The Emperor's New clothes AUDITIONS

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By Lina M Blue and Johnny Blue

Director: Lina M Blue

Musical Director: Susan Sanders

Producer: Val Lusted

Stage Manager: Wendy Miller

This is a traditional English pantomime (NOT Marcel Marceau’s craft)—an English entertainment based on a children’s story and includes singing, dancing, some slapstick, and topical jokes. This is the age-old story of the Emperor who gets taken in by a fraudster when he is sold a set of clothes that can “only be seen by those who are of high worth and intelligence”. Add a hero who has a change of heart in order to win the girl of his dreams, a villain and his two imbecilic sidekicks, and of course, the pantomime horse with attitude. 

Cheer the hero, boo the villain, groan at the corny jokes…have fun! 

December 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20, 2024 at 8 p.m.
December 8, 15 and 21, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Venue: Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd (NE corner of Kingston and Markham)

Auditions

Sunday, Sept 15, 2024 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Thursday, Sept 19, 2024 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm

Callbacks

Saturday, Sept 21, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm

If you are auditioning, please keep this date open until advised otherwise.

Venue

Scarborough Theatre Guild Rehearsal Unit – 2105 Midland Avenue, Unit 16, Scarborough, Ontario (the building is immediately north of the Midland LRT station on east side, south of Progress. The unit and both driveway exits face Cosentino Drive)

Monologue

Please prepare a short comedic monologue (max 90 seconds). There will also be readings from the play. Prepare to be re-directed.

Music

You will be asked to sing (acapella) one verse and chorus of a song of your choosing. 

Dance/Movement

There will be a dance/movement call held halfway through each audition session at 8:30-9:15 pm on Sept 15, 17 & 19. You must attend the session on the day of your audition, so be prepared to come early or stay later depending on the timing of your audition. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes (no heels/character shoes)—and have some fun! Your moxie counts as much as your dance and movement abilities!

Callbacks

Callbacks ​will consist of scenes from the show, performed in groups. We ask that you be available for the full time period so we have a chance to experiment with different pairings/groupings of actors.

Please bring a copy of your resume and a photo/headshot to the audition.  

If you would like to read the play before auditioning, a pdf copy can be emailed to you upon request. 

For information, or to book an audition time, email Val Lusted at  auditions4STG2024@gmail.com .  Please indicate which role(s) interest you. 

Commence:   Wednesday, Sept 25, 2024 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm 

Continue: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 7:00 to 10:30 pm 

Sundays from12:00 to 5:00 pm 

NOTE: These times may be flexible depending on the day-job schedule of the director.

Additional or longer rehearsals will be held once the production has moved to the theatre.

Note: The ages of characters below are playing ages and are flexible. Casting will be based on chemistry between actors. Scarborough Theatre Guild welcomes diversity in casting and actors of all backgrounds, identities and abilities are encouraged to apply!

Legend:

(*) = character will sometimes address the audience directly. Improv or being quick-on-your-feet an asset.

(♫) = character is required to sing. Voice training is not necessary.

Dame Anita Snuggle (*) (♫) (40+ male; plays female) The pantomime Dame, traditionally a man in drag (think Dame Edna Everage). Flamboyant, humorous, and doesn’t necessarily speak in a higher timbre. Should have an expressive face, gestures a little over-the-top, and be quick on her feet.

Petunia (♫) (20’s female) The Dame’s daughter, principal girl, and love interest for Orlando. The typical ingenue – attractive, sweet, innocent yet smart and confident.

The Emperor (♫) (35-50 male) Showy and self-centred, he is easily influenced. Should be comfortable in his body image for a variety of unusual costumes, and illusion of nakedness (i.e., skin-toned shorts and masking).

Counsellor Engelbert Roughosen (*) (30-50 male or female) The classic villain, the embodiment of evil—greedy, malicious and self-serving. Their voice alone should elicit distrust. Improv helpful. In character, this actor may be required to deal with an overly-rowdy audience.

Vim (*) (age flexible, male or female) One of the Counsellor’s hapless henchmen. Not very bright, but thinks they have an expansive vocabulary…which is exacerbated by gross mispronunciations. Actor should deliver their lack of intelligence innocently and inoffensively.

Vigor (*) (age flexible, male or female) The other of the Counsellor’s henchmen. Even less bright than their colleague, with a sweet disposition. Actor should deliver their dopiness innocently and inoffensively.

Note: Vim and Vigor, regardless of gender, will be cast with “good pairing” in mind. The actors who are cast must play well off each other.

Lady Godiva (♫) (20’s-30’s female) Poised, confident and cocky, she is rebelling against the town’s drycleaners by refusing to wear traditional clothing. The actor should be comfortable in her body image as there is an illusion of nakedness in some scenes (i.e., skin-toned body suit and strategic masking), and a variety of non-fabric costumes that will display her legs and may expose her belly. 

Orlando (*) (♫) (25-35ish, male) The leading man, he is handsome and confident. The actor’s expressive facial gestures, body language and voice should evoke a mixture of trust…and uncertainty—is he bad or good? 

Numpty (age flexible, male or female; plays male) Two people in a horse costume. Numpty, Orlando’s faithful steed and partner in crime, has a personality. In place of readings, you will be asked to react in scenes as though Numpty’s expressions can be seen. The movement portion of the audition will help assess physical movement and creativity. 

Note: Please remember that someone has to be Numpty’s back end.

Venetia Grub (♫) (40+ female) Proprietor of Grub Grocers. Refuses to grow old gracefully. She sees herself as ageless, wearing outfits that are far too young for her (the actor should be comfortable in her body image). She’s outspoken, and should have an expressive face. 

April Grub (♫) (*) (20s-30 female) One of the Venetia Grub’s triplets, April is an optimistic and cheery soul. Some group singing and dance/movement required.

May Grub (♫) (*) (20s-30 female) The second of Venetia Grub’s triplets, May is boy-crazy and a bit of a flirt. Some group singing and dance/movement required.  

Tuesday Grub (♫) (*) (20s-30, female or male) The third of Venetia Grub’s triplets, Tuesday is the smart one. Some group singing and dance/movement required.

Note: The Grub triplets, regardless of gender, will be cast with the intention that they look as different from each other as possible, but all about the same age.

Chorus (♫) (4 actors/dancers/singers, age flexible, male and/or female) Townsfolk, singers/dancers for musical numbers, audience supporters; they will also assist with moving sets (and maybe part of the set), and provide strategic masking for the Emperor and Lady Godiva. Since they will be assisting the audience with callouts, knowledge of pantomime is an asset. Group singing/dancing is required, but professional training is not necessary.

Scarborough Theatre Guild is committed to a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment. All participants in this production (actors, creative teams, crews, and other volunteers) must be fully vaccinated. Current Provincial guidelines regarding masks and social distancing will be adhered to.

This production is Non Paying/Non Equity