1 Ashland Productions Summer Alumni Production 2019 next to normal Audition Instructions • Prepare a musical excerpt Below are the musical excerpt options. The details of the music portion of the audition are on page 3 (specific cuts, accompaniment tracks, etc.) • Diana - “I Miss the Mountains” & “Didn’t I See This Movie?” • Natalie - “Superboy and the Invisible Girl” • Dan & Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine - “I’ve Been” • Gabe - “I’m Alive” • Henry - “Perfect for You” • Record and submit your audition Submit your audition via email to [email protected]Your submission should include the following: • Video recording of a musical excerpt • Completed audition form (included in this packet) • Resume • Headshot *Audition submissions due October 1st! audition packet
Transcript
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Ashland Productions Summer Alumni Production 2019
next to normal
Audition Instructions
• Prepare a musical excerpt
Below are the musical excerpt options. The details of the music portion of the audition are on page 3 (specific cuts, accompaniment tracks, etc.)
• Diana - “I Miss the Mountains” & “Didn’t I See This Movie?” • Natalie - “Superboy and the Invisible Girl” • Dan & Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine - “I’ve Been” • Gabe - “I’m Alive” • Henry - “Perfect for You”
• Record and submit your audition
Submit your audition via email to [email protected] Your submission should include the following:
• Video recording of a musical excerpt • Completed audition form (included in this packet) • Resume • Headshot
~ characters ~ Diana: A housewife suffering from bipolar depressive disorder. Attractive, appealing, and quick witted, yet suffering from manic depression and delusional episodes. Haunted by the past, Diana’s relationship with her husband and daughter grow more and more distant. Diana is the main character of the story and strives to become at least “next to normal,” but the reality that has developed over the years is not normal at all.
• Stage age: 38 • Vocal range: Mezzo/belter: G3-F#5 (strong mix to D5) • Musical excerpt: “I Miss the Mountains” & “Didn’t I See This Movie?”
Natalie: Diana and Dan’s daughter, and Gabe’s sister. Bright, attractive, but struggling to find herself. Dealing with her mother’s mental illness, she feels invisible in the eyes of her parents. She is attracted to Henry and the attention he gives to her, yet she is also intimidated and has trouble accepting love from others. Natalie is eager leave and start her life without feeling like a shadow in her own house.
• Stage age: 16 • Vocal range: Mezzo/belter: G3-G5 (strong mix to E5) • Musical excerpt: “Superboy and the Invisible Girl”
Dan: Diana’s husband and Natalie and Gabe’s father. Protective, patient, and kind, yet worried and exhausted by family circumstances. He tries to keep his household together, often at the expense of his own personal interest and happiness. He stays by Diana’s side, giving whatever support he can, but realizes that he has little control over his destiny.
Gabe: Diana and Dan’s daughter, and Natalie’s sister. Daring, rebellious, energetic, and carefree, he is the most affectionate towards Diana. During the show it is revealed that Gabe died as an infant and is a part of Diana’s delusions. Central to the dramatic conflict of the story, Gabe is scared of losing Diana, and fears that without her, he is no longer relevant to the family.
Henry: A student at Natalie’s school. Romantic, solid, a musician, and a bit of a stoner. Henry is clearly interested in Natalie and expresses his feelings for her throughout the show. He becomes and important outlet for her feelings about her family and her mother’s illness.
• Stage age: 17 • Vocal range: Tenor: A2-A4 (falsetto to C5) • Musical excerpt: “Perfect for You”
Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine: Dr. Fine is Diana’s psychopharmacologist. Practical and a bit cold. Dr. Madden is Diana's psychiatrist. Smart, confident, and caring. In Diana’s delusions he assumes the role of a rock star. He is a proficient doctor who is clearly concerned for Diana’s well-being.
• Stage age: 25-40 • Vocal range: Tenor: A2-A4 • Musical excerpt: “I’ve Been” • Note: These characters are played by the same actor
*Stage age refers to the age of the character, not the age of the actor (we will consider all ages for all roles)
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~ musical excerpts ~ Choose the musical excerpt of the character that best fits your voice. We are looking for
vocal ability, range, musicianship, and style. Additionally, we are looking for your ability to portray the characters’ current given circumstances, objectives/wants, obstacles, tactics
used to overcome these obstacles, etc. (acting!)
Below is the list of musical excerpts by character and their respective links to accompaniment tracks. *Use these tracks when recording your audition*
(these are for auditions only, our show will feature live musicians)
Sheet music with the proper cuts is included at the end of this packet
*For the role of Diana, please submit both musical excerpts **For audition purposes only - this character does not sing this song in the show
~ recording your audition ~
• Record (audio and video) your audition using the device that is most convenient for you (we are not expecting professional quality).
• Include a short slate at the beginning of your video (i.e. “My name is __________ and I will be singing the excerpts for Gabe and Henry”).
• Make sure your recording audio is balanced (voice and accompaniment) and clearly shows your face and body from the waist up.
• Be sure to include the all necessary audition items: - Video recording of a musical excerpt(s) - Completed audition form (both pages) - Resume - Headshot
If NO, what role(s) will you accept? ______________________________
Are you willing to swear on stage? YES NO
Are you willing to kiss another actor on stage? YES NO
Are you willing to cut and/or dye your hair? YES NO
Do you play the piano? YES NO
If YES, how many years? ______
Please list any other notable information below:
Audition form page ! of !1 2
Rehearsal Schedule/Conflicts
Rehearsals are 7:00-10:00 PM. Please circle / highlight all known conflicts with the schedule below. If you wish to explain a conflict, please do so on a separate page.
We would also like the cast of Next to Normal to perform at Ashland’s Alumni Cabaret in December. Please circle/highlight any conflicts you may have with that schedule, as
well as our New Year read-through!
Week 1Monday, May 20thTuesday, May 21stWednesday, May 22ndThursday, May 23rdFriday, May 24th
Week 3Monday, June 3rdTuesday, June 4thWednesday, June 5thThursday, June 6thFriday, June 7th
Week 5Monday, June 17thTuesday, June 18thWednesday, June 19thThursday, June 20thFriday, June 21st
Week 2Monday, May 27thTuesday, May 28thWednesday, May 29thThursday, May 30thFriday, May 31st
Week 4Monday, June 10thTuesday, June 11thWednesday, June 12thThursday, June 13thFriday, June 14th
Week 6 - Tech/PerformancesSaturday, June 22nd *12-8 PM
Monday, June 24th Tuesday, June 25th Wednesday, June 26thThursday, June 27th Friday, June 28th Saturday, June 29th Sunday, June 30th
Thursday, December 27th Friday, December 28th Rehearsals 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday, December 29th Cabaret Performance 7:00 PM
January 2nd - January 5thRead Through (Day & Time TBD)
