1|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
Audition information : HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT
REALLY TRYING
Calendar
Nov.
21
3-4
Mr. Smith works with guys on audition music (optional)
Dec.
9
10
11
13
16
3:30-5:30
3:15-5:30
3:15-4:00
3:15-5:30
3:30-4:30
Guys audition for show (vocal, dance, acting)
Girls audition for show (vocal, dance)
Boys called back can rehearse music with Mr. Knoop and Mr. Smith
Callbacks
Entire cast meeting: measurements, procedure, schedules, etc.
Jan.
(NOTE: Dance rehearsals will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays in January; Choral rehearsals will be primarily on Thursdays and
Fridays PLUS rehearsals for guys only on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30.)
6
7
Etc.
March
7
8
9
13
14
15
3:15-5:00
3:30-5:00
Rehearsals begin. Read through.
Choreograph “Coffee Break” (song memorized); solo work
8:00-3:00
7:00
2:00
7:00
7:00
2:00
7:00
Grade school performances
Opening night
Show 2
Show 3
Show 4
Show 5
Closing performance
Auditions
EVERYONE:
 Audition vocal music will be posted on the S-drive under HOW TO SUCCEED. You may copy what
you need. (Girls can either have a boy copy their selections or they can email Ms. Clements at
mclements@saintx.com and ask her to email them the music)
 A recording to the most recent revival of the show has also been uploaded to the HOW TO
SUCCEED folder on the school’s S-drive. Feel free to listen to it to get to know the music. (Girls
will need to listen via a boy’s account). You can also find musical numbers on youtube and listen
to them. The music seems to be the same, no matter which version of the show you listen to.
 Audition forms will available via VSM Messages beginning in November. If possible, fill your
form out ahead of time and print it. Bring it with you to auditions. We will have audition forms
available at auditions, but it will speed the process if you’ve filled out your form ahead of time.
2|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
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Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you can dance in at the auditions
We are looking both for vocal accuracy and the ability to perform, so make sure your vocal
audition features both.
The cast will be posted on VSM by 8 p.m. on December 15th.
GUYS: December 9
You can audition either for vocal/dance/acting or script-reading only. There are several roles that
require no singing or dancing, but your chances are better at getting these roles if you audition for the
vocal/dance/nonsinging combination.
If you are auditioning for vocal/dance/acting
1. Report first to the DANCE auditions: These will be done in the auditorium beginning at 3:15.
2. VOCAL auditions: dance auditions, there will be a short break, and then vocal auditions will
begin.
a. If you are going for a lead role, you should sing “How to Succeed” measures A-D
b. If you want an easier audition song, you may audition either with “Grand Old Ivy”
measures A to E or “Brotherhood of Man” from the pick-up to C to E.
3. SCRIPT-READING auditions:
a. As soon as you have performed your vocal solo, move to the light booth to perform a
reading from the script. (The reading selections are on the last page of this form.)
b. As soon as you’ve finished your reading, you are free to leave.
If you are auditioning for acting only
1. Complete your audition form (either ahead of time by getting it online at VSM Messages
or fill out one in the auditorium before going up to the reading audition)
2. Line up outside the light booth by 3:15.
3. Turn in your audition form to Mr. Abell when you’re called in to do your reading, You
will read your selected reading for Mr. Abell. (The reading selections are on the last
page of this form.)
4. As soon as you’ve finished your reading, you are free to leave
GIRLS: December 10
 You must audition both vocally and with dance.
 DANCE auditions: The choreographers will teach the dance combination beginning at 3:30.
After the dance combination has been taught, girls will perform it in small groups.
o *SHA girls who have Madrigals and Pres girls who have Presette conflicts should get
here as soon as those rehearsals have finished, but let Ms. Reisert know ahead of time
that you will be coming late for auditions. You will do your dance audition at the end of
auditions.
 VOCAL auditions: After dance auditions, there will be a short break, and then vocal auditions will
begin. All girls will sing “Paris Original” measures C through D. All girls should remain through
the first round of the vocal auditions. Then some girls may be asked to sing again, continuing
the same song through measure J.
 After the first round of vocal auditions, the only girls who need to stay are the ones who’ve been
asked to sing again and any SHA Madrigal singers or Prezettes who missed the dance auditions
and need to audition at the end of this day’s auditions.
3|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
CALLBACKS: December 13
By the start of school on December 11, we will contact the people who need to attend callbacks. If you
are not called back, you will not be in the running for a major role. It is possible, however, that you are
still being considered for a speaking part of one of the “public” roles.
CALLBACK VOCAL NUMBERS
GUYS
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GIRLS
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FINCH: “I Believe in You” pick-up to D through K
BIGGLEY: “Grand Old Ivy” measures A to E
BUD FRUMP, MR. TWIMBLE: “Company Way reprise” A to C
MR. BRATT, MR. JENKINS, MR. JOHNSON, MR. MATTHEWS, MR. PETERSEN, MR. TACKABERRY,
MR. DAVIS, MR. TOYNBEE : You may choose to sing one of the following:
o “Company Way reprise” A to C
o “Grand Old Ivy” A to E
o “Brotherhood of Man” from the pick-up to C to E.
OFFICE BOYS: You may choose to sing one of the following:
o “Company Way reprise” A to C
o “Grand Old Ivy” A to E
o “Brotherhood of Man” from the pick-up to C to E.
ROSEMARY: “Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm” D-end of song
SMITTY, MISS KRUMHOLTZ: “Cinderella Darling” D to F
MISS JONES: “Brotherhood of Man” Q to S
SECRETARIES and STENOGRAPHERS: You may choose to sing either Brotherhood of Man” Q to
S or “Cinderella Darling” D to F
CHARACTERS
Lead roles:
1. J. PIERREPONT FINCH: Our story's protagonist. An irrepressible, clear-eyed, almost puckish hero, he is a
2.
