Fiddler on the Roof

Diamond Valley Singers is proud to announce the auditions for their July 2007 production of "Fiddler on the Roof". The production will be performed at Warrandyte Secondary College from Friday July 6th to Saturday 14th 2007. Fiddler on the Roof is a classic musical with a touch more than many musical comedies offer. It is a musical filled with laughter, entertainment, tears and questioning of life and the paths that are taken by those brave enough to challenge traditions. Tevye is a Jewish father in 1905 on the eve of the Russian revolution. His life seems to be following the expected route until his 3 eldest daughters unconventionally choose husbands going against both cultural and religious tradition. This occurs in conjunction with the racial prejudices of the Russians, driving out the Jews from their villages. Tevye is forced to reflect upon cultural beliefs, religious beliefs and question his understanding of life through his conversations with God. ‘Fiddler’ is filled with principal characters, supporting characters, minor characters and cameo roles. Each one is a full identity in itself and has the ability to weave its own intriguing tale throughout the show in subplots. All cast in the show will be required to engage in-depth emotions showing the tumultuous journey each human being encounters on its travel through life when unexpected events occur. It is therefore exceptionally important that this show is cast with performers who are prepared to focus on their acting skills. Versatility in all areas is an advantage; however, being prepared to attempt all aspects of performance with determination and focus is the prerequisite. Please be prepared to read for any characters during the audition if they fit vaguely into your physical description. Good luck and enjoy! PRODUCTION TEAM Production Manager: Director/ Choreographer: Deborah Uselioates Musical Director: Ian Lowe Assistant Director: Damian Uselioates AUDITION INFORMATION Auditions will be held at Diamond Creek Uniting Church All auditionees are required to make a booking with the Audition Secretary on 9439-3267 or gford@bigpond.net.au AUDITION DATES Friday 23rd February from 7.30pm Sunday 25th February 1.00pm Please note: Auditionees may need to attend call-backs and must be available on Saturday 3rd of March from 4.00pm onwards. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Auditionees must be over the age of 16 or accompanied by a guardian at all rehearsals Please prepare two songs that demonstrate your vocal range and strengths, "conveying to the direction team your complete abilities as a performer." You may only be required to perform one song in the audition. Sheet music must be provided to the accompanist in the correct key (transposing will not be possible). It is preferred that all singers attempt to perform with the accompanist however, backing tracks or A Cappella singing will be accepted to enable all auditionees to be at their most comfortable. Part of the audition may involve the singing of scales and other technical exercises. All auditionees will be required to read dialogue during the audition. Therefore, please arrive at least 20 minutes early of you audition time in order to prepare for the appropriate pieces and to fill out all forms. Please wear comfortable clothing as some movement/dancing will also be required during the audition process. Rehearsal Times Rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings and Friday evenings for principals from 8.00 -10.00pm . Full cast Sunday rehearsals in the afternoon will also occur from the end of April. First Rehearsal Rehearsals will commence on Wednesday 7th March. