Welcome to the The Wizard of Oz Audition Packet!
We're so glad that you're interested in being in our Season 5 Wizard of Oz show! Some of you may already be very familiar with the audition process. Some of you might be experiencing your first audition. Either way, we're here to help you prepare.
On the following pages you'll find everything that you need to know about auditioning for this great show, such as:
Vocal Audition Tips
Dance Audition Hints
Callbacks
Casting
Importance of Ensemble
Conflicts and Calendar
Audition Monologues
Audition Music
Call Back Sides and Music
Vocal Audition Tips
1) A musical theater vocal audition is NOT "American Idol". This is an audition, not a “sing off”. It’s all about storytelling. The audition staff and directors aren’t so much listening to voices as looking for who can tell a story with their voice, face, and body.
2) The audition staff and directors have a problem. They need to put together a big puzzle and find just the right pieces to put it together best. They are not there to “judge” you – they are really, really hoping that you’ll be the right fit for one of the puzzle pieces. Your job is to help the audition staff and directors solve their problem, so there’s no need for you to be nervous!
3) If you’re nervous anyway, “hide” behind the character. Remember that it’s not “you” up there; it’s your character. Tell your character’s story the entire time when you audition. Get involved in telling the story and don’t spend time thinking about how your voice sounds when you sing. Never "break character", no matter what happens. Make a strong, active choice for your character, and play it fully. We can't tell anything about your character if you don't show us an active personality.
4) Regardless of how your song sounds, if your eyes, face, and body don’t tell the story of the song, the audience isn’t going to understand the story. Our brains process pictures before they process words, so your hands are busy doing something unrelated to the song (for instance: tugging at the bottom of your shirt), the audience is going to think your song is about something else (a shirt), no matter what words you’re singing!
5) Use clear diction. We need to understand every word that you sing. Stand up tall and sing loudly enough to be heard from way across the room, but don’t scream.
6) When you are singing, you shouldn’t look at anyone in the room -- especially not the audition staff or directors. You should look past the audition staff and directors at a spot on the wall that is at your eye level. Pretend that spot is a close friend to whom you are telling your story. "The eyes are the window to the soul". Make sure your eyes are expressing your character's thoughts and not looking around the room or glazing over with a vacant expression.
7) You do not have to memorize the song selection – we will have the words available if you absolutely need them – but it will be GREATLY to your advantage if you DO memorize the words and can focus on telling the story. Even if you don’t have the song memorized, don’t spend your time staring at the words. Instead, only look at the words if/when you forget them.
Callbacks
Based on the auditions, we may call certain children back to sing or read other materials. If you are not called back into the room, that doesn't mean that you aren't being considered for a given role; it just means that we've seen all that we need to see to make our decision.
The audition staff and directors may give you advice about how to sing a certain phrase, or how to read a scene. If that happens, please try to incorporate the suggestions into your performance. Don't do the same thing that you did before; change your performance to incorporate their instructions. Everyone will notice how well you take direction, and that has a huge impact on whether or not a person gets cast.
Casting
As mentioned above, casting a show is like assembling a large jigsaw puzzle. If you do get the role you were hoping for, that DOES NOT mean that your audition performance was not of a good quality. It simply means that it might not have been a good fit for you in this particular show.
The "fit" decision usually has little to do with anything under your control. We may have had too many singers with low voices, too many tall actors, too many short actors -- you get the picture!
Please also note that some decisions on how a child is cast may be based on their ability to listen, follow directions, perform with energy, and similar factors. Remember that the creative team is looking at your behavior for the entire audition workshop and audition process. ALWAYS avoid doing things like talking when the adults are talking or behaving in a disruptive or disrespectful manner. ALWAYS be supportive of your fellow performer. We have a zero-tolerance policy for meanness.
Importance of Ensemble
We selected THE WIZARD OF OZ because there is a lot for the ENSEMBLE to do. Some actors cast in named roles may also double as ENSEMBLE.
There are solos and acting "bits" that we will cast from the ENSEMBLE as we begin our season. Similarly, if you auditioned hoping to be given a certain role and you are cast with a different role, that means that the directors needed you most in the role in which you were cast.
Again, remember that the ENSEMBLE is considered a role. Ask anyone who has ever been in our ENSEMBLE -- they've had a BLAST, learned a lot, and were a big part of the show!
If you audition for the show, it is understood that you are committed to being on the team and will accept whatever role you are given.
Please honor that commitment.
Conflicts
Please review the rehearsal and performance dates on the calendar below. The google form included an area to list conflicts but we also understand life happens. It is critical that you email us at [email protected] if that happens. Last year we were happy to have families participate in other activities and because they communicated well with us we were able to adjust rehearsals and make everyone happy.
Obviously, if you can't make it to the tech/dress rehearsals or performances you shouldn't audition for the show. Enjoy the audition process -- and BREAK A LEG!
