We are proud to announce the audition details for our July 2010 production, set to be one of the most exciting and energetic ever to be staged in ARC's history. Don't miss out!

A note from the Director Stephen Valeri [PDF]

Vocal Audition Dates

• Wednesday 24^th February from 6:30 pm
• Thursday 25^th February from 6:30 pm
• Sunday 28^th February from 2:00 pm

All auditionees must take part in the initial vocal audition. Please provide legible sheet music in the correct key or backing tracks - no transpositions or A Capella singing will be accepted.

Please make sure you that you also bring a headshot of yourself that we can keep when you come in for your vocal audition.

Compulsory Dance Audition

• Sunday 28^th February - evening

Callbacks (if required) will be held on Tuesday 2^nd March.

Audition Requirements

For the initial vocal audition, all auditionees are asked to prepare excerpts from two contrasting songs. Please note that audition time may be limited, hence why the artistic team have requested that auditionees prepare excerpts, rather than entire songs, as it is unlikely that time constraints will allow for us to hear whole songs. Please pick an appropriate starting point for the excerpt which you believe best showcases your vocal abilities. Please consider the style of show "Hello, Dolly!" is when selecting your audition pieces. Try and ensure that your selections are appropriate.

All Auditionees will be required to take part in a group dance audition on the evening of Sunday 28^th February. You will be notified of the time you are required at your vocal audition.

Venue

Auditions will be held at Banyule Theatre, Cnr Buckingham Drive and Beverly Road, Heidelberg, Melway Ref 32 D3.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be held at both the Banyule Theatre in Heidelberg and the St Gabriel's Hall in Reservoir. Rehearsals will be on Sundays from 12pm and Wednesdays from 7:30pm and they will commence on Sunday 7^th March.

Book Your Audition

Please call 0435 062 087 or email

Forms

Please download the following attachment, and bring completed Audition Form to your audition

• Audition Form [PDF]

Character Descriptions

Dolly Levi: The Quintessential leading lady. Dolly exudes confidence and class. She is a well known figure of the community - a matchmaker, widow, meddler, opportunist, vivacious woman - Passionate and flamboyant, with a sense of tenderness. The actress portraying this role must possess impeccable comic timing, a strong and sustained character portrayal, as well as a commanding and strong vocal ability.

Stage age: 25+ Vocal range: Mezzo Soprano Dance ability: Some

Horace Vandergelder: The well-known half-a-millionaire widower who owns the Feed Store. Appears as frustrated and cranky, but is misunderstood. A protective cover shields his ultimately soft heart. Requires a strong character actor with a rich vocal quality.

Stage age: 30+ Vocal range: Baritone Dance ability: Some

Cornelius Hackl: A young and energetic adult, yearning for excitement and new experiences. He is the head clerk at the Feed Store and exudes all things energetic and enthusiastic. He is adventurous and a child at heart. A real 'triple threat' required for this role.

Stage age: 30-35 Vocal range: Light Baritone/Tenor Dance ability: Strong

Barnaby Tucker: Assistant to Cornelius at the Feed Store. A little more skeptical than his superior, but still willing and excited to experience new things. A little shy, quiet and naive - yet energized and youthful. Strong comical ability and a real 'triple threat' required for this role.

Stage age: 17-20 Vocal range: Light Baritone/Tenor Dance ability: Strong

Irene Molloy: A young widow and owner of the Hat Shop. Naturally beautiful, she exudes a natural sense of grace and poise. She is intelligent and ahead of her time - hence her spurring sense of adventure. A real 'triple threat' required for this role.

Stage Age: 20-30 Vocal range: Light Soprano Dance ability: Strong

Minnie Fay: Assistant to Irene Molloy. Undeniably cute! Young, beautiful and energetic. Willing to follow wherever her superior leads - as long as it involves fun! Strong comical ability and a real 'triple threat' required for this role.

Stage age: 17-20 Vocal range: mezzo-soprano Dance ability: strong

Ambrose Kemper: A young struggling artist. Youthful and energetic - but out to prove his maturity and worth. Is adamant that he will marry Ermengarde. Very strong dance skills required.

Stage age: 19-23 Vocal range: Tenor Dance ability: Very Strong

Ermengarde: Horace's niece. A young, whiney and bratty teenager - but ultimately a sweetheart. Head over heels in love with Ambrose and determined to marry him. Very strong dance skills required.

Stage age: 17-20 Vocal range: Any Dance ability: Very Strong

Ernestina: An acquaintance of Dolly Levi. Utilized to carry out part of her master scheme. A fun loving and exuberant woman, willing to lend her hand. Character role - strong character actress required.

Stage age: 25+ Vocal range: Any Dance ability: Some

Minor Character roles including:

• Rudi and Named Waiters, Mrs. Rose and Judge.
• 'Troupe' of both male and female dancers to perform an ensemble who will be featured heavily throughout the piece.
• A large Chorus ensemble to be featured constantly throughout the show.

This show is filled with large-scale full company production numbers, as well as crowd scenes and minor character roles - the ensemble are going to be utilized extensively and featured heavily in this piece!