Auditions: Beauty and the Beast

Tue Feb 08 2022 at 07:00 pm to Wed Feb 09 2022 at 10:00 pm

Ocala Civic Theatre | Ocala

Ocala Civic Theatre
Publisher/HostOcala Civic Theatre
Auditions: Beauty and the Beast
Advertisement
OPEN AUDITIONS
Tuesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
CALLBACKS: February 10
REHEARSALS: March 8 – May 11
PERFORMANCES: May 12 – June 5

DIRECTOR: Katrina Ploof
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Philip King
STAGE MANAGER: Kim Wise
ABOUT THE SHOW
A tale as old as time… Although the story of Beauty and the Beast was written in 1740, this magical fable is part of a great storytelling tradition that stretches back in time to when life’s lessons were conveyed by way of fables and fairytales. In this French tale, Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress, meet under the worst of circumstances. And time is running out as both the Beast and his household are slowly losing their humanity. But – if the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed back into his former self. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. At the heart of this tale are many messages: Don’t judge a book by its cover, be wary of mob mentality, remain kind-hearted against all odds, and it’s never too late for love to work magic. There is a reason that this story, and Disney’s musical adaptation, have stood the test of time.

ROLES AVAILABLE
We are seeking 12 principal/supporting roles and 23 ensemble members to play multiple roles. There is one role for a male child, age 7-10. All other actors must be age 16 and older, no exceptions.
HUMAN CHARACTERS
Belle: Age 18-24. Mezzo-soprano, range E3 to F5. A smart, plucky young woman from a provincial town. Quite literally different from the rest of her village, and yearning for something more, she is a strong, intelligent, spirited, and independent young woman. Belle is the moral compass of the story, elevated by her thoughts and deeds. This role requires a strong singer who can handle the responsibility and breadth of the leading role.
The Beast: Age 25-40. Baritone, range A2 to F4. Master of a magical castle and formerly a prince, the Beast’s tortured soul is evident for all to see. He is paying the ultimate price for a moment of mean-spiritedness and wishes that he could rectify his mistake. There is anger and menace in the Beast’s appearance and behavior, but increasingly we see his soft and endearing side as he interacts with Belle and recaptures his humanity. This role requires a strong singer, with a strong speaking voice and stage presence. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Beast’s costumes and makeup are heavy, awkward, and hot. If you struggle with claustrophobia, skin challenges, or overheating easily, this may not be the right fit for you.
Gaston: Age 25-40. Baritone, range A2 to E4. A pompous and dim-witted “ladies’ man,” Gaston is the absolute antithesis of the Beast. Although he is physically handsome, he is shallow, completely self-centered, not very bright, and thrives on attention. However, when his ego is bruised he becomes a very dangerous foe for the Beast, Belle, and Maurice. This role requires a strong singer and character actor who moves well.
LeFou: Age 20-40. Baritone, range B2 to G4. A dim-witted lackey to Gaston, he goes to extraordinary lengths and suffers repeated humiliation in his efforts to please his master. The actor must be comfortable with physical comedy, and should move well and be a strong character actor.
Maurice: Age 40-70. Baritone, range Bb2 to Db4. An inventor and Belle’s father, Maurice can be a bit scatterbrained, but there is no mistaking Maurice’s steadfast love for his daughter. Kindly, gentle, enthusiastic and inventive, he becomes single-minded and determined when Belle faces danger. Requires strong character acting and good chemistry with Belle.
Monsieur D’Arque: Age 35-70. Baritone, range D3 to A4. Proprietor of the lunatic asylum. Requires strong character acting. Will double in ensemble.
OBJECT CHARACTERS
IMPORTANT NOTE: The costumes for Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Madame de la Grande Bouche are heavy, awkward and hot. If you tend to overheat easily, or struggle with feelings of claustrophobia, then these parts will not be a good fit for you. Additionally, please be aware that you will need to be able to lift or carry 15-20 lbs. for an extended period of time.
Mrs. Potts: Age 35-55. Mezzo-Soprano, range F#3 to G5. A cook who is slowly becoming a teapot. Mrs. Potts is warm-hearted and the mother figure of the enchanted castle. British or Cockney accent required.
Lumiere: Age 25-50. Baritone, range F#2 to F#4. A French maître d’ who is slowly becoming a candelabra. He is light-hearted, suave, romantic, smooth-talking, and charming. He has a romantic involvement with Babette. This role requires strong character acting, and he should move well. French accent required.
Cogsworth: Age 35-60. Baritone, range A2 to E4. The English major-domo of the castle who is slowly becoming a mantle clock. He is a stuffy English man who loves perfection. Performer should be a strong character actor. British accent required.
