AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Prepare a show tune of your choice to sing. Please bring a copy of the sheet music in the CORRECT key for the accompanist: (NO A CAPPELLA SINGING & NO SONDHEIM or JASON ROBERT BROWN) Due to time constraints, you may be asked to sing only 32 bars. Everyone will be asked to recite one or two of the selected readings from the script. See below for specific character cuttings. All need to wear or bring shoes and clothing for a basic dance/movement audition. Specialty dancers will have a more difficult dance at the call-backs. We are looking for a large, multi-talented, cast of various ages and types for a fun-filled experience. Families are encouraged to audition together as citizens of Whoville.
SEUSSICAL CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
All performers will need to demonstrate basic competent movement ability. The most skilled dancer/movers are: The Cat, Mayzie, The Bird Girls, The Wickershams, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Vlad, and special featured ensemble dancers. A number of performers play several characters (circus performers or creatures etc.) The descriptions below are based on the primary characters and do not address the multiple roles. These character descriptions reflect initial thoughts and are not set in stone. When the show is cast, further character work will be developed with the actor’s input.
THE CAT IN THE HAT (Male or Female, age 18-35) The Cat playfully provokes change in the lives of those around him by creating obstacles. As in Dr Seuss’s books, the Cat’s intentions, although mischievous, are benevolent. The Cat’s main objective is to have fun stirring things up, using some risky tactics, but always to a good end.
Vocal range: tenor/baritone or mezzo/belter Physical attributes and movement abilities: Loose-limbed, fluid mover with some vaudeville skills, and comedic and athletic propensities. (Ability to balance on a ball while juggling two books, a cake, and a rake, while holding a fan in his/her tail is not necessary, but certainly a plus.) Seussical begins and ends with the Cat. As the host and emcee, he/she is the conduit between performers and audience and continually pops up here and there with many exits and entrances and numerous props to manage.
JOJO (Male or Female, age 8-12) JoJo is a “Thinker”, a smart child with a wild imagination. JoJo wants to be valued and loved for himself/herself. JoJo stands out in a world that values conformity. When he/she expresses the wondrous thoughts in his/her head, instead of inspiring awe and emulation, he/she is met with disdain and disapproval. By the end of the show, he/she learns what it means to be a responsible member of his/her world, using the power and possibilities of his/her own Thinks. Vocal range: soprano/alto – unchanged male voice Physical attributes and movement abilities: Cute and expressive with basic movement skills.
HORTON THE ELEPHANT (Male, age 18-35) Horton is a slow-moving, gentle giant. He is big-hearted, responsible and always tries to do the right thing for his friends. Physically and socially different than the other animals, Horton is an easy scapegoat. But Horton’s bulk is matched by his solid, steadfast integrity and deeply-grounded beliefs. Horton is never sure if he is up to the tasks that have fallen to him, but he would rather die than let down someone he has vowed to help. He is honest and faithful and kind.
Vocal range: tenor/baritone Physical attributes and movement attributes: Horton must have a prominent stage presence. He moves slowly even at his fastest pace, and somehow he finds a way to sit on an egg, in a nest, in a tree.
GERTRUDE (Female, age 18-35) Gertrude’s main objective is to win Horton’s attention and affection. She is determined to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Gertrude is a wallflower who doesn’t quite fit in with the other jungle animals and feels unsure of herself socially.
Vocal range: soprano/belter Physical attributes and movement abilities: Gertrude’s quirky personality is rooted in her unusual physicality. She feels mismatched with her very large feet, scrawny tail, and out-of-tune squawk. She is a bird of great spirit, but little grace.
MAYZIE (Female, age 22-40) Mayzie’s objective is to have a good time while leading life to the fullest. She finds great pleasure in her sexuality and enjoys being admired, adored, sought after and serviced, whether by her Bird Girls, groupies. She has real star power and enjoys nothing more than being in the spotlight.
Vocal range: mezzo/belter Physical attributes and movement abilities: Mayzie is an amazingly hot dancer. She could easily be a Las Vegas headliner. She flaunts her beauty, making men weak-kneed and women envious.
THE SOUR KANGAROO (Female, age 25 -50) The Sour Kangaroo is the diva queen of the jungle. She is a tyrannical marsupial with attitude! She has style and flair, but she is also hard-hearted and sour. She commands power and respect.
Vocal range: soprano/belter Physical attributes and movement abilities: The Sour Kangaroo has a commanding physical presence. She expresses herself through her fierce, soulful vocalizing and her passionate, deliberate movements.
BIRD GIRLS (Females, age 16-30) The three Bird Girls are a flamboyant “girl group.” (ala Little Shop of Horrors) As a trio, they live to sing, dance and perform. The Bird Girls serve as back-up performers to the exquisite talents of Mayzie La Bird. They enjoy being appreciated for their beauty and performing talents and flirt with the powerful Wickersham Brothers.
Vocal range:mixed ranges: MUST BE ABLE TO HOLD HARMONY. Music readers preferred. Physical attributes and movement abilities: The Bird Girls are sensual, powerhouse movers who love to dance. Their styles are Latin, nightclub and Motown. They are a Greek chorus who, along with the Cat, tell the show’s story.
