Auditions-Gypsy
AUDITIONS
for the Spencer Community Theatre production of
Gypsy
will be held Monday, February 21st and Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022
About Auditions (Where do I go? What do I do?)
When are auditions? Where do I go?
Auditions are February 21st and 22nd at the Spencer Community Theatre: located at 518- 1st Ave. E. in Spencer. Doors open half an hour prior to stated audition time. Please note that it is not necessary to attend both audition dates; one or the other will suffice. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, please do not attend if you are feeling ill and please continue to practice safe, practical social distancing guidelines and hygiene practices.
Youth Auditions (Ages 7-11): 3-5 PM, Doors at 2:30 PM
Adult & Teen Auditions (Ages 13+): 6:30 PM until? PM, Doors at 6:00 PM
Who can audition? What kinds of roles are available?
Roles are available for adults, teens, and youth. Please see roles and character descriptions listed at the end of this announcement!
What do I need to bring with me? Should I prepare anything in advance?
Please be prepared to sing, dance, and act! There will be a song taught for everyone to sing, a short piece of movement will be taught, and auditionees will read from the script.
You are welcome to read the script and listen to the audition music before auditions. Scripts are available for checkout at the SCT Business Offices and the music is listed below. If you would like to check a script out, please call 712-262-7336 and schedule a time to stop by. Scripts should be returned before or at the beginning of auditions. Our regular business hours are 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday-Friday.
If you would like to prep in advance of auditions, YouTube links for each song are provided. Copies of the music will also be available at auditions from SCT for your convenience.
Youth Song: I, America (My Country Tis of Thee) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8AxtYrQhwk
First verse only
Adult and Teen Song: Hello, Dolly! https://youtu.be/jDUw96eOfh0
Please listen to the verse from 2:32-3:04
Please be aware of any potential schedule conflicts-there will be room on the audition form for you to list your availability.
Closed Auditions:
Auditions for Gypsy are closed, meaning that only the individuals auditioning and the Directing/Stage Management team of the production are allowed in the audition space.
About the Show (What is Gypsy?)
What’s this show all about?
Gypsy
A Musical Fable
Book By: Arthur Laurents
Music By: Jule Styne
Lyrics By: Stephen Sondheim
Suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
This musical is rated PG for mature content
The Mother of All Musicals! The jewel of Broadway’s Golden Age, Gypsy boasts an incomparable score, a brilliantly conceived book, and one of the greatest leading roles every to grace the Broadway stage.
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday-Thursday, although they will run later the week the show opens. Rehearsals begin Monday, February 28th and run until the show opens on April 22nd. Not every person is called to every rehearsal; the time commitment typically depends on the size of the role! Rehearsals may look a little different from time to time due to SCT’s commitment to providing a safe, healthy experience for all those involved with the production, and we appreciate your patience and willingness to work with us as we continue to make theatre happen.
When are performances?
Performances are: April 22, 23, 29, & 30 at 7:30 PM, April 24 & May 1 at 2:00 PM.
Where are performances?
Performances will take place at the SCT Playhouse at 518- 1st Ave. E.
What if I still have more questions or want to talk to someone about auditioning?
No problem! Feel free to contact SCT Executive Director Liz McNea at 712-262-7336 or liz@sctplayhouse.org. Gypsy is directed by Larry Untiet with music direction from Denise Reit.
Roles Available
Cast Size: Large
Dance Requirements: Standard to Moderate/Advanced (listed in character descriptions)
Characters
Mama Rose
Range: Low F to C
Strong Mezzo/Alto with belt
The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Her voice is the ultimate powerful Broadway belt. Minimal dance but must move well. Comic timing a must.
Baby June
Range: Eb – Eb/Mezzo
A Shirley Temple-like up-and-coming vaudeville star, and Madam Rose’s youngest daughter. Her onstage demeanor is sugary-sweet, cute, precocious and adorable to the nth degree. Needs to be no taller than 3′, 5″. An adorable character – Mama Rose’s shining star. Strong child singer, strong dancer.
Baby Louise
Range: Eb – Eb/Mezzo
She should look a couple years older than Baby June. She is Madam Rose’s brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step but the actress playing this part must be able to dance.
June
Range: A flat to D/Alto
June as a young teenager. The older she gets, the less she enjoys being her mother’s trained monkey. Strong Alto, must be able to belt a song and have decent dancing skills. The ability to do the splits and twirl a baton a big plus, but not a requirement. Must dance very well, taps, strong Broadway teen singer, close harmony skills preferred.
Louise
Range: C sharp to E flat/Mezzo
Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Madam Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother’s new pet project. Should be able to move well. Minimum actual dance but must have very strong movement skills, strong acting skills needed. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. Must dance inside a dancing cow costume, must be comfortable with the character’s profession – burlesque dancing. The character is elegantly clad and hints at removing clothes, but doesn’t.
