Avenue Q

Do you love Sesame Street? Ever wanted to stick your hand up a puppet?  Ever wanted to learn the lessons of life from lovable furry characters? Want to know how a monster does “it”? You’re in luck…
The Broadway musical Avenue Q comes to the Roleystone Theatre stage in November, and we are proud to announce auditions will take place on the weekend of 09-10th June 2012.
We are looking to cast 12-17 actors in three human roles and the numerous puppet roles in this unique and exciting project.  No prior experience working with puppets is necessary, but a high tolerance for fur is probably helpful!
Auditionees should prepare one character song, preferably in an American accent, for the first round of the audition. You will also be asked to learn a short set piece which will be provided when you book  your audition, and will need to be delivered in an appropriate “puppet” voice.  Auditionees for some roles have additional requirements.  Auditionees must be 18yrs+
Further details of requirements and audition session times are included below.  To book your auditions, please email the Director (Lorna Mackie) via lorna@htth.com.au or phone 0413031509 (email preferred).
We look forward to seeing you at the auditions!

Puppet Character Roles:
Princeton, a fresh-faced kid just out of college; single-rod puppet; possible duel role with Rod.
Rod, a Republican investment banker with a secret; double-rod puppet; possible duel role with Princeton
Nicky, a bit of a slacker, who lives Rod; live-hands puppet; possible duel role with Trekkie Monster
Trekkie Monster, a reclusive creature obsessed by the Internet; live-hands puppet; possible duel role with Nicky
Lucy, a vixenish vamp with a dangerous edge; double-rod puppet; possible duel role with Kate Monster
Kate Monster, a kindergarten teaching assistant, a bit older than Princeton; single-rod puppet; possible duel role with Lucy.
The Bad Idea Bears, two snuggly, cute teddy-bear types; double-rod puppets; cast from ensemble
Mrs T., ancient, Kate’s boss; live-hands puppet; cast from ensemble
Human Character Roles
Christmas Eve, a therapist who moved to Ave Q from Japan; HUMAN - must be able
to pass as Asian; speaks with a Japanese accent
Brian, HUMAN - a laid-back guy married to Christmas Eve
Gary Coleman. Yes, that Gary Coleman. He’s the superintendent on Ave Q!; Human - female role;  must be able to pass as African-American
ENSEMBLE work includes additional cameo puppet-roles, secondary hands for live-hands puppets and off-stage singing.  Understudies for all roles will be cast from among the ensemble.

REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES
Avenue Q plays at the Roleystone Theatre November 16, 17, 21, 23, 24 (matinee & evening), 28, 30, December 1.  Performances are 8pm start, with a 2pm start for matinees. After auditions there will be a First Read rehearsal in the week of 29th July, with rehearsals  beginning in full from 30th July.  Rehearsals are generally called each Monday (7pm – 10pm), Wednesday (7pm – 10pm) and Sunday (10am – 4pm).  There will be some additional calls for puppeteer workshops and a few extra rehearsal dates in the lead up to tech week.  A full rehearsal schedule will be available at the auditions.

AUDITION SESSIONS
There will be three sessions of auditions in the first round.  Times are listed below.  These sessions are essentially booked slots by group and you will need to be present at the start of your allocated group session.
Human Roles:  Saturday 09th June – Registration 09:45am for 10am start
Male Puppet Roles:  Saturday 09th June – Registration 12:45pm for 1pm start
Female Puppet Roles:  Sunday 10th June – Registration 09:45am for 10am start
Ensemble Roles: Sunday 10th June –  Registration 12:45pm for 1pm start
Venue:  Roleystone Theatre

WHAT TO BRING
Please bring with you to the audition:
• A single page resume of relevant experience and/or training, with recent headshot (please note - it helps us if you format your resume to include your headshot, and don’t forget to make sure your email address and phone number are clear and current)
• Sheet music for your chosen song in the correct key and clearly marked for the pianist.  A CD player will be made available for recorded backings if necessary, but they must not include any guide tracks or backing vocals.  **If your song is lengthy please choose one verse and one chorus only, and make appropriate cuts in your music**
• Wear clothing and shoes appropriate for some movement (not necessarily “dance”) as there may not be any opportunity to change during the session.
• Please don’t forget your patience and good humour.  You’ll need them both.
Copies of the set piece will be available for you.

THE AUDITION PROCESS
There will be a short introduction at the start of the session, after which you will be asked to present your chosen audition song.  Be prepared to sing only a portion of your song (one verse and one chorus should be sufficient) and please don’t be offended if we cut you off.  
Next we will look at the set piece, probably in pairs; and then with added movement. The puppet sessions will then start to work with puppets. Don’t panic. At this stage its just about the coordination of singing and the movement of the puppet’s mouth – we will be providing sock puppets on the day.  YOU MAY WANT TO PRACTISE THIS WITH A SOCK BEFORE THE AUDITION.  I’m not kidding. Seriously. Socks. And if you find a sock you really get along with, put some googly eyes on it and bring it with you.  Bonus points if you bring your own sock puppet!
Finally you may be asked to do some short cold reads.
Auditionees will be culled at various points during the session.  Please understand that this is a necessary part of the process.
Allow up to 3 hours for each session.

CALLBACKS
Auditionees required for a callback with be notified by the morning of Monday 11th June.  The first callback session will be held from 10am on Saturday 16th June.  Due to the short period of notification please keep this morning free in case you are needed.

CASTING
If you are cast in Avenue Q you will be required to be or become a member of Roleystone Theatre
 (Family ($45) Couple ($40) Single ($25) Junior ($15)).  There are no production fees.
You will be expected to commit to the whole of the rehearsal period and performance season; to contribute to the production by way of assistance with marketing, set construction and other production tasks beyond your performance; and to contribute positively to the community of the Roleystone Theatre.
If you have any questions about the audition process or would like feedback on your audition, regardless of your casting, please contact the Director, Lorna Mackie, via lorna@htth.com.au

FUN FACTS ABOUT AVENUE Q
Avenue Q won three Tony Awards in its first year on Broadway, including BEST MUSICAL!
In the first draft, Trekkie Monster was a green version of the Cookie Monster in a Star Trek uniform with pointy ears.  In the later drafts he got horny… I mean, horns… he got horns.
Live-hand puppets are operated by two puppeteers, talk about split personalities!
Rod loves Broadway musicals, antique shopping and Hugh Jackman.  In earlier drafts his name was Paul, but I guess the writers just couldn’t pass up the Rod-puppet joke!  Get it… because he’s a rod puppet and his name is Rod. Ha! Those guys!!
Most of the original Broadway cast were puppeteers primarily who could sing and act.  Most of the cast that has replaced them since and played in numerous productions around the world are singers and actors that have learned the art of puppetry for the show.
Avenue Q was originally pitched as a TV series.  In the early stages the writers set up a meeting to have Gary Coleman play himself in the show, but Gary didn’t turn up.  
Brian is based on Brian Yorkey, they guy who played Brian in the workshops. Unfortunately when he auditioned to play himself in the show, he didn’t make the cut.