Congratulations to all who auditioned for our winter musical!  We were so impressed with everyone's abilities and are excited that we were able to find spots for 70 out of the 107 who signed up to audition!  The following students listed should attend our first rehearsal on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 3:00-4:30PM in the auditorium.  Please bring your iPads with you so that you can join our Google Classroom and access the digital script!

We're so excited that we had 107 students audition for our winter musical!  In order for the directors to create the best possible cast list, we will need to see and hear more from a specific group of students.  These are what are known as Callback Auditions.

Those listed below on the Callback List should plan to attend a
rehearsal on Monday, October 23 from 3:00-4:30PM
AND
callback auditions on Tuesday, October 24 from 3:00-5:00PM
​in the auditorium.

If you are not on this list, don't panic! It does not mean that you are not in the show, just that the directors have seen what they need from your first audition and may already have a space for you in mind.  Look for the final cast list to be posted on Wednesday, October 25.

Click the link below to access the Google Drive Folder with separate folders for acting scenes, vocal sheet music, audio tracks for the songs, and dance videos (coming soon!).  We will have copies of the music and scenes for you at the Monday rehearsal, but you may also use your iPad to view them.

Winter Musical Auditions: What do I need to do?

1. Sing.  You will be taught the singing selection by Mx. Bee during today’s rehearsal.  You will come into the audition room with a partner but will have each sing by yourselves so we can score every person individually. The vocal track and background track for you to practice at home on your own can be found posted at
   nhchoiranddrama.net > Drama > Middle School > 2024-SpongeBob
2. Dance. Mr. Kelly will teach you a short dance combination.  This video will also be posted on the website in the same location as the song for you to practice over the next week.  On your audition day, after 4 groups of students have finished their auditions, we will call all 8-10 students back into the audition room and you will do the dance together a few times.  You’ll stand in 2 rows, and we’ll have the rows change places so we can see everyone clearly for scoring.
3. Act/Read. Mr. Cloonan will go over the 2 acting “sides” (the theater name for part of a scene used in auditions).  You and your partner can choose which side you want to act.  You’ll read the scene together in the audition room.  We’re scoring on diction (how clearly you can speak/read), stage presence (are you attempting to act it or just standing there and reading from a paper?), and concentration (are you focused/engaged in the scene, or do you seem distracted/unfocused?). Again, sides will be posted on the website.

 
At the end of today’s practice, you will have the opportunity to sign up for an audition time slot with a partner.  Please figure out which day and time works better for you.  2 people should sign up for each 5-minute slot on the sheet.  Dates and times are:
            Tuesday, 10/17 (LGI ROOM) – 3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00, 5:00-6:00, 6:00-7:00
            Wednesday, 10/18 (LGI ROOM) – 3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00, 5:00-6:00
            Thursday, 10/19 (AUDITORIUM) – 3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00, (5:00-6:00 if needed)
 
If you are unsure about which day or time to sign up for or need to check with parents, you may add your name to the sign-up sheet during the day tomorrow or Friday.  It will be posted on the wall outside of Room A011 downstairs (6th Grade Chorus Room by the locker rooms and tech ed hallway).  We will take the papers on Friday after school to type them up and print out for the audition days.
 
We know about the Halloween Dance on Thursday.  We will provide the list of students signed up to audition with the teachers monitoring the hallway by the gym and you will either enter the dance late (if in the first group) or have to leave and come back when it is time for you to audition.  If you are in the 3:00-4:00 you should just come to the front of the auditorium.  If in the 4:00-5:00, you should leave the dance at 3:45 to be in the Band Hallway by 4:00 and we’ll call the group in to begin.  When you have finished doing all 3 parts of your audition, you may return to the dance.
 
Email Mr. Cloonan with any questions: cloonans@staff.nhsd.net

Linked below is the PDF of the sheet music as well as a track with vocals and one without for you to practice before your audition.