WICKERSHAMS (Males, age 16 -30) The Wickersham Brothers live to impress the world with their strength and power. They want to be seen as virile, dominant, alpha males. They are impulsive bad boys who like to monkey around, creating havoc for fun. They intimidate, bully and harass those they consider to be weaker. However, their bravado has its roots in insecurity, not evil.
Vocal range:mixed ranges: MUST BE ABLE TO HOLD HARMONY. Music readers preferred. Physical attributes and movement abilities: The Wickershams are athletic, primo movers. They swagger, leap, roll, squat, turn on a dime and possibly swing in on vines. Gymnastic skills are a plus!
GENERAL GENGHIS KHAN SCHMITZ (Male, age 30-60) General Genghis Khan Schmitz is bursting with pride at the military academy he runs. He is a comedic character that must be played as pompous, proud, and over the top.
Vocal range:baritone Physical attributes and movement abilities: He has an authoritative bearing and commands with a loud voice and intimidating presence. Good physique and posture.
MR. MAYOR (Male, age 30-50) Mr. Mayor wants to be a good leader and father. He is disturbed by the troubling antics of his dreamer son, JoJo. He is dedicated to making his world better.
Vocal range:tenor/baritone. Physical attributes and movement abilities: Complimentary to Mrs. Mayor and taller than JoJo with basic movement skills.
MRS. MAYOR (Female, age 25-50) Mrs. Mayor wants to be a good wife and mother. She is proud to be his wife and wishes to uphold the values they share. Mrs. Mayor shares her husband’s worry about their “different” child.
Vocal range: mezzo-soprano Physical attributes and movement abilities: Complimentary to Mr. Mayor and taller than JoJo with basic movement skills.
YERTLE, THE TURTLE (Male, age 20 -50) Yertle believes he has been endowed with some superior gifts. He likes to be the one who is looked to for decision-making and setting things right.
Vocal range: baritone/bass Physical attributes and movement abilities: He has a solid physique and doesn’t need to dance.
THE GRINCH (Male, age 25-45) The Grinch is a green beastie who lives in Whoville as a happy member of the Who community. His story and change of heart are all part of Who culture now, and happily retold every Christmas.
Vocal range: baritone/bass Physical attributes and movement abilities: Tall and lanky with a distinctive physique.
JUNGLE ANIMALS (Males and Females, age 10- 40) The Jungle animals are “street-smart” creatures that live by the laws of the jungle. All the animals have individual movement and character traits that distinguish them from one another.
Vocal ranges: mixed ranges. Physical attributes and movement abilities: basic dance ability needed.
WHO CITIZENS (all ages – Families are encouraged) The Citizens of Who are innocent, slightly quirky people who value conformity. Like middle class Americans in the 1950s, they live in a bubble of pleasant uniformity.
Vocal ranges: mixed ranges Physical attributes and movement abilities: The Whos’ straight and proper carriage is interspersed with off-center, quirky movement. Cadets must be coordinated and move well.
SEUSSICAL - READINGS
The following readings can be found in the script. Some of the readings are combinations of spoken rhyme and sung lyrics. Some have been combined from different scenes for the purposes of auditions. These cuts will help familiarize you with the flow of the words.
CAT IN THE HAT
Reading Selection #1 page 69 “Step right up, ladies… Who sits on an egg…in a tree!!”
Reading Selection #2 page 47 (with German or funny accent) “Tut tut… your kind of bird.”
Reading Selection #3 pages 51 & 52 “This is the Cat in the Hat… alternate routes if I were you!”
HORTON
Reading Selection #1 page 18 “I say! How confusing!... Alone in the universe”
Reading Selection #2 page 20 “It’s true, please believe me Even three. Even four.”
Reading Selection #3 page 40 “I've been guarding this clover... great thinkers all feel this way!”
Reading Selection #4 pages 95 & 96 “Boil it! Oh no! … So PLEASE! TRY!”
JOJO
Reading Selection #1 page 10 “Now that is a very unusual hat... hat-wearing…Cat!”
Reading Selection #2 page 77 “Sir, This war makes no sense… And that, sir, is that!”
GERTRUDE
Reading Selection #1 page 47 “So she flew to the doctor… Make my tail grow”
MAYZIE
Reading Selection pages 22 & 23 “I’m Mayzie La Bird… Let’s talk about me”
Reading Selection page 59 “I won’t bed gone long… For, say, one afternoon”
MR. & MRS. MAYOR
Reading Selection pages 31 & 32 “I'm the Mayor of Who. … some Normal Thinks instead.”
GEN. GENGHIS KAHN SCHMITZ
Reading Selection #1 pages 37 & 38 “I'm General Genghis Kahn Schmitz the prize. Forward...h-a-a-rch!”
Reading Selection #2 page 77 “We’ve arrived at the war… bibulous butter-side-downers!”
THE GRINCH
Reading Selection #1 page 28 “Every Christmastime… just north of Whoville did not!”
Reading Selection #2 page 78 “And the Grinch … means a little bit more.”
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