THE COMMUNITY PLAYERS OF CONCORD, NH ANNOUNCE AUDITIONS FOR
BYE BYE BIRDIE
Book by Michael Stewart; Music by Charles Strouse; Lyrics by Lee Adams
Director: Judy Hayward
Music Director: Henry Kopczynskie III
Choreographer: Allyson Thorpe
AUDITION INFORMATION
WHEN: Sunday, August 18 and Monday, August 19, 6:30 p.m.
Callbacks, if needed, will be held on Wednesday, August 21.
WHERE: The Community Players Studio, 435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord, NH (For directions to the Studio, please CLICK HERE)
WHAT: These auditions are for a November production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Concord City Auditorium. Performances will be November 22, 23, and 24.
SYNOPSIS: A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll, Bye Bye Birdie remains as fresh and vibrant as ever. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses All-American girl Kim MacAfee for a very public farewell kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score and well-known songs like “Got a Lot of Living To Do”, “Put on a Happy Face”, “Kids”, and more, Bye Bye Birdie is a loving poke at family values and the never-ending generation gap. Best Musical Tony Award Winner.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- We recommend that everyone prepare a comic monologue. Memorized is preferred, or you can read it. If you don’t have a monologue, “sides” from the script will be available to read.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in.
- Open Auditions — racial, ethnic and non-traditional casting considered.
- Auditions include performing some simple choreography. (See Audition Dance Requirement below)
- Rehearsals will be held on Mon./Wed./Sun. all at 6:30 p.m.
Character Breakdown:
Albert Peterson (Bari/Tenor): The story’s central character. Nervous and high-strung president of Almalou Records. Good comedic timing.
Rose Alvarez (Alto): Rose is Albert’s secretary/girlfriend. She has a strong spirit but is anxious to marry Albert.
Conrad Birdie (Baritone): Rock star. Must be able to portray a “rock star” vibe physically. The character is loosely based on Elvis Presley. But unlike Elvis, his character is rude and arrogant.
Kim MacAfee (Soprano): Teenager who is the president of Sweet Apple’s Conrad Birdie Fan Club. Through a random selection, she was chosen as the recipient of Conrad Birdie’s farewell kiss before he’s inducted into the Army. Must be solid on vocals.
Mrs. Mae Peterson: Wonderful character role. Every scene in which she appears presents her unabashedly working to guilt trip her son.
Mr. Harry MacAfee (Baritone): Great comedic role. Kim MacAfee’s father. Must be able to hold harmonies in a quartet.
Mrs. Doris MacAfee (Alto): Kim MacAfee’s mother. She’s a typical 1960-ish housewife, but she’s also taken with Birdie. Must be able to hold harmonies in a quartet.
Hugo Peabody: Hugo is Kim’s frustrated boyfriend. He and Kim just got pinned, but he has trouble accepting the fact that his steady girlfriend has been chosen to kiss a rock star.
Ursula Merkle (Mezzo): Highly excitable supporting character and Kim’s best friend. Quirky and high-energy.
Randolf MacAfee (Tenor): Kim’s younger brother. Must be able to hold harmonies in a quartet.
Mayor: The mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio. Featured role.
Edna: The mayor’s wife. Comedic role and faints when she hears Birdie sing.
Harvey Johnson (Baritone): The school class nerd. Featured role.
Ensemble (Sop, Alto, Tenor, Bass): Many ensemble members are needed, singers and dancers/movers. Additional roles will be filled with the ensemble.
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TEEN ENSEMBLE Young performers who appear to be age 15-18 (regardless of actual age) who sing, move, dance and might perform various young character roles are especially needed for this production! Please review all audition information carefully and contact the director if you have any questions regarding auditions and rehearsals.
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Dance Requirements:
Movers and Dancers WELCOME! Should be able to move well and be expressive. Choreography to include: pirouettes, grape-vines, many different variations on 60’s-era dance moves including:
- The Twist – The iconic 1960s dance hit.
- Mashed Potato – The dance made popular by Dee Dee Sharp’s song Mashed Potato Time.
- The Madison – The popular line dance.
- The Hully Gully – “Shake your shoulders and wiggle your knees.”
- The Pony – Another great dance created by Chubby Checker.
- The Hitch Hike – Marvin Gaye’s iconic dance that accompanied his hit song became an instant favorite.
- The Swim – The timeless dance that had you swimming on the dance floor.
- The Locomotion – The silly dance that had you dancing in a chain formation like a train on the dance floor.
AUDITION DANCE REQUIREMENT:
We ask that everyone auditioning learn this dance combination. There will be additional time at the auditions for you to practice this with a dance captain as you wait for your audition. To watch this instructional Youtube video, please click here.
Music Audition Info:
Prepare 16-32 bars of music in the style of the show. Sheet music is highly recommended, but if you use recorded music, it should not have vocals on the track. An accompanist will be provided.
COVID-19 POLICY
To help protect the health and safety of all participants and to minimize potential disruptions to our productions due to illness, cast and production team members are expected to adhere to Covid-19 and influenza protocols set by the Players board of directors from time to time. These protocols may change during the course of a show’s production cycle, including on short notice. For example, the wearing of masks may be required in the event of illness within the company or as a protective measure during the week(s) immediately prior to show week.
For Questions, please email Director – Judy Hayward email: kenaibreeze99516@gmail.com
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