"Schumann the Shoeman" & "Matty Forever" CBCA Shortlisted Book Stage Shows

Type: 2 Theatre In Education Stage Musicals Location: NSW & QLD – Performers must reside in NSW Synopsis: Two 2010 CBCA Shortlisted books will be adapted for the stage to be performed at primary & secondary school halls & public libraries to celebrate Book Week. Scripts are by Tony Appleby (Director - Tony Bones Entertainment), with original music by Tony, Luke Hunter (MD "Jersey Boys", "Rocky Horror") & Tim Smith (MD "Mamma Mia", Children's MD "Billy Elliott"). The picture book "Schumann the Shoeman" is a wonderful story of a cobbler who is determined to continue making original shoes (not unlike theatre productions) that last a lifetime, rather than the copies of copies that are churned out by the factory and last just a year. The male performer will play Schumann as well as operate the puppet of the factory. The female performer will play the factory boss, the Blue Rabbit, Schumann's singing dog, as well as operate several simple puppets. The show runs for 40 minutes plus question time and has 4 original songs. The younger reader's novel "Matty Forever" is a fantastic tale of Bill, a new boy to town who makes friends with his tomboy neighbour, Matty. They keep each other's deep dark secrets but Bill's loyalty is tested when the pretty new girl, Isabelle starts at school and wants Bill all to herself. The male performer will play Bill as well as other small roles, while the female performer will play Matty & Isabelle, as well as other smaller roles. The show runs for 50 minutes plus question time and includes two original songs. Both the male & female performers must be strong character actors who can sing in tune. Must also have enough physical strength to quickly load & unload / setup & pack up portable stages, sound equipment, etc. Must have a driver's licence. AUDITIONS: Auditions will be held June 14, 15, 16 & 17 in the evening, then daytime June 19 & 20 in Ingleburn, NSW (50km South of Sydney). REHEARSALS: The performers will be flown to Melbourne for 1 week of rehearsals Mon July 5th to Fri July 9th then flown back to Sydney. Final dress rehearsals will be held in Sydney Saturday July 31st & Sunday August 1st. The performances begin August 2nd. 1-3 shows are performed each day, mostly on weekdays within school hours. The cast will tour around Sydney & regional NSW, plus will be in QLD Friday 13th August to Tuesday 17th August. x56 shows (or more) (5 weeks NSW & 1 week QLD). The shows take approx. 50 minutes to bump in & bump out including loading & unloading & setting up of portable staging, sound equipment (incl. headset microphones), basic lighting, curtain, costumes & props. The shows are transported in the company van that both performers must share driving. Accommodation, food & per diems are paid when the performers are required to stay away from home overnight for the shows. Payment details: Approx $5000 (+meals, accom & per diems as req) + extra for the rehearsal week. Applications to this casting call require: •A phone number •A profile photo •A full detailed resume Role 1 Male – 18-40 years old: Will be playing several roles in 2 different original Australian productions for primary to lower secondary students. "Schumann the Shoeman" - 2 Roles - Schumann the Cobbler (60y.o. eccentric artistic shoemaker) & "Shoe Factory Puppet" that spits out shoes. Sings 4 songs. "Matty Forever" - 1 role, plus other bit parts, offstage lines, etc. - "Bill" a Grade 5 Anglo Australian boy (10-11 year old) as well as other small roles. Must be a strong character actor who can sing in tune. Must also have enough physical strength to quickly load & unload / setup & pack up portable stages, sound equipment, etc. Must have a driver's licence. Role 2: Female – 18-40. Will be playing several roles in 2 different original Australian productions for primary to lower secondary students. "Schumann the Shoeman" - 2 Roles - Mean factory boss, the Blue Rabbit, Schumann's singing dog, as well as operate several simple puppets. Sings in 3 songs. "Matty Forever" - 2 roles, plus other bit parts, offstage lines, etc. - "Matty" an earthy, friendly Grade 5 Aboriginal tomboy girl (has an Anglo-Aussie Dad, Aboriginal Mum) (10-11 year old), "Isabelle" a wealthy, snobby Grade 5 Anglo girl (10-11 year old), as well as other small roles. Sings in 2 songs. Must be a strong character actor who can sing in tune. Must also have enough physical strength to quickly load & unload / setup & pack up portable stages, sound equipment, etc. Must have a driver's licence. Application Closing: 20.06.2010 Special Instructions: Applications to this casting call require: •A phone number; •A headshot photo (or similar); •A full detailed resume or performance experience. Both the male & female performers must be a strong character actors who can sing in tune. Must also have enough physical strength to quickly load & unload / setup & pack up portable stages, sound equipment, etc. Must have a driver's licence. If successful in getting an audition then applicants should borrow a copy of both books from a library, read them & get to know them before the audition. The books are: "Schumann the Shoeman" by John & Stella Danalis; "Matty Forever" by Elizabeth Fensham. For the audition the applicants should bring a backing track on CD for a song that you sing well. In the audition you would be reading some sections from the shows & singing parts of the songs.