Babette: Age 20-35. Soprano, range C4 to C6. A maid who is slowly becoming a feather duster. Saucy and the object of Lumiere’s affections. Role requires strong character acting and strong dancing. French accent required.
Madame de la Grande Bouche: Age 30-60. Soprano, range C#4 to G5. An opera singer who is slowly becoming a wardrobe. Role requires great comedic timing, strong character acting, and strong singing voice.
Chip: Age 7-10. Unchanged voice, range D3 to D5. Mrs. Potts’ son, who is slowly becoming a teacup. He is innocent, playful, and bright-eyed. IMPORTANT NOTE: The performer must be comfortable in confined spaces, as this role requires a substantial amount of time inside a box with only his head visible. If you struggle with claustrophobia, this part is probably not for you.
ENSEMBLE
There are 23 roles available for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass performers with strong singing and movement skills; acrobatic skills a plus. The ensemble (ages 16+) requires strong singer/dancer/actors who will play multiple roles, including villagers, magical objects, wolves, and other creatures. The ensemble is the backbone of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and requires individuals who are willing to work hard, with excellent focus and attention to detail. Many roles require multiple costume changes, the ability to carry or lift 15-20 lbs., and both dance and physical skills. IMPORTANT NOTE for the performers playing the flower vase and cheese grater: If you struggle with feelings of claustrophobia, these parts may not be the best fit for you.
AUDITIONS
Actors should prepare 32 bars from a song which shows both their vocal skill and range. Legible sheet music must be provided for the rehearsal pianist/music director. No recorded accompaniment or a cappella auditions will be allowed. Please dress appropriately for the singing and dancing audition.
Copies of the script are available at the Theatre and may be checked out from the box office for one week with a $10 refundable deposit. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please call (352) 236-2274 before coming to make sure a script is in stock. If you check out a script the week before auditions, you must return it by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 4.
It is only necessary to attend one night of auditions. No experience is necessary. Newcomers and theatre veterans alike are welcome and encouraged to audition. If you are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, please contact the Theatre at (352) 236-2274 about making a separate appointment. Be prepared at auditions to list any conflicts with the rehearsal schedule.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be held March 8 – May 11, Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ocala Civic Theatre. Please note: There may be some Saturday rehearsals. There will be an all-day tech rehearsal on Saturday, May 7.
PERFORMANCES
There will be 20 public performances, Thursdays through Sundays, from May 12 – June 5, 2022.
DIVERSITY IN CASTING
Ocala Civic Theatre is committed to casting diverse artists who reflect the demographics of our city and our society. As a community theatre with an open casting policy, we promote equal opportunity and inclusion. We actively invite those performing artists who may have been historically underrepresented. Ocala Civic Theatre is an inclusive community where artists of all backgrounds can find a safe place to tell stories that encourage our wonderful audiences, volunteers, and actors to walk in each other’s shoes.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
OCT will abide by CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the facility, as well as practices recommended from the Event Safety Alliance regarding public gatherings. A copy of OCT’s COVID-19 Safety Guide is available on our website, www.ocalacivictheatre.com.
As all OCT actors must work unmasked, proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is required to be cast in a show at OCT. Proof of vaccination must be provided prior to the first rehearsal of the production. Any request for an exception to this protocol, whether for medical or other reasons, must be discussed privately with the Artistic Director prior to accepting a role in an OCT production.
CALLING ALL CREW FOR BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!
We need lots of crew for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! This includes assistant stage managers; sound, light board, spotlight, rigging, and fly operators; costume dressers, deck crew, and more. No prior experience is necessary. Crew will begin attending rehearsals on May 4. The show runs for 20 performances, from May 12 to June 5. All crew members must be 16 or older and are required to work all performances.
Interested? Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Craig James at (352) 236-2851, ext. 102, or [email protected].
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton
Originally Directed by Jess Roth
Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions
SPONSORED BY:
K-Country
Ocala Gazette
Tallen Builders
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, United States

Sharing is Caring: