Auditions / Part Information
— Audition Sign-up Deadline May 10th! —

Want to be part of a community production as an actor, backstage helper, or musician? Read on! [please make sure everything about the show works for you before signing up]

OVERVIEW
Auditions for actors and musicians for our August 2023 show The Sultan, the Secret, and the Witch at the Jensen Center in Amherst, Wisconsin are happening in-person Monday and Tuesday May 22 and 23 4 - 9pm, and Wednesday May 24 by Zoom only for those out of town Monday and Tuesday. If all three dates are not possible, contact us for other possible arrangements. Audition sign-ups open March 1. Please sign up by May 10th.

For adults and youth aged 13+ seeking to help backstage—sets, costumes, etc.—that is done either by phone conversation May 20 - 30 or in person during the actors’ audition times, assuming space is open.

Those auditioning must be able to attend all the performances and rehearsals for their characters between Sunday July 23 and Saturday August 19. In general, weekday evenings Monday-Thursday are scene rehearsals for part or all for the cast, and weekend rehearsals are always for the full cast. Detailed part and size information at bottom of this page.

AGES / WHO CAN AUDITION:
- Lead, large, and medium roles are open to adults and high school aged youth, by audition [entering 9th grade or older fall 2023]
- Smaller and chorus parts open to adults, high school, and youth aged 11-13, also by audition [entering 6th grade or older fall 2023]
- Participation in small and chorus parts by folks 10 and younger is possible, but only if 1) parent / guardian is in the cast or 2) parent / guardian present at rehearsals with that child. Children 10 and younger need not formally audition. Instead, we have a conversation in person, on the phone, or ZOOM with the child and the adult / guardian to find the best fit for the show (smaller or bigger kids’ part; part preferences [servant, urchin, etc.]; and any gender preferences for characters onstage)
—All participants 17 and younger will need to have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian on file prior to or at auditions to be offered a part. This form can be brought to or signed at the audition, or filled out and sent to us prior to the audition, to directortorsti@rovainenmusicals.com You can download a pdf. of the permission slip here

Permission Form for Youth Participation Summer 2023 [click red text to download]

WHAT HAPPENS IN AN AUDITION
Our goal here is to have a conversation about what you’re interested in experiencing and contributing for the summer; your preferences for part sizes, solo singing, and gender of roles onstage, if any; and to get to know your acting and singing. Auditions usually last around 10 minutes
Those auditioning for a lead, large, or medium part are asked to prepare two things: a 30-60 second memorized spoken monologue (any content); and a 30-60 second part from a song, to be sung either a cappella or with any recorded accompaniment you bring.
People auditioning for ensemble and small/bit parts are asked to prepare a 30-60 second song, and come ready to talk about role preferences, if any.
** The audition structure is for both folks new to Inspirations Theater as well as those who have been in previous productions with us

- No cost to participate in the summer production
- Actors, backstage, and musicians are volunteer

PRE-AUDITION PREPARATION: FAMILIARITY WITH THE PLAY AND ITS SONGS
We advise prior to an audition that people have spent 10-15 minutes looking over the script (or read the entire thing), so they are familiar with what characters they are either attracted to playing or would prefer not to play.
For those auditioning for parts with solo singing, we highly encourage you to listen to the songs that character sings to see if that is something you would want to put your heart into. For solo songs, sometimes the key can be changed to make it higher or lower to match a singer’s range; for group songs or duets, usually it will stay in the key it was written / recorded.
Depending on the song, being able / not being able to reach all the notes sometimes is something we can work around, sometimes not.

AUDITION, REHEARSAL, AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
-- Performances Fri & Sat August 18 - 19 7:30 pm; Sunday August 21 2 pm
-- Auditions May 22 and 23 4 - 9 pm Out of town? by ZOOM Wed May 24 4 - 9 pm
-- First day or rehearsals: Sunday July 23rd 1 - 5 pm
-- Rehearsals Monday - Thursday 7 pm - 9:30 pm. Week leading up to performances 7 - 10 / 10:30 pm
-- Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 5 or 1 - 6
[Note: full cast present at all Saturday and Sunday rehearsals; Monday-Thursday by scene / schedule]

To look at the draft script, click on the red text. NOTE: script may vary based on our audition pool. With a cast of thirty or more and strong leads, we’ll do the full version of the show. A cast of 15-25 will likely be a shortened version.

Copyrighted script is for viewing purposes only, not to be shared, unless showing it to another potential actor.

The Sultan, The Secret, and the Witch

Song samples can be found by clicking the orange link below; more on the show itself via the purple link.

Part Information

In Inspirations shows anyone of any age can play any character in the show [large parts still only ages 14+]. For example, an inspired 65 year old woman could play a 23 year old male, if the fit is right. We do still list how these character present on stage, if that gender is assigned.

LEAD / LARGE ROLES: all have solo songs; also play as ensemble members in our large group numbers
The [Girl, Boy, Person] this role might be split into two, a first half and second half actor
Gyuri
The Sultan
Morningstar
Witch Doctor [not as big a role, but has one big solo song]

— NOTE: those in small-medium and bit roles will also play in ensemble / group parts

MEDIUM ROLES:
Datenuts 1 and 2 sing a spoken / sung duet
Animal Spirit Guardians: Bear, Owl, Panther, Coyote, Turtle have three songs, with some more challenging 3-5 part harmonies
Boy/Girl’s Mother a few solo sung lines
Deer typically played by a younger cast member wordless part, but onstage a great deal

SMALL ROLES:
Eldest Daughter of Sultan
Two of the Sultan’s Wizards
Pirate Captain in one scene, a few solo lines in a song
Refugee one scene, one big song

GROUP SINGING ROLES by ASSIGNMENT: actors for these group parts will be selected after auditions
Councillors to the Sultan
Gossipers in Village

BIT ROLES: Most bit roles are in one scene and have 1-10 lines. These will be assigned to and played by members of the ensemble
Sultan’s Recruiter, 2nd Mate to Pirate Captain, Hunting Village Leader, Witch’s Liege, Restaurant Owner, Innkeeper, Farmer, Shepherd, Landowner, Village Elders, Refugees, Guards, Messengers

ENSEMBLE: sing in group songs, play bit parts, act in group and court scenes
Soldiers, Pirates, Forest Villagers; possibly Gossipers and Councillors, Dungeon Animals