[AnnieER25]

I'll be auditioning for this show next month, and I have a dilemma... I am a legit/lyrical soprano, with a strong belt in my alto and mezzo range. I'm 26, but I look late teens/early twenties at the most when it comes to stage age. In order to be considered for a role I have to list it. I was planning to just put down "any," but the directors won't look at people for roles unless they specifically write them down, because they think you might not want the part! I ran into one of the directors recently and he told me to be sure to write down a role. So based on the above do I even fit into any of the roles or should I just write chorus on my sheet anyway?

On a side note, even though I look young they know my real age and last year wouldn't cast me in a role they wanted a teen for (one of the directors wanted me for the part anyway, but the other two insisted on using a teenager). I know that this year's director thought that I should have had the role that I didn't get last year, so I am not sure if my look/age will even paly into the casting or not. Such a pain!

Here are some links to recent pics from my last show so you can have a reference as to how "old" I look on stage...

http://thompsonpoint.exposuremanager.com/p/jekyll__hyde/blt_0524_filtered0
http://thompsonpoint.exposuremanager.com/p/jekyll__hyde/blt_0569_filtered44
http://thompsonpoint.exposuremanager.com/p/jekyll__hyde/blt_0619_filtered13 (kind of far away, but shows me at my 'youngest')

Thanks for any insight you can give me, thanks!

[LisaKitty]

Seems to me, based on your look and voice type, that you'd make a great Grace Farrell. You could probably also pull off Lily St. Regis, if you prefer a more fun, over-the-top character role. I'm afraid you look too young to pull of Miss Hannigan, and are definitely too mature looking for any of the older orphans IMHO.

Then again, this is actually a pretty good ensemble show for the women, so even if you don't get a principal role, you'll still have a good time doing the show.

[AnnieER25]

I don't think that I'd be in contention for any of the orphans, lol. Though the director did joke about casting me or one of my friends (who is 39!) as Annie, when I ran into her last week.

Lily could be fun, but there is a rumor that the role has been earmarked for the choreographer.

I had thought about trying for Grace, but I wasn't sure if I looked old enough. Does Grace have to dance a lot? In the 1982 film Grace danced, but I don't recall her dancing in the 1999 film version that's closer to the Broadway show. I'm not much of a dancer so that could make a difference.

Thanks for your help so far.

[LisaKitty]

I guess it depends on what the director/choreographer have in mind, but in the productions I've seen, Grace doesn't do much dancing at all. And I definitely think you look mature enough to pull it off.

Bummer about the choreographer possibly getting first dibs at Lily. I had soooo much fun playing her, and I'll bet you would too.

I'd say put down Grace and Lily on your audition sheet, but let them know you'd also be willing to take an ensemble role, and see what happens.

[Bookworm]

You could also shoot for Star-To-Be. (:

[wicked_boy]

Lilly.

[EponineMNFF]

I thought Grace immediately as well, but Star-To-Be is also a good option if you for some reason want to put down a smaller role. Star-To-Be is awesome!

[AnnieER25]

The choreographer isn't a singer, or much of an actress, but she's played Lily before (back in '96) and she's the sister-in-law of the director, so unless for some reason she doesn't want it this time, it's pretty much hers.

I'm not worried about role size, the ensemble is fine with me. To be honest, this group is not very well organized and I think I'd be happier with a smaller role so that I don't get stressed out over things that I can't control! So, if Star to Be isn't a dance role I'll probably put in for her, Grace and Lily-just in case.

Now to find a song that is versitile enough to show that I can play any of those parts! Hmmm.... should I go with an uptempo or a ballad? No belt, belt, or mix?

Thanks again for all your help.

[Bookworm]

Most of the songs in Annie are up-beat so I would go for that. If you're allowed to, bring two contrasting songs, though.

Good luck, Annie!

[rcs]

[AnnieER25]

Most of my uptempo songs that I know really well were done with Annie's MD, so I'm guessing I need to look at other songs.

Here are some of the uptempo songs that I have in my rep that I am familiar with:

"Show Me" - My Fair Lady
"Something There" - BATB
"How Lucky You Are" - Seussical
"Jacob & Sons" - Joseph (however the Director has bad ties to this show that she might not be over yet)
"Everything's Coming Up Roses" - Gypsy
"It's a Grand Night for Singing" - State Fair
"My Favorite Things" - Sound of Music

I have a lot of sheet music so if none of these look good I have six weeks to learn something else, so if anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

[Pepper Hannigan]

Star-to-Be. Definitely.

[rcs]

[AnnieER25]

I was at another audition with the director yesterday and while we were waiting I told her my sister thought I was auditioning for the part of Annie and she said she has me in mind for Grace and then later she said, "or maybe Star to Be." It looks like those are my two choices, so no Lily. She said she really needs to read the script again. I was with her when she was talking to the guy she wants to audition for Daddy Warbucks and he's so much taller than I am. I'm 5'4" and he's at least 6'2" and much older. I look so little next to him! I'm guessing that his age and height is going to keep me from getting Marian if he gets Harold in the Music Man, so if that happens I'll concentrate on tailoring my audition for Star to Be.

Thanks again for everyone's help

[AnnieER25]

Okay so I already know that an uptempo is preferred, but I have no one to rehearse with for my audition (plus I only have a week and a half until the auditions) so I am limited as to what I can sing without freaking out that I won't sing it well.

After speaking with the director, I am auditioning specifically for Grace (though I'll take another role if one is offered). My two options for my audition song are "Home" from BATB and "Once Upon a Dream" from Jekyll & Hyde. I've used "Home" for my other auditions with this group and sort of feel like I should retire it, but it suits my voice so well. However, I also sing and act "Once..." very well, too. So it's basically which one do you think suits Grace better? I'm guessing that "Once..." does, but I'd like other opinions, please.

Thanks again!

[wicked_boy]

Definatly "Once". It seems better for you in this instance.

[AnnieER25]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I didn't get the part, they gave it to a board member who IMO was not the best choice. They also did give the choreographer Lily even though she didn't audition and she is not a singer or an actress. Based on the nepotisim I have decided not to take the part offered, one of the Boylen sisters. I can't stand theatre politics and it would just make me miserable to be a part of the show knowing they care more about pleasing board/family members than they do putting on a good show.

Thanks again for all of your help, it is much appreciated!