CALENDAR FOR REHEARSALS, PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
MUST CHOOSE ONE SONG ~ select appropriate gender.
CALLBACK WILL BE MUNCHKIN SONG.
Songs For Auditions
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW (Dorothy) Click here for music.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly…birds fly over the rainbow-
why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why can’t I?
COME OUT, COME OUT (Glinda, Munchkins etc.) Click here for music.
Come out, come out wherever you are
And meet the young lady who fell from a star
She fell from the sky, she fell very far
And Kansas she says is the name of the star
Kansas she says is the name of the star
She brings you good news or haven't you heard?
When she fell out of Kansas, a miracle occurred
THE JITTERBUG (Jitterbug Soloist) Click here for music.
Who's that hiding in the treetops? It's that rascal; The Jitterbug
Should you catch him, buzzin' round you, Keep away from The Jitterbug!
Oh, the bats and the bees and the breeze in the trees
Have a terrible, horrible buzz. But the bats and the bees
And the breeze in the trees couldn't do what the Jitterbug does
So just be careful of that rascal. Keep away from The Jitterbug. The Jitterbug.
IF I ONLY HAD THE NERVE
(Cowardly Lion- Sing the whole song as a solo) Click here for music.
PLEASE TRY A COWARDLY LION ACCENT if you are serious about auditioning for The Lion)
Yeh, it's sad, believe me, Missy when you're born to be a sissy, without the vim and verve
But I could change my habit, never more be scared of rabbits If I only had the nerve
I'm afraid there's no denying I'm just a dandy-lion, a fate I don't deserve
But I could show my prowess, be a lion, not a mouse. If I only had the nerve
Oh I'd be in my stride. a king down to the core Oh I’d roar the way I never roared before
And then I'd rrwuff…And roar some more
MERRY OLD LAND OF OZ (Emerald City Guard) Click here for music.
Ha ha ha Ho ho ho and a couple of tra-la-la's
That's how we laugh the day away In the Merry Old Land of Oz!
Buzz, buzz, buzz, Chirp, chirp, chirp and a couple of la-di-da's
That's how the crickets crick all day in the Merry Old Land of Oz
We get up at twelve and start to work at one
Take an hour for lunch and then at two we’re done. Jolly good fun!
Ha ha ha Ho ho ho and a couple of tra-la-la's
That's how we laugh the day away In the merry old land of Oz
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN (Scarecrow- Sing the whole song as a solo) Click here for music.
I could while away the hours, Conferrin' with the flowers, Consulting with
the rain; And my head I'd be scratchin', While my thoughts were busy hatchin',
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel ev'ry riddle for any Individdle. In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts I'll be thinkin'
I could be another Lincoln If I only had a brain.
Oh, I, could tell you why the oceans near the shore
I could think of things I'd never thunk before, and then I'd sit and
think some more.
IF I ONLY HAD A HEART (Tin Man- Sing the whole song as a solo) Click here for music.
When a man's an empty kettle He should be on his mettle And yet I'm torn apart
Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind of human, If I only had a heart
I'd be tender, I'd be gentle and awful sentimental regarding love and art
I'd be friends with the sparrows and the boy that shoots the arrows if I only had a heart
Picture me a balcony above a voice sings low Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
I hear a beat…how sweet!
DING DONG, THE WITCH IS DEAD (MUNCHKINS) Click here for music. | No vocals music.
Ding-dong! The Witch is dead Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!
Ding-dong! The Wicked Witch is dead Wake up you sleepy head, rub your eyes,
get out of bed Wake up, the Wicked Witch is dead She's gone where the goblins go
Below, below, below Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out
Ding-dong's the merry-oh, sing it high,
sing it low Let them know the Wicked Witch is dead!
Monologues
Please prepare and memorize two monologues of your choosing from the characters listed below.
Dorothy “Yellow Brick Road”
Follow the yellow brick road? Follow the yellow brick road. Okay, here it is, now which way do we go? (looking at scarecrow) That’s funny. Wasn’t that scarecrow pointing the other way? (talking to her dog) Don’t be silly, Toto, scarecrows don’t move- hey, you moved! I think you’re trying to tell me which way to go, but- are you doing that on purpose or can’t you make up your mind?
Glinda the Good Witch “Which Kind of Witch Are You?”
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Or is that the witch? Well, I’m a little muddled. The munchkins called me because a new witch has dropped a house on the wicked witch of the east. There’s the house and here you are and that’s all that’s left of the wicked witch of the east. And so, what the munchkins want to know is, are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Wicked Witch of the West “Jitterbugs”
Nikko, Nikko! Where is the commander of my aerobatic apes? There you are. I have an important task for you. My enemies are about to enter the Haunted Forest. I want you to rouse your men and snatch the sickening little girl and her equally nauseating little dog. I'll conjure up a spell to take the fight out of her. Now which of my creepy crawlie creations shall I send to plague her? The flibberty gibbet? No! The fly by night? No! Aha! I have it! The jitterbug! There is no more infectious bug in my book of spells. Once bitten, they can never stop dancing till they drop! And when they do, you shall be there to scoop up the little brat and the little brute and bring them both to me! Now go!
