Audition Notice
KISS ME, KATE
Book by Bella & Samuel Spewack Music by Cole Porter
Director: Natalee Husk Music Director: Michael Brett
Assistant Director: Luke van der Beeke Choreographer: TBC
Production company: The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA
Casting Lead roles and Chorus – all ethnicities welcome!
Audition dates:
• Saturday, 22 June 2024
• Sunday, 23 June 2024
Show season: 2 – 13 October 2024 (11 performances) at Dolphin Theatre, Crawley.
To express interest or book an audition time contact:
Roger Starbuck – 0428 763 468 – auditions@gandswa.org.au
If you are unavailable on the weekend of 22 / 23 June 2024, please send an email to Roger expressing your interest and he will advise further. Please note the minimum age requirement for auditionees is 15 years of age as at the date of the auditions.
SYNOPSIS
Egotistical leading man, director, and producer Fred Graham is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Shrew.
The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that, as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love.
Alongside their bickering liaison, the show’s supporting actress, Lois, helps her gambling boyfriend, Bill, as he attempts to evade the the clutches of local gangsters.
Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, the mob, and comedic routines into the mix and you get Kiss Me Kate – a dazzling Broadway classic that earned the very first Tony award for Best Musical.
Characters:
LILLI VANESSI (KATHERINE) — a star stage and screen actress, former wife of Fred Graham (playing age 30s-50s, any ethnicity, female gender presentation)
FRED GRAHAM (PETRUCHIO) — producer & former husband of Lilli (playing age 30s-50s, any ethnicity, male gender presentation)
HATTIE — Lili Vanessi’s dresser (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
PAUL — Fred Graham’s dresser, specialty dancer & leader of solo trio for “Too Darn Hot” (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
LOIS LANE (BIANCA) — a nightclub singer in her first featured role on the stage (playing age 20’s-30s, any ethnicity, female gender presentation)
BILL CALHOUN (LUCENTIO) — a Broadway hoofer, Lois’ partner and a chronic gambler (playing age 20’s-30s, any ethnicity, male gender presentation)
FIRST GANGSTER — gunman-enforcer & half the donkey for Finale Act Two (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
SECOND GANGSTER — gunman-enforcer & half the donkey for Finale Act Two (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
GENERAL HARRISON HOWELL — career military officer, politician and Lilli’s love interest (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
GREMIO — first suitor; ensemble dancer & motorcyclist; doubles as Flynt, aide to Gen. Howell (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
HORTENSIO — second suitor; ensemble dancer & motorcyclist; doubles as Riley, aide to Gen. Howell (any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
POPS (STAGE DOORMAN) — ensemble; doubles as Padua Priest
RALPH (STAGE MANAGER) — ensemble singer
DANCE CAPTAIN — doubles as Gregory, servant to Petruchio; ensemble dancer & recorder player
HARRY TREVOR — a veteran character actor; doubles as Baptista Minola; paternal vibe
STAGEHAND #1 (ELECTRICIAN & CAB DRIVER) — doubles as Nathaniel, servant to Petruchio
STAGEHAND #2 (ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN) — doubles as Philip, servant to Petruchio
STAGEHAND 33 (CARPENTER & DRIVER FOR GEN. HOWELL) — doubles as Haberdasher
WARDROBE PERSON — ensemble singer
ENSEMBLE SINGER — part of quartet for “Bianca”; doubles as Padua Inn Waitress
ENSEMBLE – Company of sopranos, altos, tenor and bass singers and dancers; citizens of Padua (all any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)
Audition notes:
Auditions will take place at the G&S WA Hall, corner Lemana Rd & Ravenswood Court, Nollamara on the weekend of 22 – 23 June 2024.
Please prepare a 32-bar cut of a song that is in the style of Kiss Me Kate and bring a copy of the piano accompaniment for our pianist to play. Please do not prepare material from the show. If you are auditioning for a principal role, please prepare two songs of contrasting styles. (e.g. lyrical/ballad/romantic & character/belter/dramatic).
Dance / movement piece videos will be available 4 weeks before the audition for you to learn. There are opportunities for both dancers and movers!
As there are many speaking lead and ensemble roles each auditionee will be asked to do a reading: Kiss Me Kate – Audition Readings
Audition Format
Please arrive 20 minutes before your audition time to allow time to register and warm up.
Please wear comfortable clothing, bring your water bottle and if you own them bring your chorus, jazz and tap shoes otherwise sneakers are fine.
– Arrive – register and warm up.
– Small Groups – learn dance routine.
– Individual readings and vocals.
– Small group performance of dance routine.
Rehearsals and additional notes:
Rehearsals are potentially scheduled for Mondays and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons unless otherwise advised. You may not be required for all of these scheduled times; all cast and crew will receive detailed rosters during the rehearsal period. The first call will be a “Meet & Greet” on Monday, 8 July.
If you would like to volunteer to help out behind-the-scenes i.e. props, costumes, set, bump-in etc. we would love to meet you! Please send an email to Max Page, Production Manager: productions@gandswa.org.au or Roger Starbuck Co-Production Manager to discuss further. Thank you.