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS Tevye — A passionate and stubborn man. who deeply loves his family and religion. He uses his belief in tradition, God and his relationships to find answers in amongst the confusion and challenges his life encounters Role: Lead Age: 35 - 65 Sex: M Voice: Baritone (Bâ™­2 to F4) Dancing: Light Chava — Tevye's third daughter who is gentle and compassionate. Loves to read which leads her to meeting a Russian gentile (Fyedka) who she marries against her family’s wishes. Role: Supporting Age: 16 - 23 Sex: F Voice: Mezzo (B3 to C5) Dancing: Medium (neo-classical) Golde — Tevye's spirited, stubborn and hardworking wife, who often makes decisions based on superficial factors (e.g. superstition, marriage to wealth). Role: Supporting Age: 35 - 55 Sex: F Voice: Mezzo (A3 to Eâ™­5) Dancing: Light Hodel — Tevye's second-eldest daughter who is spirited, quick witted and is willing to confront others’ opinions. Falls in love with a student. (Perchik) Role: Supporting Age: 17 - 24 Sex: F Voice: Mezzo/Soprano (B3 to E5) Dancing: Medium Lazar Wolf — A wealthy member of the village whose wife is dead and therefore wishes to marry the much younger Tzeitel. Can be mulish, self-centred and uncomplicated. Role: Supporting Age: 35 - 55 Sex: M Voice: Bass/Baritone (high: C4) Dancing: Light Motel — A young, gentile, nervous tailor who is has been family friends with Tzeital all his life and is in love with her. Role: Supporting Age: 18 - 27 Sex: M Voice: Tenor (E3 to Gâ™­4) Dancing: Light Perchik — A modern Jewish man who is a student revolutionary. He is confident, passionate and philosophical. He falls in love with Hodel. Role: Supporting Age: 21 - 30 Sex: M Voice: Baritone/Tenor (high: E4) Dancing: Light Tzeital — Tevye's oldest daughter who is mature and shrewd. She is in love with her childhood friend Motel and is the first daughter to confront her father and break tradition. Role: Supporting Age: 18 - 25 Sex: F Voice: Mezzo (B3 to Eâ™­5) Dancing: Medium Yente — A talkative pushy matchmaker who has an eccentric personality. Role: Supporting Age: 40 - 75 Sex: F Voice: Alto (F3 to Eâ™­5) Dancing: Light Avram — The bookseller. Role: Cameo Age: 30 - 60 Sex: M Voice: Baritone (D3 to Eâ™­4) Dancing: Light Bielke — Tevye's youngest daughter. Role: Cameo Age: 8 - 14 Sex: F Voice: N/A Dancing: Light Constable — A Russian officer who is friendly with Tevye but follows orders to orchestrate pogroms against the Jews. Role: Cameo Age: 30 - 45 Sex: M Voice: Spoken Dancing: N/A Fruma-Sarah — Lazar Wolfe's terrifying dead first wife. Role: Cameo Age: 30 - 45 Sex: F Voice: Soprano (C4 to Eâ™­5) Dancing: Medium (agile) Fyedka — A charming, kind Russian non-Jew who has integrity and overlooks cultural differences resulting marriage to Chava. Role: Cameo Age: 21 - 30 Sex: M Voice: Tenor ( ? - B) Dancing: Heavy Grandma Tzeitel — Golde's dead grandmother. Role: Cameo Age: 65 - 85 Sex: F Voice: Mezzo (Dâ™­4 to Eâ™­5) Dancing: N/A Mendel — The rabbi's son. Role: Cameo Age: 16 - 25 Sex: M Voice: Baritone (B2 to Eâ™­4) Dancing: Light Mordcha — The Innkeeper Role: Cameo Age: 30 - 60 Sex: M Voice: N/A Dancing: Light Nachum — The beggar Role: Cameo Age: 40 - 65 Sex: M Voice: Spoken Dancing: N/A Rabbi — The spiritual leader of Anatevka. Role: Cameo Age: 45 - 79 Sex: M Voice: Baritone (high: C4) Dancing: Light Sasha — Fyedka's friend Role: Cameo Age: 18 - 30 Sex: M Voice: Spoken Dancing: Heavy Shaindel — Motel's mother Role: Cameo Age: 40 - 60 Sex: F Voice: Spoken Dancing: Light Shprintze — Tevye's second youngest daughter. Role: Cameo Age: 10 - 16 Sex: F Voice: N/A Dancing: Light The Fiddler- violin playing an advantage Role: Cameo Age: 18 - 40 Sex: M Voice: Mute Dancing: Light Yussel — A Hatter Role: Cameo Age: 25 - 60 Sex: M Voice: Spoken Dancing: N/A Villagers Role: Chorus Age: 6 - 99 Sex: N/A Voice: N/A Dancing: Light-Medium Russian soldiers Role: Chorus Age: 6 - 99 Sex: preferably male Voice: N/A (sing in group) Dancing: Heavy Audition Information To make your audition booking please call the Audition Secretary on 9439-3267 or gford@bigpond.net.au For more information please visit our website