[Angel-of-Music*]

I'm auditioning for carousel at a local theatre and was wondering about childrens roles. I'll be 14 when the show is on but i look older or i can act younger if need be. i have basic dance training in ballet, tap and stage and im willing to put the time in to learn another style. and i can sing alto to mezzo soprano confidently. does anyone know if there is a part i would be able to play?

[what_the_heck013]

Well, if you're a really good dancer, you could play Louise. She doesn't sing (that I recall) but she has a full on ballet scene (much like the dream ballet in Oklahoma) in the second act.

You might also be able to play one of the Snow children or be in the ensemble with a cameo role.

[Angel-of-Music*]

i was told in the version i'm auditioning for its more like the story telling ballet like small house of uncle thomas. but anyhow, do the snow children sing anything? i'm really unfamiliar with the show

[what_the_heck013]

I don't remember if they sing anything. Maybe in the "You'll Never Walk Alone" reprise at the end.

There aren't really any 14-year old leads. It's not Annie or anything. Your best bet (as I said) would probably be Louise... but all she really does is dance.

[Chevstriss]

Louise needs to be a fairly decent actress as well. She has the whole slap scene w/ Billy, which is pretty much the climax of the show.

You can't cast a bunhead who's never spoken onstage before.

[Francois]

I've done Carousel twice--there are any number of places they COULD use children...and 14 might not even be considered "children", depending on the ages of the adults.

As has been said, Louise is the "plum" role, but she does need big ballet skills. Her ballet is a full scene, sort of like "House of Uncle Thomas", but unlike that ballet, this one is very important to the main story. The Snow Children do not sing; one of the daughters gets a couple of lines, but mostly they just march around looking superior. Everyone is on stage for the graduation scene at the end and everyone sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" as a group.

Also, you'd be in the opening "Carousel Waltz" scene at the carnival. Again, at your age, you might be part of the regular "ensemble" and not cast as a child, if you look older--in which case you'd sing in group numbers like "This Was a Real Nice Clambake" and maybe even "June is Bustin Out All Over". "June..." also has a dance appended on to it which you would probably get to do if you have dance training.

Hope you get it; it's a fun show!

[Angel-of-Music*]

i asked one of the people on the comitte of the society doing carousel and they said that i could be either in the ladies chorus or a child because of me being middlish height. are the snow children in chorus scenes for singing or anything?

[Chevstriss]

Snow children don't even appear til the end of the show. There's no reason you couldn't do adult chorus in June and Clambake then change into a child's costume.

[Actor4life]

Hey!!

Ive played Louise before. It is a great part. I had alot of fun in it!
You get to be in the first scene and some at the end. There is a big
gap in the middle where the children dont do anything but if you are big enough you could be in the adult chorus (as you said).
Even if you dont think your ballet is good enough try out for the part
cause you might be the best there. I didnt even have to do a ballet audition.
And you have to be able to talk with a good american accent.

XXXXXXXXX

[Angel-of-Music*]

Thanks =]