The director of Acorn Antiques, Jake Goodenough, has some things to tell anyone who's interested in auditioning for 'Acorn Antiques' in March.
There's also a note from Claire Ayres, our choreographer, regarding the movement for auditions and the show.
Here's a link to the audition/rehearsal schedule for the show, so you can check your availibility before you commit: click here!
And, here's a little breakdown of the characters we need to bring life to Manchesterford High Street! Click here!
So take a look and if you have any questions about the show, or getting involved, then drop us an email by clicking here!
From Jake...
Auditions will work in a slightly different way to normal this year.
We have three nights set aside for these and everyone who want to be in the show in some capacity should be willing to come to all of them.
So here is how it will work:
Tuesday 20th March (7pm to 10pm) will be the main dialogue audition, during which time everyone that wants to be in the show will have to read something (as every cast member will have at least one or two spoken lines in the show). This will be in an open style so everyone will be in the hall together as at rehearsals. The evening will be rehearsal style where we will block a selection of mini scenes together and perform them to each other. Based on your submissions on the audition form we will endeavour to give everyone interested in a part the opportunity to read at least once for their preferred parts. However, the production team might also mix and match people and ask you to read in a character even if you hadn't selected it on your form.
Please go along with this as it could be for a variety of reasons (making up numbers, or because they see potential as examples).
Although preparation in advance is not specifically necessary, if you want to look at the sort of sections we will be looking at here are some examples (although there may be additions on the night):
Anyone who wants to be in the cast will read something from these pages unless they have read for something else below
Babs, Berta, Hugh and Mimi
Mr C, Minchins Lad, Babs, Bonnie, Mrs O, Berta
Babs, Tony, Mrs O, Hugh and Mimi
Berta and Mr C
High, Mimi, Bonnie and Mrs O
As the evening will be open in style it should be a lot of fun so come along, leave your nerves at the door and be ready to muck in and have a laugh with everyone.
Wednesday 21st March (7pm to 10pm) is down as our Call Back night. This is a safety net in case we haven't seen everything we need to see on the Tuesday evening and need to spend more time on something or a certain character. If you as an individual or the character you are interested in is asked to come back on the Wednesday evening it isn't specifically a sign that we didn't like what you did on Tuesday but that we need to see more to make the best decision on the production. It is a possibility that we will see everything we need to on the Tuesday and will not have to call anyone to the Wednesday evening session.
Thursday 22nd March (7pm to 10pm) is our Music and Movement night. Paul our Musical Director will spend some time going through a vocal excerpt to a chosen song from the show (probably tip top tap) and will teach you a section of it. You will then be required to sing it in small groups and possibly on your own (with other people standing with you) depending on what part/s you have expressed an interest in. After about an hour of singing, Paul will hand the evening over to Claire and Gillian our Choreographers who will set a short piece of movement to the vocal excerpt you have just learned. We will then get you to perform this as a group (or possibly small groups depending on numbers).
Please wear shoes you can move in.
From Choreographer Claire...
Acorn Antiques has a fantastic big tap number called, Tip Top Tap, which will involve pretty much everyone in the cast, so Gillian (a tap teacher!) will be setting a small routine for the audition. You don't have to be experienced tap dancers by any means, but you will need to show you can keep time and rhythm. Just have a go, give it your best and enjoy!
I will also set a small piece from one of the other production numbers which will be fun and will give everyone a bit more movement to pick up. There are a few opportunities in the show for 'dancers' but the majority of the routines will have to be done by everyone. Just remember to wear appropriate clothing to move in and footwear.
Don't worry if you don't have tap shoes to bring along. See you there!
Announcing parts
Whist we will always endeavour to announce the cast as soon as possible after the auditions have been wrapped up it isn't always possible to do this immediately at the end of the last audition. Where further deliberation is required, we will announce the cast on the Atlantic Coast Theatre website as soon as possible and before the first rehearsal date.
All auditionees will get a telephone call advising them of the outcome of their audition and if appropriate asking them if they would like to accept an offered part before the publication of the cast list on the website. If you have been offered a part in the production but it is not the part you hoped for or that you are happy to play, please decline it if you are not still willing to give the production your 100% commitment so that it can be offered to someone else who is willing to give the commitment level we expect.
Please be aware that as the production will have a small cast of between 19 and 21, gaining any part in the production first choice or otherwise should be taken as a success in view of the limited places. Be proud that you can be part of such a great show!
