FALL 2018 SHOWS
STC is presenting two shows this fall – a play in our black box theater and a musical in Ames City Auditorium. There will be a single audition for both fall shows on August 12 and 13 at STC’s Black Box Theater: 615 S. Dayton Ave., suite 133 in Ames.
Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures is directed by Julia VanDyk.
Performances: October 18 and 19 at 7:00 pm and October 20 and 21 at 2:00 pm
Rehearsals: August 18 (parent/cast/crew meeting) – October 13 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00pm to 6:00 pm and Saturdays at 9:00 am. (No rehearsals Labor Day weekend.)
Tech Week (mandatory): October 15, 16, and 17, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Elf The Musical JR. is directed by Erica Walling with musical direction by Cynthia Marten.
Performances: November 9 and 16 at 7:00 pm, and November 10, 11, 17, 18 at 2:00 pm.
Rehearsals: Parent/Cast/Crew meeting on August 25. Rehearsals September 5 – November 2 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Saturdays at 10:30 am.
Tech Week (mandatory): November 5-8, 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
AUDITION DETAILS
- Auditions for both shows will be August 12, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and August 13, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- You must be 9-18 years old to audition for a role (in either show).
- The auditioning panel will be casting both shows from a single audition. You may indicate on your audition form whether you would like to be considered for only one show or both. However, you will only be cast in one show.
- Please keep Tuesday, August 14, 4:00 – 7:00 pm, open in case you are asked to attend callbacks.
- Follow this link to sign up for a one-hour audition time: Fall 2018 Auditions Signup
AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS – Please read through all audition instructions carefully.
- If you are interested in being cast in Gooney Bird Greene only, there is no preparation needed. The audition will consist of guided acting exercises in small groups.
- If you are interested in being cast in Elf The Musical JR, please prepare a memorized, one-minute monologue.
- If you are interested in being cast in Elf The Musical JR, please prepare a memorized song from the list below.
- Bring a photo to attach to your audition application.
- You must arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time to complete an audition form. Late arrivals will be moved to another audition time.
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that will allow you to move well.
- You will audition with a small group. You will be at your audition for one hour.
Song Selections for Elf the Musical JR
If you are auditioning for Elf The Musical JR, please choose one of the six songs listed below. You will be singing excerpts only, not the entire song. All songs should be sung as solos, regardless of the characters indicated on the sheet music. You will be singing to a CD provided at your audition, using the exact music provided for you below.
Find the accompaniment for the audition songs HERE
Find the complete script with all the songs HERE
- Buddy Song: “World’s Greatest Dad” – from the beginning through measure 28
- Jovie Song: “Never Fall in Love with an Elf” – from the beginning through measure 28
- Michael song: “There is a Santa Claus” – from the beginning through measure 21
- Emily song: “There is a Santa Claus” – measures 22 through 37
- Santa: “Happy All the Time” – measures 16 through 43
- Other solos: “Just Sing a Christmas Song Reprise” – from the beginning through measure 17
You will find both the instrumental versions and the rehearsal versions (with guide vocals) of the Elf the Musical JR songs on YouTube HERE
ROLES AND CREW POSITIONS
Youth ages 12 and over may apply for crew positions for Elf The Musical JR, including light and sound board operation, scene shift crew, assistant stage management, and wardrobe.
If you are interested in a crew position, please stop by during any of the audition times and complete an application. You do not need to sign up for an audition time, but you must stop by during the audition times to be considered for a crew position.
There are over 50 roles to be cast in the fall shows, many of which can be played by male or female actors.
Roles in Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures
[All parts are speaking roles.]
Mrs. Pidgeon: The classroom teacher at Watertower School
Gooney Bird Greene: The flamboyant new student, who only tells “absolutely true stories”
Classroom students: Mrs. Pidgeon’s students and Gooney Bird’s new classmates.
Includes Felicia Ann, Chelsea, Beanie, Tricia, Keiko, Malcolm, Barry, Nicholas, and Ben
True Adventure Characters: Versatile actors who can portray multiple distinct characters in Gooney Bird’s true adventure stories.
Includes Mr. Greene, Mrs. Greene, Catman, Moving-Van Driver, Police Officer, TV Reporter, Camera Operator, Mr. Prince, Napoleon, Orchestra Conductor, Cow, Mr. or Mrs. Schinhofen.
Roles in Elf The Musical JR
Santa Claus: male, Santa Claus has a lot on his plate during the Christmas season, and it is starting to show. He is annoyed with the Elves and sad that people seem to be losing their Christmas spirit; a character performer who can play an older (and somewhat cranky) man while trying hard to keep his holiday spirit; range: Bb3-D5
Buddy: male, the perfect elf! He’s good-natured, he means well, and he’s happy. There’s only one problem. He’s not an elf – he’s an adult human; an excellent actor, good singer and has an energetic earnestness and comedic timing; range, B3-G5
Elves: Santa’s special helpers who love their job making toys to meet their Christmas Eve deadline; younger performers who enjoy singing. Solo Elf 1, range F#4–C5; Solo Elf 2: G4–Bb4
Charlie: male, in charge of monitoring the other Elves, making sure every present is wrapped and every bow is tied; a performer with a good speaking voice and is comfortable taking command of the stage; speaking role.
Shawanda: female, a dependable and caring elf, will do whatever she can to help out others; a good actress with a good speaking voice; speaking role.
Walter Hobbs: male, Buddy’s real father. He’s so focused on keeping his job that he is not making time for his family. He can be stern and unemotional; a great actor/singer with a strong, authoritative presence, but can also show his softer side; range, B3–E5
Deb: female, Walter’s secretary, is responsible for keeping her boss happy. She does this by sharing her positive attitude with everyone; a young actress with a pleasant demeanor and a good speaking voice; speaking role
Emily Hobbs: female, Walter’s devoted wife, a problem solver and an excellent mother who is doing everything she can to provide a positive family dynamic; an excellent actress and singer who effortlessly conveys a sense of maturity and warmth; range, G3–D5
Michael Hobbs: male, the smarter-than-average 12-year-old son of Walter and Emily. He quickly befriends his new adult brother, Buddy, and does everything he can to make sure Buddy becomes a permanent part of the family; a solid actor/ singer with an unchanged voice; range: G3–D5
Jovie: female, works as a store elf at Macy’s, but she doesn’t quite exude the Christmas spirit, kind of cynical, a bit tough around the edges, and now the target of Buddy’s complete adoration; an actor with a strong singing voice; range: G3–Db5
The Ensemble: males or females. Many are speaking roles and have solo lines.
Includes Santa’s Helpers, New Yorkers, Macy’s Employees, Sam, Macy’s Manager, Chadwick and Matthews, Charlotte Dennon, Mr. Greenway, Darlene Lambert, Emma Van Brocklin, Security Guards, Fake Santa, Policemen, Office Staff, Carolers and Finale Soloists. All are important roles for creating the distinct worlds of the North Pole and New York City.
[You can download a PDF of this description of roles and crew positions HERE.]
Participation fees for the 2018-2019 season are as follows:
- Cast: $135
- Crew: $40
Scholarships are available.
Here at Story Theater Company, we are proud to offer professional instruction. Our participation fee ensures that we are able to continue offering such performance opportunities to the youth of our community. The fee also includes two tickets, a t-shirt, the cast party, show poster, and a DVD of the performance (when allowed by our performance license).
If you have any questions, contact manager@storytheatercompany.org.