? But anyway, Toto, we're home! Home. And this is my room, and you're all here and I'm not going to leave here ever, ever again. Because I love you all. And... Oh Auntie Em! There's no place like home! MISS GULCH/WICKED WITCH As Gulch: That dog s a menace to the community. I m taking him to the sheriff and make sure he s destroyed! There s a law protecting folks against dogs that bite! Unless you want to go against the law. As Witch: Next time I enslave a whole nation, I must check out their intelligence first. Nikko, Nikko! Where is the commander of my aerobatic apes? There you are. I have an important task for you. My enemies are about to enter the Haunted Forest. I want you to rouse your men and snatch the sickening little girl and her equally nauseating little dog... Exhausted? What do you mean you're exhausted? Alright, alright. I'll conjure up a spell to take the fight out of her. Now which of my creepy crawlie creations shall I send to plague her? The flibberty gibbet? No! The fly by night? No! Aha! I have it! The jitterbug! Well may you gibber. There is no more infectious bug in my book of spells. Once bitten, they can never stop dancing till they drop! And when they do, you shall be there to scoop up the little brat and the little brute and bring them both to me! Now go! Do my bidding! Fly, fly, fly! Soon those darling little slippers will grace my dainty feet... I wonder if the winkies do shoe repair? As Witch: As for you, my fine lady, just try to stay out of my way. Just try! I ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too! (cackle)
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 6 HUNK / SCARECROW As Hunk: Now lookit, Dorothy, you ain t using your head about Miss Gulch. Think you didn t have any brains at all. As Scarecrow: Pardon me, that way is a very nice way. It s pleasant down that way, too. It s very tedious being stuck up here with a pole up your back. But if you ll bend the nail down, maybe I ll slip off and (falls down) Whoops! Haha! There goes some of me again! I just keep picking it up and putting it back in again. As Scarecrow: Witch? Huh! I m not afraid of a Witch! I m not afraid of anything oh, except a lighted match. But I d face a whole box full of them for a chance of getting some brains. Look I won t be any trouble, because I don t eat a thing, and I won t try to manage things, because I can t think. Won t you take me with you? HICKORY/TIN MAN As Hickory: Hurry, fore my arms are pulled clear out of their sockets. I ain t a statue, you know. I ain t made of iron. Tin Man: (Tin man is STRUGGLING TO SPEAK as his mouth is sealed shut; he is giving Dorothy instructions on using the oil can). Oil.. can... O i l c a n. My mouth. The other side. My, my, my, goodness. I can talk again! Oil my arms, please. Oil my elbows. It feels wonderful. I ve held that ax up for ages. It was about a year ago that I was chopping that tree and suddenly it began to rain. Right in the middle of a chop I rusted solid. And I ve been that way ever since. ZEKE / LION: As Zeke : Listen, kid. That old Gulch ain t nothing to be afraid of. Have a little courage, that s all. As Lion : Roooaaarrr! Put em up! Put em up! I ll fight you with one paw tied behind my back! I ll fight you standing on one foot. I ll fight you with my eyes closed (Dorothy smacks his nose). Whadja do that for? I didn t bite him. You didn t have to go and hit me, did you? (Crying ) Is my nose bleeding? Lion : Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? C ourage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got? PROFESSOR MARVEL / WIZARD: As Marvel: (to Dorothy) Leaving so soon? Wait, wait! Don t tell me!... You are running away! Haha! Professor Marvel never guesses, he knows! Now gaze into the crystal ball with me As Wizard: Come forward. I am Oz the great and powerful. Who are you? WHO are YOU? Silence! The great and powerful Oz knows why you ve come. Tinman, step forward. You dare to come to me for a heart, do you? You clinking, clanking, clattering, collection of collinginous junk. As Wizard: Silence! Whippersnapper! The beneficent Oz has every intention of granting your requests! But you must prove yourselves worth. Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. Now, go! (yells) I SAID, GO!
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 7 Wizard: You are confusing courage with wisdom. Back where I come from we have men that are called heroes. Once a year, they take their fortitude out of the mothballs and parade it down the main street of the city. And they have no more courage than you have. But they have one thing you haven t got! A medal! AUNTIE EM (also a scene below) Aunt Em: Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn t mean you have the power to run the rest of us! For 23 years I ve been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now being a Christian woman, I can t say it! UNCLE HENRY Uncle Henry: (To Miss Gulch) Well if you don t want to hear what I have to say about you, you better pedal your carcass offa my land! You have friends in high places? Why don t you climb on your broomstick and go visit em? (To Dorothy) I m sorry, we can t be against the law, Dorothy. GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH: Glinda: Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Or, (pointing to Toto) is that the witch? Well, I m a little muddled. The munchkins called me because a new witch has dropped a house on the wicked witch of the east. There s the house and here you are and that s all that s left of the wicked witch of the east. And so, what the munchkins want to know is, are you a good witch or a bad witch? MAYOR OF MUNCHKINLAND Mayor: As Mayor of the Munchkin City, in the county of the land of Oz we welcome you most regally, but we have to verify it legally. To see, if she is morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, undeniably and reliably dead. Then this is a day of independence for all the munchkins and their descendants. Let the joyous news be spread. The wicked old witch at last is dead! GUARD/DOORMAN (will read GUARD part in scene below, with reader who will read other lines) DOROTHY, SCARECROW, TIN MAN, LION, & GUARD SCENES: ALL: We want to see the Wizard. GUARD: Oh oh the WIZARD? A but nobody can see the great Oz! Nobody s ever seen the great Oz! even I ve never seen him! Dorothy: Well then how do you know there is one? Guard: Because, because, because, because, because, he s um because well if there wasn t a Wizard, um why would you be here? Dorothy: Oh oh please. Please Sir. I ve got to see the Wizard. The Good Witch of the North sent me. Guard: Prove it! Scarecrow: She s wearing the Ruby slippers she gave her. Guard: Uh (he stretches out and looks down at Dorothy s feet) Well, bust my buttons. So she is! Why didn t you say so in the first place? That s a horse of a different color!
