How to Succeed in Business
Audition Information
Audition Bookings:To book your audition session
You will be required for approximately 1 hour
(see the Audition Format below)
Audition Times:Saturday 26th April 9:00am-2:00pm
Sunday 27th April 9:00am-2:00pm
Monday 28th April 7:00pm-10:30pm (Call Backs)
Location: Belconnen Community Theatre
26 Chandler Street, Belconnen ACT
Ages: 15+
Director: Richard Block
Musical Director: Max Gambale
Choreographer: Kathryn Jones
Show Dates & Venue: 25th July - 2nd August 2014, Belconnen Community Theatre
Rehearsal Information:* Starting from Sunday 4th May, 2014, 3 days a week.
Monday 7:00pm - 10:00pm Wednesday 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday 3:00pm - 6:00pm
About the Show
The Rokitelly Man is a new work by Canberra locals Michael Heming (writer) and Andrew Hackwill (composer). After six years in the writing and workshops with leading Canberra performers The Rokitelly Man is set to come alive for the first time.
A fun, funny and clever show it is sure to delight audiences as it romps across a wide variety of song styles with catchy tunes and lyrics.
Over the years Andrew Hackwill has written a number of shows that have received great praise including It Was That Way When I Got Here, The Department of Heaven, Sanger Hill and The Court of Swing Caractacus.
Michael Heming is a long time Canberra performer who now lives and performs in Sydney. Recently Michael had his first work Harassment featured in the Sydney Short and Sweet festival.
The Rokitelly Man requires 8 principle actors who each have a variety of solo songs and parts as well as 8 chorus who will be extremely busy bringing the bustling business of the Toy Emporium to life.
Show Synopsis
The Toy Emporium is the busiest, most successful toy store in the country. But buried deep in it's hustling and bustling workforce is Jeremy, a socially awkward and somewhat naive dreamer. Stuck in Packaging, his only wish is to design toys and secretly he has been toiling away on a new robot invention - the Rokitelly.
The Rokitelly, however, has some minor design flaws - it keeps bursting into flames. Unsure of what to do and with no help from his womanising best friend Paul, it is left to Cindy, the girl Jeremy secretively loves, to suggest he takes the Rokitelly to the heads of the company.
With declining financial fortunes the company is in trouble and Mrs Pembleton, the overbearing owner and head of the company, sees in the Rokitelly a chance to reverse the company's woes. She places Jeremy into the capable hands of Erol Kilty the head of the toy design department and a legend in the toy industry.
Jeremy soon learns that success comes at a cost, as the management schemes against him, Cindy chooses to pursue her dreams overseas and his own dreams impact on those of his best friend, Paul.
Along the way we meet a gang of colourful characters in search of love, fortune and that holy grail we call 'success'.
Characters
Jeremy
Shy, socially awkward but with deep feelings and big dreams. Jeremy is hopeless with women but when Cindy walks into his life looking for envelopes everything changes. Nervously Jeremy takes his new invention to the heads of the company where he is caught up in the drama of trying to run a successful company.
Featured Songs: Another Stinking Day, Forever More, Life Size, Letter From Paris, Vengeance
Age: 18 - 30
Requirements: Strong acting, singing and movement.
VocalRange: "B" 2nd line of bass clef to "F#" above middle-C (B2 - F#4)
Paul
Slick and smooth, women love him and he loves them. He's Jeremy's best friend and tries to guide him on how to talk to women. His player days come to a screeching halt when he meets the beautiful Julie, a secretary in the company. She however, doesn't want to marry a simple courier but Paul tries everythinghe can to win her over.
Featured Songs: Another Stinking Day, Little Black Book, Now
Age: 18 - 30
Requirements: Strong acting, singing and movement.
VocalRange: "D" 3rd line of bass clef to "F" above Middle-C(D3 - F4)
Cindy
Sweet, friendly and supportive. Cindy dreams of becoming a star but falls for Jeremy when he comes to see her perform at her first show at a local night club. After getting an offer to study in Paris she is conflicted about what to do and has to find a way to break the bad news to Jeremy.
Featured Songs: Thinking of You, Letter From Paris, Goodbye
Age: 18 - 30
Requirements: Strong acting, singing and movement
VocalRange: "D" 3rd line of bass clef to "F" above Middle-C(D3 - F4)
Mrs Pembleton
The over bearing and bossy owner of the Toy Emporium. She is short with her staff, rude and always right. When things go wrong it's just "La di da" for Pembleton - everything will just sort itself out.
