XP: NWR: Calling all Theatre People!

saisongbird

I need help!
I was "asked" to direct our school's musical, and agreed.  We're doing Guys and Dolls Jr.  I did my part, got the paperwork in on time...and guess what.  The show kit is not going to be here until the week of November 8th-12th, probably closet to the 12th.  I was planning on holding auditions the week of the 15th.  Crap!!!
The problem is that I can't push back the timeline, so we have to go full steam ahead.  Here's where I need help/ideas/advice:
We need to provide the kids with the audition pieces.  I'm thinking 16 measure cuts of the following songs: Luck Be A Lady for the boys, and A Person Could Develop A Cold and If I Were A Bell for the girls.  I can get the sheet music from Broadway Jr., that's not a problem, but getting accompaniment?  Big problem, since the kit supplies us with an accompaniment CD.
I'm crossing my fingers that the CD will be here by auditions, but what do I do if it's not?  I'm having problems finding karaoke versions (but you find them, let me know where I can get it!) and I'm not a pianist by any means.
So here are my questions:1) Do you agree with the audition selections?  if not, please provide another one from the show.2) What do I do about getting the kids music to practice with?  Do I have them sing with the singer on the CD to practice with and then do it alone for auditions?3) What do I do if the CD or score don't get here in time for auditions?
TIA!

brilibby4

I don't know if they have those specific pieces but "Musical Creations" has TONS of songs and their CDs come with versions of songs with and without the singer.  If you can't get something in time I think I would try to find a pianist prepared to play the two songs.

kayladee87

1. I'm lame and don't know the music well enough to tell you....sorry

2. I think you need the kids to for sure sing by themselves..this will help you know if they're able to actually sing by themselves in general (which is obviously a must for leads).   You should have them all sing together before they sing individually, so they get comfortable with the music.

3.Are there churches that you could contact to see if they have a pianist who could volunteer to help until you receive the CD?

Not sure if this is helpful or not. Good luck

MattsPenguin

When I was growing up, we auditioned with whatever we wanted.  We also had one of the chorus teachers accompany us. 

If that is not an option, will you be providing the music to the kids before hand?  If I don't know a song very well, I'm not sure how I would sound sight-singing.

I think having them sing the song from the show at some point during the audition process (at call backs?) is probably good though, so you know how they sound in the genre.

MattsPenguin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-nwr-calling-theatre-people?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:bbac7249-bd5b-425a-ac07-51aba8ff4845Post:97164a05-82b0-451f-8086-c515654c22a8">Re: XP: NWR: Calling all Theatre People!</a>:
[QUOTE]1. I'm lame and don't know the music well enough to tell you....sorry :( 2. I think you need the kids to for sure sing by themselves..this will help you know if they're able to actually sing by themselves in general (which is obviously a must for leads).   You should have them all sing together before they sing individually, so they get comfortable with the music. 3.<strong>Are there churches that you could contact to see if they have a pianist who could volunteer to help until you receive the CD?</strong> Not sure if this is helpful or not. Good luck :)
Posted by kayladee87[/QUOTE]

Good suggestion!

kayladee87

Also check with the HS band teacher or something...they might have high schoolers who can play piano well enough or know people in the community who can.

FutureMrsTR

We always auditioned with a song of our choice and either the chorus teacher or one of the students would accompany us.  How long are you going to give them to learn an audition piece?

I don't know that show well enough to weigh in on the selections you made.  Sucrets probably would, though.  You could try paging her on the SB board.

doctabroccoli

Yeah, for first auditions, we always sang whatever.  Callbacks were when you actually sang the music from the show.  That would give you an extra week?  It's unfortunate you live in NY and I live in OH, because I am a piano accompanist and would be happy to help, hahaha.

opalsky007

Yeah, we always did a song of our choice as well. I auditioned for Brigadoon singing "Sunrise, Sunset" because I know Fiddler like the back of my hand, even super-nervous.

I think were allowed to either bring in a tape of music for background or use their accompianist. I'd look around for a pianist who can sight-read well, and if you can't find one, just have your kids bring in taped stuff. You can find nearly anything on the internet these days, so I don't see it being too much of a hassle for them to bring in their own.

AlannaF

You're dealing with MTI, right?  Can your rep give you a better estimate of when the ship date is?  Can they give you UPS tracking?  Without knowing exactly when it will arrive, I'd come up with a solid plan B.

1- I think your song choices are fine, but are you planning on having callbacks?  If not, are you going to be able to get a good read on every kid with 16 measures?  If so, cool, but just wanted to throw that out there.  And yes, I'd have everyone audition on the same songs.  It's far more objective that way, and you get to avoid a lot of drama too.

2 - If possible, burn CD's with two tracks, one track of the version with vocals, and a second track without.  If you can't find a track without vocals, find an area pianist to play it and you can record it.  Who cares if it's not a super-quality recording?  And I'd use that same recording for the auditions if you are unable to frind an accompanist to play for them.

I just did a quick search online for "Guys and Dolls Karaoke" and found a lot of karaoke tracks, plus some youtube stuff that you could probably use - is this different from the Jr version?  If these aren't options for you, are there other directors in the area with resources that you can use?