Friday, November 28, 2014

Kim's HOW LOVELY... Piano only

http://youtu.be/13QXOya-SZo

The track we will be using for the audition is a little faster than this. I will help you get started at the audition, but just be aware I played this a little slower than the track.

KIDS with no voice--piano only

For Mr. And Mrs. McAfee

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Bye Bye Birdie Video Helps

These videos are practice helps that will be especially useful if you don't play piano! They aren't perfect (except for Mr. Forsgren's. He's perfect, of course!) so just use them to inspire your rehearsal. Memorize your lines and use LOTS of personality! Don't rush. Slow down and enjoy your audition.

SONG FOR ALL GIRLS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fy5KiCaBBk&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw&index=1
SONG FOR ALL BOYS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqPP_ebbKc4&index=2&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Albert's Song with just the melody played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gzCaxhGre0&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw&index=4
Albert's Song with Accompaniment:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWn4NuzOzAw&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Conrad's Song with just the melody played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnJsKlkwQmk&index=1&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Conrad's Song with the accompaniment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xsKtj_EbHY&index=2&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Harvey Johnson's Solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8m_jq0-mI&index=5&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Mr. AND Mrs. MacAfee's Song with Melody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-PmxA1JMMA&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw&index=4
Mr. AND Mrs. MacAfee's Song with Accompaniment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-PmxA1JMMA&index=1&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Rose's English Teacher:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbuxAehJKQ4&index=1&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw
Kim MacAfee's How Lovely to Be a Woman just melody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8RwuR3XHzo&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw&index=1
Kim's Song with accompaniment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpSnC1BA_FY&list=UUpW2ssdxqxAfa6wT7Tk57Pw&index=1

Girl's Audition info

All girls will be required to audition in groups of 5 with the following song. Those who would like to audition for a lead will be given the opportunity after singing with their group.  Remember, piano accompaniment will be used at auditions, so be sure and practice with the video on the blog.


ROSE ALVAREZ
Albert’s secretary. Principal Singer and Lead female. Rose is confident, smart, and definitely crazy about Albert—though she’s fed up with him being a “Momma’s Boy!” Big voice with a lower vocal range. Dancing skills a big plus.
Lines/Song to Memorize
       “You’re 33 years old, Albert. You can take a whole aspirin. My mind is made up. I’ve been with “Al-Mae-Lou” for 8 years now and for what? A five-dollar raise in 1954? I want something more than that! Will you listen to me, Albert…I’m serious!”

Kim MacAfee
15 years old, very pretty and self-possessed. She just got pinned to Hugo Peabody (they’re going steady). Young woman selected to be kissed by huge American celebrity, Conrad Birdie, before he goes to the army.
Lines/Song to be memorized


“That’s just it, Hugo, I’m your steady! Oh, I may admire Conrad Birdie as one admires a far-distant and unattainable idea. But I’m pinned to you, Hugo, and I don’t care how common and ordinary you are, that’s how I’m going to stay! –You were silly to worry, Hugo. Conrad Birdie may be a great public figure but he doesn’t make me feel all dizzy and faint when I think of him. Only my steady does that. Why, even when I say his name I don’t feel a thing. Listen. Conrad Birdie! Conrad Birdie. (And it hits her.  Huskily:) Conrad Birdie…(she wavers as if beginning to faint)

Mrs. MacAfee
Mother of Kim. Patient and matronly. Adores her husband and children. Flustered by Kim’s new “grown up” attitude!  Admires Conrad Birdie, like all other woman in Sweet Apple.
Lines/Song to memorize
(someone will read Kim’s lines for you. Be prepared with Mrs. MacAfee’s lines.)

Ursula
Kim’s best friend. CRAZY about Conrad Birdie. Tons of personality and a great screamer; doesn’t have to sing alone.
Memorize the following Lines
Conrad Birdie, welcome to Sweet Apple! Now before I escort  you to the Town Hall where the Mayor himself is waiting, I would like to introduce to you the girl upon whom you have chosen to bestow you final kiss upon (the bad grammar is intentional!!)…and who will now join us in reciting the Conrad Birdie pledge! Kim MacAfee! (puts hand over heart) I, Ursula Merkle, being of sound mind and body do hereby promise to be loyal, courteous, steadfast and true, to Conrad Birdie and the United States of America—both indivisible, with liberty and justice for all! (Screams!!!)

Mae Petersen
Albert’s mother. Oh, man. She has to be hilarious. Every line has to be said as though she’s the most picked-on woman, trodden down by her heartless son—when in reality, she just wants to keep Albert under her thumb.
Please memorize the following lines (just the big line in the middle):

Those desiring lead roles should select one of these characters to portray at auditions. Select a role that will allow you to dig in to the character and have lots of fun. At call backs, we will audition for roles not seen above. 

Boys Auditions


ALL BOYS auditioning will be required to sing the following song (in groups of 5).  Girls sing the typed lyrics. Boys sing hand-written lyrics. Remember to sing down an octave from where the music is written.


Albert Peterson
Young man in his early 30’s. President of Al-Mae-Lou Music Corporation. Conrad Birdie’s manager.  He is in love with his secretary, Rose, but won’t commit because he is a big Momma’s boy. He’s charismatic and charming, but definitely is under his mother’s thumb.