Featured Songs: La Di Da Like Me, Everything Has It's Price, Nobody Better Than Us
Ages: 30+
Requirements: Strong acting and singing
VocalRange: "G" below middle-C to "D" 4th line of treble clef(G3 - D5)
Richard
The head of marketing at the Toy Emporium. He is cocky, arrogant and fiercely competitive. He thinks he is brilliant and is not shy telling people why. He and Paul clash over the company's annual tennis competition as Paul feels Richard unfairly beat him the previous year. Their competitiveness turns vicious when they both start courting Julie.
Featured Songs: Never This Crap, Nobody Better Than Us
Ages: 25+
Requirements: Strong acting, singing, movement
VocalRange: "C" 2nd space of bass clef to "F" above middle-C(C3 - F4)
Angela
A down to earth, pleasant and friendly girl who falls in love with Paul but he only has eyes for Julie. Angela is secretary to Erol Kilty but becomes Jeremy's assistant when he is promoted to the Toy Design Department.
Featured Songs: Oh My, Now, He Realises Me
Age: 18 - 30
Requirements: Strong acting, singing, movement
VocalRange: "A" below middle-C to "C" 4th space of treble clef(A3 - C5)
Julie
The attractive and glamorous office secretary who is only interested in looking good and catching a rich husband. She's fun and friendly when she's after something but she has no qualms about breaking hearts or playing men off against each other.
Featured Songs: He'll Be The One For Me, He Realises Me
Age: 18 - 30
Requirements: Strong acting, singing, movement
VocalRange: "B" below middle-C to "B" 3rd line of treble clef(B3 - B4)
Erol
Head of the Toy Design Department and rarely seen, he is considered a recluse. However, when he takes Jeremy under his wing we see the enthusiasm he has for his job and toys.
Featured Songs: Everything Has It's Price, Life Size
Age: 30+
Requirements: Strong acting and singing
VocalRange: "Eb" 3rd space of bass clef to "F" above middle-C(Eb3 - F4)
Chorus - 4 Males, 4 Females
All chorus members play a variety of different characters. There is a heavy dance load on the chorus across several numbers. Strong dance and singing ability is the primary requirement for chorus members but good acting is also desirable.
Ages: 15+
Female Ensemble
VocalRange:"Bb" below middle-C to "C" 3rd space of treble clef(Bb3 - C5)
Male Ensemble
VocalRange:"Bb"2nd line of bass clef to "F" above middle-C(Bb2 - F4)
Audition Format
Auditions are broken up into one hour sessions. In each session 5 auditionees will be required to sing a song and do a reading. The reading will be provided to you by email based on what role or roles you are auditioning for.
You may choose to sing any song that you are most comfortable with and you think best showcases your ability. We encourage you to bring sheet music for the music director to accompany from but you are welcome to bring a CD backing or your own accompanist. Please do not sing unaccompanied.
The dance component of the audition will be held at either the beginning or end of the session and will cross over into the next or previous session. All 10 auditionees from both sessions will be learning a dance together and performing it. You will be advised in advance whether the dance segment is at the beginning or end of your session.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your scheduled audition to ensure you have all your paperwork in order. The time you are required will be clearly specified in the audition pack you receive by email.
Other points
* Wear comfortable clothing for the dance segment
* Bring a bottle of water
* Try and complete all the necessary forms before arriving at the audition
* Call backs will be held Monday night (28th April). If you are not called back it does not mean you haven't been given a role in the show.
What are call backs?
After everyone has had a chance to audition it may be necessary to ask some people to return to sing a song from the show and read more lines. This is usually done when trying to decide between two people who are equally suitable for a role or to see how well people work together.
You will be contacted Sunday night (27th April) if you are required for the Monday night call back and told what songs you will be singing and emailed the readings. It would be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the songs and reading before the call back.
Tips from the director
* Practice before your audition - it's a good idea to have a singing teacher to help rehearse the song you will be singing before you attend. Also try to establish the character you want to depict for your reading.
* There is no need to tell us if you are sick. Believe it or not our music director can tell. However, do advise of any injuries or medical conditions you might have that could affect your participation in the dance session.
* Relax and have fun - The audition panel want you to do your best and you always perform at your best when you are relaxed and enjoying the experience.
Good luck and I look forward to seeing you in the audition room!
* Please note: we place great value on your time so every effort is made to only call you to the rehearsals that you are needed for. Additionally, if you are in a scene with just a walk on part or one or two lines, you will not be called to rehearse that scene until later in the rehearsal period.
VocalRange Summary
The following table indicates the vocal range and song involvement for each character.
We shall define "Low C" as the C one octave below "Middle C" and "High C" as the C one octave above "Middle C"