Herbie
Baritone
Agent for Rose’s children and Rose’s boyfriend and a possible husband number 4. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Minimum dance. A Baritone, sings in one group number, two duets and trio with Rose and Louise. Strong acting role.
Tulsa
Range: F to G/High Baritone
Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Sings and dances “All I Need Is the Girl.” Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap. Good singer, charming, very athletic and handsome young man.
L.A.
G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Farm Boys”.
Yonkers
G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Farm Boys”.
Angie
G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Farm Boys”.
Tessie Tura
Range: C# to D Flat/Mezzo Belt
A burlesque dancer just past her prime. Big Broadway voice, strong movement/dance, ballet training helpful. Shares her dressing room with Louise. She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course broad who’s been around the block. Very funny. Costume will be butterfly.
Mazeppa
Range: G (below middle C) to B Flat/Alto Belt
A burlesque dancer just past her prime. Big Broadway voice, strong movement/dance, powerful character. A burlesque dancer who’s tough and physically intimidating. Trumpet playing skills would be outstanding but not required. Costume will be Gladiator-ish.
Electra
Range: B Flat to D/Mezzo Belt
A burlesque dancer just past her prime. Big Broadway voice, strong movement/dance. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to “shine” without working up a sweat. Ditzy and sweet. Costume is lit.
Uncle Jocko
non-singing
Vaudeville master of ceremonies at a weekly kiddee talent show. Hates stage mothers. Would rather be drinking.
Georgie
non-singing
Jocko’ s assistant.
Balloon Girl (non-speaking)
Auditioning child.
Clarinet Boy [Clarence] (non-speaking)
non-singing
Auditioning child.
Pop
non-singing
Rose’s father. He does not believe that she or the girls will ever amount to anything.
Rich Man (non-speaking)
non-singing
Driver of a touring car.
Rich Man’s Son (non-speaking)
Range: E to E
Driver’s son. Kidnapped by Rose. Singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.
Tap Dancing Urchin (non-speaking)
Range: E to E
Roadside kid. Kidnapped by Rose. Singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.
Little Boy Scout (non-speaking)
Range: E to E
Another roadside kid. Kidnapped by Rose. Singing and dancing member of the Newsboys.
Other Newsboys
Range: E to E
Weber
non-singing
Theatre manager in Los Angeles. Does not want to hire the act.
Kringelein
non-singing
Hotel manager in Akron. Has seen all of the tricks show-biz people play.
Mr. Goldstone
non-singing
Booking agent for the Orpheum Theater Circuit. Chaplin-like skills a must never speaks.
Cratchitt
Any Gender
non-singing
The production assistant for the Grantzinger theater, N.Y.C. The comedic role.
Agnes
Range: G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. Does not need to be blonde. Strong comic skills required.
Marjorie May
Range: G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. Does not need to be blonde.
Dolores
Range: G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. Does not need to be blonde.
Thelma (non-speaking)
Range: G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. Does not need to be blonde.
Gail (non-speaking)
Range: G to G
Singing and dancing member of the “Hollywood Blondes”. Does not need to be blonde.
Cigar
non-singing
Rather aggressive owner of a burlesque theatre. Classic character part.
Pastey
Any Age
Any Gender
non-singing
Burlesque Stage manager in Wichita. Has seen it all.
Offstage Announcer
non-singing
Introduces Gypsy across the country
Renee
non-singing
Louise’s maid.
Phil
non-singing
Louise’s press agent. Big time.
Bourgeron-Cochon
non-singing
Famous French Photographer.
Auditioning Kids
non-singing
Mothers of Auditioning Kids
non-singing
Boy Scouts
non-singing
Hotel Guests
non-singing
Restaurant Wait Staff
non-singing
Front of Cow
Wears Cow Costume in the act.
Rear of Cow
Wears Cow Costume in the act.
Stagehands at Grantziger’s
non-singing
Other Dancers
non-singing
Backstage Figures
non-singing
Showgirls
non-singing
Additional Notes
- Children’s Ensemble (ages 7-11) Three or four boys or girls. Baby June’s back up dancers and singers. Ability of one child to play accordion or clarinet a plus. Must sing and dance.
- Young Women’s Ensemble (ages 16 – 30) singer/dancers who act as both the back up dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee and perform in a large burlesque number in the second act. Strong dancers. Some comic skills very helpful. Very minimal singing. A few have minor expanded roles.
- Young Men’s Ensemble (ages 15-25) Four -six young men sing and dance backup for teenage June, plus join in the number “Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone.” Should be strong singers and dancers. Will double as small parts in Act I and Act II. Must be strong dancers and singers.