Here is the video Mr. Kelly made of the dance combo taught at the practice.  There are 4 videos: 
1 - Front facing, mirroring, slowly
2 - Back facing, slowly
3 - Front facing, mirroring, with music
4 - Back facing, with music

There are 2 "sides" (audition scenes) that Mr. Cloonan went over at the practice.  You and your partner only have to read ONE of the sides during your audition.  Practice reading with expression and you may choose to act it out as well.

Please make sure to have a completed Audition Information Form with you at your audition.  We will have extras available on the audition days if you forget it or don't have it ready.  You may also download, print out, and complete the file linked below.

Who is Eligible to Participate?
The Winter Musical is open to all students in grades 6-8.  Positions are available in both the Cast and on the Tech Crew.  More information about Tech Crew will be shared around Thanksgiving.
 
Audition Information:
Audition Practice Session: (not required, but HIGHLY recommended!)
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 3:00-4:30PM in the Middle School Auditorium.
We will teach the audition song and dance that will be required during auditions, as well as give time for students to practice the acting portion.  Sign-up sheets for audition days will be available at the end of the practice.
 
First Round: You may sign up to audition in groups of two (but a “partner” is not required).  When you are called into the audition room, each person will sing INDIVIDUALLY, then read the scene with a partner or director.  Please bring your completed Audition Information Form to give to the judges.  At the end of every 8 auditions, we will call everyone who has auditioned in that group back into the audition room and you will perform the dance audition in a group.  Once your group has done all 3 parts, you may leave.
 
Sign-up sheets will be posted outside of Room A011 after the practice on October 11.  Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition if you go home and come back.  You are only required to stay for the hour that you sign up, and may leave after you have completed all three parts: singing, reading, and dancing.
Tuesday, October 17 (LGI Room)                                  3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00, 5:00-6:00
Wednesday, October 18 (LGI Room)                           3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00, 5:00-6:00
Thursday, October 19 (Auditorium)                             3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00 (5:00-6:00 if needed)
 
Callback Auditions: a list will be posted online at nhchoiranddrama.net (under the drama menu, then middle school) late in the evening on Thursday, October 19 indicating who is to come to callbacks.  These are times for the directors to hear and see people a second or third time so that we pick the best cast we can.  If you are not on the callback list, it DOES NOT mean you should panic.  If you are on the callback list, you must attend all of the following:
Monday, October 23                        3:00-4:00  Rehearsal to learn new songs & practice scenes (auditorium)
Tuesday, October 24                       3:00-5:30  Callback Auditions (auditorium)
 
Final Cast List Posted ONLINE 
Once callback auditions are completed, the directors will determine the cast list.  We will be taking about 60 students this year.  Unfortunately, NOT ALL STUDENTS THAT AUDITION WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE SHOW.  Once the list has been finalized, we will post it on the choir/drama website at (http://www.nhchoiranddrama.net > Drama > Middle School Drama Club).  This will likely happen late Tuesday evening (it usually takes a very long time to decide on the cast list).
 
First Full Cast Rehearsal: 
If your name is on the list, you are expected to be at the first rehearsal on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 3:00-4:30PM in the Middle School Auditorium.  At this rehearsal, you’ll receive a complete schedule, script, and cast contract which must be signed and returned in order to be in the show.
 
There are student Drama Club dues of $50 required for each cast member.  This pays for your hoodie, food, and other costs throughout rehearsals and performances.  Any questions or concerns, email Mr. Cloonan (cloonans@staff.nhsd.net)

All cast members are permitted to miss 5 rehearsals and be late to/leave early from 5 rehearsals.  Many athletes balance their time within these guidelines so that they can participate in both musical and other activities.  You must notify Mr. Cloonan ahead of time and you must learn any new material that you miss when not at rehearsal. The only exception to this policy is during the last TWO WEEKS of the show (January 22-February 3).  Those practices/run-throughs are mandatory for ALL cast & crew members, NO EXCEPTIONS (except excused illnesses from school)!  This is especially important for leads at the Saturday Tech Rehearsal and everyone else during the listed Dress Rehearsals, where we use microphones, lights, & costumes for the first time.