3.
window washer who applies for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company and attempts to climb the 'ladder of
success.'
Male, 18-20 yrs old
Range: C3 - G4 TENOR
BUD FRUMP: Biggely's nephew and scheming employee. He is an arrogant sycophant who tries to advance his
career by exploiting his family connections.
Male, 18-21 yrs old
Range: C3 - F4 BARITONE
J.B. BIGGLEY: The stuffed-shirt, philandering President of World Wide Wicket. Beneath his ruthless exterior, he
is a college lad at heart with a passion for knitting.
Male, 50-65 yrs old
Range: C3 - A4 BARITONE
4|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
4. ROSEMARY: A secretary at the company who is more interested in finding a man than advancing her career.
5.
6.
She becomes Finch's love interest.
Female, 18-21 yrs old
Range: A3 - B4 MEZZO
SMITTY: A secretary with a painfully dry sense of humor. She is a cynical, working woman who is on the lookout
for a man.
Female, 18-21 yrs old
Range: A#3 - G5 MEZZO
HEDY LaRUE: A voluptuous, sexually-charged woman adored by all of the men. She may appear dim-witted,
but she knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants.
Female, 18-25 yrs old
Range: C4 - Eb5 MEZZO
Featured characters:
7. MR. TWIMBLE: He is a fussy, old-fashioned, yet loyal employee at the company. Supervisor of the mailroom, he
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
believes his success is due to his lack of ambition and ability to remain unnoticed.
Male, Elderly . Solos in two songs.
Range: C#3 - E4 BARITONE
MR. GATCH: A sleazy executive with a penchant for the ladies.
Male, 30-40 yrs old
Speaking Role (non-singing)
WALLY WOMPER: The company's Chief Executive Officer and a former window-washer.
Male, Elderly
Range: D3 - E4 BARITONE (although it could be played by a non-singer)
MR. BRATT: Head of personnel. One solo. Baritone.
MR. JENKINS: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
MR. JOHNSON: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
MR. MATTHEWS: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
MR. PETERSON: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
MR. TACKABERRY: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
MR. DAVIS: Executive. Speaks lines, sings, dances.
T.V.HOST: Non-singing. Lines in one scene.
MR. OVINGTON: Non-singing. Executive brought in to save the company
MISS JONES: J.B.'s stuffy secretary who is abrupt and tough, but soft and kind to those who are good to her.
Female, Mature . Solo in “Brotherhood of Man”
Range: Bb3 - Gb5 SOPRANO
MISS KUMHOLTZ: A Secretary; Mezzo , some solo vocal lines.
Choruses:
21. EXECUTIVES: Most of the executives listed above. Possibly a few more men may be added.
22. OFFICE BOYS: 6-12 men who should generally look younger than the Executives. Singing and
dancing.
23. SECRETARIES: 4-6 strong female singer/dancer/actors (plus Smitty and Miss Krumholz)
24. STENOGRAPHERS: 6-12 good female singer/dancers.
One-scene minor characters: (the same actor may be cast in more than one of the following
roles)
25. Two COMPANY POLICEMEN: Non-singing.
26. Two JANITORS Non-singing.
27. WICKETTE GIRLS: Two girls who appear in an ad on the TV show.
5|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
DINNER WARM GIRLS: Two-Seven girls who interact with Rosemary during her first song.
OGLERS: 4-12 guys who gawk at Hedy in her first entrance.
WAITORS: 2-4 guys at the company party
PETE: an office worker who delivers a message for Bud in I, 12
SECURITY GUARDS: 4-12 guys in the chase scene
TREASURE HUNTERS: 8-16 people (guys and girls) who wreck the company while trying to find the
hidden treasure in a chase scene.
6|Audition information for HOW TO SUCCEED
Script-reading: GUYS ONLY
You will choose ONE of the following passages to read. You do not need to memorize the passage, but
rehearse enough that you read smoothly, expressively, and loudly. You might want to copy and paste
the text of your chosen selection on a separate page and enlarge it so you can read smoothly. Bring your
selection to the reading auditions.
1. BOOK VOICE OVER:
So now you are a vice president. You have climbed the ladder of success, rung by
painful rung until you have almost reached the top. You have done beautifully. . .unless
you are vice president in charge of advertising. In that case, you are in terrible trouble.
There is only one thing that can save you. You must get a brilliant idea. The quickest
way to get ideas is to develop them. That is, you must examine the undeveloped,
worthless notions of others and add to them that extra something that makes the idea
your own.
2. BUD : (On the phone.)
Hello, Mother? It’s Bud.
( Pauses for his mother’s response.)
I know I left without my sweater, but it’s warm. Now, look, Mother. . .I just found out
something important. There’s going to be a new head of the mailroom, and I want that
job. You’ve got to call Aunt Gertrude—
( Pauses for his mother’s response.)
Yes, I know I’m next in line, but there’s a new fellow working here who has me worried.
( Pauses for his mother’s response.)
Oh, he works hard, comes in on time, never goofs off, he’s polite. . .you know, a real rat.
3. BIGGLEY: (On the phone.)
Hello, Bratt! This is J.B. Say, what are we running around here—a sweatshop? We’ve
been working that boy too hard.
( Pauses for Bratt’s response.)
Who? Finch. F-I-N-C-H. The poor devil worked here all weekend. I ought to know—I
was there with him, working side by side. The lad needs help.
( Pauses for Bratt’s response.)
Well, first of all, I want him to have an office of his own. . .he deserves the best you
have available.
( Pauses for Bratt’s response.)
Oh, nothing fancy—I don’t want him getting ideas.