General Audition Information

The audition process can be very intimidating if you have not prepared in advance. One advantage you can have is to plan in advance. Read the plays you are going to audition for. Familiarize yourself with the score to musicals by listening to the cast recording or looking it up online and listening to songs on iTunes or YouTube. Read the audition information below to familiarize yourself with the characters and to find out what the directors want you to do for the audition, and then follow those instructions to the letter! At San Mateo High School, we expect students to come into the audition process with no expectations of what role they may be cast in and with the understanding that any role they play will be both fun and a valuable part of their theatre training. We do not allow students to inform the directors in advance of what roles they want to play. However, you can send that message loud and clear to the directors by picking a song that is appropriate to the character you want to play. We advise you to never choose a song from the show itself (unless specifically asked to beforehand), but to find songs from other shows that resemble musical numbers sung by a character you like in this show. An accompanist will always be provided at auditions, but you need to provide the music for your song in the key in which you intend to sing it. We do not like hearing you sing a cappella, nor should the accompanist be expected to transpose music into another key on the spot. Music can be found in libraries and music stores or downloaded online. Music downloaded online can often be printed out in the key you prefer. If you want to audition, you need to sign up in advance and pick up an audition form. Attached to the form will be a contract that you must read with your parents. If you understand and agree to the terms of the contract, bring it to the audition, signed by you and your parents. Students who do not bring a signed contract will not be allowed to audition. Please also bring an accurate list of any conflicts during the rehearsal period so that we may create the most advantageous rehearsal schedule. Students with too many conflicts may not be able to participate. Freshmen may audition only if they are enrolled in Drama 1 – 2 or Musical Theatre.

Gypsy Audition Information

FEMALE CHARACTERS

ROSE The best and worst of stage mothers. Thwarted by her own lack of a show biz career. Driven and without any shame, she will do anything to make either of her daughters a star. Charming and terrifying, she must be a strong actress and a belter who covers the entire emotional spectrum over a half dozen numbers.

LOUISE Rose’s younger daughter, a fish out of water in the crazy world of show biz, who later transforms into Gypsy Rose Lee, the greatest stripper of all time. A powerful acting and singing role, she must age from young teenager to sultry, strong woman.

JUNE Rose’s elder daughter, the one with talent, who gets trapped into forever being the little girl and must escape or else. Strong singing and dancing skills.

BABY LOUISE/BABY JUNE The pre-pubescent versions of Louise and June, played by younger actresses. Both sing and dance.

TESSIE TURA, MAZEPPA, ELECTRA The three strippers who meet and train Louise when the act hits burlesque. Each has a “gimmick:” Tessie does ballet, Mazeppa uses a trumpet, and Electra literally lights up! All three will play stage moms in the first act.

AGNES, MARJORIE MAY, DOLORES, THELMA, GAIL The “Hollywood Blondes,” a group of terrified girls who come into the actonce all the boys have fled. They will play various talent acts in Act One.

MISS CRATCHIT/RENEE/STAGE MOM Cratchit is the secretary at Grantziger’s Palace who stands up to Rose. Renee is Louise’s maid. Non-singing roles.

AUDITION INFO: Prepare a song from a traditional Broadway musical (no pop style). Actors interested in the roles of Rose, Louise and Herbie should look for a song that will showcase their acting, as well as singing, abilities.Bring the music in your own key to vocal auditions on Monday, October 30th. You will need to attend vocal and dance auditions (on the 31st). I urge you to listen to the soundtrack and familiarize yourself with the characters and songs before auditions.

MALE CHARACTERS

HERBIE A candy salesman who falls in love with Rose and her daughters. Not very good looking, not very successful, definitely the best thing that ever happened to Rose. Incredible acting role with a couple of good songs.

TULSA One of the dancing boys hired by Rose to back up June’s act. Likable and charming, he is Louise’s first crush – and becomes June’s first husband. Strong dancer and singer with a showstopping number of his own.

L.A., YONKERS, ANGIE The other three dancing boys in June’s act. Good singers and dancers, they also have some nice acting moments.

POP/KRINGELEIN/CIGAR Pop is Rose’s father, who disapproves of his daughter’s ambitions. Kringelein is the hotel manager in Akron. Cigar is the theatre manager in Wichita who tries – not very successfully – to stand up to Rose.

UNCLE JOCKO/MR. GOLDSTONE/PASTEY Jocko is the clown emcee of a second-rate vaudeville talent show that Rose tries to get the girls into. Mr. Goldstone is a representative of the Orpheum Circuit. Pastey is the stage manager in Wichita.

GEORGIE/WEBER/PHIL Georgie is Uncle Jocko’s assistant. Weber is the theatre manager in Los Angeles. Phil is Louise’s press agent.

STAGE DADS, PERFORMERS, AND BOURGERON-COCHON, A PHOTOGRAPHER.

AUDITION INFO: Prepare a song from a traditional Broadway musical (no pop style). Actors interested in the roles of Rose, Louise and Herbie should look for a song that will showcase their acting, as well as singing, abilities.Bring the music in your own key to vocal auditions on Monday, October 30th. You will need to attend vocal and dance auditions (on the 31st). I urge you to listen to the soundtrack and familiarize yourself with the characters and songs before auditions.