Zilker Theatre Productions cordially invites you to audition for the 50th Annual Zilker Summer Musical...

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Audition Dates: March 15 and 16, 2008 Production Staff: Artistic Director: Scott Schroeder Executive Producer: Peter Beilharz Associate Producer: Eric Brown Director: Scott Schroeder Choreographer: Judy Thompson-Price Music Director: Michael McKelvey Scenic Designer: Cliff Simon Costume Designer: Kerry Bechtel Lighting Designer: Scott Tatum Sound Designer: Jason Frankhouser Properties Designer: Jonn Cherico

Audition Information

ALL ROLES ARE AVAILABLE

Audition Dates and Times:

Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday, March 16, 2008, noon - 5:00pm

(The initial audition appointments will last approximately one hour.)

NOTE: Auditions are by appointment only. See below for information on making an appointment.

Audition Location:

Ballet Austin
3002 Guadalupe
Austin, Texas 78705

What to Prepare/Bring:

For the audition, please be prepared to sing 16-32 bars of a Broadway Standard to show off your vocal range. Bring sheet music for the pianist already in your key (no a cappella or rock songs). Also, no recorded music or self-accompaniment will be allowed. It is fine to sing a song from the show if you prefer.

The dance audition will take place during your audition appointment. You do not need to prepare anything in advance for the dance audition. Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes (e.g. jazz or ballet if you have them) for the dance audition.

We will have audition forms for everyone to complete; however, if you have a headshot and/or resume, please feel free to bring them with you to the audition. Please also be prepared to list any conflicts you may have during the rehearsal/performance period (see below).

Callbacks:

Callbacks are by invitation only. If you are invited to the callbacks, you may be provided with additional music and/or scenes from the script to learn. Callbacks will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2008.

Specific callback times will be arranged based on the role(s) for which you are being considered.

Rehearsals:

Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to start Saturday, April 26, 2008. Depending on cast scheduling conflicts, rehearsals are typically held Monday-Thursdays between 6:30-10pm as well as 4-6 hour weekend rehearsals on both Saturdays (between 10am-6pm) and Sundays (between noon-8pm). We will usually try to schedule Friday and Saturday evenings off up until opening weekend.

The rehearsal site will be the Ballet Austin Studios on Guadalupe.

Performances:

The show opens on Saturday, June 28, 2008 and runs through Saturday, August 9, 2008. Performances are Thursdays - Sundays beginning approximately 8:30pm in the evening.

All performances will be at the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater, located in Zilker Park across from Barton Springs Pool. (Please Note: Zilker Hillside Theater is an outdoor theater.)

Audition Appointments:

We will begin accepting requests for audition appointments on February 15, 2008.

Our preferred contact method is via email; however, if you are not able to submit your request via email, you may leave us a phone message.

Send email to: zilkerauditions@yahoo.com or call: 512-479-9491

If you have a preference of audition day (3/15 or 3/16), please include that information in your message. Please also be sure to include your name and a phone number in case we need to contact you by phone.

Audition appointments will be scheduled on a "first come, first served" basis. We will do our best to schedule an audition appointment on your preferred day.

You can expect to receive an audition confirmation within 24-48 hours (starting February 15th). The confirmation will include information about available time-ranges and instructions for finalizing your audition appointment.

A Brief Synopsis of the Show:

Disney's lavish stage musical about a strong-willed yet kind-hearted and misunderstood young woman, Belle, who breaks the spell that turned a handsome prince into a monstrous beast. After warding off the affections of the local village's pompous hunter, Gaston, Belle sets out to save her beloved (but eccentric) inventor father who got lost in the forest. After finding her father imprisoned by the Beast in his enchanted castle, Belle agrees to become his prisoner forever in order for her father to be released. Once inside the Beast's enchanted castle, the members of his court -- who have been transformed into household objects like clocks and candlesticks -- decide to play matchmakers to try to break the spell. As the Beast begins to fall in love with Belle, he becomes progressively less beastly. But the spell can only be broken if the Beast can get Belle to love him in return. And time is running out.