Lines/Songs to Memorize
(Rose is threatening to leave forever because Albert won’t commit to marriage—after 8 years! Albert says:)  “Rose, I’ll make a deal with you! Stay with me, help me get the money to pay Conrad’s guarantee, and as soon as I’m out of the red…I’ll dissolve Al-Mae-Lou and go back to the academic life! And I promise you, as soon as this thing is settled, it’ll just be the two of us, Rose! In perfect bliss. (an idea for a new Conrad song hits him) Bliss! Kiss! That rhymes! I wonder if anyone used it before. Oh, what difference does is make! It’ll be great for the song!”
Harvey Johnson
Harvey is the total NERD, but he’s not shy about asking out the ladies! His voice cracks when he sings, and he just wants to get a date for the prom! The lyrics here are a little hard to read—it says, “Hello, Mister Henkel. This is Harvey Johnson, Can I speak to Penelope Ann?” There are no spoken lines to memorize.


Hugo Peabody
He is all-American and good looking. He is Kim’s “steady” boyfriend and very jealous of Conrad! He gets to knock Conrad Birdie out during the “One Last Kiss” scene.  No solo singing for Hugo.
Lines to Memorize (someone will read Alice’s part for you)
Hugo:  (bursting forth) What’s so important? I’ll tell you what’s so important! The day after I give her my pin, she goes around kissing someone else, that’s what’s so important! I want you to know I’m quite upset about this. I’ve already had several headaches and a nosebleed!
Alice: Why, Hugo, I believe you’re actually jealous of Conrad Birdie!

Hugo:  Me jealous? I’m the opposite of jealous. I’m very jealous! And I have every right to be. Kim’s my steady!
Conrad Birdie
Huge rock and roll star. Think ELVIS PRESLEY--that is who Conrad Birdie is supposed to act, look, and sing like. He’s arrogant, cocky and totally self-centered. Flirts with ALL women. Doesn’t really have spoken lines, so MUST be a great singer and Elvis-style dancer.  Have FUN at the audition. Please dance/move while singing the following:

Mr. MacAfee
Kim’s disgruntled father. He does NOT appreciate all this Conrad Birdie nonsense. He has some of the funniest lines in the show and needs to be a great actor.  Bring your sense of humor is you want to be Mr. MacAfee!
Lines and Song to Memorize
(He’s feeling very frustrated since Conrad is actually staying in his house. Someone will read Kim’s line for you)
Kim:  Daddy, I wish you’d hurry!  I want to have all this mess cleared away before Conrad comes down!
Mr. MacAfee:  This mess, as you call it, Kim, happens to be my breakfast. And I intend to enjoy it! Last night I gave     up my room to a guest who repeatedly referred to me as “Fats.” Telephone calls were made on my phone to New York, Chicago, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Hong Kong. I slept in a camp cot with my feet in the fireplace and my head in an ashtray. Outside my window three harpies shrieked, “We love you, Conrad” four thousand seven hundred and twenty-three times!!!! And now I have lost my two fried eggs!
(His song is on the following page. Be sure to sing it down an octave—man’s voice!)

Online Audition packet

Bye Bye Birdie
Audition Packet

Instructions:

1.                Take home this packet. Fill out your audition form and GET IT SIGNED by a parent or guardian.
2.              Decide if you are auditioning to be a member of the cast or a lead character. 
3.              Study the part you have selected! Memorize the lines and lyrics for the part you’ve chosen. Get on our show BLOG at www.bemstheater.blogspot.com.  You will find videos to help you be totally prepared.
4.              Sign up for an audition time on Monday December 1st. Get a friend to sign up with you:)!
5.              Come happy and prepared for a wonderful audition on Dec. 8 or 9. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, wear some deodorant and be CONFIDENT. Be on time, and bring your signed audition/contract form.

6.              High five yourself for being amazing. Yeah. 




BEMS Musical Audition/Contract Form
Please bring this page, completed and signed to hand in at audition.
NAME____________________________________                                      Grade   ________
                             (first)                               (last)                                                              (8th, 9th)

Address: ____________________________ City_____________________ Age:_____Gender:  M  F    Height:____Hair Color:_____________________

Your Home Phone#___________________ Your Cell#_____________                                             
Parent Name_________________ ___________Cell:_____________
Parent Email________________________________________________________
Previous Acting/ Dancing/Singing/Athletic Experience or Formal Training. List all that apply. Feel free to use the back of the form if you need more space.



Role(s) I am auditioning for:_____________________________________________________
Would you be willing to accept other roles?  Yes   No 
Are there any roles you would NOT like to be considered for?______________________________
Are you willing to be a member of the chorus/ensemble?   Yes   No 

Prior Commitments:  Check your calendar carefully for the months of Jan., Feb., and Mar., 2014.  List any scheduled conflicts you will have during those months, particularly March!
Tip: Students, use the checklist below to assist you when considering conflicts / activities that need to be listed J
Church Activities/Programs/Sports                  Drivers Ed                     Sports/Lessons/Training        Difficult classes                         Academic Clubs Babysitting     Field trips          Teams         Weddings/Family Events Conferences      
Family Trips/Weekend Plans             Dr./ Dentist Appts.                    Work        Tryouts: club, cheer, dance, sports
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The Contract        We understand the rehearsal commitment for BYE BYE BIRDIE and will do our best to attend all scheduled rehearsals. We understand that students will be dismissed from the cast and replaced after 3 unexcused absences or at any time for behavior deemed inappropriate by directors or BEMS Administration.  We appreciate the opportunity for students to perform in a school production and will give our best effort.

_______________________________Parent Signature 

_______________________________Student Signature