Friday, January 6 th 2006 Auditions Sunday, January 22 nd, 6:00PM Monday, January 23 rd, 7:00PM Callbacks Wednesday, January 25 th, 7:00PM
Introductions Director (Paul Metzger) Music Director (Judy Hayward) Choreographer (Donna O Bryant) Producer (Rich Glynn) Stage Manager (Deb Ritrovato) Technical Director (Dennis Schneider) Set Design Lead (John McAllister) Set Decorator (Elizabeth Perrin) Lighting Designers (Dennis Schneider, Craig Brennan) Sound (Mike O Keefe) Costumes (Tracy Smith lead, Kathleen Goreham) Makeup (Linda Stanley)
Production Overview CATS is about a tribe of cats ( Jellicle cats ) who get together once a year to see which of them will be chosen to ascend to the next level (the Heaviside layer ) Based on T.S. Eliot's 1939 collection of children's' verses, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats Longest running musical in Broadway and London history Entire show is sung no spoken words (OK there s a few) Takes place in the present-day, on a rooftop (not a junkyard) New concept choreography and set design Same music and lyrics as Broadway version
Production Overview 12 week rehearsal schedule (starting Sunday, February 5 th ) Rehearsal Times: Sundays, 6:00PM 10:00PM Wednesdays, 7:00PM 10:00PM Mondays (as needed), 7:00PM 10:00PM You ll be given a character-specific rehearsal schedule and won t be required to show up until you re needed, but BE ON TIME!
The Plot Cats gather for their annual Jellicle Ball They discover the audience and realize that some of the people don t know what Jellicle Cats are Do I actually see with my own very eyes, a man who s not heard of a Jellicle Cat? The cats decide to share the evening with them (no 4 th Wall) Munkustrap acts as the Master of Ceremonies The cats audition to be the one chosen to be reborn Old Deuteronomy is the Daddy Cat who makes the choice Grizabella, the once glamorous star, appears at the gathering and isn t recognized, shunned by all, but eventually accepted and chosen by Deuteronomy Throughout the night, our antagonist Macavity interrupts the festivities, at one point kidnapping Deuteronomy Mr. Mistoffolees, the magical cat, rescues Deuteronomy Grizabella ascends to the Heaviside Layer
Character List 34 Named Cats + ~ 6 Chorus Old Deuteronomy Munkustrap Rum Tum Tugger Quaxo Mr. Mistoffelees Mungojerrie Bustopher Jones Growltiger Asparagus Skimbleshanks Macavity Alonzo Coricopat Victor Bill Bailey Carbuckety Plato George Admetus Grizabella Demeter Bombalurina Jellylorum Jenyanydots Rumpleteazer Jemima Griddlebone Victoria Cassandra Tantomile Etcetera Electra Exotica Sillibub Chorus = mix of male and female
Costumes / Characters Pre-audition (optional) workshops to focus on cat like movement and dance plus basic elements of acting feline Costumes will range in style from body-hugging leotards to loose fitting sweatsuits, depending on character and actor Wigs and hoods (cat ears, not human ears) for all cats Costume team already hard at work! The good news is that there are VERY few costume changes Large, small, skinny, tall, old, young... all are GREAT! Actors, singers and/or dancers are needed Not everyone needs to be a triple threat Music requires a very full choral sound Actions and re-actions need to be cat-like
Makeup Makeup workshops will happen weeks prior to tech week Technique will be taught during rehearsals artists apply one half of the face, actors learns to do their own makeup (with practice) by applying the other half Because of the makeup intensity of the show, special lit makeup stations will be provided and the cast and crew need to plan adequate time for makeup See web site for current makeup plots Bombalurina
Set Concept Takes place on a theater rooftop Many angles / levels to play on Avoids direct comparison with the Broadway junkyard set Stairs and landing to roof access door provide additional levels Stage built out over orchestra pit (as an adjacent, slanted roof) Oversized set pieces We ll still have junk lying around Cat-to-human size ratio approximately 4:1 Single physical time and place (over the course of one night) Choreography provides a different style for each dance Props (from junk heaps) used for various songs Lighting key to set mood and provide variety of stage pictures Orchestra is on stage, but unseen (stage right wing) Ascension to Heaviside layer is done via flying in a set piece, then flying Grizabella out to stage left loft
