"School of Rock the Musical" Auditions

   We're just a week away from auditions for the next big musical from Huntington's First Stage Theatre - and it's the first local production to include young actors playing instruments live on stage!

   Here's the press release with all the info you need (oh, and full disclosure - I'm directing the show, so you'll be hearing lots about it in this space):

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   Spread the word! First Stage Theatre Company is AMPED about auditions for School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production, an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.

   Parts are available for actors, singers and musicians from ages 10 to 18. The show will be performed at the ARTS Renaissance Center at 900 8th Street in Huntington on Nov. 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13, 2016.

   This will be the first community production from First Stage to include actors playing instruments live on stage. The musical, based on the Jack Black movie, tells the story of a would-be rock star who
finds himself working as a substitute teacher at a private school, and decides to build a rock band using the talented students in his classroom.

   School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production includes parts for performers who will play their instruments live on stage, as well as many parts for performers who do not play instruments. Young
musicians will also be auditioned for the off-stage “house band” that will accompany the show live during each performance. Young people who will be between the ages of 10 to 18 as of November 3,
2016 are invited to audition. There is never a charge to take part in a First Stage production.

   Here's how auditions will work:

   Auditions will be take place at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road (across Route 60 from the K-Mart Shopping Plaza) in Huntington on August 13, 14, 20 and 21, according to the following schedule: 

   Saturday, Aug, 13 is the exclusive audition date for young musicians who want to play an instrument, either as part of an onstage role or in the off-stage “School of Rock House Band.” Parts include the lead, Dewey Finn, who must play the guitar, as well as four students who become the lead guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and drummer in Dewey’s band. Offstage band members will play the same four instruments. Auditioning musicians may arrive anytime between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A keyboard, drum set and amplifier will be provided. Guitar and bass players must bring their own instruments. Auditioners will be asked to play a one-minute selection from a song of their choosing. Those auditioning for onstage roles must also sing a 30-second segment of a song; for purposes of the audition they are not required to play and sing at the same time.

   The next two audition dates, Sunday, Aug. 14 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., are for actors, singers and dancers who do not play an instrument. All should be prepared to sing a 30-second selection from a song, read lines from a short script (which will be provided) and be taught a short dance combination. Auditioners are not expected to memorize a script, but are expected to arrive in comfortable clothing and shoes for dancing.
   Sunday, August 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. is reserved for callback auditions for lead roles, if necessary, which will be by invitation only.

   School of Rock the Musical: Youth Production is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company under license by R&H Theatricals. Our production is directed by Chuck Minsker, with music director Mark Smith, choreographer Melissa Marcum, assistant choreographer Brynne Kyle, and assistant directors Robyn Welch, Ashleigh Bailey-Bannon, Cyndi Mac Fuller and Emily Asbury. Producers are Leslie Comer-Porter and Jeanette Rowsey, and set construction will be directed by Jack Welch, Hunt Bryan and Mike Barbour.

   Based on the Paramount movie by Mike White, the show’s book is by Julian Fellowes and lyrics by Glenn Slater. The production includes new music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, plus the original songs from the film.

   Based in Huntington, W.Va., the First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the
performing arts. For more information, email firststagewv@gmail.com or call 304-416-KIDS. Additional information can be found at www.firststagetheatre.org, on Facebook - 

https://www.facebook.com/First-Stage-Theatre-Company-151408134941398/?fref=nf

and on Twitter - https://twitter.com/firststage4

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