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 8 SCARECROW, TIN MAN, LION Scarecrow Look! The Witch s castle! We made it! Tin Man: But how can we find Dorothy? Lion: My paws are getting tired from all this searching Scarecrow: It s Toto! Where have you been? Tin Man: What s he sayin? Lion: The Wicked Witch has Dorothy locked in her tower? Tin Man: Oh, we have to get her out. Scarecrow: Don t cry now. I ve got a plan! Lion: He s got a plan. Scarecrow: And you re going to lead us. Lion: Me? Scarecrow: Yes, you. Toto: Ruff-ruff. Lion: All right, I ll tear em apart! (growls) There s only one thing I want you to do. Scarecrow & Tin Man: What s that? Lion: Talk me out of it. DOROTHY, AUNT EM & WICKED WITCH Dorothy: Auntie Em! Auntie Em! Is it really you? Aunt Em: Dorothy, I hope you can somehow hear me wherever you are. We re trying to find you, dear. We want you to come home, Dorothy. Please come home, come home to us, safe and sound Dorothy: Oh, I want to, Auntie Em. I really want to come home! But I m here in Oz, locked up in the Witch s castle, and I m so afraid, and I I don t know what to do. Aunt Em: Dorothy, dear. Come home to us. Just come home Witch: Sorry to break up the happy reunion! Dorothy: Auntie Em! Please come back! Please! Witch: I ll give you Auntie, Em, my pretty! (cackle) When I return, you ll get yours and I'll have mine.
LYRICS TO SONG SELECTIONS FOR AUDITIONS Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 9 REMEMBER: Links to the vocal tracks for the song selections can be found on the Wizard of Oz page on the TMS website, as can sheet music (for those of you who play piano or who have access to a pianist). Each vocal track selection is a combination of 2 audio tracks (Guide Vocals followed by Accompaniment only). You can learn the song using the Guide Vocals, then use the accompaniment to practice for the audition. It is preferred that you memorize your song, but you may audition with the lyrics if absolutely necessary. Please do not copy the vocal style of the singers on the sample tracks, the voices are simply for you to learn the song! They do not represent how you should interpret the song. OVER THE RAINBOW Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly, birds fly over the rainbow, why then oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why, can't I? COME OUT COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE (sung by Glinda in the Munchkin musical sequence) Come out, come, out, wherever you are, and meet the young lady who fell from a star. She fell from the sky, she fell very far and Kansas she says, is the name of the star (Kansas she says, is the name of the star). She brings you good news, or haven't you heard? When she fell out of Kansas, a miracle occurred. IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consultin' with the rain. And my head I'd be scratchin', while my thoughts were busy hatchin' if I only had a brain. I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le, in trouble or in pain. (With the thoughts you'd be thinkin' you could be another Lincoln) If I only had a brain. Oh, I could tell you why the ocean's near the shore. (You could think of things you never thunk before) And then I'd sit, and think some more. IF I ONLY HAD A HEART When a man's an empty kettle, he should be on his mettle, and yet, I'm torn apart. Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kinda human, if I only had a heart. I'd be tender, I'd be gentle, and awful sentimental, regarding love and art. I'd be friends with the sparrows, and the boy that shoots the arrows, if I only had a heart. Picture me, a balcony, above a voice sings low (Wherefore art thou, Romeo?) I hear a beat...(how sweet!)
Wizard of Oz Audition Packet 10 IF I ONLY HAD THE NERVE Life is sad, believe me, missy, when you're born to be a sissy, without the vim and verve. But I could change my habits, never more be scared of rabbits, if I only had the nerve. I'm afraid there's no denyin', I'm just a dandy-lion, a fate I don't deserve. But I could show my prowess, be a lion, not a mow-ess, if I only had the nerve. (Oh, you'd be in your stride, a king down to the core. You could roar the way you never roared before) and then I'd Rrrwooff! And roar some more. THE MERRY OLD LAND OF OZ Ha-ha-ha! Ho-ho-ho! And a couple of tra-la-las! That's how we laugh the day away in the merry old land of Oz. Buzz-buzz-buzz! Chirp-chirp-chirp! And a couple of la-dee-das...that's how the crickets crick all day, in the merry old land of Oz. We get up at 12 and start to work at 1. Take an hour for lunch and then at 2 we're done. (Jolly good fun!) Ha-ha-ha! Ho-ho-ho! And a couple of tra-la-las! That's how we laugh the day away in the merry old land of Oz. THE JITTERBUG SOLO (It's a Who-sis...It's a Who-sis? It's a What-sis...It's a What-sis? Who's that? Who's there? Who's where? Beware!!) Who's that hiding in the treetops? It's that rascal, the Jitterbug. Should you catch him buzzing 'round you, keep away from the Jitterbug. Oh, the bees in the breeze, and the bats in the trees, have a terrible, horrible buzz. But the bees in the breeze, and the bats in the trees couldn't do what the Jitterbug does. So, just be careful of that rascal, keep away from the Jitterbug...the Jitterbug.