Dear Potential Cast Member,
First, We would like to thank you for your interest in auditioning for Newtown Arts Company’s
production of Shrek: The Musical. We are so excited to be directing this amazing show and bringing
it to life on the Newtown Theatre stage. Our entire production team is committed to making this
production an experience that the cast, crew and volunteers, as well as audiences will not forget.
This production is an extremely character-driven show, featuring a large number of fairytale creatures that we all know and love from the original animated movies. Character voices decisions, so
make sure you commit to everything you do during your audition.
Since we and dialects are necessary for the creative team to make casting and callback
want to give ample time for rehearsing, learning and the production aspects of the show, we will be
having rehearsal roughly 3 times a week (but rarely will everyone be called to every rehearsal) as
we will focus on certain scenes, songs or dance numbers to make sure we don’t have people “just
sitting around.” However, after July 4th, rehearsals will ramp up to 4 times a week up till Tech week.
You must be available for all tech rehearsals and dress rehearsals, as well as all performances to be
cast. We know schedules are hectic, so please take the time to list ALL conflicts on your audition
form. When one cast member is missing from rehearsal, it affects the others in the show, the productivity of rehearsals and ultimately, the final product! Conflicts are a huge part when considering roles for cast members. Please do not “leave out” conflicts in hopes to increase your audition
chances- we will not hesitate to remove you from the cast if you end up with too many conflicts or
unexcused absences after casting. We will be making the rehearsal schedule around our desired
cast’s conflicts, so please be thorough. We want to give you a complete rehearsal schedule the day
of our first read-through.
Make sure to take note of everything in this packet, as it will help to answer any questions you may
have. We truly want this to be an outstanding production and aim to make the auditioning experience go smoothly for both new and seasoned actors alike, so for you convenience, we’ve included
some information of how auditions will be conducted and what you will need to bring and prepare
for your audition. If you have any questions, please contact Wren Workman at 484-201-1878 or
wrenworkman@yahoo.com. Check out www.newtownartscompany.com for more on this and other
shows Newtown Arts Company is performing.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing your name on the Audition sign ups!
- Morgaine Ford-Workman & Wren Workman
(Co-directors of “Shrek: The Musical”)
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b44a4af2fa13-shrek
Addition information: http://www.newtownartscompany.com/en/2015-shrek-musical/
Audition Requirements:
• Ages 5 and over.
• Please bring a COMPLETED audition form (available in this packet) to your audition.
• Please bring a COMPLETED work and conflict sheet (also in this packet).
• Be prepared to sing a piece from the show (selections list and sheet music found later in
this packet), as well as a cold reading from the script for characters you are interested in or
that we would like to see you read.
• Wear comfortable shoes to dance in. There will be a short dance combination that
everyone will learn and do at the end of each time-slot.
• All auditions MUST be scheduled in advance online. No walk-ups will be accepted the day of
the auditions. Please see above section on how to sign up for an audition time slot.
The Day of the Audition:
Arrival: If possible, please arrive with your completed audition form and conflict sheets,
about 15 minutes before your audition time slot. When you arrive you will sign in to your
time slot on our list and be given a number (for our reference). At the start of each time
slot hour (or half hour for some slots), the time slot group will be brought into the
audition room.
Vocals: First you will sing the selection you have chosen from the list later in this
packet- pick a song you feel shows your range and fits best with the character you are
most interested in. A pianist from Newtown Arts Company will accompany your audition,
no CDs or a cappella accepted. Please prepare the complete selections as indicated by
part, however, the directors reserve the right to start, stop or repeat as desired.
In addition, the music director may check for pitch and vocal range. If you are auditioning
for more than one part, we may ask if you know any of the other selections at either the
audition or at the callback if we wish to hear it.
Reading: We will pass out packets of the readings at the start of each time slot. After the
singing portion is complete, we will ask you to do a reading from the packet- we will pair
or group people from within your timeslot to do the readings.
Dancing: At the end of the time slot, the entire slot group will be taught a short
combination. Even if you’re not a seasoned dancer, try to put your best foot forward.
Callbacks:
Mon. March 30- 6:00-9:30pm at Crossing Community Church
This is a closed callback audition to which we will invite you to attend. If you know
you cannot attend this date, please let us know at your audition. If you don’t get
a callback, don’t worry, it doesn’t mean that you didn’t get cast in the show- it just
means that we saw what we needed to see. If you receive a callback for any of the
dancing roles, please bring jazz and tap shoes, as there will be an additional tap
combination taught at callbacks.
Those requested to join the cast will be contacted via phone sometime before
the Friday after callbacks takes place, so make sure your phone number is listed
clearly and correctly on your audition form.
5-16
12-99
Please choose one of these selections to sing at your audition. Pick a song you feel
shows your range and fits best with the character you are most interested in.
A pianist from Newtown Arts Company will accompany your audition, no CDs or
a cappella accepted. Please prepare the complete selections as indicated by part,
however, the directors reserve the right to start, stop or repeat as desired.
In addition, the music director may check for pitch and vocal range. If you are
auditioning for more than one part, we may ask if you know any of the other
selections at either the audition or at the callback if we wish to hear it. Sheet music
and helpful links can be found in the end of this packet.
Sheet music on pages that follow
Helpful links to get you roughly acquainted with the music:
Shrek- “Big Bright Beautiful World” (4:34): http://youtu.be/DmqIQLqlHuA?t=4m34s
Fiona- “I Know It’s Today” (2:54): http://youtu.be/z7vkz1QP-h0?t=2m54s
High notes from-“Morning Person” (0:45): http://youtu.be/GQaVSORGRgs?t=45s
Donkey- “Don’t Let Me Go” (3:25): http://youtu.be/Mnh1QPOb7-M?t=3m25s
*Note: The ending is different than that of the original Broadway production. The above link is
the ending we have the sheet music for.*
Farquaad- “What’s Up, Duloc” (2:15): http://youtu.be/QOvzXbi5idk?t=2m15s
“Reprise” (5:36): http://youtu.be/13KFeML1Pm0?t=5m36s
Dragon- “Forever” (8:42): http://youtu.be/l_TCh3a-NZs?t=8m42s
Pinocchio- “Story of My Life” (0:22): http://youtu.be/fgYUTQBFhBs?t=22s
“Freak Flag” (2:33): http://youtu.be/pjZjkS2pHvU?t=2m33s
Gingy- “Freak Flag” (0:02): http://youtu.be/pjZjkS2pHvU?t=2s
Young Fiona- “I Know It’s Today” (0:07): http://youtu.be/z7vkz1QP-h0?t=7s
Teen Fiona- “I Know It’s Today” (1:35): http://youtu.be/z7vkz1QP-h0?t=1m35s
Ensemble- “Freak Flag” (3:07): http://youtu.be/pjZjkS2pHvU?t=3m7s