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***Annie Jr. Audition Parts***
On the following pages, you will find character monologues (a longer speech by one actor/actress). Ladies will choose from the first page and gents will choose from the second. Please choose 2 out of the 3 monologues listed on your page.
Both monologues MUST BE MEMORIZED.
Each student will perform 2 monologues—again, both must be memorized. You will not be partnering up for auditions.
When auditioning, remember the following tips:
- BE IN CHARACTER-What would your character sound like, act like, react like?
- Show expression in your face, voice, and body.
- Make sure you are LOUD, CLEAR, and CONFIDENT.
ANNIE: Is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound “family” who loves her. She has to be motherly, independent, overwhelmed, needy, and hopeful. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain. She also needs a very good understanding of subtext so she can act appropriately during the various scenes between Warbucks and Grace, and Miss Hannigan and Grace. Although she is at times aggressive or crafty, the audience should never doubt Annie is a friendly and caring child; she will go to any extent to gain love of a family to which she can belong.
ANNIE: Pipe down, all of ya. Go back to sleep. It’s all right, Molly. Annie’s here. (Giving her a hanky.) Blow. It was only a dream honey. Now, you gotta go back to sleep. It’s after three o’clock. Read you my note? Again? OK Molly, but only if you go back to sleep! (Reading note) Please take good care of our little darling. Her name is Annie. She was born on October 28th, and we will be back to get her soon. (Reacting to others laughing) All right – do you wanna sleep with your teeth inside your mouth or out?
MISS HANNIGAN-This woman is definitely a “has‐been”. Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings, and every move she makes. Although she is predictable, your audience will delight in the anticipation of what she will do next. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing. The harsh delivery of her lines and intensenessof her songs must distinguish her from the other characters in the show, and are an important reason behind her audience appeal.
MISS HANNIGAN: Aha! Caught you! I hear ya, brat. I ALWAYS hear ya. Rotten orphan. Now, for this one’s shenanigans, you’ll scrub this floor, and strip them beds for the laundry man. And then you’ll get down on your knobby little knees and clean this dump until it shines like the top of the Chrysler Building. Get to work. Now! Why any kid would want to be an orphan, I’ll never know.
LILY is Rooster’s airhead girlfriend. She is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. Like Rooster, the actress playing this role should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing. Has a Jersey accent.
LILY (speaking to Miss Hannigan): Why did the old geezer from Yonkers say that the Rooster swindled him outta eleven hundred bucks? Because he swindled him outta eleven hundred bucks! I’m from Jersey City. The name’s Lily St. Regis – you know, like the hotel. I’m named after it! So you live in this dump? The city may foot your bill but this aint exactly Buckingham Palace. Your pearls ain’t even real. Rooster, I thought you said your big sis was livin’ in Clover? Nah - she’s livin’ in the skids.
THE ORPHANS-These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. These actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as “sibling‐ style” fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have a vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong.
PEPPER:Be quiet, Molly! Can’t anybody get any sleep around here? Don’t feel sorry for HER. We’re the one’s who ain’t getting any sleep! And quit telling me to pipe down. You’re just beggin’ for a black eye, pal!
ROOSTER:Miss Hannigan's despicable brother. Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His “moves” are as smooth as a gambler’s: sly, and deceiving. The actor playing this role should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing.
ROOSTER: (to MISS HANNIGAN) Excuse me, ma'am, was you workin' here eleven years ago? Well, we had terrible troubles back then and had to leave a baby here. On the front stoop. Our little girl. Our Annie. We come from a little farm up in Canada where they've got lots of chickens and ducks and geese and roosters. (He crows and laughs.) Gotcha, Sis! Fooled ya, Aggie. And we're gonna fool Warbucks, too. And get ourselves fifty thousand big ones. We need your help, Sis.
OLIVER “DADDY” WARBUCKS: A powerful, self-assured billionaire who always has his mind on business. While sometime gruff and abrupt, he has a kind heart. At first he is awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, but he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. He begins his transformation when he views “N.Y.C.” through Annie’s eyes and falls in love with the city again . . . and with her. The student who plays Warbucks will need to be extremely focused throughout the show. He must appear middle‐aged, self‐assured and confident. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important.
OLIVER “DADDY” WARBUCKS: (to ANNIE) Annie, I was born into a very poor family and both of my parents died before I was ten. So I made a promise to myself - someday, one way or another, I was going to be rich. Very rich. But, I've lately realized something. No matter how much money you've got, if you have no one to share your life with, if you're alone, then you might as well be broke. I was in Tiffany's yesterday and picked this up for you. It's a silver locket, Annie. I noticed that old, broken one you always wear. I hope you like it, my dear.
BERT HEALY: The ultimate radio personality. He helps Annie by broadcasting about the search for her birth parents. Must have an animated radio announcer personality-lots of intonation and expression.
BERT: Thank you, Annie. On America’s favorite radio program. The Oxydent’s Hour of Smiles, starring your old softy, Bert Healy. Say, who’s that who just walked into our studio? Why, it’s Oliver Warbucks. Oliver Warbucks is conducting a coast-to-coast nationwide search for Annie’s parents and offering a certified check for fifty thousand dollars to any persons who can prove that they are Annie’s parents. So, Annie’s parents, if you’re listenin’ in, write to Oliver Warbucks care of this station.
LIEUTENANT WARD:A policeman who returns Annie to Miss Hannigan after she escapes from the orphanage. Must be firm.
LT. WARD: (thinking Sandy is a stray dog, talking to Annie) Hey, you, little girl. Come here. That dog there. Ain’t I seen him runnin’ around the neighborhood? Ain’t he a stray? Your dog, huh? So, what’s his name? Sandy, because of his Sandy color. Okay, let’s see him answer to his name, when you call him… Well, maybe he is your dog. But the next time you take him out, I wanna see him on a leash and with a license. Or else he goes to the pound. You understand?