Scene List Act One Overture The Orchestra Prologue: Jellicle Songs The Company The Naming of Cats The Company The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball Victoria, Quaxo, Munkustrap The Old Gumbie Cat Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Bombalurina, Demeter The Rum Tum Tugger Rum Tum Tugger Grizabella, the Glamour Cat Grizabella, Demeter, Bombalurina Bustopher Jones Bustopher, Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Bombalurina Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer Rumpelteazer Old Deuteronomy Munkustrap, Rum Tum Tugger, Old Deuteronomy The Battle of the Pekes and Pollicles <CUT> Munkustrap, Peke Leader, Pollicle Leader, The Rumpus Cat The Jellicle Ball The Company Grizabella Victoria, Grizabella Act Two The Moments of Happiness Old Deuteronomy, Jemima Gus: The Theatre Cat Jellylorum, Asparagus Growltiger's Last Stand Growltiger, Griddlebone, The Crew, Ghengis Skimbleshanks Skimbleshanks, Tantomile, Cassandra, Electra, Rumpelteazer, Carbucketty, Victoria, Jemima, Mungojerrie, Coricopat, George, Bill Bailey, Etcetera, Alonzo Macavity Demeter, Bombalurina, Macavity, Munkustrap, Alonzo The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees Quaxo, otherwise known as Mr Mistoffelees, Rum Tum Tugger Memory Grizabella, Jemima Journey to the Heaviside Layer The Company The Ad-dressing of Cats Old Deuteronomy
Philosophy on Directing The primary role of a director is to set the vision for the production, and to clearly communicate that vision The difference between a good production and a great one is what the actors are doing when the focus is not on them. It s not just about acting it s about reacting Characters are key the actors need to know Why they re on stage at any given moment What their character was doing prior to their entrance Where their character was prior to the entrance Let actors explore the process of building their characters, but keep them guided towards the director s vision Music, choreography, and lights are critical they help tell the story and evoke the emotions in a scene Ensemble productions require that the cast get to know each other preferably before tech week!
Challenges Dance-intensive production While true, this not everyone needs to be an incredible dancer Need a strong dance team augmented by a tight cast Cat-like movement is key for everyone Costumes / Makeup There s no way I m getting into a leotard! don t worry You ll learn lots of new skills It s Andrew Lloyd Webber Music is difficult and entire show is sung (and it s poetry) Diction is key the audience MUST understand all the words Acting while singing not an either/or option Did we mention the fact that everyone s a cat? Written libretto (not just vocal score) helps with blocking, notes, tech crew
Challenges Special effects Magical Mr. Mistoffolees, disappearance of Deuteronomy, ascension of Grizabella to the Heaviside layer First time on a community theater stage Comparison against Broadway and professional productions We need to work within our limits, highlight our strengths, but keep the heart of the show clearly recognizable
What to prepare for Auditions Song of your choosing, approximately 1 2 minutes in length Similar in style to the role(s) you're auditioning for No songs from CATS, please A pianist will be provided BRING YOUR SHEET MUSIC WITH YOU Vocal Evaluation Criteria Ability to sing on pitch and in rhythm Vocal quality, strength, and range Dramatic Evaluation Criteria Your audition song has to highlight your acting ability as well as your vocal ability You will need to "act the song" and make it real A short cat-like group improvisation will be required Vocal inflection, facial expressions, and body language are key Bring a headshot and resume if you have one An Audition Form needs to be filled out by everyone, even if you have a resume Electronic versions of the Audition Form will be available online (www.actorsingers.org)
What to expect at Auditions Show up downstairs at Actorsingers Hall and sign in Dance audition will be taught when you arrive, so wear comfortable clothing and jazz shoes or sneakers Small groups of 4 6 will be brought upstairs to the rehearsal studio for vocal and dance auditions The Audition Board consists of six people, three of which are the show directors, two other Actorsingers, and one peer from a different community theater group Cast list will be posted to the web site in the days that follow (most likely posted the night of callbacks)
Taking the Show On the Road Yes, we re taking this show up to Concord, NH! Concord City Auditorium Friday June 9 th, Saturday June 10 th Transportation, lodging, and food will be provided The set will be very similar, but their stage is smaller Preference will be given to casting the Nashua production It s highly desirable to have the same cast available for both the Nashua and Concord performances
For More Information Actorsingers of Nashua web site www.actorsingers.org Yes, this presentation will be posted on the web. Email the directors Paul Metzger (Director) pjmetzger@comcast.net Judy Hayward (Music Director) yukonsnowbird@yahoo.com Donna O Bryant (Choreographer) toots4884@aol.com