Munchkin Girl “Lollipop Guild”
We represent the Lollipop Guild and on behalf of the Lollipop Guild, we’d like to welcome you to Munchkin Land. We thank you very sweetly for doing it so neatly. You’ve killed her so completely that we thank you very sweetly. Let the joyous news be spread! The wicked old witch at last is dead.
Dorothy “Miss Gulch”
Aunt Em! Aunt Em! Just listen to what Miss Gulch did to Toto. Aunt Em, she hit him and . . . Oh, but Aunt Em, Miss Gulch hit Toto right over the back with a rake just because she says he gets into her garden and chases her nasty old cat. But he doesn’t do it every day, just once or twice a Week and he can’t catch her old cat anyway. Now she says she’s going to call the sheriff!
Lion “Courage”
Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What have they got that I ain't got? Courage! You can say that again!
Munchkin Major “Undeniably”
As Mayor of the Munchkin City, in the county of the land of Oz we welcome you most regally, but we have to verify it legally. To see, if she is morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, undeniably and reliably dead. Then this is a day of independence for all the munchkins and their descendants. Let the joyous news be spread. The wicked old witch at last is dead!
Scarecrow “Talking Without Brains”
Pardon me, that way is a very nice way. It’s pleasant down that way, too. Am I confusing you on purpose, of course not. You see, I can’t make up my mind because I haven’t got a brain, only straw. How can I talk if I haven’t got a brain? Hmmm, well some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?
Wizard “Clinking and Clanking”
Come forward. I am Oz the great and powerful. Who are you? WHO are YOU? Silence! The great and powerful Oz knows why you’ve come. Tinman, step forward. You dare to come to me for a heart, do you? You clinking, clanking, clattering, collection of collinginous junk.
Tinman “Oil Can”
(talking through a closed mouth) Oil can. Oilllll caaaaaan! My mouth. (jaw loosens a bit) The other side. My, my, my, goodness. I can talk again! Oil my arms, please. Oil my elbows. It feels wonderful. I’ve held that ax up for ages. It was about a year ago that I was chopping that tree and suddenly it began to rain. Right in the middle of a chop I rusted solid.
Lion “Courage”
Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What have they got that I ain't got? Courage! You can say that again!
Munchkin Major “Undeniably”
As Mayor of the Munchkin City, in the county of the land of Oz we welcome you most regally, but we have to verify it legally. To see, if she is morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, undeniably and reliably dead. Then this is a day of independence for all the munchkins and their descendants. Let the joyous news be spread. The wicked old witch at last is dead!
Scarecrow “Talking Without Brains”
Pardon me, that way is a very nice way. It’s pleasant down that way, too. Am I confusing you on purpose, of course not. You see, I can’t make up my mind because I haven’t got a brain, only straw. How can I talk if I haven’t got a brain? Hmmm, well some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?
Wizard “Clinking and Clanking”
Come forward. I am Oz the great and powerful. Who are you? WHO are YOU? Silence! The great and powerful Oz knows why you’ve come. Tinman, step forward. You dare to come to me for a heart, do you? You clinking, clanking, clattering, collection of collinginous junk.
Tinman “Oil Can”
(talking through a closed mouth) Oil can. Oilllll caaaaaan! My mouth. (jaw loosens a bit) The other side. My, my, my, goodness. I can talk again! Oil my arms, please. Oil my elbows. It feels wonderful. I’ve held that ax up for ages. It was about a year ago that I was chopping that tree and suddenly it began to rain. Right in the middle of a chop I rusted solid.
LEAD CHARACTERS
Dorothy Gale: A sweet, innocent young lady with a streak of boldness, outspoken and headstrong, who dearly loves her family, friends, and dog, Toto. She lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em & Uncle Henry but dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she will not get into trouble. (strong singer)
Aunt Em: A typical, hard-working farmer’s wife who is firm & no-nonsense but also warm and caring (Non-singing Role)
Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard: Farmer whose wife, Em, runs things; Adoring uncle to Dorothy
Hunk (Scarecrow): Clumsy farmhand on the family’s Kansas farm. Both characters talk about being smart and having a brain.
Hickory (Tin Man): Kind, sweet, and nurturing farmhand; Tin Man has no heart but is very caring
Zeke (Lion): Farmhand who lacks courage; Acts tough, but fearful self comes out in any scary situation.
Miss Gulch (Wicked Witch of the West): Well-off, cold-hearted Gale neighbor who hates Toto (Non-singing Role)
Professor Marvel (Wizard): Traveling salesman who lives by telling fortunes; A bit of a con man but with a good heart (Non-singing Role)
Glinda: Good Witch of the North who is the mother figure for Munchkins and Dorothy whom she guides through Oz; Delicate and Graceful
