I have auditions for Forum in February. My hair is short and dark. I'm already growing it out, my natural color is blonde. I'm second soprano/low alto but can sing 1st soprano... I don't know what you'd call me. I can go pretty high but also really low. I'm not skinny, I guess I'm average with a little (very little) meat on the bones with curves to complete the picture.
Anyway. Auditions, as I was saying, is in February. What tips do people have for me to get this part? How to act, sing, look (especially look). It's a community theatre and it's very political. Thanks.

Philia is a really funny part, in my opinion. I would say that she is something like Jeannie from the TV Show "I Dream of Jeannie". She easily attatches herself to people (she is a courtesan, after all) and is rather air-headed. Philia ia usually casted as a blonde (both in the 1966 film and the 1996 revival. I don't know about the OBC). Hope that helped... somewhat.

For your audition, choose something that shows off your voice to its best advantage - something from an established musical or operetta for preference. Some directors like auditioners to choose something from another show by the same writers (if available); some prefer one choose a show by anyone *but* the same writers. Ask ahead of time if it's not announced. Be totally straightforward for the vocal audition; it's in the reading that you'll interpret character.

Read the script ahead of time, if you're not already familiar with the show, so that you can get a feel for it. If all else fails, watch the 1966 film version. It takes a lot of liberties with the script, and leaves out half the songs. Three of them are very indicative of character: 'Free' for Pseudolus (the most important song in the show), 'I'm Calm' for Hysterium (shows just how on edge he always is), and 'That Dirty Old Man' for Domina (shows that she's not just a witch; she's really a very sympathetic character).

Don't worry about looks at this point. Costume and make-up can make one look very different and help delineate character. If you've got presence and you fit what the director has in mind, you've got a good shot at the role.

If you don't get Philia, don't turn down any of the other roles if they're offered to you. Domina may not get much stage time, but she's a hoot to do. The Courtesans have one line between them, but they're onstage 90% of the time and do a *lot* of singing. The whole show is a riot, and one of the most perfect comedies ever written. Not bad, considering that the plays on which it's based are over 2,000 (yes, thousand) years old!

Good luck. Let us know more closer to time!

Thank you for the tips on the song but we have pre-assigned songs when we audition at our theatre. It kinda sucks, I know. I think it's Lovely then That'll show him for callbacks. I'm having trouble with Lovely. If I make it vibrato-ey and such, it's kinda airy, verses I can kinda belt it louder. What do you think?

Well...Philia *is* an airhead, so airy would be good for 'Lovely'. Save the belty voice for 'That'll Show Him'; it's more appropriate. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I played Philia several years ago and the director said that the reason I got it is because I played it as a character rather than an ingenue. If you are not naturally a first soprano, I think it will definitely help you sell the part. Break a leg!

So, at the production meeting they said that they really wanted girls that are curvacious. I AM! Yay! One point me! Im getting my hair dyed it's natural color on Friday (carmel/blonde) with some highlights... I figure blonde will help. I just gotta get a little ditsy by then. Any other tips would be nice. What do you mean: "I played it as a character rather than an ingenue", popular?
Thank you all for all of your encouragement and help. I really want this part!

When my high school did it, I felt Phillia was more nieve(sp), then kind of an air-head. Basically all her life she has been in this small world where names, counting, etc. weren't imporant.

my college did forum when i was a junior, and philia was a short latina with dark, dark hair and eyes. she was also an alto, so it wasn't the best casting choice. but it just goes to show you that looks don't necessarily matter when getting a part.

How old is philia supposed to be?

I don't think her age is ever given, but I think she would be in her late teens/early 20's. The only thing we know about her is that she and her brother were abducted by pirates 'in infancy' - which does not necessarily mean they were babies, btw. However, she and Miles should be close in age. When we did the show a few years ago, our Philia was a college student and our Miles was old enough to be her father, but hey!! you work with what you've got, right? <g>