Audition Information

 
TUTS OPEN CALLS FOR WHITE CHRISTMAS (December 2008) & CABARET (June 2009)
Dancing Open Calls for WHITE XMAS principals, some CABARET principals, and Ensemble for both shows will be held on FRIDAY OCTOBER 3RD at two times, one starting at 4 PM and one starting at 8 PM*(plan to stay as long as you can, and you need only attend one session) at the TUTS studios, 800 Bagby, downtown.
*Since forced to reschedule these calls in conjuction with Hurricane Ike and the guest director/choreographer’s availability, we realize a weekday is not optimal. We have chosen two different times in order to try and accommodate HSMT teenagers with school schedules, and performers who may have a Friday evening performance conflict. We will try to prioritize any performers with a Friday night show at the 4 PM Call, and save the other later call for the bulk of auditionees. Thanks for your patience and cooperation within those parameters. Auditionees with specific concerns may e-mail Roy Hamlin at roy@tuts.com.

Performers interested in principal/ensemble roles of:

·         Betty Haynes/Rosemary Clooney (female singing/dancing lead, “great singer, proper and sharp in all areas except with men” , 30’s age range)

·         Judy Haynes/Vera Ellen (female dancing/singing lead, “perky with charm and wit”, late 20’s age range)

·         Bob Wallace/Bing Crosby (male singing/dancing lead, “easy going, smooth guy”, 30’s age range)

·         Phil Davis/Danny Kaye (male dancing/singing lead, “funny ladies man, eccentric dancer and singer”, 30’s age range)

·         Rita/Rhoda (ensemble feature dancing roles, “classic 50s showgirls, Va Va Voom , comic relief”, 20’s or 30’s age range)

·         Sally Bowles (female singing/dancing lead, “vamp with a vulnerable side, eccentric, charming, quirky, great belt voice”, 20’s age range)

·         EmCee (male singing/dancing lead, “eccentric and charismatic showman”, age range open)

·         Fraulein Kost (female singing/dancing feature, “prostitute with an edge and comedic ability”, age range open)

·         WHITE CHRISTMAS Ensemble (male/female dancers with primarily tap proficiency who sing very well; auditionees must be 18 years of age or members of the HSMT Academy asked to attend as a callback)

·         CABARET Ensemble (male/female dancers with primarily jazz dance proficiency who sing very well; auditionees must be 18 years of age or members of the HSMT Academy asked to attend as a callback)

Such performers interested in the above roles should attend this call. Please come warmed-up, dressed out (bring both jazz and tap shoes--women in at least 2 inch tap heel if possible) and prepared to dance. There will be dance cuts and afterward some auditionees may be asked to sing or read. All auditionees should prepare two 16-bar vocal selections, one uptempo and one ballad. You are welcome to sing from either score or your own choice of musical theatre repertoire. Not everyone may be asked to sing or read, depending on turnout of auditionees.
Please note all actors interested in Kit Kat Girls (CABARET) must attend this dance call, and that there are no “ensemble sing track only” needs for the CABARET Ensemble. 

Open Call for the WHITE CHRISTMAS principal roles of :

·         Ralph Sheldrake (singing character actor, “a show business operator”, 30’s age range)

·         Ezekial (character-voiced singing character actor, “the oldest man in New England with great comic timing--very simple dance skill”, age range 60+)

·         Susan Waverly (callbacks from Humphreys School Academy students)

Auditions for these three roles will be held on SATURDAY OCTOBER 4TH from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the TUTS studios, 800 Bagby, downtown. The principal role of General Waverly will be considered from those auditioning for Ezekial. The ensemble role of Mr. Snoring Man/Announcer/Mike will be considered from the Sheldrake auditionees.  Men should prepare two 16-bar selections, one uptempo and one ballad; at least one of the songs should be comic. Some men singing for these roles will be asked to read and/or demonstrate simple dance steps.
Please note, the roles of Martha Watson and “Mrs. Snoring Man” (WHITE CHRISTMAS) have been cast. There is no “ensemble sing track only” need for the WHITE CHRISTMAS Ensemble.
General casting/rehearsal information and policies for TUTS can be found here.
Holding these Open Calls will be Roy Hamlin, Associate Artistic Director for TUTS, and Jamie Rocco, guest director/choreographer for WHITE CHRISTMAS. There will be further callbacks for CABARET, as well as further audition processes for the roles of Cliff Bradshaw, Fraulein Schneider, Herr Schulz, and Ernst, later this season. Information on Open Calls in Houston for LES MISERABLES (March/April 2009) will be forthcoming later in the season as well. Keep subscribed to Starmail for best TUTS Houston audition information.
Further questions should be addressed via e-mail ONLY to roy@tuts.com (no telephone inquiries, please).

Theatre Under the Stars holds auditions for both union and non-union performers in three locations: Houston, New York City, and Los Angeles. All performers over the age of 18 in TUTS’ productions are compensated.

The Houston auditions usually take the form of a Season Open Call for talented singers, actors, and dancers held once a year (for which all that season’s musicals are taken into consideration). This open call is followed by individual callback auditions for specific shows, usually attended by the directors and choreographers of each pertinent production. The Season Open Call is held at various times of each year, depending on the production schedule. The best way to be notified of the Season Open Call held in Houston is to signup for the free “StarMail” function of the TUTS homepage. Kindly do not call to inquire whether it’s been scheduled; when it is, the notices will go out. Along with the weekly TUTS cyber newsletter, subscribers to “StarMail” will receive the first notice of the Season Open Call. This cyber notification will be followed up by the usual notices in the performer’s union hotlines and publications. Subscribers to “StarMail” will automatically receive notice without having to keep checking this website. 

Auditions in New York City and Los Angeles are advertised through the performer's union (Equity) hotlines in each locale.

TUTS regrets we do not have the staff time to review audition submissions sent on video or DVD. All auditions must be seen live and in person, within the context of a regular casting call for best comparison of talent and suitability. 

Rehearsal Information

TUTS holds daytime and evening rehearsals at least six days a week, for a minimum of two weeks. Rehearsals are 7.5 to 12 hours in length.

All Auditionees MUST

1. Be 18 years of age or older

2. Have 8X10 headshot (color or black-and-white accepted) and resume

3. Have 2 songs prepared (one upbeat and one ballad). Please bring sheet music in your appropriate key

A pianist will be provided at the audition. TUTS does NOT accept taped accompaniment. Please, no a cappella singing.

PERFORMERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 should contact the training wing of Theatre Under the Stars, the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. For more information on the school's classes, touring troupes, week- and day-camps, and workshop performances call 713.558.8801, or click here. Performers under the age of 18 used in TUTS productions are generally students of the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre.