NEXT TO NORMAL (Musical)

Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Inc is proud to announce auditions for their November 2012 production of Next to Normal, which will be performed at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute from Friday 9th November to Saturday 24th November. Next to Normal is a rock musical that follows the life of a suburban mother dealing with a worsening bipolar disorder. This modern and powerful drama, examines how her condition and its treatment (including psychoactive drugs and electroconvulsive therapy) affect her family as they try to take care of themselves and each other. The musical won 2009 Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (for Alice Ripley). The show was nominated for a total of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Next to Normal received several workshop performances before it debuted off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score and receiving nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Score. It then opened on Broadway in April 2009. PRODUCTION TEAM Director: Shaun Kingma Musical Director: Tyson Legg Assistant Director: Sallyanne Mitchell Movement: Nadia Gianinotti Production Managers: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson Mark Spencer AUDITION DATES & VENUE All auditions will be held at MDX Studios, Unit 2/1 Akuna Drive, Williamstown (Melways 55 H6) Sunday 22nd July from 1.00pm Monday 23rd July from 7.30pm CALL-BACKS Auditionees may be required for the following date and time; if you are required you will be notified in the late evening of Monday 23rd July. Please keep the following date and time free. Wednesday 25th July from 7.30pm to 10.30pm Williamstown Town Hall 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown AUDITION INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS All auditionees are required to make an audition booking by calling 1300 881 545. Auditionees must be over the age of 16 (at time of audition). Please prepare TWO audition songs (contemporary musical theatre in the style of the show), which demonstrate your vocal range and ability, as well as your ability to convey a story through song. Please do not sing any songs from the show. If auditioning for a particular character, please take note of the vocal range required and ensure that your selection covers this range. Sheet music only may be used and all sheet music must be in the correct key. No transposition or a capella singing will be accepted. Auditionees will NOT be asked to do a read at their singing audition, so please ensure that at least one song will show your acting ability via song. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Rehearsals will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 10.30pm and Sunday afternoons from 1:00pm to 5.30pm, starting from Sunday 2nd September 2012. There will be 1 rehearsal weekend planned for 13th and 14th October 2012. Performance dates are from Friday 9th November to Saturday 24th November 2012. All auditionees are required to complete the audition form available for download from our website and please also bring to your audition your CV (if you have one) and a non-returnable head shot. CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS We are seeking a cast of 6 confident and versatile performers to work on this demanding score and book. Please note all roles require strong vocals (and vocal stamina) as well as equally strong acting abilities. Diana Voice type: contemporary music theatre mezzo soprano/belter Voice range: up to an E A wife and mother, afflicted with bipolar depression and delusions for nearly 16 years. Sexy. Sharp. Delusional bipolar depressive. Stage age - Thirties or forties Dan Voice type: contemporary music theatre baritone / tenor Voice range: B3 to B5 Diana’s husband who tries to be supportive and optimistic for his wife, despite her crippling and seemingly permanent illness. Handsome. Sincere. Devoted and Stable. Tired. Stage age - Thirties or forties. Gabe Voice type: Contemporary music theatre tenor Voice range: A3 to B5 Dan and Diana’s 18 year old son Dashing. Gentle. Playful. Charismatic. Everything a mother could want. Dangerous. Stage age - Almost eighteen. Natalie Voice type: Contemporary music theatre mezzo soprano/belter Voice range: G3 to F5 Dan and Diana’s 16 year old daughter, finding the stress of dealing with her mother’s illness too difficult to handle. Prodigy and trying to be perfect. It’s not going well. Stage age - Sixteen Henry Voice type: Contemporary music theatre baritone / tenor Voice range: A3 to B5 Natalie’s musician boyfriend, tries to supportive for her as she attempts to cope. Musician. Romantic. Stoner. Slacker. Philosopher. Stage age - Seventeen. Doctor Fine/Doctor Madden Voice type: Contemporary music theatre baritone / tenor Voice range: A3 to G5 Doctor Madden – Diana’s unconventional new doctor, attempts a number of unusual treatments to attempt to treat his patient. Intelligent. Assured. A Rock Star in another life. Handsome Stage age - Thirties to forties. To secure your spot in auditioning for this magnificent and powerful musical please call 1300 881 545. wmtc.org.au