Note from the Director:

We are very excited to present Disney's Beauty and the Beast as our 50th anniversary production of the Zilker Summer Musical. We are looking to cast actors of all shapes and sizes as well as ethnic backgrounds for a total cast of 24-30 actors. We plan to cast at least 1-2 children to play "Chip" and be in the village ensemble.

Note: For those who may be concerned, we are in the process of designing costumes that use lighter weight and more open weave fabrics (possible open mesh on a frame) for our primary object characters. This is not only as a practical concern for the actor's comfort and safety but as a complete design concept that the characters are becoming the objects in the story and so that the audience is always aware of the person inside.

In addition to this year's production in the park, we are planning a large 50th Anniversary Tribute show and Zilker Summer Musical Alumni event to be presented during the July 4th weekend. Most likely, we will have the cast of Beauty and the Beast perform at this event in addition to the other live performance and video retrospectives from selected alumni of songs and dances from past shows to celebrate our 50 years of bringing free musicals to Central Texas audiences.

Character Breakdown:

BELLE - A strong-willed, adventurous, vibrant, intelligent and somewhat noble young beauty. A classic beauty but unaware of her looks (Female, Age: 16 - 30, Voice: Mezzo, Dancing: Should move well)

BEAST - A temperamental and domineering Prince who has been transformed into a terrifying beast for his lack of compassion. Although he can be hot tempered, he has a warm, loving heart buried under his gruff exterior. (Male, Age: 21 - 45, Voice: Baritone, Dancing: Light)

MAURICE - Belle's eccentric and lovable inventor father. Character actor (Male, Age: 40 - 60, Voice: Baritone, Dancing: N/A)

GASTON - The tall, muscular, very handsome hunter who is larger than life, rude, and self-centered. He will go to any length to get Belle to marry him. Actor should have great humor abilities without pushing for the laughs. (Male, Age: 23 - 36, Voice: Baritone, Dancing: Should move well)

LEFOU - Gaston's bumbling sidekick. Physical comedian; acrobatics and/or clowning abilities a plus (Male, Age: 18 - 35, Voice: Baritone, Dancing: Good mover)

LUMIERE - A suave, debonair enchanted candelabra. The "Life of the Party" master of ceremonies of the castle Strong comedic actor (Male, Age: 25 - 50, Voice: Baritone, Dancing: Light)

MRS. POTTS - A warm-hearted, very maternal enchanted teapot who tries to help Belle find comfort in the castle. She is the female head of the household (Female, Age: 30 - 50, Voice: Mezzo, Dancing: N/A)

COGSWORTH - The tightly-wound, enchanted mantle clock and the head of the Beast's household; the height of propriety and order. A strong comedic, physical actor sometimes acting out very silly in his exasperation towards others lack of propriety (Male, Age: 30 - 65), Voice: Baritone, Dancing: N/A

BABETTE* - A saucy, enchanted feather-duster, and the object of Lumiere's affections. Actress should be able to be seductive with a comic flair; strong dancer with a showgirl type figure (Female, Age: 18 - 30, Voice: Soprano, Dancing: Medium)

MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE* - A former opera diva turned enchanted wardrobe. The secret object of Cogsworth's affections. A comic, singing actress with a High C (Female, Age: 30 - 60), Voice: Mezzo/Soprano, Dancing: N/A)

CHIP* - An enchanted teacup, and Mrs. Potts' darling little boy. (Male or Female, Age: 8 - 14, Voice: Soprano, Dancing: N/A)

MONSIEUR D'ARQUE* - The sinister, devious owner of the local insane asylum, 'The Maison De Lune'. (Male, Age: 30 - 60, Voice: Tenor, Dancing: N/A)

SILLY GIRLS - Three young woman who obsess for Gaston's affections (Females, Age: 16-30, Voice: varies, Dancing: Medium)

MALE and FEMALE ENSEMBLE - Other specific villagers, wolfs, enchanted objects of the castle, etc.

* Actors cast in these roles will probably be included in the opening number "Belle" as a villager in addition to their other role.

Schedule an Audition Appointment or Get More Information...

E-mail: zilkerauditions@yahoo.com

Celebrating 50 years of family-oriented musical entertainment!
the longest running outdoor production of its type in the United States