Auditions Announced for GetUp Stage Company's 'West Side Story'

Open auditions for this summer's production of West Side Story are scheduled for May 12th and 13th from 6-9 PM at Bristol Central High School. Callbacks TBD.


See below for production and audition details.
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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please prepare a song from West Side Story.  This is a classic musical, so no modern audition songs or pop music.
Those auditioning will be seen on a first-come basis.  Please bring a headshot and resume.  If you do not have a headshot, we will take a photo.  Please be prepared to stay as long as needed to insure that you have completed the audition.  We will be as efficient as possible, but you may have some waiting time. 

You will be asked to do the following: 

Vocal Audition:  Please perform a song from WEST SIDE STORY.  We suggest the following songs: 
Tony: Something’s Coming, Maria
Maria: Tonight, I Feel Pretty
Anita: A Boy Like That, America
Riff: Cool
Bernardo/Sharks/Jets:The Jet Song
Girls: America

Because of time considerations, we may not be able to listen to entire pieces.

Acting Audition*:  If interested in one of the adult roles, plan to read from the script (provided).  These roles will likely be cast with adult actors but a final decision is TBD.

Dance Audition:  Learn and perform a short dance routine.

*NOTE:  Those auditioning for the four adult roles will only be asked to do the Acting Audition.

Synopsis:
On the mean streets of New York City in the 1950's, two gangs are in a long-lasting duel. The Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, grapple with the difficulties of assimilating into American society. The Jets, the "American" gang, want to resist newcomers entering their territory. In the midst of this rivalry, a Jet, Tony, falls in love with a beautiful Sharks' girl, Maria. After a fight between the Jets and the Sharks, Tony ends up killing Maria's brother, Bernardo. Bitter over losing Maria's love and the death of Bernardo, Maria's Puerto Rican suitor, Chino, shoots Tony dead. Dancing in the show requires jazz, ballet and athleticism.

Characters:  

      Jets (White/American):

            Tony: Handsome older teenager, who has outgrown the Jets; tenor.

            Riff: Glowing, driving, intelligent, slightly wacky leader of the Jets; tenor.

            Diesel: Lieutenant to Riff, big, slow, steady; baritone.

            Baby John: Youngest member of the Jets, awed at everything, even being a Jet;

                  tries to act like a big man, but is vulnerable; baritone.

             A-Rab: Small in stature, enjoys everything, takes nothing seriously, unaware, can be explosive; baritone.

            Action: Most aggressive member of the Jets, a cat-like ball of fury; baritone.

            Snowboy: Bespectacled, self-styled expert; baritone.

            Others: Depending on cast needs, several other Jets may be cast; tenor and baritone.

      Their Girls:

            Anybodys: Scrawny teen-aged tomboy, pathetically dressed to imitate the Jets, and wants desperately to be taken seriously by them.

            Velma: Riff’s girlfriend, young, slithery, sexy, lost in a world of jive.

            Graziella: Girlfriend of Diesel, impressed with herself.

            Others:  Several other Jet girls will be cast.

      Sharks (Non-white, ethnic, specifically Hispanic if possible):

            Bernardo: Handsome, proud, fluid leader of the Sharks, with a sardonic chip on his shoulder; baritone.

            Chino: Shy, gentle, sweet-faced young boy, the intended husband of Maria; baritone.

            Pepe:  Lieutenant to Bernardo, typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

            Indio: Typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

            Luis: Typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

            Juano: Typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

            Toro: Typically proud, and resentful of discrimination; baritone.

            Others: Depending on cast needs, several other Sharks may be cast; tenor and baritone.

      Their Girls:

            Maria: Lovely young and obedient immigrant non-white (preferably Hispanic) girl, excited and enthusiastic about her new life in America, but with stubborn inner strength that allows her to evolve into a strong woman; soprano.

            Anita: Older (20’s) and wiser in the ways of the world, flashy, sharp-tongued, and with a knowing sexuality; alto/mezzo-soprano..

            Consuelo: Tough, young Puerto Rican girl with bleach blond hair and lots of baubles; mezzo-soprano.

            Rosalia: Young Puerto Rican girl, more demure, not too bright; mezzo-soprano.

            Others: Several other Shark girls will be cast; mezzo-soprano.

      The Adults:

            Doc: Middle-aged drug store owner, tired and worn out.

            Lieutenant Schrank: Plainclothes policeman used to being in charge, superficially pleasant to cover his venom, fear, and bigotry.

            Officer Krupke: A not-too-bright street cop.

            Glad Hand: Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-equipped social director at the local gym dance.  MAY ALSO BE PLAYED BY A FEMALE.


Rehearsal and Performance Dates and Location: 
A weekly evening rehearsal will be held in Bristol shortly after the show is cast and will be determined by actors'/staff availability.  This weekly rehearsal will be for vocal music and choreography.  Actors are expected to come to these early rehearsals with significant familiarity with the show and the music. Because of the short rehearsal schedule, we will need you to be prepared in advance for your role.  The full-day rehearsals (9-5) will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  June 26, 2014 will be the first full-day rehearsal in New Britain.  We will NOT rehearse July 1st or 3rd but will begin again on the 8th.  Our two locations are BRISTOL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (auditions and May/June rehearsals), 480 Wolcott Street, Bristol, CT and TRINITY-ON-MAIN (full-day rehearsals and performance), 69 Main Street, New Britain. 

The Performance will be held at Trinity (TOM) August 15-17.

Breakdown of Dates and Locations:
5/12, BCHS, Audition Night 1
5/13, BCHS, Audition Night 2
5/14, BCHS, Callbacks
1st week of June (TBD): Night rehearsal begins, BCHS (once a week)
6/26, T-O-M, Read-thru/sing-thru
Full day rehearsals at TOM: 7/8, 7/10, 7/15, 7/17, 7/22, 7/24, 7/29, 7/31, 8/5, 8/7 
Production Week (no absences): 8/10-8/17